A Book Reviewer's Dream

Q & A with MELONY TEAGUE

Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell and each story is unique and sometimes wilder than fiction. She loves to uncover the good news in society and writes human interest and community pieces. Melony is an editorial contributor for newspapers and magazines in the Greater Toronto Area. Melony’s guest columns address issues pertaining to the life and health of her community. She loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words and has co-written a devotional for Christian writers and speakers called, As The Ink Flows (Release date: April 2016) In her spare time she reviews books, and interviews authors.

Melony Teague was born in South Africa and immigrated to Canada in 1999. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their two children.

Q: Why do you, a freelance writer and non-fiction author, review fiction books?

Melony: It all came about by accident really! I started reviewing books on Goodreads (and sometimes on Amazon) for my own personal record and because I know how important it is for authors to get feedback. It is my way to give back to the many authors whose works bring me many hours of enjoyment and allow me to escape from my day to day non-fiction work. When I read, I use the other side of my brain I think and reading fiction helps me relax and slow my mind. As a proof reader, I also find it a treat to be able to read for fun instead of having to focus on typo’s and errors. I really do love to read, and why not review the books I read while I am at it? I am quite picky about which books I review, but I do love to review books; most of them are Historical Fiction with a smattering of mystery and contemporary works thrown in for good measure. I will review YA Fiction with delight. I began reviewing books on my website, then I was invited to review books on RadientLit and then it grew from there.

Q: Why do you feel so passionate about the books you review?

Melony: I have a desire to look after the ‘person behind the pen,’ to be an encouragement and give my support. Until you have written a book yourself, it is difficult to fully appreciate the time and energy authors pour into their books. Authors put themselves and their work out there and sometimes receive criticism for it and not always in a good way. I am passionate about reviewing the books I read because I want to encourage fiction writers and affirm them as professionals. Reading is such a big part of my life and my children are also avid readers.

Q: What do you get out of reviewing the books you do?

Melony: It has been a joy for me to read and review the books I love and I will not recommend a book I did not read or did not love. What has been an added blessing is that as I have connected with these authors and interviewed them for my website. I have been thrilled to find them welcoming and encouraging. Many of them did not hesitate in responding when I requested an interview. Not only are these women (and some men too) wonderfully accomplished writers whom I admire, but some of them have also become friends.

Q: What is your “reviewer’s dream”?

Melony: Although I am an non-fiction author and have ghost written for others, my dream is to publish a fiction work of my own someday. There have been some ladies whom have been particularly gracious in giving me advice and encouragement to continue the work I do as reviewer and as an author. With the wonderful example of this wonderful group of authors such as Carrie Turansky, Jen Turano, Carla Laureno, Susan Anne Mason, Julie Lessman many more, I am able to learn from them as fiction writers and inch closer and closer towards my own dream of having a fiction work published.

Q: Have you written a work of fiction?

Melony: I participated in Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) and completed the first draft of a manuscript in 2010. As a first attempt it needs much work and it will probably never see the light of day, but I am okay with that. You have to start somewhere, right? I have a number of projects in my “in progress” file. So we will have to wait and see what happens with those. Right now my freelance writing career keeps me busy as well as being a mom of two busy kids.