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Forgive my ignorance Tia, but is possible to selectively quote parts of the review in your own promotional blurbs? I see selected portions & phrases, quoted from reviews by publications & other authors, on book covers all the time. Is it an all or nothing deal with Kirkus?
Sandy, my understanding is that you have to agree for the whole to be published by Kirkus on their site and then you can indeed use excerpts.
Almost every time I see someone mention Kirkus, it's on the receiving end of a bad review that they paid $600 for. Let them publish whatever they want on their site, and you use the positive lines under the "Editorial Reviews" section on Amazon.
I have a question about Kirkus. I'm not sure if anyone here knows the answer because amazon continues to be a mystery. Amazon, frowns on paid reviews. They also seem to be able to weed out anyone you personally know and take down their reviews. Yet, when I pressed the promote and advertise button in createspace, it took me to Kirkus. So, why is this okay? Are they owned by Amazon?
I think it's just Kirkus are a well known reviewer, and Amazon trust their reviews (possibly because they are always on the harsh side?).Personally I don't want to fork out that much for a single review. But I'm not judging those who do. I understand the appeal. And I possibly would be tempted if I had more cash.
Tia; I'd hit 'publish'. You've paid through the nose, so you may as well use it as best you can. And yes, feel free to use the nice bits as promo quotes. And take the rest as advisory notices how to improve your next one.
xx
I'm not an author but I do read a lot & that means I trawl Amazon. - Lots of Indie books - I like Indie books - have Editorial Reviews - Kirkus & Readers' Favorite I see most often - Some are very long so perhaps the whole thing? - Loads of them squeeze in bits of 2 or even 3 reviews - good bits!!!!
I must live a very sheltered life, I never heard of Kirkus till now. I popped to Google and looked it up I see it costs $475. I have never paid for a review because I always figured it would be positive - to encourage more authors - , and so, worthless. Kirkus does not seem to be like that, but it is expensive.
T.L. wrote: "I think it's just Kirkus are a well known reviewer, and Amazon trust their reviews (possibly because they are always on the harsh side?)..."They work very hard at being 'impartial,' but it is still a paid review. So it is a delicate balance between being so negative no indie will buy another ad, and being so positive people think they've been bought. A different version of 'an honest opinion,' by 'professionals,' to inform the reader.
It's the same as it's always been: the big publishers paid for ad space in newspapers, and the papers encouraged the big publishers with nice reviews. Now indies can also pay for the privilege. Ad money runs the business world, but the public doesn't know all the details, and so thinks there is no collusion behind the scenes.
I don't trust the reviews any more: how do reviewers choose which books to review when there is such limited space?
Librarian here. Amazon trusts Kirkus because libraries always have. They and Library Journal are the most trusted professional review sources for libraries. No one can be impartial. A review is always an opinion, but in the case of Kirkus it's a highly educated opinion. I know a Kirkus reviewer. She has a PH.D in English literature.
Alicia wrote: "I don't trust the reviews any more: how do reviewers choose which books to review when there is such limited space? "Kirkus is a paid review site. It is open to anyone and they ensure that the review is honest. I'm sure a bad review that cost money would leave many Indie authors upset and needing to blame someone or something, since it couldn't possibly be their book.
Your accusations and opinions are harsh and without basis. I must admit I'm tired of hearing about the poor treatment of Indie Authors. The literary arena hasn't changed. Most writers and readers understand the use of commercial reviews by publishers to promote their business. They have spent time and money building up that business. Indies authors, most unwilling or unable to invest in their own book, seem to think they are somehow entitled to the same status.
If you wish to discredit Kirkus, you should have sufficient facts, rather than innuendos and opinions as foundation for your comments.
You said: "I don't trust the reviews any more: how do reviewers choose which books to review when there is such limited space?" Not trusting reviewers who have a solid track record is insulting. Reviews are for readers to determine if they want to invest in a book. They have the choice of reading the reviews and making a decision, or ignoring them.
I say go for it, Tia. You paid your money so use the positives for your own promos. At the end of the day, it's all about personal taste. I recently read the latest book from a very successful author that got a fawning review on Kirkus & apparently I'm a plebe as it fell firmly on my "meh" shelf.
Christine wrote: "If you wish to discredit Kirkus, you should have sufficient facts, rather than innuendos and opinions as foundation for your comments."Try doing a search of "Is Kirkus a scam" on Google. I think you'll be surprised.
In any case, people are entitled to their opinions. That includes $475 ones from Kirkus.
Kirkus have been around for decades and are trusted for their literary reviews. But, they do treat indies and trad published titles very differently.Indies pay over $400 for a review that appears on the Kirkus website and that's it.
Trad published books are reviewed free of charge and the reviews appear in the Kirkus magazine that goes to libraries.
The Just-About-Average Ms M wrote: "I wonder why, before spending so much money on a Kirkus review, you didn't have a good critique group vet your writing as you progressed chapter by chapter, or equally good beta readers for the fin..."As I mentioned in my original post, this wasn't published as is. It was published through an independent publisher and went through 3 rounds of professional editing. You've made an assumption without reading the OP.
I never said the review is a surprise. Everyone hopes for the best and I actually consider it a positive. There are positives I can use from it and critiques I can use also. They only had one issue with it so I consider myself lucky.
Thanks to everyone, interesting discussion! I'll certainly be using the positive lines for my editorial review section on Amazon. They certainly are a harsh critic, I was reading the review Kirkus gave 'Eat, Pray, Love'. They absolutely panned it. I bet Elizabeth Gilbert was crying when she read it, considering that it was made into a movie and Julia Roberts played her in it!
And therefore, who knows, Tia.....you may end up on the silver screen. Best of luck with your book!
Alicia wrote: "T.L. wrote: "I think it's just Kirkus are a well known reviewer, and Amazon trust their reviews (possibly because they are always on the harsh side?)..."They work very hard at being 'impartial,' ..."
Hello Alicia
The conventional wisdom states never pay for a review. This is what I do. First I post a mock review on my website. Something like this writer is a genius. Or this is the funniest book ever written in the English language. I sign it Mrs Kirkus of Chestnut Avenue wonderland. The second thing I do is to get free reviews from serious book lovers. See the internet for lists. Good luck. Alan
Since you've already paid for the review, I'd suggest using it, negative or not. Any exposure is good exposure in marketing--I know that I myself have chosen to buy a book more than once by reading a one or two-star review for it, usually because the things the reviewer found annoying are things I'm actually a fan of in books. Plus, if you already have a couple of positive reviews, the negative one will actually boost their credibility and probably your sales as well :)
Alan wrote: " The second thing I do is to get free reviews from serious book lovers. See the internet for lists...."Much harder than you think; most of those lists either lead nowhere, or to reviewers with a huge stack of books to be reviewed already in their queue.
It is a slow process unless you are good at marketing yourself.
Unfortunately, the proliferation of manipulated, swapped and compensated consumer reviews has diminished the reliability and basic honesty of all book reviews, both consumer and commercial, in the eyes of many avid readers. Most now base their reading choices upon a cursory review of a couple of pages of the sample and/or recommendations from trusted relatives, friends and associates.
Jim wrote: "Unfortunately, the proliferation of manipulated, swapped and compensated consumer reviews has diminished the reliability and basic honesty of all book reviews, both consumer and commercial, in the ..."Good points, Jim.
And that review of the sample will not tell you whether the writer can keep it up after a good start - and lead to a satisfying conclusion.
I check the reviews for what the sample can't show me: whether the writer can plot and finish a story.
I've had too many misses in that department - and they are infuriating - to not at least check the reviews to see if that's a common complaint.
The best compliment a reviewer has given me was to say that my last chapter was the best.
Book reviews help but it is so hard to get them. Can any one help. I have reduced the book price as well but still nobody is interested and I was wondering perhaps it is happening only to me.
Jamaluddin wrote: "Book reviews help but it is so hard to get them. Can any one help. I have reduced the book price as well but still nobody is interested and I was wondering perhaps it is happening only to me."A suggestion: People don't like clicking through to Amazon, and then scrolling, and then having to click more just to get to the text. Each step loses you some people who won't bother.
If you have the rights (ie, self-publishing) or your traditional publisher will allow, put up a sample on your book's page here on Goodreads, and it will be much easier for people to at least read a few pages.
Another suggestion: putting up the whole or part on Wattpad or similar (for free), where you may be able to get people to read and vote and, if you're lucky, leave comments. It worked well for me.
Last point: it's not the price, necessarily, but taking a chance with time on an unknown writer. Time is the last great currency: we never have enough. I get unhappy when someone wastes mine.
I did check out your page; I think you need to connect the reader with WHY they should care about THIS boy. The description you have just discusses the story elements. It didn't connect with my emotions. Living a life vicariously, via emotions elicited in readers via the boy and his circumstances, is what makes people read fiction.
Good luck.
Jamaluddin wrote: "Book reviews help but it is so hard to get them. Can any one help. I have reduced the book price as well but still nobody is interested and I was wondering perhaps it is happening only to me."Jamaluddin,
The answer to your question is a resounding "No!" Very few avid readers ever bother to post a consumer review for any book they have read - good, bad or indifferent. They just don't feel the need. Since a consumer review is merely a personal opinion and, therefore, subjective, the impact upon sales is debatable.
Invest your time and energy in pursuing all available marketing opportunities: Author's website, self-promotion and interaction within literary websites, interviews, blogging, personal appearances, book signings, etc.
Even the best efforts may not deliver the desired results. Very few published authors ever become commercially successful. However, that is not to say that you may not eventually become one of them.
I wish you success.
If you write another book I would highly recommend Reader's Favorite. I was so pleased with them! Their policy is to help authors not hurt them. They offer a free review to see if you qualify for a four or five star seal. Then you can go on to enter contests if you want. There is a fee involved for this, but if you win it really helps with marketing since your award is international. You also get your book in the Miami Book Fair Readers' Favorite Booth. The proceeds from the sales go to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The ceremony is so well done too if you win an award. This year they had thousands of entries from around the world. I wish you lots of success!
Ann,I have "Readers Favorite" on my list of prospective reviewers. Thanks to your recommendation, it will move to the top of that list. Wishing you much success too!
Eva
Ann,Thanks from me too. I've submitted my recent publication to 'Readers Favorite', a book site I didn't know about before you mentioned it. Best of luck,
Julie
My thanks, as well. I didn't know about "Readers Favorite" before this. I surely don't mind waiting 10-12 weeks for a free review from a legitimate source. I'm still on the bubble with Kirkus. My main motivation is to find an agent. Kirkus uses that as a promotion tool. I'd love to hear from someone who has had experience with that before I take the leap. Thanks again, Ann.
Before everyone jumps on this bandwagon - lets do a little research on the site "Readers Favorite". There are accusations around that the awards and seals are vanity awards, the contests are expensive and worthless, and there is a possibility of your work being pirated.
Check out these sites (there are more) for more information, before you make your decision.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
http://accrispin.blogspot.ca/2012/03/...
Also, just keep in mind that if no one grabs your book to review, you're not guaranteed a review from Reader's Favorite at all. 12 weeks is an approximate timeframe for a review to get done, but there's no guarantee you get one at all.
Glad I stumbled on this feed. It is good information to know. Unfortunately, I have already paid for a Kirkus Review and I while I won't receive it for another month, I am actually dreading reading what will be said. They do seem harsh, but all I can do at this point is sit and wait. And probably brace myself.My book did receive 4 out of 4 stars on ONLINE BOOK CLUB which I highly recommend because of the ''checks and balances' that they have in place for reviews. They also publish who reviewed your work whereas some do not (indie reader for example) - hence, those folks can pretty much say what they want and remain in anonymity. Readers Favorite also seems like a good choice for reviews, - if your book gets chosen.
Ann wrote: "Glad I stumbled on this feed. It is good information to know. Unfortunately, I have already paid for a Kirkus Review and I while I won't receive it for another month, I am actually dreading reading..."Whatever your Kirkus review, you will probably find something you can quote on your book's page, and pieces you can use for advertising.
You must have believed enough in the book to pay for the editorial review - don't ruin your month until you see what they say AND let it percolate. Best of success with it.
Ann wrote: "Glad I stumbled on this feed. It is good information to know. Unfortunately, I have already paid for a Kirkus Review and I while I won't receive it for another month, I am actually dreading reading..."Ann, this thread is five years old. Kirkus does have a reputation for being harsh. But they get 8,000-10,000 book submissions a year for review. So some are just going to not get good reviews. And Kirkus has gone through some changes as the market has changed in favour of Indie publishers as well. Not fully there yet for indies but getting better. I also am submitted to Kirkus. (me biting nails). But I also submitted to IndieReader and received a 5/5 with a fantastic review write up to use for marketing. I've read amny IndieReader reviews first, and they give out honest reviews and that is why I chose them.
Interesting options. I got a 5/5 Foreword Review which very detailed for Api's Berlin Diaries. Gabrielle
I strongly recommend not paying for reviews. Even if it wasn't of extremely questionable value (you're paying, how objective are they really going to be?) they want hundreds of dollars, and you had better sell enough EXTRA books to pay for the review or you just threw money away.
I now have the Kirkus review and I am in two minds about what to do with it. It is negative but there are some positive aspects. Considering the reputation Kirkus has for harsh reviews, I am not disappointed with it. I know I can’t really use it for promotion but there are a few sentences in there I could use, but I can’t unless I press the magic publish button which makes the review available in full. If Kirkus were using a star rating, I am guessing from the content and comments it would be a 2/5-3/5. Bad but with some positive aspects.
I know a bad review can be publicity also but I’m just an unknown author trying to get my work out there. I don’t regret it per se, just the expense of it really but there are some great critiques there too that I would certainly use for a second edition and to guide my future writing. So not a bad outcome but not an outcome I feel I can use in full for marketing.
Any thoughts or experiences?