Review Policy

Dear Authors, Publicists and Readers,

Thank You for taking the time to read through my review policy. If you have any questions or need further clarification about anything on this page, please contact me at 

heartsbooks[at]gmail.com.

I started The Serpentine Library as a way to talk about books and to keep track of the Young Adult books I had been reading. As a new librarian, I found it helpful to have a place to express my thoughts about books. At first this blog was strictly a Young Adult Book blog where I posted reviews and shared podcasts of author interviews (we sometimes podcast at my library). Currently, I also occasionally discuss middle grade books and picture books.

I like to read as widely as possible and since I work with children of all ages (from a few months old to high school seniors), I read mostly these genres within the following categories:

Young Adult -  contemporary, chick lit, historical fiction, fantasy (including high fantasy and paranormal), science fiction (including dystopian), mystery and graphic novels

Middle Grade - realistic, fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, mystery and graphic novels

Picture Books - anything that I can share during the weekly story times at the library

I am open to receiving inquiries and/or pitches about romance (specifically historical or Regency), and some non-fiction, especially on topics that are of interest to the teens at the library where I work.

I am currently not accepting titles that include the following: erotica, religion, gratuitous violence, politics.

I am also not currently accepting self-help, trade and how-to or self-published books.

If I have have failed to list a particular genre and you have a title you would like me to consider, please email me anyway. I love hearing about new books and if it's a book that I'm not sure about, I will probably know someone who is interested in it.

I will accept the following formats:

• finished review copies
• ARCs/galleys 
• ebooks/egalleys (as long as they are compatible with the Nook or can be viewed in Adobe Digital Editions), and 
• audiobooks.

I want to help you promote your book and am happy to host book/blog tours, author interviews, guest posts, and giveaways. Although, I prefer to read the book before sending an author interview questions; I feel it makes for a more interesting interview. I am also happy to read books by authors I love and am willing to review books from your backlist.

By accepting a review copy, I do not guarantee a positive review. Reviews will be always be honest and I will make sure to explain why I felt the way I did about each book.

I will do my best to read each book I receive. My typical turnaround time is 1 to 2 months, and I try to review each book within the month it releases, unless a specific posting date is given.

Reviews are posted on my blog, at goodreads.com and LibraryThing.com. I also post links to reviews on twitter, where I tweet under @MariaACiccone. If you would like me to post the review somewhere else, please let me know.

If you have any questions or need more information please feel free to contact me at heartsbooks[at]gmail.com.