Cate Baum | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Cat Eyes by Teneca Meeks

Cat Eyes by Teneca Meeks follows Tia, a hardworking single girl who one night finds herself abducted by the Equestrians, an extraterrestrial species of tiger-like creatures intent on breeding with human women to save their race. But will Tia be able to help them with their mission before Diane, a scientist with her own murderous agenda, threatens the future of the Equestrians?

There is a sub-genre in sci-fi and fantasy at the moment known as “monster erotica”. These stories entail a creature of high intelligence in animal form, somehow forcing sexual relations on a human woman.

The problems that books […]

Cate Baum2020-02-21T07:16:03+02:00May 27th, 2014|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Paranormal Romance Book Reviews|

Review: Poe: Nevermore by Rachel M Martens

This Edgar Allen Poe-themed story follows Elenora Allison Poe, a desperate young woman suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a terrible event. She meets homicide cop, Caleb Frost and is dragged into a new truth about her life – and possible demise.

As an opener to the works of Poe, this novel definitely will have you reaching for the nearest anthology. Personally, I don’t enjoy Poe but that doesn’t really matter because it’s his legacy that enthralls here – so even if you aren’t a Poe fan, this book goes deeper than just his works – this is a […]

Cate Baum2014-05-21T12:42:26+02:00May 21st, 2014|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Book Reviews, Fantasy Book Reviews|

About Our Editor

Cate Baum is a postgraduate-educated professional editor and writer from Cambridge UK, living in LA and Spain. She has over fifteen years experience with the English language and has edited all kinds of books, scripts and manuals in three different countries (UK, USA and Spain) for commercial, specialist and literary audiences. Please hire Cate to edit your book here

Member – Editorial Freelancers Association USA

Experience
Editor – Indie Book Editing (2014- Present)
Editor – Self-Publishing Review Website (2012 – Present)
Contributor – Ole! (2014) – Essays
Author – The Bull and The Ban (2012)
English Teacher – Marbella […]

Cate Baum2019-04-28T13:10:35+02:00May 19th, 2014|Categories: Member Blog|

Eight Most Common Editing Errors In Self-Published Books

As the editor here at SPR, I am in charge of editing and proofreading the self-published books that come into our tailored editing services department before they go on sale. A good edit and a lack of one can make all the difference to whether you sell your self-published book or not, so take a good look at my top eight errors as your starter guide.

Read the sequel, Six More Common Mistakes here

1. “Who”, “That” and “Which” Rules

By far the most common issue I find. 99% of all books I proofread seem to have at least […]

Cate Baum2020-02-21T06:11:13+02:00May 11th, 2014|Categories: Features, Lead Story|Tags: Book Editing Tips|

New Review Package Launched With BlueInk and SPR

: New Review Package Launched – BlueInk and SPR

Two Reviews Are Better Than One!

BlueInk and Self-Publishing Review are proud to announce a new review package

“One review is great. Two reviews are better. When it comes to establishing your book’s credibility, the more positive reviews you garner, the easier it is to attract readers.”

To that end, we have just forged a partnership with our friends at BlueInk to offer two reviews, one from BlueInk and one from SPR — all for one greatly discounted price of $595. BlueInk Reviews give new scope for authors especially when combined with

[…]

Cate Baum2014-05-21T16:33:23+02:00May 6th, 2014|Categories: Features, Lead Story|

Review: Travels With My Hat by Christine Osborne

Christine Osborne is a travel photographer who has dedicated her entire life to capturing on film what it is to live on Planet Earth. Tracing a line through the Middle East and Africa, into countries that might be thought of by most to be “scary” destinations for a slim, blonde woman, Christine jumped in feet first with her Australian roots to help her along, in her trusty blue hat and a camera her constant companion.

This book is written so well because Christine has lived these details, these colors, these characters. There is no substitute for writing what you know, […]

Cate Baum2019-01-23T12:48:16+02:00May 5th, 2014|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Non-Fiction Book Reviews, Travel Book Reviews|

Review: Bloom, Or, the Unwritten Memoir of Tennyson Middlebrook by Martin Kee

The SPR Awards 2014 Best Fiction winner Bloom, Or, the Unwritten Memoir of Tennyson Middlebrook by Martin Kee reviewed by co-founder Cate Baum.

When Bloom hit our judges it stood out immediately. When you open the first pages of Bloom it’s a tantalizing mystery.

From General Knowledge Extraction Subject: Name
Unknown
Estimated Age: —
Godstem Fragment: 5547896-33398b by 33388452d
PARTIAL
Bloom – See Science and Nature):
1. (Science and Nature) One or more flowers on a
flowering plant
2. (Science and Nature) Algal blo0m – A rapid
increase in the population of microscopic algae or
phytoplankton in an aquatic system

[…]

Cate Baum2019-01-23T13:07:53+02:00April 29th, 2014|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Searching For Paradise by Gerard Marconi

Cate Baum, editor of SPR reviews SPR Awards Shorts winner Searching For Paradise by Gerard Marconi.

It is rare that a male American writer writes about his feelings and experiences in relation to others, especially women. Offerings over the years have been rather narcissistic perspectives in the form of Kerouac, Thompson and Bukowski, with females no better off than a hatstand. We never really learn how the male protagonist feels about the women in their stories, past the sexual attractiveness or hysteria of each one, and god forbid we learn his weaknesses.

Enter Gerard Marconi, author of Searching For Paradise […]

Cate Baum2014-05-21T16:35:14+02:00April 18th, 2014|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|