bookoxygen is a site where interesting new writing is aired and appreciated, chiefly through the reviews of industry professionals – writers, publishers, journalists. It is also a place for writers to discuss writing and for readers to sample extracts of published work, selected for quality and variety.
It has a mission to help correct the imbalance in book journalism, which sees some 60% of literary coverage written by men and devoted to male writers. At bookoxygen, the coverage is weighted 60% in favour of women writers and critics.
In addition, the site seeks to give space to smaller publishers who can struggle to gain a share of review column inches even at a time when independent houses are publishing some of the most interesting new writing.
Alison Burns contributes reviews.