Because book reviews reflect the personal opinions of the reviewer, there are no absolute rules for how to write one.  There are publishing industry guidelines, however, that the National League of American Pen Women follows to encourage a fair and thorough review process for books that have been published recently by Pen Women.

A book review is not simply a retelling of a story or a synopsis of the book, not a summary or a book report, the kind that teachers often require to determine if students have read the book.  A book review is more analytical.  It evaluates the quality, meaning and significance of a book, focusing on the book’s purpose, content, and authority.  It analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the work, explaining why the book was or was not effective in capturing and maintaining the reviewer’s interest.

Some Standard Procedures for Writing Book Reviews

1. State the author’s purpose (to explain, to entertain, to convince, etc.) and intended audience.  Identify the general field or genre (history, mystery, romance, sci-fi, memoir, children’s, biography, poetry, etc.)  Evaluate the writing style (clarity, originality, appropriateness for the intended audience, etc.)  How did the book affect you?  Would you recommend it?  Why?
    
2.  It helps to state the theme (the subject or topic) and the thesis (the author’s claim about      the topic).
    Example
    Title:  A Mercy(Toni Morrison)
    General Subject Matter:  Slavery in America
    Theme:  The effects of early slave trade in 17th-century Maryland
    Thesis:  A slave’s acts of mercy can have unforeseen   consequences.
    
3. Respond to the way the author supports the thesis, and illustrate your remarks with specific references and quotations.  If a work of fiction, do not reveal the outcome.
    
4. The review of 250-400 words must be written by another Pen Woman, not by the author herself. The reviewer should be willing to do a critical reading of the book impartially and without bias.  If unable to do so, she should decline.

Additional Guidelines for Submitting Book Reviews to the Magazine:

1. Provide the essential information about the book: title, author, branch, publisher, city, state, format (hardcover, soft cover, or disk), number of pages, ISBN, and price.  Make sure books are available for purchase and include a link to the publisher’s or author’s Website.
    
2.  A copy of the book must be sent by mail to the Book Reviews Editor, Zona Gale.  Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) if you want the book returned or sent to the Pen Arts Building for the NLAPW Library (please address the envelope with the correct address).  The review itself may be emailed to Zona: johnbssr@aol.com
    
3. Send a thumbnail photo of the book cover and/or the author to the Pen Woman Editor, Ann Rosati, with identifying information (see Images for specifics in Submission Guidelines)   

Note to Publishers: Our book reviews are limited to works written by our members.  If you wish to have your published book reviewed in The Pen Woman magazine, please contact our office at 202-785-1997. We will be happy to discuss membership with your female authors.