Janice Harayda
Oct 25, 2023

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You've put your finger on an issue I didn't have room to deal with (except in my brief note at the beginning that reviewers may not have enough experience with the subject of a book).

You're right that can be harder to find a single trusted reviewer if you have eclectic tastes that range over many subjects. This seems to be a particular problem if you're interested in books about math or science; some critics just don't have the needed expertise.

Back when most big newspapers had book sections, their editors would look for (and pay) freelancers with expertise in certain areas. I was certainly glad to pay them. But now those sections are mostly gone, alas.

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Janice Harayda
Janice Harayda

Written by Janice Harayda

Critic, novelist, award-winning journalist. Former book editor of the Plain Dealer and book columnist for Glamour. Words in NYT, WSJ, and other major media.

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