How I Became a Freelance Book Reviewer | Q&A Part 3

TL;DR

Olive answers questions about her journey as a book reviewer, her reading habits, time management, and her other hobbies, providing insights into the life of a book reviewer.

Transcript

hi guys olive here here today to answer the last batch of questions that i got for my celebratory 25k q a if you missed either of the first two parts i will be sure to link those for you in the description box below be sure to go watch those if you want to hear my answers to those questions but also be sure to watch at least the beginning of the fi... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪡 Creating a booktube channel helped Olive develop the skills needed to become a written book reviewer.
• 📔 Freelancing as a book reviewer requires dedication, persistence, and pitching to various publications.
• ⚖️ Time management and prioritization are crucial to balance reading for reviews, booktube channel, and personal reading.
• 👂 Olive's structured approach, including making lists and planning content in advance, helps her stay organized and focused amidst distractions.
• 💄 Reviewing books changes the reading experience, making one more attentive to details that can be mentioned in the review.
• 🎁 Olive's favorite reviews are those that help readers decide whether the book is suitable for them, focusing on the ideal reader and presenting a preview of what to expect.
• 🎮 Olive has diverse hobbies aside from reading, including cooking, watching the WNBA, playing video games, and spending time with loved ones.
• 🤭 Olive enjoys the challenge of voice-overs and audiobook narration and intends to pursue it in the future.
• 🎑 Olive appreciates Pittsburgh for its literary scene, affordability, diverse neighborhoods, and its nature as the Steel City.
• 🍠 Favorite meals to cook include a green chili recipe and a sweet potato chorizo skillet recipe.
• 🥰 Olive's favorite holiday is Thanksgiving due to her love for cooking.
• 👾 Besides reading, Olive enjoys watching reality TV shows and basketball games.
• ❓ Olive's varied interests ensure that she would have found another passion if she hadn't discovered reading.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Olive's favorite local brewery is Grist House, and she recommends their Morning Feels ale.
• 😂 She loves cooking and has a particular affinity for the Paris tea from Harney and Sons.
• 💖 Olive's interest in Russia sparked from childhood connections and serendipitously aligned with college language classes.
• 💦 Squirrel Hill is Olive's favorite Pittsburgh neighborhood, although the ideal neighborhood depends on personal preferences and proximity to work.
• 📔 Olive recommends the book "Meet You in Hell" by Les Standeford to understand aspects of Pittsburgh's history.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did you start as a book reviewer?

Olive's journey began with creating a booktube channel, which helped her develop the skills to present books to an audience. This led her to connect with a friend who encouraged her to become a written book reviewer, and she started by writing for free to build her portfolio before pitching to publications.

Q: How do you manage your time between reading for reviews and reading for pleasure?

Olive gives priority to books she is commissioned to review and also considers books for her booktube channel as part of her reviewing responsibilities. However, she enjoys all the books she reads and tries to strike a balance between review books and books for personal enjoyment.

Q: How do you stay organized and focused amidst distractions?

Olive maintains a structured schedule, making lists and planning her content in advance. She keeps distracting devices away from her when she needs to focus and takes short breaks for reflection and pacing. This structured approach helps her stay organized and focused on her tasks.

Q: Does reviewing a book change your reading experience?

While Olive doesn't read books differently when she knows she will review them, her experience as a booktuber and reviewer has developed her critical thinking skills. She highlights that reading like a reviewer becomes a habit, and she pays more attention to details and context that can be mentioned in her reviews.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Olive recounts her path to becoming a written book reviewer, which started with creating a booktube channel and eventually led her to freelance reviewing for various publications.

• She discusses the challenges of juggling reading for book reviews, her booktube channel, and personal reading, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing commissioned reviews.

• Olive shares her time management techniques, structured approach, and fast reading skills, explaining how they enable her to review books and accomplish multiple tasks efficiently.