Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hey y'all,

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can help me out with *fingers crossed* I've done some digging but am still not totally sure about the "official" answer...

Are reviews between authors allowed? Or are they against policy? Because I've had an author RnR for me...and...I did the same for her. We were both 100% honest. Like, it could've been a negative review *shrugs* Oh! And she never asked me to. I just wanted to. Did I do something wrong?

Thanks for helping! You guys rule some serious kingdoms!!

Hugs,
Ann

Short answer: Not allowed.

Longer answer: Many people will give you reasons they think it is allowed or doesn't apply to them in their particular circumstances.

Let the games begin!

Oh, snap! Thank you, PD!! I didn't mean to break rules! Yikes! I'm just notoriously bad at not reading them hahaha.

What happens if I've already posted a reciprocal review? Should I delete it?

Hugs,
Ann

If I want to read a book by someone, I'll do that and then if I want to review it, I will. If that same person is so moved about a book I may publish, so be it. Full disclosure is recommended.

Or, are you asking about a rule that applies only to this group? I don't know the answer to that.

Good question...I used to happily do review swaps with other gr authors but lately I've heard rumblings that the Zon frowns upon it and will soon send the bots to scrub any such reviews. It could be indie author urban legend or it could be true. Hard to say, but I've decided to forego reciprocal reviews altogether. In case it's true I figure I might as well adjust to the new reality. It also seems Amazon frowns upon Facebook friends reviewing your book. Jeesh! Most indie authors *live* on either gr or fb so what's a writer to do?

So I guess I'm just as clueless as you are and did not really answer your question. No one ever said writers were short-winded.

PS - Your aiya's crack me up, they make me reminisce about the tiny Chinese grandmothers I used to hang out with at the blackjack table ha ha :) Oh how I miss them (and being force fed orange slices).

Tara wrote: "Your aiya's crack me up, they make me reminisce about the tiny Chinese grandmothers I used to hang out with at the blackjack table ha ha :) Oh how I miss them (and being force fed orange slices)"

Bahahaha!! I'm totally perpetuating all sorts of stereotypes, eh? (Canadian one right there *smirks*) And don't lie, you loved those little mandarins. There was no "forcing" XP

In all seriousness, thank you for your reply. Hmm. Maybe I'll go with general consensus? I dunno. I love doing crazy things, but illegal stuff, not so much *grins and feeds self orange slices*

Hugs,
Ann

EDIT: And thank you, Ann, for your input. No, I was just talking on GR in general :)

First, the SIA answer: No. We do not allow anyone to request swapped reviews, as is noted in that yellow box to the right when you comment. However, this is not simply an arbitrary group decision, but one based on whole lot of factors, the first and most importantly being FTC regulations. Swapped reviews are not allowed because the swap, no matter what the intention, creates a situation where an honest and unbiased review is not possible.

Because of this regulation, Amazon and Goodreads will monitor and remove reviews that they think violate this condition (well, Amazon will, Goodreads does not seem to remove much of anything). However, that doesn't mean that authors can't review each other's work. I review tons of books that I've read based on knowing the authors through this group. Heck, we have the SIAFBB events and I snatch up new books on every one. Likewise, authors I've reviewed have read my books and liked them enough to review. I've never had my reviews removed.

Now, the main difference is that I bought my books and did not get a copy for review. I'm not advocating for authors to simply buy each other's books and review them to get around the rules, but if you reviewed her book because you honestly read and enjoyed, that's not a problem, as long as anyine who got a free copy discloses that fact.

Christina wrote: "STUFF THAT MAKES SENSE XD"

Hmm. Okay. I put the "free copy provided for..." thingy for the one author. And I have another author whom I just bought the book from because I wanted to. And actually, she did the same with mine too. Like, neither of us said anything. We just bought em *shrugs*

When it comes to Amazon, though, should I not post the reciprocal reviews on there? Or is this okay as long as we've made verified purchases? Wow. I seriously need to read policies... *grumble grumble*

Hugs,
Ann

Ann wrote: "Or, are you asking about a rule that applies only to this group? I don't know the answer to that."

The group rules pop up in the yellow box to the right every time you click on the comment box.

Yep. I saw that. But just didn't realize it applied on GR as a whole. I thought it was just to prevent like revenge reviews or whatnot? Thanks for the info, ma'am!

Annie wrote: "Christina wrote: "STUFF THAT MAKES SENSE XD"

Hmm. Okay. I put the "free copy provided for..." thingy for the one author. And I have another author whom I just bought the book from because I wanted..."

If you bought the book and read it, Amazon isn't likely to remove your review. If every time you bought a book, the author suspiciously bought yours, that might raise a flag. ;)

Truth.

Miss Christina, what would be your personal suggestion, then? Just stay away from recip. reviews (for a free copy) altogether? Like, buy it if you want it? I know I CAN disclose the free copy, but I'd rather not be taking advantage of loopholes or whatevs.

EDIT: loopholes is the wrong word. Um. I mean doing something technically not allowed but getting away with it. That word haha.

Thanks, everyone, for the claity.
Annie
Those oranges were heavenly and were often my reward for supposedly giving them good luck. Ah, good times lol.

The wording on GR is "commercial reviews".

A commercial review is a review for which consideration was paid. Consideration is a legal term and does not refer to just currency, but to any goods or services exchanged.

If you pay someone for a review with money, that's consideration. If you pay someone for a review by providing them with a review, that's consideration. If you pay someone for a review by buying them a pizza or shoveling their walk, that's consideration.

On Amazon, they allow one exception, and that is being given a free product (the book or ebook) in exchange for a review. And under Amazon's rules and the FTC rules, you must disclose that.

How can companies like Kirkus charge upwards of $400 for their reviews?

Tara wrote: "How can companies like Kirkus charge upwards of $400 for their reviews?"

Editorial reviews are held to a different standard. They are fully disclosed as what they are and how they are paid. You can't use a Kirkus review as a product review.

Miss Christina,

Do you ever do recip. revs of other people's books (free copies) or like Tara, do you just steer clear to be safe?

Hugs,
Ann

EDIT: Miss Tara...us asians and luck, eh? XP

Ah, thanks Christina.

Annie wrote: "Truth.

Miss Christina, what would be your personal suggestion, then? Just stay away from recip. reviews (for a free copy) altogether? Like, buy it if you want it? I know I CAN disclose the free co..."

LOL! My personal suggestion is to not worry. ;) But here's the full scope of all the different types of review scenarios I have done. It's longwinded and boring. You have been warned ;p

I will on occasion read a book offered to me for a review (rarely, actually and I have to have read and enjoyed the authors books before because I don't post negative reviews). If I do, I always discloae that I got the book for free in exchange for a review.

Every so often, I beta read a book and enjoy it enough that I write a review when it comes out. On these, I disclose that I was a beta reader, so I got a free copy, but I also state that there was no implied promise of a review. There is no law stating that I need to do that, but I feel honesty helps readers weight my reviews as well.

For books I won, usually gifted through Amazon, I state that I won the book in a sweepstakes. Gifted books are where a lot of the hassel of remived reviews happens. This is because gifting copies through a retail outlet is seen as double dipping. My reviews have stayed mainly because I noted the intention of the gift.

For books I buy, I just review. No disclaimer is required. I have seen people note that they got the book while it was free on Amazon and I'm not sure if it's because they're confused about the rules, but that is not necessary. If I buy a book, even at the price of $0.00, I bought it and do not need to disclose anything else.

Annnnnd you are awesome, Miss Christina! Thank youuuu!!!

Ann wrote: "If I want to read a book by someone, I'll do that, and then if I want to review it, I will. If that same person is so moved about a book I may publish, so be it. . . ."

This is my strategy.

I mostly avoid even free books for review because I feel too obligated to write extra nice things. I'd rather spend the $1 to $5 and not feel that pressure.
If another author and I had swapped books on purpose to review them, I would just be stressed out. Even if the review ended up honest, it wouldn't be the raw-reader-me who wrote the review. I think that's why the policy is in place.

Hmm. You make some very valid points, Miss Denae. Thank you for this. I think I shall follow in those footsteps :)

Hugs,
Ann

I have no cause for concern because I'm not published. I did some R2R's and noted them as such in my honest reviews that I got a free copy from the author in exchange.

In addition, to intentionally help support you self-published authors, I've been buying your books and have been posting or will post reviews on GoodReads and Amazon (where I buy mine). I had to reduce my reading time because I wasn't getting enough done on my own book. Sorry. So I have books all lined up in my e-reader. I'm hoping to pick up more next weekend and use my Amazon return credit. : D

I guess I better get reading and reviewing before I hope to publish my book, which I hope will be later this year. AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to have to learn to read in my sleep. : )

The lovely Miss Sue. First off, you have a heart of gold. Secondly, you've publicly announced your book for this year soooo...

We're all gonna hold you to that XD

Go, Sue!! Keep us posted :)

Oh CRUD! I didn't mean any self promo! Want to make that clear. Sorry!

Annie, Thank you for your kind words. Right back at ya. : )