1. Who are you?
I'm C. I fell into scifi when I was 13 and found in the attic boxes full of 1960s scifi novels my dad had read in his youth. The next year, I read by chance The Lord of the Rings. I've been hopelessly addicted ever since.
I've been a juror for the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards since their inception, except in 2021. I've also been a guest book blogger for Black Girl Nerds from May 2017 until April 2018.
My pronouns are they/them.
I've been a juror for the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards since their inception, except in 2021. I've also been a guest book blogger for Black Girl Nerds from May 2017 until April 2018.
My pronouns are they/them.
2. When do you publish your reviews?
The reviews are published on an irregular basis, though I aim to publish between one and three reviews a month. But life, work and the universe often get in the way. The best way to make sure you don't miss a review is to subscribe to my newsletter or you can follow me on Mastodon.
3. How come my (hateful) comment doesn't show up?
Comments are closed, having neither the time nor the inclination to moderate them. I do believe in freedom of speech. I also do believe that while freedom of speech entails your right to spout whichever you like it also entails my right to not read or spread your hateful views. But feel free to open your own blog and take your opinions there. Or, as Angry Salmond would put it...
4. Are you paid by authors / publishers for your reviews? Because you mostly say nice things.
I choose to only review the books I've liked.
If I receive a free copy from a publisher, it is freely given without the obligation to review the book on The Middle Shelf and a disclaimer is written at the end of the review. My book review policy is here.
If I receive a free copy from a publisher, it is freely given without the obligation to review the book on The Middle Shelf and a disclaimer is written at the end of the review. My book review policy is here.
5. I like the art at the top of the page. Where does it come from?
The one on the left is by Albert Robida, a 19th century French illustrator, the one on the right is by Joshua Mays. Do I really need to explain the middle one?
6. Why is your blog called The Middle Shelf?
I read once Juliet McKenna describing herself as a "middle shelf writer" and I realised then that I was a middle shelf reader.
I tend to steer clear of the the little spindly table with towers of books (because I'll knock it down and it's either filled with books that fit the particular sub-genre that recently made it into the mainstream - novels tend to become too formulaic for my taste when that happens - or with authors I already follow, so nothing new, move along). The back shelf has all the classics (I've already read most of them, thank you) or some really niche sub-genres I'm not into.
So, yes I'm definitely a middle shelf kind of reader, that's where I find real gems and that's those I want to share about.
I tend to steer clear of the the little spindly table with towers of books (because I'll knock it down and it's either filled with books that fit the particular sub-genre that recently made it into the mainstream - novels tend to become too formulaic for my taste when that happens - or with authors I already follow, so nothing new, move along). The back shelf has all the classics (I've already read most of them, thank you) or some really niche sub-genres I'm not into.
So, yes I'm definitely a middle shelf kind of reader, that's where I find real gems and that's those I want to share about.
7. What is your editorial line?
- I review only science fiction and fantasy novels, sometimes but rarely horror novels. I don't review romance at all even if it has a scifi or fantasy setting.
- I only review books I've liked, but my opinion may be nuanced.
- I follow strict personal guidelines to review women writers (incl. trans women), nb/intersex/gender queer/agender writers, BIPOC writers, and writers from other countries than the US/UK.
- I prefer diverse books. So, that grimdark epic fantasy with only het white dudes in it? Yeah, I probably didn't review it.
- I don't review indie writers.
- I don't knowingly review AI generated stories or books whose cover is AI generated.
8. Are there any spoilers OR CONTENT WARNING in the reviews?
There are no spoilers at all in the reviews.
I started using content warnings regularly in 2021. As I only review adult books, I don't include CW for violence unless it's very graphic or touches upon taboos like cannibalism. I do include CWs for sexual assault, child abuse, racism, homophobia and transphobia. If I review a horror novel, I identify the genre clearly and I tend to include CWs to narrow the type of horror a reader can expect. You won't find CWs for alcohol and drug use.
Reviews published before 2021 don't have CWs. Feel free to ask on Mastodon if in doubt.
I started using content warnings regularly in 2021. As I only review adult books, I don't include CW for violence unless it's very graphic or touches upon taboos like cannibalism. I do include CWs for sexual assault, child abuse, racism, homophobia and transphobia. If I review a horror novel, I identify the genre clearly and I tend to include CWs to narrow the type of horror a reader can expect. You won't find CWs for alcohol and drug use.
Reviews published before 2021 don't have CWs. Feel free to ask on Mastodon if in doubt.
9. DO YOU HAVE A PATREON?
Wow! Are you seriously considering giving me money? Then no, thank you. I can afford hosting the blog and the domain name. But do me a favour instead: buy the books I review and support the authors. They are usually all very nice and talented people and they rarely make a living out of their writing.
10. DO YOU PUBLISH REVIEWS OF SELF-PUBLISHED NOVELS?
No, and there aren't any exception. Please don't lose your time and mine by contacting me.
