THE Group for Authors! discussion

A co-worker purchased a copy of my book. He said he doesn't read books (not that he can't) but his wife did.

He took it home and gave it to her on a Wednesday after work. She finished it during the day on the following Friday. (lighting up one wheelhouse at a time here.)

Ecstatic about my work, she went to Amazon to leave a review and wasn't able to. The only option the website allowed for her was to sell her another copy.

One of my Daughter's friends, (college student,) didn't have a problem putting a review up, (turned on another wheelhouse light) and because she got her copy from my Daughter, I asked how she was able to leave a review. (actually texted, via my Daughter)

She thought maybe the other girl might not be a member of Amazon. I conveyed that, and she said she was a member.

Any suggestion on what she should try to remedy this situation? I would love to see her review.

Although I don't believe there's anything unusual, here's a link to my Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Stones-Throw-Aw... A Stone's Throw Away, by Carl Lee

Thanks in advance for the help.

You can't leave a review on Amazon unless you've purchased something on the site at some stage. Not a free download, but a book or any item you've paid for. If the lady in question has never purchased anything from Amazon she won't be able to leave a review, even if she has an account. Although she should have seen a message stating this. It's all I can think of.

It's all I can think of.

Makes perfect 'cents' for Amazon, doesn't it... I'll ask her, but if she has, any other suggestions.

Carl wrote: "Makes perfect 'cents' for Amazon, doesn't it... I'll ask her, but if she has, any other suggestions."

It's how they keep spammers from opening a thousand fake accounts and rating their books and products. You can spend $3 on a box of screws but you have to have bought something from the site to legitimize your account.

I believe "screws" won't do it, you have to have bought the book in order to review and rate it.

No, you don't. You have to have purchased anything from Amazon ever under that account. You can pick up the book at a garage sale for 25 cents and still review it on Amazon. If you DID buy it from Amazon, you get a nifty little "Amazon Verified Purchase" note on your review.

A.K. Is correct, for amazon you do not have to buy the book to review. If you did buy the book from your account, your review will also say "verified purchase" but that's the only difference.

If she reviews on goodreads, several sites ( including kobo and google) will pick up that review if her settings allow.

If you try to review on Barnes and Noble, again do not have to have purchased the book, they do have an odd censoring program that certain words will freak out. (I usually can't get reviews posted to Barnes and Noble because I cannot figure out their secret sauce.)

A.K. wrote: It's how they keep spammers from opening a thousand fake accounts and rating thei..."

It’s going to take me a few days to find out if she’s ever purchased anything on Amazon, as her husband acts as a liaison.

I believe though, based on the consensus of everyone, she may well say she hasn’t.

Ironically I received an email the other day from Amazon for me to review my own book. It's because I've used Amazon to purchase gift copies of my novel to people who've won it through blog promotions.

Of course I won't do the tacky thing and review my own novel, but just the thought of Amazon wanting my opinion on it makes me smile.

Yes, I had that happen, too. The absurdity of our computer-driven world: one author may not be allowed to review another, but an author can review his/her own....

I, too, ignored the invitation to review my own work.

I might have to break into the Author thing. I got another glowing review: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev... to which I asked if they'd put it on Amazon and Goodreads. They replied, no, w/an explanation as to why.

My intent of course, would be to get that link on Amazon.

I asked about the above, but as of yet he said he forgot to ask her.

If Night Owl Reviews allows it, you can add some of the review to "Editorial Reviews" on your Amazon book page through Author Central.

Mary wrote: ""Editorial Reviews""

Thanks Mary, I'll check it out.

BTW, the "no" was just for Amazon as I see Night Owl did post the review to Goodreads, which deserves a thank you.

I couldn't find Author Central...

Put a thread on Amazon asking where to locate. As of this morning, only one response: "I dunno."

Hmm, seems as if I'm always needing help.

Carl wrote: "I couldn't find Author Central...

Put a thread on Amazon asking where to locate. As of this morning, only one response: "I dunno."

Hmm, seems as if I'm always needing help."

https://authorcentral.amazon.com/

Login with the same username and password as your Amazon KDP account.

Carl, You will need to set up your author central page. When you're logged in to Amazon go to your book page and click your author name under your book. This should take you to the set it up. You'll have to claim your books and they will appear on your page.

Carl wrote: "I couldn't find Author Central...

Put a thread on Amazon asking where to locate. As of this morning, only one response: "I dunno."

Hmm, seems as if I'm always needing help."

Kevin wrote: "Ironically I received an email the other day from Amazon for me to review my own book. It's because I've used Amazon to purchase gift copies of my novel to people who've won it through blog promoti..."
Lol me too. I declined:)

Mona wrote: "https://authorcentral.amazon.com/"


Mona,

The link is key. Not even I could goof it up.

Mary,

Thanks for the connect, and your Author Central page is fantastic. Thanks for letting me view.

I now have an Amazon, Author Central page. http://www.amazon.com/Carl-Lee/e/B00C...
though not as good looking.




A Stone's Throw away

Good for you, Carl. Don't forget to set up your bio and rock the world. You now have another like on your Author Central page.

Carl wrote: "Mona wrote: "https://authorcentral.amazon.com/"


Mona,

The link is key. Not even I could goof it up.

Mary,

Thanks for the connect, and your Author Central page is fantastic. Thanks for letting ..."

It's hilarious how so many of us were mortified yesterday about the Amazon takeover....and how many of us have Amazon author pages today. The survival mechanism is alive and well on this site :)

Oh I liked your page too

Mary wrote: "You now have another like on your Author Central page."

Thanks, and I went back to your's and increased by one.

And Thanks Alexandra.

Hahahahah...I did say us. Rats of a feather and all that..:)My book has been on Amazon for a while...not sure about the ebook though...may limit my options.

Dean wrote: "Hahahahah...I did say us. Rats of a feather and all that..:)"

Us, I can run with that. Perhaps a link to your Author page so we can like it too.

Does it have a 'like' function? I didn't notice.

It is hard to find...

Dean wrote: "Does it have a 'like' function? I didn't notice."

Your Author Central page would, yes.

Alexandra wrote: "It is hard to find..."

You have to create it. See the link above to start.

Oh yes I have one, I meant the like is hard to find. Although that said the link is not entirely obvious:)

Thanks though. I am wondering if they cross reference between the stores. I just updated something and I can't remember if it copies over. I suspect not which is a pain in the rear.

Each store is independent in terms of the author page. Changes to the books DO carry over.

Bum ok. That is a job for tomorrow then