Support for Indie Authors discussion

I've started getting requests for ARCs so people can do reviews. I've not submitted anything like this to anyone I do not know directly. Does anyone have any advice or general rules of them on when and where to do this like "only sending to established media outlets"? "never send ARCs to strangers?"

The only thing I can tell you is to make sure your manuscript is 90% in order. Some people can't take if your formatting isn't right, or other small issues.

Definitely never send ARCs to strangers. On another thread (forgotten where, sorry) authors are saying they have been contacted in the last few days and asked to send to an email address. I was too. I looked up the so-called member and there is no profile and he/she has done no reviews nor even given a rating.

They're after your email address or worse.

Somebody else has reported the person to GR.

Anna Faversham wrote: "Definitely never send ARCs to strangers. On another thread (forgotten where, sorry) authors are saying they have been contacted in the last few days and asked to send to an email address. I was too..."


Yep, I was going to give the same advice as Anna. There are definitely some folks who love reading and view arc copies as the best way to cheaply feed their habit, but you will usually find them in reader groups or posting on approved threads. The ones that are actively soliciting through private message are dubious.

Christina wrote: "Anna Faversham wrote: "Definitely never send ARCs to strangers. On another thread (forgotten where, sorry) authors are saying they have been contacted in the last few days and asked to send to an e..."

I agree. I've even learned not to post me email address on direct posts but offers it through Pm's IF I have checked out their profile properly or know them. There are some trustworthy bloggers and reviewers in groups, like Christina said.

Otherwise, Brian, as far as ARCs go, I only offer them once editing and formatting is complete. If I offer before those procedures, I consider it beta work.

Rachele wrote: "I've read some horror stories of people giving out ARCs only to find out that their work has been stolen and published by someone else. That scares me.

I don't want to be restricted to only givin..."

I'm sure someone can answer you better than I but I, personally, check to see that they have an active blog and reviews on Goodreads and Amazon etc. I don't think I have ever emailed an eBook without feeling they are legit (after researching them). It takes more time to do it this way but I personally reach out to all my bloggers and reviewers. Most of the time, I won't email the book without sending them a prior email, inquiring if they are interested. This also helps me have a very high rate of these bloggers reading my next release. I always try to remember bloggers are human, and try to make sure that "being" would enjoy my work before offering. See what genres they like. Read their profile. Do research. They appreciate you not waisting their time. Not to say any author purposely does that but so many bloggers have complained to me about how authors will send a non-fiction book to a blogger who states "No non-fiction please". Puts a yucky taste in their mouth. I even comment on how they enjoyed a different book so I think they enjoy mine because... Ya know?

Excellent thread, what does ARC stand for?

Advance read copy. Yes, some will say r is for review, but we prefer sticking with the read. ;)

India R. Adams wrote: "advice to find reviewers"

Good advice.

The whole process is disheartening, though. I try to do all those. Sometimes I say something about their blog that I liked or a review I read rather than comparing my book to another that they've read. I'll have to try that.

I only get about 1 out of every 5 blogger/reviewers to even respond, and maybe 1 out of 3 of those want to look at my book. About another 1 in 3 turns into a review.

Could my approach be off? Or am I still not connecting the right readers to my book? Any ideas to sound friendly but professional? Maybe I should keep better track and do more follow up, politely remind reviewers that it has been six months?

Go to Amazon. Check out books in your genre already reviewed. Some of the reviewers leave their website or email address in their profile. Contact them advising you saw they reviewed other books in your genre. (mention a particular review they did and something you liked about) tell them about your book and offer a free copy.

Never send one without them saying it is alright first. It is a no no to make the gift conditional for a review. Keep in mind, most reviewers won't email you back.


I review about 1 book a month because I am also busy as an author and editor, and I am currently committed for the next 6 weeks.

Here is how I worked it out with the last person who contacted me. I advised them to gift me a copy through Amazon so it would be marked as "verified purchase." I also said, "If I read it, I will review it." This covers the question of free copies in exchange for reviews. Of course, I will read and review it.

Denae wrote: "India R. Adams wrote: "advice to find reviewers"

Good advice.

The whole process is disheartening, though. I try to do all those. Sometimes I say something about their blog that I liked or a revie..."

*MOD, tap me on shoulder if I am getting off topic by replying here. I don't want to invade someone else's post* but I feel bad so
Denae, rest your heart and know that many reviewers/bloggers are SWAMPED with submissions. OVERLOADED with request! The bigger ones have even shut down and are no longer accepting submissions in efforts to catch up to prior commitments. And? Your ratio doesn't sound bad to me, at all! It is hard for us all. Where I get my books edited, they are also a publishing house. The owner was telling me about reviews and how her authors work really hard too. She said one author sent out—something like (can't remember actual number)—like 485 submissions. She received 65 reviews. And that is with not being an indie. Us indie have a steeper hill to battle, ya know? But know you're not alone. Keep your chin up and follow your heart.
If a Mod says we have gotten off subject, feel free to PM me and I will try to help you further.

EDIT: auto correct changed spelling of name.

It's best to load ARCs onto places for reviewers like Netgalley, Story Cartel, or make them available via Instafreebie or Bookfunnel so that you capture the person's email address at the same time.

Just a reminder to stick to the questions Brian asked:

Brian wrote: "Does anyone have any advice or general rules of them on when and where to do this like "only sending to established media outlets"? "never send ARCs to strangers?"
"

Morris wrote: "Here is how I worked it out with the last person who contacted me. I advised them to gift me a copy through Amazon so it would be marked as "verified purchase." I also said, "If I read it, I will review it." This covers the question of free copies in exchange for reviews. Of course, I will read and review it. "

Do not do this. Gifting a copy flags it because the FTC sees this as a purchased review. Amazon will likely take it down and will be well within their right to do so.

Please remember, everyone: the official stance taken by Amazon, Goodreads, and this group is that you may offer free copies of your books to readers only with the understanding that you cannot ask them to review. Book bloggers are different. Usually they are offering to review, though they are bound by the same FTC regulations.

That has not been my experience with Amazon. The only issues have been when the conditions under which the review were given were not disclosed.

I have found that if you state up front, very clearly, the conditions under which the book was gifted, and any connection between you and the reviewer, then Amazon seem to be okay with it. I assume, because anyone reading the review can then make up their own mind.

All my books state that if someone is among the first 20 people to write a substantive review of 100 words or more (good or bad), and gives me their email address so I can gift them with a copy of the next book, then I will do so, whether the review was positive or negative.

(Few people have taken up the offer, but I don't see that that's relevant.)
Ditto for anyone pointing out any error that had not already been found.

An article on the FTC rules I read just now also claims that "GADGET BLOGGERS AND Amazon.com reviewers now must disclose freebies and financial interests or face fines up to $11,000".
(Emphasis is mine.)

That just seems like common sense to me. It sounds like an excellent rule to me. How could anyone justify not disclosing that they had been gifted the book?

Everyone, this has been discussed so many times on our forums. Offering a book in exchange for a review is officially against Amazon's policy and is not condoned by our group. If the language "I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review," is included in the review, it is against Amazon's policy. Authors can offer advanced copies of books in *hope* of getting a review, but that's as far as it can go:

Promotions and Commercial Solicitations
In order to preserve the integrity of Community content, content and activities consisting of advertising, promotion, or solicitation (whether direct or indirect) is not allowed, including:

Creating, modifying, or posting content regarding your (or your relative's, close friend's, business associate's, or employer's) products or services.
Creating, modifying, or posting content regarding your competitors' products or services.
Creating, modifying, or posting content in exchange for compensation of any kind (including free or discounted products) or on behalf of anyone else.
Offering compensation or requesting compensation (including free or discounted products) in exchange for creating, modifying, or posting content.
Posting advertisements or solicitations, including URLs with referrer tags or affiliate codes.
The only exceptions are:

You may post content requested by Amazon (such as Customer Reviews of products you purchased on Amazon or received through the Vine program, and answers requested through Questions and Answers). In those cases, your content must comply with any additional guidelines specified by Amazon.
You may post an answer to a question asked through the Questions and Answers feature (but not a question itself) regarding products or services for which you have a financial or close personal connection to the brand, seller, author, or artist, but only if you clearly and conspicuously disclose the connection (e.g., "I represent the brand for this product."). We automatically label some answers from sellers or manufacturers, in which case additional disclosure is not necessary.
You may post content other than Customer Reviews and Questions and Answers regarding products or services for which you have a financial or close personal connection to the brand, seller, author, or artist, but only if you clearly and conspicuously disclose the connection (e.g., "I was paid for this post."). However, no brand or business may participate in the Community in a way (including by advertising, special offers, or any other "call to action") that diverts Amazon customers to another non-Amazon website, service, application, or channel for the purpose of conducting marketing or sales transactions. Content posted through brand, seller, author, or artist accounts regarding their own products or services does not require additional labeling.
Book authors and publishers may continue to provide free or discounted copies of their books to readers, as long as the author or publisher does not require a review in exchange or attempt to influence the review.

You can view the official policy here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...

Missy wrote: "Everyone, this has been discussed so many times on our forums. Offering a book in exchange for a review is officially against Amazon's policy and is not condoned by our group. If the language "I re..."

I contacted Amazon directly to ask them this (my focus was on advance copies for review):

Subject: Does Amazon have a way of providing people with Advance Review Copies?

In traditional publishing, it's common I believe to provide a range of reviewers an advance copy of the book, in the hope that they will provide a review when the book is published.

Does Amazon have a method of doing that for books in KDP? Or should I provide such people with a PDF, before it's released? What is Amazon's preference?

If I could gift such people with the Amazon version before the publication date (e.g. late in the pre-order period), that would be ideal for my purposes.

The response I received (Dec 9th 2016) was this:

Hello Luke,

I hope this email finds you well.

We don't currently offer proof copies to reviewers.

However, you can send the converted content (MOBI file) directly to professional reviewers for the purpose of editing, proofreading, and helping with other quality improvements.

You can download the MOBI file from your KDP Bookshelf. Here's how:

1. Sign in to: http://kdp.amazon.com
2. Go to your Bookshelf and find the title.
3. Click the ellipsis button (“…”) under Book Actions and select “Edit book content.”
4. Scroll down to the Preview Your Book header.
5. Under Downloadable Preview Options,, click ”Preview on your computer” and follow the steps to download your book file.

These steps will allow you to download the converted MOBI file.

Note also that in the official Amazon policy document (https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...) it explicitly states:

"Book authors and publishers may continue to provide free or discounted copies of their books to readers, as long as the author or publisher does not require a review in exchange or attempt to influence the review."
(Again, the italics are mine.)

All I'm stating is my personal experience with Amazon, and that it seems to me to exactly match the stated purpose of the FTC rules.

Yes. You can offer them, but you can't require a review in exchange.

L.J. wrote: "All I'm stating is my personal experience with Amazon, and that it seems to me to exactly match the stated purpose of the FTC rules. "

Right. This does not include gifting. Gifting is a a way of buying a copy and giving it to someone.

As far as I know, this is only in the .Com store, otherwise you have to send a gift certificate.

This is what we are specifically saying is against the FTC rules.

We are not here to argue the rules. If you have a question or concern about whether you are doing something right or wrong, taking that question to Amazon or Goodreads directly is your best bet.

My reading of the rules, and my experience with Amazon, is that it is only against either set of rules if you attempt to influence the reviewer, or hide the conditions under which the gift was given.

I'm not arguing the rules, I'm stating my experience and quoting the rules. Note that I did contact Amazon directly, and asked them, and shared that information here.

Anyway, I think I've said enough on the subject. I'll leave it at that.

L.J. wrote: "My reading of the rules, and my experience with Amazon, is that it is only against either set of rules if you attempt to influence the reviewer, or hide the conditions under which the gift was give..."

L/J, thank you so very much for including the response to your question. I have been confused by all the "gifting" ideas. I tried several time to get an answer from Amazon, but they have never answered my question or e-mails. How did you get them to respond? And Goodreads the same thing, never got back to me. Thank you

Hi Janet

When you log in to your author dashboard (https://kdp.amazon.com/), at the very bottom of most pages you'll find a set of links, in small, pale writing. One of them is "Contact Us". That link directs you to various questions and answers in several categories. You pick the (closest) category to your question and look for an answer already provided; but if none match your query, you can click "Other" from the list of subjects and fill in all your details, and explain your issue/question as clearly as you can.
They generally like you to provide your book title and/or ASIN (that code number in your book link on Amazon that generally starts "B0..."), and provide as much information as you can.
I've found Amazon's staff to be helpful and responsive. They generally get back to you within about 24 hrs.