The Forbes 25 Reviewers - #7 Stephanie Sinclair

Today's guest is Steph Sinclair.  She also posts at Cuddlebuggery.


How did you discover Goodreads?
I was Googling a YA series, trying to find the release date for the next book when I ran across Goodreads. I'm pretty sure I created an account then (this was back in 2009, maybe?), but I never really used it until much later. And when I did start using it, I didn't review much.

What have been your most memorable Goodreads experiences?
Well, I have a bunch, but I'll stick to the more positive ones. ;)

Teaming up with my co-blogger Kat Kennedy to create our blog is probably the most memorable. I've met some really great people by hanging out on Goodreads and she's definitely one of the best.

Name one reviewer not in the Forbes 25 that people should be aware of.
Blythe Harris. Her reviews are hilarious! Whenever I'm curious about a new release, I can always count on her to brave the storm to read it first and take a bullet for the team. Also, Christina (A Reader of Fictions) because, my god, that woman reads a lot of books every year and writes the best critical reviews.

What was your initial reaction to Amazon buying Goodreads?
I was really displeased with it. Goodreads has come to be my "internet home", so the acquisition felt like such a sell out especially considering how Goodreads had *just* finished giving Amazon the one-fingered salute a year ago when the cut off our access to their catalogue. I was proud that Goodreads was going to do its own thing, but this feels like a slap in the face to people who have invested so much time here.

Amazon says they won't ruin it, but I have my doubts. The minute Goodreads starts censoring my reviews, I'll be the first to leave.

How many books do you own?
Surprisingly, not that many. I only own my very favorites that I know I'd read again. Perhaps around 20. But I do get an influx of books every month from publishers for review. However, most of those are given away after I've finished.

Who is your favorite author?
This is probably cliche, but I do admire J.K. Rowling. Not just because I love and grew up with Harry Potter, but because I think she's a class act. She's remained humble despite her riches and you can tell she's never forgotten where she came from. I also love Karen Hesse for her poetic novel Out of the Dust that I feel has really left a mark on me. And, of course, Dr. Seuss.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban hands down. I have read that book until the cover fell off.

What are your thoughts on ebooks?
I like ebooks a lot. Most of my books are in eformat because I simply don't have the space for a personal library. Usually, if I love an ebook, I'll go out and find the hardcover.

What are your thoughts on self-publishing?
I think it's really changing the publishing industry some ways for the better and other ways, not so much. But that's mostly traditional publishers' fault for not changing with the times. It's great to be able to find an amazing book like Angelfall that's only $.99. Though, honestly, I would have gladly paid hardcover price for it, since I loved it so much. I can only wonder what a traditional publisher would have done to ruin that book.

But on the other hand, we now have a lot of situations that straddle fandom ethics: Pull to Publish Fan Fiction. Precedents have already been set now and I worry that we'll start to see less originality as a result. I hope I'm wrong.

Any literary aspirations? 
Not really. I'm not hoping that I one day become an author, but I think it would be nice to work in the publishing business in marketing. I love reading and promoting books and if I could do it for a living? Even better.