Authors Looking to Review

Hello K. Elizabeth,

This forum doesn't really have a thread for completed works to be reviewed, perhaps the beta reader/writing buddy section, but I'm sure some folks will see your post here and reach out. In my limited experience, I find that most reputable reviewers will glance over direct solicitation from authors (typically self-published) because they associate it with lower quality work, and their inboxes are flooded with requests that don't benefit their platform. But I think a lot rests on how you reach out to them, and how you present your work.

With an absolutely astonishing cover and a concise blurb, and an email that's worded as if they're the ones who need you and not the other way around, there's success to be had with some of the smaller reviewers, or even people that are an aspiring blogger/booktuber and just starting out. For the big names, they're used to doing sponsored reviews with monthly ARC's from big name publishers, but I'd bet the rights to my work that for the right price they would give you the time of day as well. - The right price for a lot of people is just a physical copy of your work; everyone loves a free book (physical copy). I've had success reaching out to the smaller booktubers. Twitter might be a resource as well because a lot of bloggers follow authors in your genre, and you can find their accounts easily. Good luck and hang in there!

kecargiulo said:

I tried to look through this forum before posting, but I may have missed a similar thread. If there is one please let me know!

Long story short - my young adult fiction/fantasy novel Dancing with Fey came out back in September 2016 in print and digitally through all the usual channels - Amazon, B&N, etc. I have been submitting to reviewers and bloggers (of course all interested in the genre) with little to no luck. Could there be any authors on Absolute Write interested in reading and reviewing others works? Does anyone perhaps also run a book blog as well as being an author? Does anyone have any suggestions on a great resource for finding reviewers?

Thank you in advance!

Click to expand...

Offer a giveaway for Goodreads and Amazon and LibraryThing.

See this: On Hosting Book Giveaways

AW Admin said:

Offer a giveaway for Goodreads and Amazon and LibraryThing.

See this: On Hosting Book Giveaways

Click to expand...

...but don't expect the winners to review the book, at least on Goodreads and Amazon.

As far as getting reviews, there are some groups on Goodreads specifically for that purpose. The best one I've found is called Making Connections, although it's heavily populated by romance readers.

WriterBN said:

...but don't expect the winners to review the book, at least on Goodreads and Amazon.

Click to expand...

I've done four giveaways on LibraryThing and to the best of my knowledge, haven't received a single review as a result.

Justin K said:

Twitter might be a resource as well because a lot of bloggers follow authors in your genre, and you can find their accounts easily. Good luck and hang in there!

Click to expand...

Once you identify the bloggers in your genre on Twitter what do you do? Wouldn't you go to their website and contact them from there. Are you using Twitter just to identify who they are?

I don't think LibraryThing will take self published books. At least that is what they say on their website. Goodreads giveaways can only be physical books.

LibraryThing will do giveaways of self - published books through the Member Giveaway program, not through Early Reviewers. Unfortunately the review rate going through Member Giveaway is almost zero.

romance2die4 said:

Once you identify the bloggers in your genre on Twitter what do you do? Wouldn't you go to their website and contact them from there. Are you using Twitter just to identify who they are?

Click to expand...

Yes. The way twitter organizes followers and gives suggestions on who to follow makes it very easy to find a lot of bloggers who may otherwise be difficult to locate. I would only contact through their business email however, after researching them on their social media.

Hello Justin, any idea about the prices that are practiced to get a review from a well respected blogger, when it's not a physical copy of the book? Thanks!

Justin K said:

Hello K. Elizabeth,

This forum doesn't really have a thread for completed works to be reviewed, perhaps the beta reader/writing buddy section, but I'm sure some folks will see your post here and reach out. In my limited experience, I find that most reputable reviewers will glance over direct solicitation from authors (typically self-published) because they associate it with lower quality work, and their inboxes are flooded with requests that don't benefit their platform. But I think a lot rests on how you reach out to them, and how you present your work.

With an absolutely astonishing cover and a concise blurb, and an email that's worded as if they're the ones who need you and not the other way around, there's success to be had with some of the smaller reviewers, or even people that are an aspiring blogger/booktuber and just starting out. For the big names, they're used to doing sponsored reviews with monthly ARC's from big name publishers, but I'd bet the rights to my work that for the right price they would give you the time of day as well. - The right price for a lot of people is just a physical copy of your work; everyone loves a free book (physical copy). I've had success reaching out to the smaller booktubers. Twitter might be a resource as well because a lot of bloggers follow authors in your genre, and you can find their accounts easily. Good luck and hang in there!

Click to expand...

10 bucks on Kindle. It seems kind of high. Just wondering. I mean, I was about to put one of my novels out on Amazon and I was hoping to go cheap. You know, around 3 bucks. Partially because I'm Indie and also because I think my story is worth 3 bucks. Yeah, it's good, IMHO, but it's only going to appeal to a male SF audience, and that's a small target of e-readers.

Did Amazon insist on 10 bucks for an ebook? It doesn't seem right. Let me explain. I read ebooks. And I'm fussy. I'm also on a budget. If I come across a book for 10 bucks, I'm going to talk to people I know who also read. These people have a bigger budget than I do. They read a lot of stuff I can't afford. If they recommend it, maybe I'll spring, but only if I can't find something else that looks good and is cheaper. I check Goodreads and the Amazon reviews and I talk to humans that read. A good example would be 'The Girl with All the Gifts.' I didn't want to pay the asking price, but after a friend told me it was worth a read and looking at the reviews, I paid the 10 bucks. Now, if it had been 5 bucks, I'd have bought it without my friend's recommendation.

Something to think about. I spend around 100 bucks a year on ebooks. That's my budget, so I'm picky. I do not feel that 'The Girl with All the Gifts' was worth 10 bucks. I would say 7. Just me saying. It was a good book. It was fun. It kept me entertained. But I think 10 was too high.

Komic Brew said:

Hello Justin, any idea about the prices that are practiced to get a review from a well respected blogger, when it's not a physical copy of the book? Thanks!

Click to expand...

There isn't much information available on this, but you might want to watch this video. Very enlightening, she does a segment on what publishers are offering to have books reviewed, or just promoted. They earn higher amounts depending on how many followers they have. But one thing to keep in mind is that reviewers like her are signing contracts with publishers, and that works as a safety net for them against the ramifications of working directly with authors, where things could get ugly. Either way, from what I've seen, most bloggers don't want a book unless it's a physical copy, although some do prefer the kindle version.

I've just checked with a few publicists I know, who work for reputable trade publishers: not one of them pays bloggers anything to review the books they work on, and none of them know of any publishers which have signed contracts with book bloggers in order to get reviews. Am I correct to assume that this is a self-publishing thing?

Old Hack said:

I've just checked with a few publicists I know, who work for reputable trade publishers: not one of them pays bloggers anything to review the books they work on, and none of them know of any publishers which have signed contracts with book bloggers in order to get reviews. Am I correct to assume that this is a self-publishing thing?

Click to expand...

No, it's not a self-publishing thing (or it shouldn't be, anyway). Paying for reviews is strictly against the Amazon TOS, and it could get your account shut down.

WriterBN said:

No, it's not a self-publishing thing (or it shouldn't be, anyway). Paying for reviews is strictly against the Amazon TOS, and it could get your account shut down.

Click to expand...

Yep, I knew that; and I know that it's unethical to pay for reviews, for all the reasons we've discussed here in the past. But this post suggested it's pretty common for publishers to pay for reviews:

Justin K said:

There isn't much information available on this, but you might want to watch this video. Very enlightening, she does a segment on what publishers are offering to have books reviewed, or just promoted. They earn higher amounts depending on how many followers they have. But one thing to keep in mind is that reviewers like her are signing contracts with publishers, and that works as a safety net for them against the ramifications of working directly with authors, where things could get ugly. Either way, from what I've seen, most bloggers don't want a book unless it's a physical copy, although some do prefer the kindle version.

Click to expand...

As I can't watch the link provided thanks to my unreliable internet, I wondered who these publishers are who are paying for promotion and reviews, and are even offering contracts to reviewers.

Old Hack said:

As I can't watch the link provided thanks to my unreliable internet, I wondered who these publishers are who are paying for promotion and reviews, and are even offering contracts to reviewers.

Click to expand...

Hi everyone. I just wanted to clear up that I wasn't talking about amazon or goodreads reviews (the kind involving stars), I meant the kind that appear on blogs or on booktube vlogs. The reviewers will usually say something along the lines of "this was sponsored by _fill in the blank_," before or after talking about a book to let the viewers know that the promotion was sponsored. And generally, they're always naming the larger publishers. The video I posted is from a popular blogger (one of many on youtube) who says that they do accept payments for unbiased reviews. I don't think there's a reason not to trust what she says.

This, for example, is a review of Carve the Mark from Sasha Alsberg, which she says up front is sponsored by Harper Collins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALSCDDO535s

I can't watch YouTube links, so don't know what is or isn't said on that link. But my understanding is that the reviews receive free copies of the books--ARCs, advance readers' copies--and that's all. No payment changes hands. Is this not so? Do the reviewers receive payment as well?

Old Hack said:

I can't watch YouTube links, so don't know what is or isn't said on that link. But my understanding is that the reviews receive free copies of the books--ARCs, advance readers' copies--and that's all. No payment changes hands. Is this not so? Do the reviewers receive payment as well?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I can say with confidence that that is not so. Publishers, apparently, do offer 'sponsored review contracts' (involving money) to vloggers with large followings for honest reviews of their books, or even for just doing a 'book haul'. My guess is that they pay to be featured in the 'wrap up's' and 'to be read' lists that are often talked about as well. I don't know if there's a third party involved or not, but the money is there for sure, and it comes from the publisher.

thank you Justin for the link. Very enlightening info there.

Justin K said:

Unfortunately, I can say with confidence that that is not so. Publishers, apparently, do offer 'sponsored review contracts' (involving money) to vloggers with large followings for honest reviews of their books, or even for just doing a 'book haul'. My guess is that they pay to be featured in the 'wrap up's' and 'to be read' lists that are often talked about as well. I don't know if there's a third party involved or not, but the money is there for sure, and it comes from the publisher.

Click to expand...

I've just asked three publishing publicists I know who work in the US if they pay reviewers like this, or offer such contracts, and they all denied that it was happening at the publishers they've worked for.

Old Hack said:

I've just asked three publishing publicists I know who work in the US if they pay reviewers like this, or offer such contracts, and they all denied that it was happening at the publishers they've worked for.

Click to expand...

Perhaps it could be only a select few publishers that do this, or it's a new thing, or the publicists are unaware? I wonder if anyone will chime in with some more information about it.

I don't really know what goes on behind the scenes, but all of these popular book vloggers make weekly videos featuring books they receive from publishers, and they give a disclaimer that the reviews are sponsored. A lot of the reviews sound somewhat scripted too. That vlogger in particular, Emma, was sort of the first one to talk about it on her channel, and she does mention amounts of money being paid and contracts being signed to review or promote books.

Come to think of it, I recall a certain tv show from my childhood by the name of Reading Rainbow that seemed to follow this exact formula, followed by a jingle. I don't think anything new is going on.

It's interesting that there isn't more backlash from the community about biased reviews (there is some), because the reviews are hardly ever negative, and even when they are, they still give the book 3 or 4 stars on Goodreads.

Justin K said:

Perhaps it could be only a select few publishers that do this, or it's a new thing, or the publicists are unaware? I wonder if anyone will chime in with some more information about it.

Click to expand...

I'm at a disadvantage to you because I've not viewed the YouTube thing, so don't know exactly what was said, remember, so forgive me if I ask what seem like obvious questions.

If it were happening at the publishers my friends work for, they would know about it: they are in charge of their departments, and control the budgets.

I am interested in which publishers are doing this--if they're doing it at all. It could be a misunderstanding at some point, or it could be smoke-and-mirrors on behalf of the vloggers. I don't know. I'll see what I can find out.

I don't really know what goes on behind the scenes, but all of these popular book vloggers make weekly videos featuring books they receive from publishers, and they give a disclaimer that the reviews are sponsored. A lot of the reviews sound somewhat scripted too. That vlogger in particular, Emma, was sort of the first one to talk about it on her channel, and she does mention amounts of money being paid and contracts being signed to review or promote books.

Click to expand...

I know reviewers have to make it clear if they receive books for review without having paid for them. And I've seen some book bloggers refer to that as being "sponsored" by the publisher: it seemed they were trying to big themselves up in order to gain status as a reviewer, and to get more free books from other publishers. But a few free review copies is not the same thing as sponsorship, though, as you and I both know.

Your comment that she states money is paid and contracts are signed suggests it's more than just free review copies going on here, and that's what I'm finding peculiar. Because no one I've spoken to has said this is going on, and most have gone on to say they just wouldn't do it: there are too many conflicts of interest inherent in such a plan.

Come to think of it, I recall a certain tv show from my childhood by the name of Reading Rainbow that seemed to follow this exact formula, followed by a jingle. I don't think anything new is going on.

Click to expand...

Laws regarding advertising have changed--in the UK, at least. Now companies are allowed to sponsor TV programs but they're not allowed to use those programs to advertise their products: all they get is a quick ten-second trailer at the start of each segment of the show, which is clearly an ad.

It's interesting that there isn't more backlash from the community about biased reviews (there is some), because the reviews are hardly ever negative, and even when they are, they still give the book 3 or 4 stars on Goodreads.

Click to expand...

I'm surprised there isn't more backlash. And I'm surprised Goodreads allows such ads. Amazon doesn't.

Hmmm. I just watched the video. The Booktuber in question definitely says money changes hands. She names a specific amount she received for a video: $150. She says in her experience a couple hundred is typical, and people who think Booktubers receive thousands of dollars per video are way off.

She also reads from a "sponsored video contract" she says she received from a "company" (publisher? PR company?). It stipulates that the company has the right to edit her ("the influencer's") video, but only to remove factual errors and spoilers, not to censor her opinion.

To me as a reviewer and author, this is surprising. I know of authors who have paid for Booktubers' coverage independently of their publishers. I don't have experience with publishers doing this. My guess is, if this indeed happens, it's a phenomenon of the YA realm, where Booktubers hold a great deal of sway.

If it's indeed coming from the publisher, they're probably logging that money as just typical advertising. - That's basically what these popular booktube channels have become, and they're not really trying to hide it. Their content often appears more like a commercial than a review, and a large portion of the books are promoted without having been read. I'm sure they do have quite a bit of influence, especially for the popular books targeted towards younger readers.

I personally don't mind seeing a review if I know it's been paid for (Kirkus, for instance. Aren't they a paid review site that publishers utilize?). The thing that makes booktube an evolving monster is that they review those same books on other social media where things are not as transparent.

Self-published authors pay for Kirkus reviews. Publishers don't. Those are two completely separate categories of review, IIRC. (Publishers also don't have the option of suppressing negative reviews, of which Kirkus offers quite a few!)

As a reviewer, I feel pretty adamantly that an ARC and a cash payment are different and I wouldn't accept the latter. I can't speak specifically to the integrity of Booktubers, though, and I know that unlike me, they don't have an employer paying for their labor.