Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

For those interested, I’m a young indie author and I wrote a sci-fi novel recently, it’s linked in my profile and is available on Kindle Unlimited for free if you would like to read/review it.

Sera wrote: "For those interested, I’m a young indie author and I wrote a sci-fi novel recently, it’s linked in my profile and is available on Kindle Unlimited for free if you would like to read/review it."

Hello Sera,

I am reading a couple of other books right now for review. I also started a group on goodreads called Authors' Review Exchange which you can find if you go to my profile and scroll down to my Groups. I am also a new Sci-Fi author with a few works coming out at the same time. If you would like to check out my profile page here and take a look at the offerings, you could then get back to me at [email protected].

I'm not so sure about the YA genre, but would be willing to exchange reviews. I could suggest my book The Gifted as it does have young adults as the main characters. My next suggestion would be For the Ages. I don't have an Amazon Unlimited access and I don't sell on Amazon. I can send you copies of my book in either .epub or .mobi e-book formats. I assume you have a .mobi since you are on Amazon?

Cheers!

Michael J. Scharen
michaelsbookcorner.com

Sera wrote: "I’m a young indie author and I wrote a sci-fi novel recently...."

Hi Sera and congrats on completing your novel!

Do watch our for predatory review scams on Goodreads, like people offering paid reviews. There are others pushing groups where authors swap reviews with each other which violates Amazon's TOS and can get your KDP account banned. You need to steer clear of review swaps and groups that flout Amazon's rules if you want a career as an indie author.

If you really feel the need for reviews (for whatever reason) there are a few legitimate services like BookSprout, HiddenGems and NetGalley that will make your book available to readers in exchange for an honest review. BookSprout has a free plan :)

It is a violation of Amazon.com's TOS for authors to exchange reviews to be posted on Amazon.com.

It is not a violation of Goodreads.com's TOS to exchange reviews on Goodreads.com -- provided the reviewing party discloses that a complimentary copy was given for review by the author.

Thanks Tilly, I’ll check those out, I’m really new to this, I didn’t even know that was a thing.

Michael wrote: "It is a violation of Amazon.com's TOS for authors to exchange reviews to be posted on Amazon.com.."

Yes. Which is exactly why I warn new authors about GR groups knowingly violating Amazon's TOS by engaging in author review swaps. It's such a fraught area for authors and can have serious repercussions if accounts are banned, or review activity frozen on their books. Not to mention that many readers take a dim view (and find it unethical) for authors to swap reviews and attempt to manipulate reviews and ratings.

It does make me wonder why these authors even need to swap reviews with one another. It implies they don't have any sales, which is how you see organic reviews from genuine readers.

Sera wrote: "Thanks Tilly, I’ll check those out, I’m really new to this, I didn’t even know that was a thing."

You're welcome :) There are, unfortunately, some real mine fields on Goodreads and people who will argue what they are doing is fine... while knowingly violating Amazon TOS. It depends how risk averse you are, personally I have no intention of risking the income I earn from Amazon by being involved in anything dodgy.