Monday, August 20, 2007

THE PRINCES OF THE GOLDEN CAGE by Nathalie Mallet

The editor at Night Shade Books is sending me a review copy of PRINCES OF THE GOLDEN CAGE. This is my first experience with an ARC and I admit to mixed feelings. On the one hand, it seems to validate my small-yet-growing niche as a blogger. On the other hand, it makes it feel more like *Literary Criticism* and less like fun.

However, I'll do my best to banish those feelings. He also emailed me the first three chapters, which I've already read. I'll try to get a post up on it tomorrow morning. In the meantime, here's a link to my original shout-out about her book, where you can find all the usual links.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just because the book is free doesn't mean that it isn't fun! When I have the opportunity to pick up ARCs I always make sure that I only pick up books that I think I would enjoy. If you do the same I have no doubt that it will continue to be fun!

Remy
www.thefantasyreview.com

Graeme Flory said...

I'm looking forward to seeing a copy of this as well :o) I don't look at what I do as literary criticism, all you're doing is writing down an opinion that you already have ;o)

Tia Nevitt said...

I mostly said that to prevent myself from taking myself too seriously. (Did that make sense?) We're all entitled to opinions, after all!

Aaron Wilson said...

How did you attract the publisher? I know that I only review short fiction, but I always link to the book or magazine in which the story was found.

I’m new the game and want in.

Any suggestions?

The Soulless Machine Review

Tia Nevitt said...

This is really a question for the Godfather (Pat at http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com).

In this case, Graeme (http://www.graemesfantasybookreview.com/) was kind enough to give the editor my email address when the editor contacted him.

Another blogger that I know is friendly with the author, so the author gave her an ARC of an upcoming book.

The longer you do this, the more connections you make, I guess. As far as being "in", I think you are already "in" so don't worry about that!

Chris, The Book Swede said...

I tend, like Remy, only to get ARCs from authors that I already know or who I notice on the web and really like the look of.

That way, publishers won't feel a bit put out if I don't necessarily like the book.

Aaron--publisher websites tend to be the best place :) It's where I get most of my contacts, though, like Tia said, the longer you do it, the more connections you make.

Message boards are also fantastic. Lots of authors hang out there. It's where I've got the RC for two books now--Tad Williams' and a new debut author.

Looking forward to what you make of the book, Tia =D

Tia Nevitt said...

I'll have to check out those publisher message boards, myself.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your first ARC! I understand about not taking yourself too seriously, but there's still nothing like sitting in a coffee shop reading a book no one else can buy yet... It's a thrill every time. :)

Tia Nevitt said...

I guess it's not really an ARC since the book came out last week . . . maybe I should just call it an RC.

But thanks anyway!

Anonymous said...

LOL! Well you still can't beat free books. It's like a birthday in your mailbox every time. :)

Anonymous said...

BTW, will post a permanent link to you on Straight from the Barrel...

Also linked to you on 100 Bloggers today, right here.

Tia Nevitt said...

Thanks for the links! I'm going to check out your sites right now.

Aaron Wilson said...

Yes, congratulations!

I just miss ARCs a lot. I used to be the sales manager for a Borders Books before the store was closed. The ARCs would pour in every day and I miss reading them before they were released to the consumer public. I treasure all my Laurel K. Hamilton ARCs, but my favorite ARC was Natural Section by Dave Freedman.

And thank you all for the advice!

Long live the blog reviewers!

SQT said...

Good going Tia.

I've always kind of feared the contradiction between the free book and the honest review. But I've noticed Pat (Pat's Fantasy Hotlist) always gives an honest assessment and doesn't seem to have a problem with the publishers. That's why I finally decided to contact the publishers myself and add more book reviews to my blog. I've also noticed Sci-fi Signal gets a lot of ARC's without having to suck up to anyone. So I think the publishers are willing to take the chance that someone doesn't like their book in order to get the name of the author out there.

Good luck with your reviews. I hope you get tons of books.

Tia Nevitt said...

Wow; this announcement has turned into quite the ARC discussion. Which means, I guess, that it needs to be discussed.