About BookSpeak 2008

BookSpeak is IPR’s summer radio show about books. On BookSpeak you’ll hear book reviews written and read by guest reviewers just like you. The second season of BookSpeak begins June 4 and runs through July 30, with weekly broadcasts Wednesday at noon. Here’s how you can participate.

What we’re looking for
       •   An informal review of a book you’ve enjoyed
       •   About 350 words (2 minutes when read aloud)
       •   A variety of interesting topics and authors
       •   Your passion and enthusiasm

Acceptable subject matter
       •   All genres (fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, youth or children’s books)
       •   An author’s body of work (e.g., why you like Mark Twain)
       •   A “classic” – or a new release (no self-published work, please)

Do
       •   Use quotes to make your point.
       •   Use short sentences – if you run out of breath when reading it aloud, the sentence is probably too long.
       •   Use words that you can easily pronounce.
       •   Write a review, not a book report.
       •   Write what you feel; don’t be afraid to be critical.

Don’t
       •   Use clichés like the blurbs on the book jacket (“a sweeping spectacle”… “the heart-rending story of…”).
       •   Use X-rated material (write for a “G” audience).
       •   Re-tell the story in chronological fashion (this happened, followed by this).

No radio experience required
       •   We’ll help prepare you and build your confidence.
       •   Your review can be recorded at IPR or over the phone if you can’t get to the studio. We will call you about any necessary editing and to schedule the recording.

Timeline
       •   Reviews should be submitted between May 19 and July 25 (see How to Submit below).

Contact information
For general information and submissions, contact Carol Trimmer at ctrimmer@bsu.edu or 765-285-5887. Questions about broadcasts go to beckstein@bsu.edu or mjackman@bsu.edu. For a toll-free call, the number is 800-646-1812.

How to submit a review
Please use MS Word (2003) to write your double-spaced 350-word book review.

If you email your review, please:
       •   Send it to ctrimmer@bsu.edu as an attachment or paste it in the message.
       •   Put BOOKSPEAK REVIEW in the subject line.
       •   Include your name, address, and daytime phone number.

If you fax (765-285-8937) or mail your review (IPR, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306), please:
       •   Write “Attention: Carol Trimmer” on the cover sheet or envelope.
       •   Include your name, address, and daytime phone number.

When submitting your review, please also:
       •   Tell us how you heard about BookSpeak.
       •   Tell us if your review can be published on the IPR website if it isn’t selected for broadcast.

General information
No submissions can be accepted after July 25. The last broadcast of the 2008 season will be July 30. If your review is broadcast, you must sign a release form. No fees are paid for broadcast rights, and participation in the project is free.

Broadcasts of BookSpeak
BookSpeak will be broadcast during the noon hour on Wednesdays beginning June 4. Two book reviews will be included in each 5-minute broadcast. Reviews that are not broadcast will be published on the IPR Web site.

“Catch the reading bug” at area libraries!
Public libraries have many fun and rewarding programs for adults and youth alike. IPR is pleased to support the summer reading programs at these partnering libraries:

Anderson Public Library
111 E 12th St., Anderson. 765-641-2456. www.and.lib.in.us

Hamilton East Public Library:
Noblesville Library, Library Plaza, Noblesville. 317-773-1384;
Fishers Library, 5 Municipal Dr., Fishers. 317-519-0300. www.hepl.lib.in.us

Jay County Public Library
315 N Ship St., Portland. 260-726-7890. www.jaycpl.lib.in.us

Marion Public Library
600 S Washington St., Marion. 765-668-2900. www.marion.lib.in.us

Muncie Public Library
all Muncie branches. 765-747-8206. www.munpl.org

New Castle-Henry County Public Library
376 S 15th St., New Castle. 765-529-0362. www.nchcpl.org

Pendleton Community Library
595 E Water St, Pendleton. 765-778-7527. www.pendleton.lib.in.us

Support for BookSpeak 2008 is provided by:

Edward Jones, Anderson & Pendleton offices
www.edwardjones.com

Patchwork Perennials, Hartford City
www.patchworkperennials.com

Cassella’s Kitchen, Muncie
www.cassellaskitchen.com