How do you become a book critic?

Question

My partner is a 'Book-worm' and loves reading, he reads around 3-4 paper backs a week, he is unhappy in his job & needs to find his vocation in life and I think he niche is in reading, whether it be a critic or proof reading....Do you need qulifications and if so what?? Any light anyone could shed on this would be fantastic!! Many thanks in advance xx

Answer 1

First, listen to Papeversomniferum, NOT Dickn2000!

Second, I think you mean editor, not proofreader. Proofreading could kill one's interest in reading, and reading does NOT prepare one to be a good proofreader. And I suspect you mean book reviewer, not critic, at least not in the academic sense of "literary criticism."

Third, I regret to say that most editors and especially reviewers don't make a lot of $$$, and to get to the level where they do requires lots of experience, education (whether in college or on one's own), and very, very good luck.

Now, those points out of the way, to answer your question: How do you become an editor of book reviewer.

Start!

That's it. You don't get a position with a publisher or publication without a good, solid portfolio of work. Regrettably, being an English major in a college or university usually doesn't help you much in building such a portfolio. Journalism is sometimes better, but not necessarily. So you gotta do it yourself!

Let him write reviews of some of all those books he reads and submit them to a local newspaper. Offer to write reviews for an Optimist Club newsletter or PTA or magazine for senior citizens or a public library handout. Anywhere! Sometimes booksellers, like Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble or Borders, publish reviews and may even provide review copies. Have him get people to respond to his reviews; see if a local reviewer will give him serious critiques. That way he'll learn (1) if he likes reviewing--not all readers do and (2) whether he has a talent for it.

As for editing, he might start with volunteer work. Lots of writers need editors badly! Maybe even freelance. Lots of writers need editors so badly that they'll even pay for it!

So start!

Build a portfolio of finished work--published work. Go to book festivals and writers conferences. If this indeed is "his vocation in life," doors will open. $$$ will not flood in, unless he wins a lottery. But doors will open.

Take it from one who has spent a lifetime editing (while earning his living as a teacher) and doing some reviewing. And who has a garage full of free review copies to prove it!

(But, to be fair, I love teaching--and the editing and reviewing have been my "avocation in life." O/w I might have made more $$$.)
!

Answer 2

Come on now dickn2000... You know that is just stemming from the fact that you probably sent something in for approval and got one of those "Thin" envelopes back in return that said something a bit more honest than you could bare. Don't be so bitter... it has happened to the best and the worst of us equally! Literary people are snobs in their best moments.

All Critics, are not that! Take Michael Schmidt (The Lives of The Poets) for one. Most critics are however brilliant writers, this much is true.

Which leads me to thinking that a love of reading isn't quite enough to get your partner there. Is he a writer as well?

Not to mention, those 4 pesky years of College he would have to have to even be considered at a decent publishing house. It is naive to assume that he could just walk into a building and get a job as an editor or a proof reader just because he likes to read. It takes just a bit more than that.

Answer 3

First you must become a very bad author. All critics are people who weren't good enough in their field to make it, an so hate all who did make it.

Answer 4

Hope this helps!