tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post4121737372470605708..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: 5 Guidelines for Approaching Book Review Bloggers Janice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-74216851053862397382020-01-28T12:32:28.618-05:002020-01-28T12:32:28.618-05:00Thanks PolyWogg, what a great summary of what book...Thanks PolyWogg, what a great summary of what book reviewers go through and some of the things you guys face. This is something all authors should print out and read every time they're ready to send out books for review. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-66356071994890414542020-01-26T06:40:08.314-05:002020-01-26T06:40:08.314-05:00Wonderful tips. PinnedWonderful tips. PinnedBrenda Marie Fluharty Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09449084515155136416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-34462721027088228022020-01-23T00:40:38.954-05:002020-01-23T00:40:38.954-05:00I have tended of late to drop out of the unsolicit...I have tended of late to drop out of the unsolicited reviews game as a blogger for three main reasons. I'll share them in case it helps others.<br /><br />First and foremost, I would get pitches that would follow some generic template (literally, someone was selling it), just as the tips above tell them not to do. The pitch opened noting that I was an Amazon reviewer (good), and that they had seen my review of a specific book (good), and wondered if I might be interested/willing to read their book based on the similarities. Which sounds great, right? Except the review they quoted was one of my first, a Janet Evanovich novel in the Stephanie Plum bounty hunter/mystery series (same exact wording in each template), and THEIR book was a steam punk / sex fantasy / scifi thriller. Umm...does anyone else hear crickets? The book had NOTHING in common with the review they were pointing to. Which is a REALLY bad way to pitch but also, even if it works, and I did read it, it would likely get a bad review. Not my genre, not my area, why would you think I might like it?<br /><br />Second, many of the books I received as ARCs were NOT ready for publication. I don't know if they had beta testers that weren't family members or their employee, but someone should have told them it wasn't ready yet. Bad writing. Bad punctuation. Bad formatting. I love the indie and self-publishing worlds, but for the love of books, please make sure your book is actually ready for release before you send it out into the world. I am a book reviewer, not your beta tester. <br /><br />Third, and this was a killer for me, I struggled with the personal side of the job. As a reviewer, my first duty is not to you as author but rather to a future reader. Probably one who is trying to decide if the book would be something they would like. I can even tell myself, as some professional reviewers do, that this is the ONLY duty. <br /><br />And if the book came to me from a company promotion, or a big corporate publisher, or even an agent, I would feel that was indeed the relationship. But that isn't how the book came to me. An author took a chance, reached out to me directly, asked me if I would review their baby, and they may not have ANYONE else saying yes. And so, because I'm not a monster usually, I found I was being a bit more generous or softer in my review. I was holding back a bit. Which means I'm not delivering on my PRIMARY duty to the other readers. I was compromising my reviewing integrity, so to speak, because I was worried that a harsh review might injure the author's career or feelings, I guess.<br /><br />I mention this not to say "get a thick skin" but merely to point out that just as you took your role as author seriously, so too does the reviewer. And the more personal your relationship becomes, the more blurred the lines are for them in reviewing your book. Respect their boundaries. They are reviewers, they are not your new BFF.<br /><br />PolyWoggPolyWogghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239033481272527855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-80580874471347676682020-01-22T23:37:58.442-05:002020-01-22T23:37:58.442-05:00I agree with the email over a comment on the site,...I agree with the email over a comment on the site, as one of the first things I think if an author thanks the reviewer is that the reviewer did them a favour. Was it reviewing the book? Was it giving them a positive review? If they want to retweet a review or sometihng like that, it seems fine to me, but directly engaging the reviewer publicly takes your "private" relationship and makes it public. THere's a reason why some sites demand any review note if they follow the person on social media, it looks like a conflict of interest.<br />PolyWogghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239033481272527855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-64096370391665396132016-07-28T02:06:35.863-04:002016-07-28T02:06:35.863-04:00very post.....very post.....Peter Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14532264814565369687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-86561519789724211552016-01-26T16:40:39.197-05:002016-01-26T16:40:39.197-05:00Great post - I would disagree a bit with #5 though...Great post - I would disagree a bit with #5 though. I appreciate (and my readers appreciate) when an author comes to their post on my site and interacts. I just love it when an author takes the time to reply to the individual comments left by readers on my blog. And it makes me feel good that they took the time to visit my blog and read my review. Overall great post though - you touched on several things that I agree with as a book review blogger.<br /><br />Brooke from <a href="http://www.brookeblogs.com" rel="nofollow">Brooke Blogs</a>Brooke Showalterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09903155427658406520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-10778408045437724972016-01-25T18:00:48.066-05:002016-01-25T18:00:48.066-05:00I disagree wholeheartedly with #5.
Instead #5 shou...I disagree wholeheartedly with #5.<br />Instead #5 should be; In your pitch do not use the word free. Nothing is free in this world.fredamanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12445217103291725907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-55138746465154603002014-09-30T04:34:19.308-04:002014-09-30T04:34:19.308-04:00Yep it can definitely depend on the blogger but I ...Yep it can definitely depend on the blogger but I think it's awesome when authors engage. I think a lot of readers appreciate it as well. It's nice to get to know the people behind the books and know they care :)Anna (herding cats-burning soup)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17422129120413380189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-64341912537603460682014-09-28T12:39:12.511-04:002014-09-28T12:39:12.511-04:00Great tips. The first four rules are true for appr...Great tips. The first four rules are true for approaching bloggers to ask for guest posts, too. 90% of the people who approach me asking to guest blog have never read the blog. <br /><br />And mass-mailings are almost always a turn-off. If you can't take the time to write a personal email, why would anybody take the time to do you a favor? Stuff like that makes more enemies than sales.<br /><br />Thanks for spreading the word, Marcy!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-36063041639908275212014-09-28T11:50:02.719-04:002014-09-28T11:50:02.719-04:00Hi Anna, thanks for adding your thoughts. I have a...Hi Anna, thanks for adding your thoughts. I have always thanked bloggers for their positive reviews and the bloggers have always told me they appreciated my engagement. More than one has commented that they wish more authors commented and engaged. I guess the answer to this one is, it depends on the blogger ICarol Fragale Brillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02832865888789761328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-20855472769804633792014-09-03T01:43:42.275-04:002014-09-03T01:43:42.275-04:00These are all great points. Especially the persona...These are all great points. Especially the personalizing your request. As a book blogger I know I automatically disregard the mass-email where the author doesn't even address me by my name. If I'm taking the time out of my life to read and then review then I want to feel acknowledged. If they can find my email address then it's not that much more work to find my name (it's all over my blog). <br /><br />I also like your point about researching the blogger. I don't review horror or religious type books and yet it seems like I'm regularly being approached by people who clearly haven't read my review policy. <br /><br />I think your point about not commenting is interesting.I like to be acknowledged.And whilst maybe commenting isn't the best way to show it - I want to know that the author has seen what I've said. It doesn't matter if it's a reply to the email I send with the link to the review, a like on twitter or goodreads or a comment - it is important me to feel like the author has seen my review. If I get some sort of acknowledgement it makes me much more likely to want a future relationship with the author. <br /><br />Kate @ <a href="http://www.fictionalthoughts.com" rel="nofollow">Fictional Thoughts</a>Kate @ Fictional Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04903065619699797806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-6439197590477718642014-08-26T19:04:46.298-04:002014-08-26T19:04:46.298-04:00I run a MG and YA book blog at www.bookishserendip...I run a MG and YA book blog at www.bookishserendipity.com and I have to say, I do love when the author comments on my review of a book. I agree with the part about personalizing emails. I've gotten a lot of emails that were obviously copy-and-pasted. I don't consider those requests nearly as much as I would a personalized email. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-1226277983776409762014-08-21T18:11:36.983-04:002014-08-21T18:11:36.983-04:00That's awesome to know, Anna, very validating;...That's awesome to know, Anna, very validating; I try to always thank my reviewers 'cause I know how much time it takes to execute a thorough review - and also know it's a voluntary endeavor. Bonnie Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02813024239481434223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-78045649444973275092014-08-21T17:58:02.663-04:002014-08-21T17:58:02.663-04:00Thank you. My hope is always to make the path easi...Thank you. My hope is always to make the path easier for others :)Marcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18326611302720771943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-22724129552638954602014-08-21T17:55:03.683-04:002014-08-21T17:55:03.683-04:00Thanks so much for adding to the discussion. I lik...Thanks so much for adding to the discussion. I like your approach. As hard as negative reviews are to take, we can learn something from them, and really, it helps readers make an informed decision about whether a book is right for them or not. Just because I love my book doesn't mean it's the right book for everyone to read.Marcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18326611302720771943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-17980618600539619412014-08-21T17:51:36.676-04:002014-08-21T17:51:36.676-04:00I can see that but guess it just depends on the bl...I can see that but guess it just depends on the blog and how it's set up. Mine works with authors and general readers. I have authors that follow the blog and comment all the time and like that it's a spot for all of them. And those that follow know they can always say what they're thinking. But maybe it's just how mine is put together and the people who follow it. Anna (herding cats-burning soup)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17422129120413380189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-56811823916957286072014-08-21T17:49:06.250-04:002014-08-21T17:49:06.250-04:00Great tips! With my last release, I waited too lon...Great tips! With my last release, I waited too long before seeking reviews. Most bloggers were booked a long way out or didn't review indie titles. This time I didn't seek reviews. Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-50199434553307554752014-08-21T17:47:37.846-04:002014-08-21T17:47:37.846-04:00I'm sure many bloggers wouldn't have a pro...I'm sure many bloggers wouldn't have a problem with it. Thanking a blogger who's taken the time to read and review is a great idea because I know you all invest a lot of effort into it, but I personally think email is the better way. The real issue I see with posting at all is that then many blog readers will feel like they have to censor their opinions in case the book's author reads them. If review blogs are to stay a good source for honest discussion about a book, then they need to stay a safe place for readers. The point of #5 is really to safeguard that safe space. I hope that clarifies. Marcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18326611302720771943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-86799761448611389072014-08-21T17:24:52.452-04:002014-08-21T17:24:52.452-04:00This is excellent! Thank you for sharing this wisd...This is excellent! Thank you for sharing this wisdom with others. Unfortunately, there are quite a few people who need to read your post right now!Julie Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06462386948229063576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-90050839413363246102014-08-21T16:40:05.892-04:002014-08-21T16:40:05.892-04:00I cannot possibly take the time to read a book and...I cannot possibly take the time to read a book and NOT review it. If you want a gushing, positive review without fail do not come to me! I will however find at least one good thing in almost every book and will do my utmost to write civilly about even a book I find utterly repugnant. <br />Thank you for mentioning the policy page. <br />Steph from fangswandsandfairydust.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00265501682911526600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-87999378026615318762014-08-21T16:08:06.907-04:002014-08-21T16:08:06.907-04:00Some very great points though on #5 I would argue ...Some very great points though on #5 I would argue on that one. On negative reviews definitely avoid posting a comment but on a positive review I love it when the author takes time to stop by and say thank you or I really loved the review and appreciate it. Maybe I'm the odd blogger out but I've got no problem with that at all. Anna (herding cats-burning soup)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17422129120413380189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-87857113411615044662014-08-21T10:29:41.837-04:002014-08-21T10:29:41.837-04:00Fab feedback ~ great article! Thanks! Fab feedback ~ great article! Thanks! Bonnie Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02813024239481434223noreply@blogger.com