Review Group discussion

GROUP 11 - moderator Jay Howard

START DATE: 06 April 2013

END DATE: 29 June 2013

Yes, we have so many members waiting in the wings I am starting 2 groups on the same day. I’m breaking with tradition here. (Haha! We haven’t been going long enough to have any of those!) We change what we do to meet members’ needs. One of those needs is my own – it’s been a long time since I was a member of a group, getting and giving reviews, so I’ve plonked myself in the middle of this extra group. I shall be both a member and the group moderator. I have set up groups 10 and 11 to include everyone who has confirmed their availability by replying to my PM.

Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you don’t think you can manage to do 4 book reviews between these dates please let me know now. I will find someone else for this group and you will be able to choose a later group that will be more suitable for you. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their reviewer in a format the reviewer can manage. When the file is received, please post a GR link to the book in this thread so that the author has confirmation that reviewing of the correct book has started.

There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines. All reviews must be posted by 29 June 2013.

When you have posted your review on GR please post a link to your review in this thread.

All reviews of 3, 4 or 5 stars must be posted to GR, Amazon .com and Amazon.co.uk.

If the rating is 1 or 2 stars, the review must be posted to GR but the author should be asked if they want the review to go to Amazon or not.

Postings to any other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

DON’T FORGET TO POST THE LINK TO THE BOOK(S) YOU WILL BE PUTTING FORWARD FOR REVIEWING AS I REQUESTED IN MY PM TO YOU. FAILURE TO DO SO BY THE GROUP START DATE MAY RESULT IN YOU LOSING YOUR PLACE TO ANOTHER MEMBER.

In the next post are the listings for the 4 review rounds, the who reviews who stuff. You don’t have to put forward the same book for every round, but you can only ask for one review per round.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap. If you’ve registered and are not listed here, don’t worry, your turn will come soon in another group.

Member Links

Bruce Arrington http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Lori Stevic-Rust http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Joe Zaynor http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Patricia Reding http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Frostyreads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/18...
Jay Howard http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Lynette Willows http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12...
Kathy Davis http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Charlton Daines http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Gillian McLean http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/15...
Larry Rodness http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...


The four rounds you have signed up for:

R1 end 27-Apr-13
R2 end 18-May-13
R3 end 08-Jun-13
R4 end 29-Jun-13

ROUND 1
Bruce Arrington reviews Lori Stevic-Rust
Lori Stevic-Rust reviews Joe Zaynor
Joe Zaynor reviews Patricia Reding
Patricia Reding reviews Frostyreads
Frostyreads reviews Jay Howard
Jay Howard reviews Lynette Willows
Lynette Willows reviews Kathy Davis
Kathy Davis reviews Charlton Daines
Charlton Daines reviews Gillian McLean
Gillian McLean reviews Larry Rodness
Larry Rodness reviews Bruce Arrington

ROUND 2
Bruce Arrington reviews Joe Zaynor
Lori Stevic-Rust reviews Patricia Reding
Joe Zaynor reviews Frostyreads
Patricia Reding reviews Jay Howard
Frostyreads reviews Lynette Willows
Jay Howard reviews Kathy Davis
Lynette Willows reviews Charlton Daines
Kathy Davis reviews Gillian McLean
Charlton Daines reviews Larry Rodness
Gillian McLean reviews Bruce Arrington
Larry Rodness reviews Lori Stevic-Rust

ROUND 3
Bruce Arrington reviews Patricia Reding
Lori Stevic-Rust reviews Frostyreads
Joe Zaynor reviews Jay Howard
Patricia Reding reviews Lynette Willows
Frostyreads reviews Kathy Davis
Jay Howard reviews Charlton Daines
Lynette Willows reviews Gillian McLean
Kathy Davis reviews Larry Rodness
Charlton Daines reviews Bruce Arrington
Gillian McLean reviews Lori Stevic-Rust
Larry Rodness reviews Joe Zaynor

ROUND 4
Bruce Arrington reviews Frostyreads
Lori Stevic-Rust reviews Jay Howard
Joe Zaynor reviews Lynette Willows
Patricia Reding reviews Kathy Davis
Frostyreads reviews Charlton Daines
Jay Howard reviews Gillian McLean
Lynette Willows reviews Larry Rodness
Kathy Davis reviews Bruce Arrington
Charlton Daines reviews Lori Stevic-Rust
Gillian McLean reviews Joe Zaynor
Larry Rodness reviews Patricia Reding

I'll log myself in with my GR book link:



This anthology is published for a charity, the Saluki Welfare Fund. A copy in any format can be picked up at Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

using coupon code YF34H, which is valid until the start date for the final round. I'd appreciate reviews on Smashwords too.

I have deliberately left the code open to everyone, not just the 4 people due to review this book, as I want to raise awareness of this anthology to try and raise more funds for these Salukis. Volunteers look after them but there are expenses to be met. They need feeding. They need help from vets. 100% of royalties will be given to the SWF so every copy purchased will help and, as we know, people tend to buy what they find easily and has plenty of reviews.

Do not review this book if I am reviewing yours, though - we do not condone reciprocal reviewing among our members. You could always pass on the coupon code to a family member or friend though. Thanks for your support.

Thanks, Jay,
I'm a little bit challenged with these instructions, but will give it a try.


Brother Sid: A Novel of Sidney Lamar

May wrote: "Thanks, Jay,
I'm a little bit challenged with these instructions, but will give it a try. "

It will all become clear as you do it, honestly :)
For now you've done the right thing. Next step is to contact your reviewers, but only when they've logged in as you just have.

Jay wrote: "May wrote: "Thanks, Jay,
I'm a little bit challenged with these instructions, but will give it a try. "

It will all become clear as you do it, honestly :)
For now you've done the right thing. Nex..."

Thanks Jay


Greedy For Life: A Memoir on Aging with Gratitude

Cheers, Lori :)

Hi Jay, I received your emails about being a reviewer but I am not sure where you want me to confirm. So please consider this as my confirmation.

I want to submit my romantic thriller on Amazon.com called "Life in the Orient".

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008VHNGXC

Thanks, Kathy Davis

Kathy wrote: "Hi Jay, I received your emails about being a reviewer but I am not sure where you want me to confirm. So please consider this as my confirmation.

I want to submit my romantic thriller on Amazon.co..."

this is exactly where I wanted it, thanks :) We do work on GR links on the thread, though, so this is the one the group needs:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

Hi! I am excited to review and offer my book for review.


Tangled

Hi, Bridget, thanks for the link :)

We have a problem. I can't receive the loaned book from Kathy Davis to review it. I reside in Canada, and apparently they don't allow loans outside of the States on Amazon. (How stupid is that??)
What do we do next?

Lynette wrote: "We have a problem. I can't receive the loaned book from Kathy Davis to review it. I reside in Canada, and apparently they don't allow loans outside of the States on Amazon. (How stupid is that??)
..."

We can't use the loan system anyway because of the time limit. The author must make the book file available for as long as the reviewer needs it. That's a minimum of 12 weeks.

Personally I'd be rather affronted if an author didn't give me a copy outright. Certainly there should not be any cost involved for the reviewer.

Sorry, Kathy, but you will have to send the file. You can't gift it or loan it because we don't all have accounts on Amazon.com. You might find it best to publish on Smashwords and generate a coupon for a free download.

Ah OK, I didn't know that myself. I hope we can get this straightened out so I can read her book. I'm rather excited about it. Thanks, Jay, that's good to know. My co-author, by the way, is ready to send our book to our reviewer when they're ready. She has to do it because Smashwords doesn't allow two authors on the author list. A glitch we're hoping they fix soon. I guess co-authored books are an engima. LOL Anyway, we picked her name, Carley Bauer, to be on the Smashwords list. Just let me know your email address and I'll have her forward the novel to you.

Lynette wrote: "Ah OK, I didn't know that myself. I hope we can get this straightened out so I can read her book. I'm rather excited about it. Thanks, Jay, that's good to know. My co-author, by the way, is ready t..."
BTW, Lynette, don't forget to post the GR book link here.

No Gentleman Is He

Thanks

Ok now I'm confused. When I read the instructions on reviewing I thought it said that reviews had to be put on GR, Amazon and Amazon UK. Since my book is only an ebook on Amazon that worked for me. If I have to buy copies to get a review I will just remove my book from the review list, but I will still honor giving reviews. If you need to remove me altogether I will understand.

I'm confused, too. Sorry

Lynette wrote: "No Gentleman Is He

Thanks"

Thanks, Lynette :)

Kathy and May - you're confusing me now lol!
Kathy - please never say 'just an ebook': we're in the frontline of how the publishing of novels is changing. We should be proud of ourselves and what we are doing.

This group is for ebooks, we do review on GR and Amazon. What have you seen that makes you think otherwise? We couldn't run to such tight reviewing deadlines if we were dealing with snail mail of printed books. Very occasionally we'll allow it if the author seems organised enough to pull it off, but that is a rarity.

No reviewer has to pay for a copy and you should notify the group moderator if that is suggested.

BTW, Kathy, your willingness to stick with the group anyway does you credit. Thank you :)

Thanks Jay. what I was trying to say was that I don't have a hard copy of my book to give, and since it is on Amazon as an ebook, and I can't gift it or loan it, it seemed like you were saying I had to buy copies to give to the reviewer. I am not familiar with Smashwords and its' coupons. So I don't understand how I am supposed to provide a copy to the reviewer if she can't access amazon. Also, how can she provide a review for Amazon which is where my book resides?

Thanks, Patricia :)

Kathy wrote: "Thanks Jay. what I was trying to say was that I don't have a hard copy of my book to give, and since it is on Amazon as an ebook, and I can't gift it or loan it, it seemed like you were saying I ha..."

You don't have to use Smashwords, Kathy. You have the original file that was published. You can send it to your reviewers by email attachment as a pdf or epub file or mobi file just by converting it on your own PC. As for reviews, anyone can leave a review for anything on Amazon.

May wrote: "Thanks, Jay,
I'm a little bit challenged with these instructions, but will give it a try.


Brother Sid: A Novel of Sidney Lamar"

Hi May
I am reviewing your book. I am new to this so i will need to get a copy of your book. Is it on smashwords?

Patricia wrote: "Jay wrote: "I'll log myself in with my GR book link:



This anthology is published for a charity, the Saluki Welfare Fund. A copy in any format can be pick..."

Thanks, Patricia :) I hope you enjoy them.

For anyone else who wants it, the coupon code YF34H is valid until the end of June. Please say a thank you with an honest review, though - the book needs the reviews to get noticed and give readers a yardstick to decide if they want to pay the money which will help these dogs.

Jay wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Thanks Jay. what I was trying to say was that I don't have a hard copy of my book to give, and since it is on Amazon as an ebook, and I can't gift it or loan it, it seemed like you we..."

Actually Kathy is right, Jay, which is why I'm setting up a paypal account as we speak, since you can't do anything on Amazon until you have made at least one purchase. So I'm going to buy a book from there (already have it picked out as soon as my account it activated) so I am free to review anywhere on Amazon. The review, even though it will be made on Amazon.ca WILL still show up also on Amazon.com. We already tested it.

Thanks for that info, Lynette. I like to learn at least one new thing a day. It never fails to surprise me how one company can have such different methods according to the country. Amazon.co.uk does not feed to Amazon.com, but Amazon.ca does. I've been reviewing before any purchases (or does a freebie download count?) yet in Canada you have to buy first. Very strange! And as for gifting, I was really annoyed when I was gifted a book on .com and couldn't pick it up from .co.uk, yet I have to sign into my account on .com to leave a review. Weird!

Sorry Group 11, somehow I didn't know this was strictly for ebooks. My apologies. I don't know how to give away my book on Kindle unless it's on a free download day. Can I just let my reviewers know when that happens? Thanks.

May wrote: "Sorry Group 11, somehow I didn't know this was strictly for ebooks. My apologies. I don't know how to give away my book on Kindle unless it's on a free download day. Can I just let my reviewers kno..."

Hi May, per Jay they want you to send your original file in pdf, epub or mobi file to your reviewer. However, as I pointed out before, if you want to give a review on Amazon you have to purchase a book on Amazon. Thus, the only way it will be free to a reviewer is if you loan , gift it to them, or as you said its available on a free download day, which is only every 60 or 90 days I believe. My book is $2.99, but what if it was $29.99 or more? I don't know what this "Smashwords" is that is being mentioned. Perhaps that's another option for us.

Thanks, Kathy. I'll ask my publisher when I can. Otherwise, no one has to review my book, but I will review the ones assigned to me.

May wrote: "Thanks, Kathy. I'll ask my publisher when I can. Otherwise, no one has to review my book, but I will review the ones assigned to me."

That's what I said also.

For anyone else struggling with the format to email each other I'll paste here what I've just PMed to May:

I'll start with the premise that you have a Word file of your book. From that starting point you have a few options:

1) Do File, Save As and save as a pdf

2) Publish it on Smashwords - they only need a Word doc and they do all the conversions for you. You can then generate a 100% discount coupon, you give the coupon code to your reviewers and they use it to pick up a format of their choice.

3) From your Word file you can use the free software Sigil to convert to epub and Calibre to convert epub to mobi.

4) If you're really stuck and panicking you can send it to me and I'll convert for you. I am VERY short of time, though so PLEASE don't use me as a first option, and don't expect it by return.

Also - my publisher sent me .pdf, .mobi, and .epub files when I asked.

Patricia wrote: "Hi all! I am Patricia. My book is: Oathtaker"
Hi Patricia
I am reviewing you in round two. I am happy to receive the book ahead of schedule. Please let me know where i can download.
thanks
loriGreedy For Life: A Memoir on Aging with Gratitude

Thank you Jay for organizing and Happy Easter to Group 11. I think I will bow out now. This is taking up too much time. Good luck everyone. Keep writing.

May,
I am sorry that this has turned out to be difficult. I too am struggling with the electronic sharing. I will send you a private message with my address.Please feel free to send a hard copy and i will be happy to review. I will start with my round 2 book now and do yours when it arrives.
Kindly
lori

This is Larry Rodness offering my link to my novel entitled, Perverse.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

Since this is my first time I'm not sure if I'm following intsructions correctly but let me know.

Following Jay's suggestion I found my novel, Perverse, on Smashwords but I am not sure how to obtain a coupon. Can someone help me so I can send it to my reviewer?
Larry Rodness

Hi, Larry - good to have you with us :)
To generate a coupon on SW, go to your dashboard using the Dashboard link on the strip at the top. On the left side there will be lots of options, one of which is the Coupon Manager link. There you'll see your book listed and the option on the right is Generate Coupon. There you set the dates it's to be valid to/from and the % discount you want (100% for a free copy). It will generate a code and the reviewer (or anyone else you give the code to) will be able to choose a download format when the 'buy' your book at 100% discount.

I'm assuming the dashboard you are referring to is Smashwords and not Goodreads, correct? I have gone to Smashwords and cannot find any coupon manager link on my dashboard. My novel is there for sale (set up by my publisher) but my Smashwords dashboard says my book has not been uploaded. Confusion abounds.
For your concept above to work, do I need to reload my book on Smashwords so it has a file and then the coupon would be available? Sorry, but I'm new to this but I will work through it.

Ah, we come across the problem that I'm trying to give advice when I've never had contact with a publisher and don't know their ways. Sorry about that, Larry.

Yes, you're quite correct about the uploaded file. I've only ever published my novels myself so my setup on SW is different to yours which is controlled by your publisher. I've seen other posts on GR about the publisher will supply you with the various formats of your file if you ask. Alternatively, can I assume you have the original Word doc or whatever? You can save that as a PDF to email to your reviewers, or if they want a different format I can convert it for you. I use Sigil to produce an epub file, and Calibre to convert epub to mobi format. Both are free and easy to use. PM me if you need me to do this for you.

I have both a PDF and an Epub file I can send so that eliminates one problem. I have contacted both the person reading me and the oerson I am reading so I should be able to send them the proper files. Thanks again for your patience.
Larry

Larry wrote: "I have both a PDF and an Epub file I can send so that eliminates one problem. I have contacted both the person reading me and the oerson I am reading so I should be able to send them the proper fil..."

No problem, Larry: I remember all too well what it feels like to be new to a process. It's only a year ago I could hardly find my way around this site, let alone do anything useful.

I thought you would all like to know that I have 2 other members lined up and raring to join in if we don't hear from Saket and Maria by Wednesday night. I'll edit for May's withdrawal today.

I just heard from Saket and he is sending me his file.
Larry

Larry wrote: "I just heard from Saket and he is sending me his file.
Larry"

thanks for letting me know, Larry.


Saket - please post the GR link to your book here.

Gillian - I still don't see your book link yet either.

Here is the link to the book I'm submitting for review, The Saltwater Ghost by Shiela Jane:
The Saltwater Ghost

I am the book's co-editor and publisher.

Regards,
Gillian

Thanks, Gillian :)

NEW GROUP MEMBER
Problem #1 resolved - Joe Zaynor will be replacing May Lamar.

That just leaves Saket and Maria to check in now :)