It has been over 2-years since I last did an episode of Ross K. Reviews, and around 3 since it was a regular series. To this day I still get requests to do them from authors. This is despite making no real new advertisements that this was something that I do. Yes, I am an active book reviewer for the SmarkOutMoment.com, but as far as Sherlock Holmes books are concerned, I have expressed zero interest in doing them.
I never have really addressed why, but after receiving yet another request to review one I figure that I will explain.
I started Ross K. Reviews in 2011 as a stop gap between NPLH episodes, and it was never intended to be anything like it became. I had no idea that anyone would even watch the first one I did, but it somehow grew to become the secondary thing that this site did.
So, why did I choose to leave something behind that grew the brand, got myself noticed, and seemingly entertained and educated people? Firstly, burn out of repetition. In 2012 I did not read ANYTHING but Sherlock Holmes books. Nothing else. In 2013 I think I allowed myself maybe 2 non SH books. I simply had no time to indulge in any more. That is how many I had to get through with the amount that I was being sent by publishers and individuals. I did not like saying no to people that cared enough to want to know what I thought. So, on a monthly (sometimes weekly) basis packages would show up with 2-7 books at a time.
This quickly adds up to more than I had time for, and it was fighting a losing battle to get through them. Seeing yet another package turn up in the mail that was book shaped became very stressful and disheartening. One publisher recommended that I just read small parts of them so as to get through them all. A good idea! Had my goal have been to be a poor reviewer. In addition, others dictated what certain books could be graded! Which would have compromised the integrity and point of the show. Oddly enough, these books were ones I never got round to doing. Hmm.
Now we must come to another issue. So many Holmes pastiches are below average, pretentious, or just outright dreary. The same can be said of any genres of books, but Holmes ones do seem to have more than their fair share, and when you read as many as I was doing, it does get very boring doing so many in a row.
Hilariously bad is fun! And brilliant books are captivating and have me wanting to find out what happened next. The Murder of Sherlock Holmes, House of Silk, The Element of Surprise, The West End Horror - to name but a few. Alternatively, those wanting books based in reality would do well to check out Alistair's Duncan's biographical books on Doyle like "An Entirely New Country." Easily the best series on Doyle's life. Masterfully written.
But the mediocre to average ones? There are so many more books out there that I want to read and other things that I want to do. Shooting and editing the videos takes a lot of time too. Life is too short for spending reading such averageness in abundance, and it becomes weary quickly. All of the above is why I did not want to do any more.
So, why make this post? Aside the explanation, I wanted to gage general NPLH readers/watchers thoughts on whether there would be significant interest to see more series of Ross K. Reviews.
I am very busy with many things, so I am undecided at this point, but if there is enough demand then I would. So, I am throwing it open for fan interest (or not.)All I do know is that any return would not involve signing with publishers to get another conveyor belt of Holmes books thrown at me. Everything would be done on a singular case by case request basis to allow me to regulate and keep manageable. This is not to say that I will, only that I am seeing if it something people still want.
Thanks for reading!
Are you an author or were a fan of Ross K. Reviews?
Get in touch to let me know your thoughts!
I never have really addressed why, but after receiving yet another request to review one I figure that I will explain.
I started Ross K. Reviews in 2011 as a stop gap between NPLH episodes, and it was never intended to be anything like it became. I had no idea that anyone would even watch the first one I did, but it somehow grew to become the secondary thing that this site did.
So, why did I choose to leave something behind that grew the brand, got myself noticed, and seemingly entertained and educated people? Firstly, burn out of repetition. In 2012 I did not read ANYTHING but Sherlock Holmes books. Nothing else. In 2013 I think I allowed myself maybe 2 non SH books. I simply had no time to indulge in any more. That is how many I had to get through with the amount that I was being sent by publishers and individuals. I did not like saying no to people that cared enough to want to know what I thought. So, on a monthly (sometimes weekly) basis packages would show up with 2-7 books at a time.
This quickly adds up to more than I had time for, and it was fighting a losing battle to get through them. Seeing yet another package turn up in the mail that was book shaped became very stressful and disheartening. One publisher recommended that I just read small parts of them so as to get through them all. A good idea! Had my goal have been to be a poor reviewer. In addition, others dictated what certain books could be graded! Which would have compromised the integrity and point of the show. Oddly enough, these books were ones I never got round to doing. Hmm.
Now we must come to another issue. So many Holmes pastiches are below average, pretentious, or just outright dreary. The same can be said of any genres of books, but Holmes ones do seem to have more than their fair share, and when you read as many as I was doing, it does get very boring doing so many in a row.
Hilariously bad is fun! And brilliant books are captivating and have me wanting to find out what happened next. The Murder of Sherlock Holmes, House of Silk, The Element of Surprise, The West End Horror - to name but a few. Alternatively, those wanting books based in reality would do well to check out Alistair's Duncan's biographical books on Doyle like "An Entirely New Country." Easily the best series on Doyle's life. Masterfully written.
But the mediocre to average ones? There are so many more books out there that I want to read and other things that I want to do. Shooting and editing the videos takes a lot of time too. Life is too short for spending reading such averageness in abundance, and it becomes weary quickly. All of the above is why I did not want to do any more.
So, why make this post? Aside the explanation, I wanted to gage general NPLH readers/watchers thoughts on whether there would be significant interest to see more series of Ross K. Reviews.
I am very busy with many things, so I am undecided at this point, but if there is enough demand then I would. So, I am throwing it open for fan interest (or not.)All I do know is that any return would not involve signing with publishers to get another conveyor belt of Holmes books thrown at me. Everything would be done on a singular case by case request basis to allow me to regulate and keep manageable. This is not to say that I will, only that I am seeing if it something people still want.
Thanks for reading!
Are you an author or were a fan of Ross K. Reviews?
Get in touch to let me know your thoughts!
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