Writing a book review is simply and easy if you follow a few steps.

This guide will cover a few basic guidelines to help you get started writing book reviews.  Follow these simple steps with examples and you will be on your way to sharing your favorite book with others.  I hope it is helpful to you.  If you have anyquestions eBay mail me or contact me through my blog and I'll be happy to help you.  You may want to write your review in Word to make use of the superior spelling and grammers check.  You must then copy and past the review into Wordpad, then copy and paste again into the review.  If you try to copy and paste directly into the review block you will get a HTLM error - this is because of the code Word adds to your test, not because you actually have HTLM code in the review.

First: Why Did You Buy the Book?

• First start off by saying what attracted you to the book - is it a series that you read?  Do you like the author's other books?  Was it recommended o you by another person?  Did you read a review on it by someone else and decide to buy it?
• For example: I bought this book because I am familiar with the author's other books.  The title and the cover were enticing.  I bought the book because I am interested in Elizabethan England, the customs, medicines and dress.

Second: What is the Book About?

• Then include a few lines about what the book is about.  Give just enough to interest the person.  Do not give away the ending.
• For example:  The book is one in a series of books about Queen Elizabeth.  The main themes of these books is murder and plots to take over the crown.  In this book Elizabeth battles with smallpox and an attempt to take over the crown using an smallpox scarred effigy and look-a-like body.  The book covers alot about herbal healing in Elizabethan England - a topic I am interested in.  If you like historical fiction, I'm sure you will like this book too.

Third: Things not to do

• This is not the place to state that you did not get the book or were not satisfied with the sellers' service.  Do not say that you bought the book but did not get it.  The forum to discuss this is a discussion board or a blog or stated in the feedback for the seller.  People are interested in reading about the book - not that a seller did not send it  to you.  You may get a negative or at the least no vote at all. 
• Don't get to hung up on votes.  Votes are to merely guide you with your writing and do not mean anything other than the person found your review well written, helpful or interesting.  I have postd a link to another wonderful guide on why your guide/review might not be voted helpful.
• This is not the place for spelling and grammer mistakes.  You want your writing to be as professional as possible.  You never know who may be reading - so spell check, spell check and check the spell check yourself.  One thing the reviews' spellcheck does not do is check grammer or that the word bare is used when bear is needed.  So after you spell check - read your copy again and again.  If you are in doubt about your writing skills, ask someone who's reviews you admire to read it for you.  I have found eBayers to be great people willing to lend a hand or eye as it may be.  So when it doubt - ASK! 
• You can also edit your guides and reviews.  If you go back and read it a day or two later and find a mistake or someone points one out - go to My Guides & Reviews from you My eBay page and you will be able to edit your guide or review.  This is also where you can chose to not display your work if you want more time to work on it.
• Do not get upset if someone suggets you need improvement.  Take it as a compliment that they are willing to take thier time to help you out.  I always am willing to get constructive feedback.  You may contact me by eBay mail or on my blog (link below).

Fourth: Other Things to Include

• People may be interested in how much you paid for it or if you got it on eBay.  You may also want to discuss some of the other books if it is a series or another book by the author that you highly recomended.  You may also want to say if the book is adult themed or contains explicit scenes or language.  This will help the person decide whether to read the book or not.
• Example:  You will like the other books in this series.  They frequently involve known historical figures brought to life.  I have reviewed some of the other books and encourage you to read them.
• If you have done a guide on the product, include a link to the guide.  If you've done a lot of reseach say on a camera - share the information.

Thank you for reading my Guide.  If you found it helpful, please vote.

If you'd like to read some of my favorite books, check out my reviews.  Some of my favorite series are the Sword & Sorceress, Queen Elizabeth and Malice Domestic series.

I hope you found it interesting or helpful.  If so, please vote.  If not, please let me know why.

Contact Me At My Blog!

Good Spelling is Important

Why Your Guide My Not Be Viewed As Helpful