Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I write short stories and recently returned to an area I enjoy. That's Christian fiction featuring Bible characters. I'd appreciate an honest, really HONEST review on one of these stories. I can provide a free copy in either.mobi (Kindle) format or epub format. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Hello! Would you be willing to "trade reads"? I have a book on Kindle's "90-page short reads" list that needs reviews. Be happy to exchange.

John wrote: "Would you be willing to "trade reads"?”

Review swaps violate Amazon’s review guidelines and they take a very dim view on it. They can stop any reviews being posted to your book or even ban your KDP account in extreme cases.

If someone wishes to read a particular book, they will purchase a copy. Afterwards, they may or may not post a rating or review.

For whatever reason, the vast majority of avid readers choose to never post a rating or review. Many novice authors are unaware of the fact that sales drive reviews, not the other way around. Focus more upon striving to continuously improve upon basic writing, promotional, and marketing knowledge and skills rather than soliciting reviews then sales will increase. Reviews will follow.

Very few novice 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.

Every author that has written a book on Amazon ads, or runs courses on them talks about reviews. They are ‘social proof’ of how popular a book is and it is a factor in whether or not someone will convert on an ad. So yes, the more sales you get the more reviews you should get and there are ways to promote your book. One of those ways is to advertise. But many readers will not take a chance on an unknown author with no reviews. Some of course will. Book bloggers welcome requests to review books. Might be worth researching some in your genre.

Tilly wrote: "John wrote: "Would you be willing to "trade reads"?”

Review swaps violate Amazon’s review guidelines and they take a very dim view on it. They can stop any reviews being posted to your book or eve..."

One can review another author's book on goodreads.com. However, full disclosure must be given if the book was complimentary. Of course there must be no other quid-pro-quo. Honest reviews only and no promises of a high rating. Authors are also here to get feedback from each other as well as readers to improve their writing.

And, avoid review swaps on Amazon.com altogether. That does violate their TOS, I am pretty sure. I gathered this from an acquaintance here who had spent several years in the publishing industry and sells many books on Amazon.

Jane wrote: "But many readers will not take a chance on an unknown author with no reviews..."

If your cover is on point, your blurb enticing, and there is a hook in the sample readers will absolutely take a chance on a book with zero social proof. When I published with no following and no reviews, I used BB and FB ads (spending $5/day) to get sales flowing and found many readers who took a chance on that book with zero reviews (for which I am grateful). Those sales then generated reviews without me having to do a thing.

I am looking for reviews of my books described in my website,

rhkohno.com

especially for Westward Lies The Sun, a novel about a Sansei Japanese American attorney's search for God. It has a Christian-themed angle. It would appear to be an impossible task for a humanist, but the protagonist persists.

The second novel I would like to have reviewed is Starburst Over China, a timely novel about the attempted psychic manipulation of a Chinese intelligence agent with unforeseen consequences.

Please visit my website for contact information. Thanks.

I am willing to provide a PDF file for Westward Lies The Sun and Starburst Over China. Please contact me via my website, rhkohno.com.

Tilly wrote: "Jane wrote: "But many readers will not take a chance on an unknown author with no reviews..."

If your cover is on point, your blurb enticing, and there is a hook in the sample readers will absolut..."

I will definitely second that opinion of yours, Tilly. When I self-published my first novel on Free-Ebooks.net, I was a total unknown and the only help I got was my ebook being published online at no cost for me by Free-Ebooks.net, along with it appearing on their lists of newly-arrived ebooks. I did not ask around for reviews, nor did I accept offers of reviews. Things were slow at first but, after nine years, that first sci-fi novel has amassed over 26,000 downloads and hundreds of spontaneous reviews and ratings from readers on that site. Okay, I did not make a cent with it or with my following ebooks, Free-Ebooks.net making it its specialty to basically offer ebooks for free in PDF format and making its money with fees for copies in Kindle or Epub formats. However, I write as a hobby, not to make money, so I was plenty happy with that deal, as I have now a large crowd of faithful readers. What I believe did the trick was a decent cover (self-made), an enticing blurb and a subject of interest to readers, plus patience and letting the word of mouth do its trick.

I firmly believe that those new writers who keep asking around for reviews, often offering free copies in exchange, are mostly wasting their times, on top of attracting the attention of fraudsters wanting to take a copy of your book and then sell it under their own name. Those same new writers also too often are ready to make review swaps which could well render them 'persona-non-grata' to publishers like Amazon. Unfortunately, way too many new writers in my opinion resort to this mad hunt for reviewers, including here on GR. Please quit doing that and simply announce your new book into one of the GR's forums and WAIT! Show some patience and wait for spontaneous reviews from the readers. Things are at the point where nearly half of the notifications I see on GR are either writers asking for reviews or members offering their services as reviewers. This is both wrong and counterproductive.

Michael wrote: "Tilly wrote: "John wrote: "Would you be willing to "trade reads"?”

Review swaps violate Amazon’s review guidelines and they take a very dim view on it. They can stop any reviews being posted to yo..."

Thanks for the insight. I just joined GR about a week ago and have been asked to swap books. Now my answer will be "Sorry, not interested". This is very good info about the TOS and violations. I will wait for the reviews.

Tilly wrote: "Jane wrote: "But many readers will not take a chance on an unknown author with no reviews..."

If your cover is on point, your blurb enticing, and there is a hook in the sample readers will absolut..."

Marketing is key to getting reviews. This can be done with low-cost ads, promotional giveaways, and word of mouth. Once your book is out there- market it!

Michel wrote: "Tilly wrote: "Jane wrote: "But many readers will not take a chance on an unknown author with no reviews..."

If your cover is on point, your blurb enticing, and there is a hook in the sample reader..."

It is not just about reviews when they do swaps. Many authors (particularly marginalized in their day job) cannot afford professional editing services. Swapping books is a way of gauging what needs to be addressed, learning more about writing in a way they couldn't afford otherwise.

A lot of these books are amazing, and with a little help on the first one, they should be able to afford professional services on the second. Likely, they will also give back to the writing community in the same way.

Lucy wrote: "Michel wrote: "Tilly wrote: "Jane wrote: "But many readers will not take a chance on an unknown author with no reviews..."

If your cover is on point, your blurb enticing, and there is a hook in th..."

Lucy,

Thank you for pointing that out. This is exactly what happened to me. The first person I exchanged with is a well seasoned author of more than a dozen books. I was given a very nice review based upon the story and the action. On the side he gave me some valuable constructive criticism on more technical aspects which I very much appreciate.

Michael

Lucy wrote: "Many authors (particularly marginalized in their day job) cannot afford professional editing services. Swapping books is a way of gauging what needs to be addressed..."

You are confusing critique partners with review swaps.

Working with CPs is free and only costs time and effort. I always assumed (wrongly as it transpired) that all writers found and worked with CPs to swap chapters to hone their craft and polish their stories. I found my CPs many years ago and I’ve learned so much from them. Again, that process is done BEFORE publishing.

It is truly eye-opening how many authors rush to publish and never have independent eyes on their work. Then they engage in TOS violating review swaps to manipulate reviews and seek "feedback" - which should have been done behind the scenes.

This is why indie authors have a bad reputation - writers are pushing out unedited material and expecting paying customers to do an editor's job. Publishing is a business and most businesses require start up capital. Personally, I budgeted and saved to afford cover art, editing, and proof reading on my first book. I want my books to be indistinguishable from a traditionally published book. Producing the most polished and professional book is key to that.

Tilly wrote: "Lucy wrote: "Many authors (particularly marginalized in their day job) cannot afford professional editing services. Swapping books is a way of gauging what needs to be addressed..."

You are confus..."

Hi Tilly, I'm not confused, but see more of the different approaches that are taken by authors that stem from the same request.
I hate seeing "I'll write a good one for you if you write good one for me" but love the behind-scenes critiquing that substitute it "Hey, it will be a great book if you look at these things."
I'm often asked to do reviews, and have a policy of NOT recommended books that do not pass muster as a 4-5 star.
Of all the books I've reviewed, only 1 has passed muster.
www.frankiewaters.com.au/recommended/...