BOOK REVIEW GUIDELINES

Thank you for your interest in submitting a literary book review to our publication. To ensure a coherent and engaging collection of reviews, please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Review Focus: We accept book reviews focused on literary works across many genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoirs, and essays. We tend to prioritize reviews of recently published books, but exceptional reviews of older, lesser-known works will also be considered.
2. Originality and Uniqueness: We look for original book reviews that offer fresh insights and perspectives for a general audience. Avoid mere summaries or plot retellings. Instead, focus on analyzing and critiquing the book's themes, writing style, characterization, and overall impact. 
3. Review Length: Aim for a review length between 500 and 1,000 words. 
4. Citation and Attribution: When referencing quotes, ideas, or specific passages from the book, use proper citation and attribution. Follow a consistent style guide, such as MLA or APA for citations. This ensures clarity and credibility.
5. Please use a legible font (e.g., Arial or Times New Roman, Size 12). Double-spacing is preferred.
6. File types accepted: .doc / .docx / .pdf
    

AUTHOR INTERVIEWS 

We appreciate your enthusiasm for conducting author interviews for our publication. Please familiarize yourself with our guidelines, and we look forward to receiving your well-crafted and insightful interviews that will captivate our readers and shed light on the creative minds behind the works we cherish.

To ensure a compelling and engaging interview, please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Submit one author interview up to 2,500 words.
2. Please use a legible font (e.g., Arial or Times New Roman, Size 12). 
3. File types accepted: .doc / .docx / .pdf
4. Author Selection: Choose authors who have recently published a book or have a significant body of work that resonates with our readership. We prioritize authors of literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoirs, and other genres that align with our publication's focus.
5. Interview Highlights: Summarize the author's background, book(s) of interest, and a compelling reason for featuring the interview in our publication. Highlight unique aspects of the author's work, themes, or writing style that make the interview relevant and engaging for readers.
6. Interview Questions: Develop a thoughtful and well-researched list of interview questions. Consider exploring the author's writing process, inspirations, thematic choices, characters, and any relevant experiences. Craft questions that encourage in-depth responses and provide valuable insights for readers.
7. Variety and Originality: Aim for a diverse range of questions that touch upon different aspects of the author's work and life. Avoid commonly-asked questions. Strive for originality by delving into lesser-explored areas and encouraging the author to share unique anecdotes or perspectives.
8. Interview Format: Choose an interview format that best suits the author and the publication. This could be a traditional Q&A format, a conversational dialogue, or a combination of structured and open-ended questions. Consider incorporating the author's voice and style into the interview while maintaining clarity and coherence.
9. Editing and Transcribing: After the interview, transcribe the conversation accurately. Edit the interview for clarity, flow, and conciseness while preserving the authenticity of the author's voice. Provide contextual information, book titles, and relevant links to enhance the reader's understanding.

For both book reviews or author interviews, these essential submission guidelines apply:

• A writer bio is required with each submission. In your cover letter, please mention your social media handles, if any (e.g., Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Threads) if you would like us to tag you in posts about your work. If you have a website dedicated to your writing, please include that link as well.
• We are happy to review simultaneous submissions, but kindly notify us in your cover letter of your intent to do so. Or, if your work is accepted elsewhere, simply withdraw the submission in Submittable.
• Your work should be original and not previously published in any magazine, book, journal or anthology, including online platforms or self-publishing. By submitting your work, you confirm that it is your original creation (not AI-generated) and that you hold the necessary rights to publish it.
• Once we have notified you of an acceptance, we will publish your book review as a first-time publication with full credit given to you as the author. All rights revert back to you upon publication, but please credit Cool Beans Lit as the first home of your work should it find another one later. Thank you.

Response Times

We strive to respond to all submissions within 2 to 4 weeks. However, please understand that the review process can take longer during busy periods. We appreciate your patience.

We cannot wait to review your author interview. Best of luck to you!