Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I'm looking for reviews for my book, Unicorn Farmhand, on both Goodreads and Amazon. I will provide the copies in EPub or Mobi.

If you're interested, please leave a comment and your email address (at Messages) so I can send you a free copy via GMail.

Blurb:

A certain intelligent horse, Dok Saau, seeks to communicate with his owners by any means, and he began by writing his desires down. It attracted a lot of attention for this particular horse -- some pleasant and some sour -- but will he make it through whatever that will happen?

Samuel,

You may be unaware that Amazon policy forbids the offer of a free book or any other compensation in exchange for a review.

A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requires that any review obtained in exchange for an offer of cash, gift card, free book, or promise of a reciprocal review must include a disclaimer clearly stating so within the review.

For whatever reason, the majority of avid readers choose to never post a rating or review. Those that do are merely expressing their personal, and therefore subjective, opinion. One reader's Best book ever! may very well be another reader's Worst book ever!. Which explains why most perceptive readers do not allow a review to influence their purchase choice one way or the other.

Contrary to what many assume, sales drive reviews, not the other way around.

Very few authors ever achieve commercial success within this extremely competitive field. That said; some have. There is no reason why you might not eventually become one of them. I wish you success.

I am sorry about that. I didn't know that free copies for reviews are illegal.

I thought that it meant "no reviews in exchange for a review" or "no review swaps". Because I don't have enough money, I might as well stick to the usual self-promotion and become a nobody.

Samuel wrote: "I am sorry about that. I didn't know that free copies for reviews are illegal.

I thought that it meant "no reviews in exchange for a review" or "no review swaps". Because I don't have enough money..."

Samuel,

A little research goes a long way.

There are books, periodicals, seminars, and literary groups that feature well-known, commercially successful authors, editors, marketers, and promoters. Most include advice regarding what works, what does not, what should be done, and what should not. Many are made available at little or no cost.

Focus upon every opportunity and resource that will help you to continuously improve upon your basic writing, marketing, and promotional knowledge and skills.

Something I have learned during my 72 years of life: There is no such thing as a nobody. Everyone possess the fundamental quality to succeed in life, even those who think they do not.

If you do eventually become a well-known, best-selling author, remember me in the acknowledgement portion of your books.

Samuel wrote: "I am sorry about that. I didn't know that free copies for reviews are illegal.

I thought that it meant "no reviews in exchange for a review" or "no review swaps". Because I don't have enough money..."

Good morning Samuel,
What Jim told you is correct but the way he worded it is a little misleading. It's perfectly legal to offer a free copy of the book you want reviewed. Those copies are most often referred to as ARCs or Advanced Review Copies. The FTC and Amazon have the same rules regarding reviews of books that the author provided free as ARCs and Jim explains that clearly when he stated, "A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requires that any review obtained in exchange for an offer of cash, gift card, free book, or promise of a reciprocal review must include a disclaimer clearly stating so within the review.' I'm an active reviewer on Goodreads, Amazon and a few other sites, so I'm speaking from experience. To comply with the FTC and Amazon I simply say at the beginning of the review, "I received this copy of (insert book title) as an Advanced Review Copy from (insert authors name." I place that at the beginning of my reviews but it can be placed anywhere within the review.

I hope this clarifies things for you.

Thanks.