Reviews, Interviews, Giveaways

How I got my start reviewing all of the things

March 6, 2026 by

Preview

Back in the late 90s and early Aughts, I would buy LGBTQ movies on VHS from Ebay. Lifetime movies mostly. They are probably in a box in the attic. Think Stockard Channing, Natasha Lyonne, even Brooke Shields as a lesbian mom

When I took a closer look, I saw they were mostly screeners that were clearly marked “do not sell” with the implied threat that the ghosts of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford would haunt you.

That had me curious about reviewing. Yahooing “how to get film screeners” was not productive. This was way before my blog. I lost interest.

Act One

In 2005, I began blogging with no clear purpose other than describing the world around me. We went to all sorts of events and shows, so I would share my take on the blog. This list is not comprehensive.

Act Two

Things changed when I began to receive requests and opportunities to review lots of things – socks, plays, restaurants, groceries. I felt empowered to ask for “media tickets.” Side note – I need to request an ADA accommodation for aisle seats. This is my right as a US citizen, but I feel so guilty. It is something that reflects accessibility culture in our society. This list is not comprehensive.

Intermission Thoughts

I wasn’t necessarily proficient, but I was honest? Sincere?

I dabbled in the influencer free-shit stuff a bit, but quickly caught on that my time had value so I only accepted items I wanted. My ‘reach’ wasn’t high enough to be paid for the reviewing. I told myself I was sharing the goodies with my friends and readers. It was silly and precious to think anyone care about my opinion on Oreos or Gummy laxatives. I didn’t even know what half of the items were.

For awhile, I bitched and moaned about being invited to reviews sort of like your needy friend whining about not being invited to the party. I was obnoxious because I was on the outside and wanted to be on the inside. I simply could not find the door.

I was approached by a PR firm to give away some queer music. Then they kept offering me giveaways. That was a very big thing. I think the ‘Shape of Water’ umbrella was the best. But I had shirts, mugs, fans, slap bracelets, and more.

It was a heady consumerism phase.

I put together an elevator pitch of the blogs readership, my social media followings. I reached out for books, music, live show, plays, etc. Some responded, others did not. I began doing Q&A’s with the performers and artists willing to connect with my audience.

Live theater is my favorite. Q&A’s with creators is also my favorite.

Act Three

My reviews are not critic level. They are a candid glimpse into how I experience … well, the experience. I mention accessibility, comfort, connection. I consider parking and public transportation. Availability of water.

I found niches. For over ten years, I had a Lenten series called #FishFryFridays.

No unboxing videos. I can tally the items sent for me to review – a self-cleaning litter box that doesn’t work, a pair of hemp boxers that are uncomfortable, a Keurig that was just “meh” and that’s it. Pretty sure I’m forgetting something. Socks? Oh someone sent me a watch that was too big and expected me to go to the jewelry store to get it sized. What? I still have it. I don’t use it.

If you send me something to unbox, I’ll put my own unique spin on it.

My numbers continue to grow, but make no mistake – the offers are not rolling in. I still have to seek them out. That’s not a bad thing, because the last thing I need is more stuff..

I do receive endless offers to publish paid content, improve my SEO, and cover content that has zero connection to me or my blog.

It is hard to imagine getting paid for this even though I understand that a review has tangible value to any business based on my social footprint. But once upon a time, I thought I’d never be invited to review a play. Or a concert. So who knows what comes next?

Live theater and similar productions

  • A few companies/venues reach out to invite me – this is nice.
  • Most are fine if I don’t come on opening night.
  • All are fine with my ADA request and several know it automatically now.
  • Very good with a +1 offer.
  • I usually purchase two drinks of some type be
  • My teeth grind when someone describes them as free tickets. I spend a solid hour previewing any show, two to three at the show, and several hours writing the review. Low ball eight hours at $25/hour and that is typically an even trade or a loss for me.

Live music and concerts

  • Small to medium venues are welcoming and accommodating
  • ‘Big’ touring productions only offer last minute review passes and it is always just one. So I’ll never be invited because I have to have a support person in that large a space.
  • Very local venues send me tons of invites to cover smaller shows as do the promotional people for the artists. I’m not able to attend most of these. I wish I had a music reviewer who liked working for free. Sigh.
  • Special shout out to Stage AE and Club Cafe for handling accessibility with dignity and courtesy

Movies and TV shows

  • It took years for me to get onto the mailing list for reviews.
  • Special previews can be fun, but taps into my social anxiety – will I have two designated seats, water, aisle seat. I’ve been to screenings with four people and screenings that are packed.
  • I prefer to screen movies at home on my television.
  • Right now, the only streaming service that contacts me is Apple TV. Recently, they asked my opinion ahead of publication. That was nice.

I’d love to review local products to support local businesses. Local restaurants. Drag shows. Events that matter to me and my readers.

I reach nearly 250,000 people via my Instagram (109k), Facebook (145k), other social media platforms and my blog. Even a simple promotional post lands a lot of ways.

So if you’d like to take up reviewing, maybe my journey will help. Here are my tips.

  1. Start small. Community theater companies. Hyper local productions. Local film festivals. Your favorite restaurants.
  2. Give. A social media preview followed by a review is powerful. Include tags. If you receive comp tickets, buy a drink or donate.
  3. Learn. Read other reviews both local and national. What sorts of things are they writing about, what do they notice.
  4. Accept. You can’t become a formal theater/movie/book/music critic overnight. Take your time. Find your niche.
  5. Remember. There’s a difference between a promotional post and a review. If you do merge them, be sure to clarify.
  6. Practice. You can review anything.
  7. Think. Is this a transaction or a relationship? Are you looking for freebies, a paying gig, or something else?
  8. Ask. Ask for media tickets. Create your own elevator pitch. Keep it brief.
  9. Think. About your readers. When I visit a venue, I look for accessibility indicators, parking, gender neutral bathrooms, as well as the event. Would my 30 year old suburban self have felt comfortable?
  10. Honesty. You don’t owe anyone a positive review simply because they invited you. You can be candid without being catty.

Curtain Call

What comes next for this reviewer?

I’d like to do a better job connecting my readers with the performance so maybe a class on theater and television/movie reviewing.

Just once, I’d like LiveNation to agree to +1 passes so I can have that experience to share with readers also living with disabilities. That’s more for me than my blog.

I’d like to be invited to events hosted by local museums.

I’d like to be invited to cover something and the contact person not disappear because it is not a refined gorgeous video. I use words. And cat photos.

I’d love to do a community colony cat review of products – foods, treats, practical items like bowls. Colony cats have the unique combo of being needy and disdainful at the same time. That could be fun and whimsical.

It would be great to be offered more screeners because I have found so many great indie movies that I might otherwise have missed.

I’d love to review local products. Local, local, local.

Reviews can be fun and interesting, but it isn’t about the ‘free’ part – it is about being heard. That my voice, my point of view as a middle-aged queer disabled white lady adds something to the conversation, regardless of my reach.

Fini

I think it was Carnegie Stage that first offered me media tickets to a play by Off The Wall Productions. I wrote a review and they put an excerpt on a poster that hangs in the lobby to this very day. I always visit it when I’m at the theater, a little reminder that my opinion mattered to artists.

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