Posted by R Shelton

Succotash Reviews Submission Guidelines


Hello! My name is Renee...and I like to read. Corny intro, I know, but this is a book blog and it seemed appropriate.

I currently work with many different indie writers, publicists for major publishing houses, self-published authors, and independent publishing houses. Since I operate many different blogs and websites, I will choose just the right audience for the book, which is especially helpful for non-fiction titles.

At this time my TBR pile is nearly full. You may still email me to see if reviewing is an option. I'm a sucker for a good book, and my kindle is always charged up.

Books I Review: Please Read

I currently accept most non-fiction:
  • Cookbooks, kitchen or catering culture, crafts, jewelry making, sewing (machine/hand), encyclopedic reference books, history, fishing related books (knot tying, offshore/inshore, saltwater/freshwater). 
 Fiction:
  • Mystery, crime, politics, romance. I read limited chick-lit and humor. Make me a pitch and see if I'll read it. I'm just getting into the YA scene. If you have an ARC you would like to share with me and my readers before it comes out, let me know.
Ebook vs hard copy. A physical book is preferred for non-fiction reviewing, especially for crafting - it is hard to do a craft project while looking scrolling a kindle, but it's doable if that's the only version available. Contact me and I'll provide a mailing address for you to send hard copies. eBooks are always accepted - as .mobi files and pdf files. I do not accept DRM protected works that can't be converted, or ADE editions, unless it is directly from the publisher. If you have a title through netgalley, edelweiss, or other professional reading platforms, let me know and I'll look for it there. Or you can just auto approve me for that and future titles.

Please note: I get a lot of requests. (Thank you for your time!) Many, many, many. And while I appreciate every single one of them, I'm careful of the books I choose as I really do read all the books I review. :) My TBR stack is larger than you can imagine, and I run my own business. If I don't respond to your request, please don't be disheartened - reread the books I currently accept and make me want to read your book in a re-pitch; it may be I am backlogged with reviews or your email got lost in the slush. If I respond, I will review your book within my time frame. And I thank you in advance for you giving me the opportunity to read your book. It means a lot.

My Review Guidelines: Please Read

I give honest reviews, so please expect them. I generally review within a 1 week to 2 month time period, unless something comes up - which does happen! I know it's a big spread, but my reading comes in off-work time. And off-kid time. :) Also, if you have a blog or website revolving around you or your book, be sure to send me a link so I may share it with my readers! All my reviews will be posted here, and will link back to where the review was published if I published it on one of my niche sites. For example, if you send me a garden or baking book, the best coverage for it would be on my garden or baking blog so you'll see the book in those places as well as here, too.

Did You Write a Cookbook?

Cookbook reviews. I also will review nonfiction as it pertains to food and food culture. Look at these nonfiction genres related to food:
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Food Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
  • How To - as it relates to cooking
  • Chef Memoirs or Biographies
  • History (of an ingredient or food brand)
  • Travel Guides - MUST be entirely food related

For cookbooks, a hard copy is preferred. Ebooks are accepted in .mobi and .epub formats only.

What's In My Review?

My reviews typically have the following: cover image, an overview, my thoughts on it, book information and/or author information, and disclosure statement. If it is fiction, I like to add a trailer or a blurb.

I do not do a star rating system - 1 to 5 stars is just so limiting and half stars just don't make sense for me lol (why give a book 4.5 stars and not round up to 5?). And stars are just so subjective to the reader! To illustrate this: everyone goes about the rating just a little bit differently, so for some a 3 star rating is still a great book and for others that means the book really isn't good at all. So already at the start, the reader has in his or her mind a preconceived notion of what kind of book it is without even reading the review. You'll know in the review how I have enjoyed the book.

Some of my reviews or books in my personal library can be found at these sites.

Contact Me Regarding Your Book: Please Read

sandandsuccotash at gmail.com.
If you are contacting me regarding reviews, write to me at the email above. Please put "Review Request" in the header. If I agree to read your book, I'll promptly respond with a shipping address or will give you an ebook confirmation.

I appreciate your time. I really do. Writing is hard, I know. I write, too. :) This blog hopefully reflects my love of reading. And best of luck with your book!

Thanks again for your time. I look forward to working with you, and reading your hard work.

Renee Shelton

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