With over 30 years experience as a book reviewer, I've worked with many hundreds of books over the decades.
I've edited The Bookwatch and Children's Bookwatch for several decades, and my regular monthly column, Diane Donovan's Shelf, appears in the MBR Bookwatch. My website Diane Donovan's Bookshelf profiles arcs, manuscripts, galleys, electronic and .pdf writings - this means that, yes, you can submit an unfinished manuscript or pre-publication format and obtain a review that you can then use for publicity purposes. There is a small reader fee for working with these formats.
I'm a generalist - which means I review across the board, from art books and history to science fiction, children's books, mysteries and thrillers, novels - even poetry (I am also a published poet).
I welcome the opportunity to look at your title! I review in all genres, fiction and non-fiction, ranging from novels and short story anthologies to spirituality, autobiography, self-help, children's books, and more.
Please email first to inquire about obtaining a review! Please include 'Review Inquiry for Donovan's Bookshelf' in the subject line of your email, for faster response.
My email is: donovan@sonic.net
Feedback for my book reviews:
1. Michelle B. Assor, author of Snaygill: Slippery Temptations: I approached MBR in mid-December 2014 for a book review. I was referred to your Senior ebook reviewer, Diane Donovan. Diane immediately notified me of her reviewing services. She also included details of when the review would be ready and when she would plan to publish it in her newsletter. Her manner was extremely professional, yet warm and welcoming, not intimidating, especially for an inexperienced, debut indie writer like myself.
Diane emailed her review to me in mid-January 2015, the exact date she had specified. I was impressed with her punctuality.
As far as the review is concerned, I did not know what to expect. I had worked on my novel for seven years, through high's and low's in my life. I lost my husband last year. I recently overhauled the novel, editing it several times. My previous literary agent was unable to get it published. Yet I always believed in the book and I never gave up.
Diane's insight is quite incredible. I felt as if she had crept into my skin and had picked up on details that few reviewers would have perceived. Perhaps I can describe her as an octopus, with each tentacle reaching out to discover hidden treasures, nuances in the book, undetected by others. Her review was simply wonderful, genuine, and I believe the novel will succeed. I will have Diane Donovan to thank, hopefully one day, if it does succeed. She fulfilled my dream and made me realize that my hard work and perseverance had paid off. Following Diane's fine review, thereafter I received a great review from Kirkus.
Once my novel is available on Amazon, I will be contacting Diane again to move forward with the 'postits' on ten sites. I might even proceed with the marketing plans that MBR offers to authors.
I have the utmost respect for Diane Donovan. In a world where personal service does not exist, where people have no morality, honesty or loyalty, Diane stands out as a rare gem!!"
2. Warren Firschein, author of Out of Synch: “I thought I'd drop you a quick note to let you know how pleased I was with the recent review of my book, "Out of Synch," reviewed by Diane Donovan. The whole process went very smoothly, and Ms. Donovan was courteous, timely, and professional. Thanks so much for providing this service--I would definitely use it (and Ms. Donovan!) again in the future."
3. Barbara Ebel, author of Collateral Circulation: a Medical Mystery: “I'm just giving a shout-out for Diane Donovan's work. She recently reviewed my "Collateral Circulation: a Medical Mystery." Diane's review was thorough and insightful of this novel. It gives an author great pleasure when a reviewer 'gets' their book!"