Type of review on The Queen’s Sword
DECKS & BOOKS
I review books about cartomancy, spirituality, self-empowerment, meditation, healing and divination. I review every type of Tarot deck or 36-card deck system + other oracles. I don’t review Playing Cards.
Deck types for review
RWS/WCS (Waite-Smith Tarot), Golden Dawn & Crowley’s Thoth Tarot inspired decks, Modern Marseille’s and Tarot de Marseille (TdM) reproductions, Modern Tarocchi’s & Repro’s of Ancient Italian decks, Alternate Tarot systems (with extra suits, cards et cetera), Lenormand, Oracles in every variant and Kipper.
Books on the above mentioned cartomancy tools, on spirituality, rituals linked to cartomancy, cleansing linked to reading, modalities (astrology & tarot, Kabbalah & Tarot) and tarot therapy type books (Tarot & Psychology, personal growth with affirmation decks et cetera) PARAPHERNALIA, APPS & COURSES
The Queen’s Sword also reviews paraphernalia and products relating to tarot & divination, as well as courses to learn all types of tarot and oracles.
Tarot cases, tarot bags, reading cloths (Lenormand Houses and Kipper Houses), ritualistic garb and tools. The same goes for apps: tarot apps can be a helpful tool for any tarot reader. If you create any of the aforementioned things you are welcome to send over demos or or actual products for review. These reviews are shorter.
Length deck and book reviews
Reviews on books and decks are usually 800 words minimum, but can go up to double that or higher if the subjects asks for it. They all include images and a wrap up, including a ‘where to buy’ link. Recommendations for apps, video’s, podcasts, websites or paraphernalia are a lot shorter and don’t have a wrap-up, but a link to the multimedia tip itself. Mini reviews on the Facebook page are an option when my planning is full, but you will still get attention for your deck in a shorter way.
Each review consists of:
- A picture of the book cover, deck box or kit or product
- Images of cards, pages, details
- Title
- Author/Artist
- Publisher
- Publication and /or release date if applicable
- A link to Amazon, Bookdepository or the artist/author’s site
- My personal thoughts
- Conclusion
- A rating from 1-10
- Pro’s and con’s
Type of copies
When it comes to review copies there are a lot I am able to read, use and review:
- Bound galleys
- Advanced readers copies (ARC’s)
- Advance review copies Tarot, Kipper, Lenormand and Oracle decks (or demo’s)
- The finished books & decks from publishers and authors
- eBooks (ePub, PDF: suitable for a Sony e-reader)
All reviews are my personal and honest opinions and also based on what ‘the average’ reader demands of a deck or book. I always use the same measuring rod to be as objective as possible. I will name inconsistencies and possible negatives, but my reviews are not written with the intention to be hurtful. The amount of work put in and the respect I have for authors and designers in general is definitely taken into account.
Time frame reviews
Books and decks can’t always be read or used within a specific time frame. If you request a review with a certain publication time in mind, please let me know and I will tell you if this is possible.
ARC’s and demo decks, especially if they have upcoming release dates or campaigns, take precedence. I aim to publish reviews within a month after arrival, within a month of publication or soon thereafter, unless otherwise agreed upon/communicated/something happens.
Agreements & planning: take care!
At the end of the year I already make a planning for the next year based on publisher’s catalogues and requests on self-published work. If something is planned and agreed upon for a certain month but *not delivered* in time to make that happen I can’t promise a new ‘as soon as possible’ new date. Other work is planned shortly after and I can’t put those aside.
I specifically invite self-published authors and designers to contact me as well, since this group is relatively high in the tarot community. Decks can be sent to me before or after official publication. Older decks could be of interest, but then please contact me if you want to be sure if I can write about it.
Promotions & giveaways
If there’s any interest I am willing to work together with publishers, authors or deck-creators to organise giveaways or discounts for readers.
A link to my reviews will be posted on Twitter, my Facebook page for The Queen’s Sword and on several bigger tarot/spiritual forums on Facebook. I use Pinterest to pin art work that I know and like.
Relevant information
If you (want to) send me a copy of your book or deck for review, please no I can never guarantee an article if we have not discussed writing a review. It is always smart to provide some relevant information about your title, like release date, purchase options, thoughts behind it et cetera. That way I can possibly include that in an article. Lots of times I will hit you up with a couple of questions anyway.
If there’s any reason I might not be able to guarantee a review of a book or deck I will let that know as soon as possible.
And I promise: I will not sell galleys, ARC’s or review copies of decks.
Disclosure: All books and decks reviewed on The Queen’s Sword are personally bought by me, won in a contest, borrowed or received from the author/publisher/designer in exchange for an honest review. There is never any contract, payment or otherwise commercial interest involved.
I’ve recently become an Amazon Associate (Affiliate program) in the hopes of covering some of the costs. This means that if you purchase a deck/book via an Amazon link (in reviews after 2017) a few cents will be added to my account. I’ll receive those if and when I reach the minimum threshold. This won’t mean any extra costs for you.
