Review Group discussion

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on Goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round or check back another time.

The Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this rule, we don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This is a General round
All fiction/ non-fiction accepted. This means you may be required to read anything from a book about tax returns to horror/erotica and everything in between.

Please note it is always possible that the books you are assigned may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. If you can't commit to this, please do not sign up.

Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your Goodreads author and Goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:

1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the 12 weeks of time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on Amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed.
If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.
Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

7. You have an author profile set up before you join.

8. Your Goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

9. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round.
Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

10. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

11. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it.
If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

Please note:
We all want reviews, it’s why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. Reviews that state you received a copy ‘in return’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.

The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.

It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be:
Gene

Member Links
1. Gene Kendall
2.Brody Coy
3. Thomas O.
4. J.E. Rowney
5.Catherine Spruill
6. Khira Allen
7. Sotto Voce
8. Francis T Crowley
9. Ann Birdgenaw
10. Zita Harrison

Book Links
1. Blind Cerulean
2. Trapped In Tranquility: A Novel
3. Face Down in the Grave - Seven Tales of Sinister Delight
4. The Book Swap
5. Alpha's Lost Prophecy
6. Engineer of Stainless Souls
7. The Bet of the Monsters
8. Talking To A Praying Mantis
9. Ka'Azula
10. Owl Manor - the Final Stroke: Book 3 of the Owl Manor Gothic Suspense Trilogy

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.
Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

I've added my book as the first on the list, partially to make sure I'm adding names/books properly (this is the first round I've set up from scratch).

As always, please note any conflicts when tossing your name in, and keep checking in to see if you have any conflicts with the new sign-ups.

Happy new round, everyone!

Can I join with my sci series for middle grade, Black Hole Radio, Ka'Azula or any in the series?

Here is the link and I have already reviewed Gene's book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...?

I have another alternate for you, Ann. I've added you to the #10 spot, as I believe that will put you on top of me when we determine the review orders.

Hi Gene, thanks for the reply. I would like to join with Owl manor - the Final Stroke. So far, I have reviewed Blind Cerulean, but have not reviewed or been reviewed by Ann Birdgenaw. Thanks.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

https://www.amazon.com/Owl-Manor-Stro...

Please sign me up with The Book Swap
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I have read Ann and you and Zita have read me.

Hi,
Can I join with The Bet of the Monsters (or another book of mine, I'm flexible). Thanks.
I haven't reviewed anyone in the list

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

If possible, could I please join the round with my new novella, Engineer of Stainless Souls (new release on 16th December, which should be about right for the start of the round).

I've reviewed a different book by Ann Birdgenaw and I've reviewed Gene's book 'Blind Cerulian.'

Please sign me up with my new collection of stories, Face Down in the Grave:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

-I've reviewed JE before, but not the book she's offering here.
-I've been reviewed by Gene before, but not this book.

I've added Thomas, Khira, Sotto, Zita, and JE while attempting the Sudoku. As we go, please tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1) ). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed.

Hello,


I would like to join: Trapped in Tranquility

https://a.co/d/7cS6d9y

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Thank you

Gene wrote: "I've added Thomas, Khira, Sotto, Zita, and JE while attempting the Sudoku. As we go, please tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) ..."

I have reviewed both Blind Cerulean and Love is Deadly by you, Gene. Do you have another book for me to review?

Reviewed another book by J. E. Rowney, but not this one.

Not or been reviewed by Thomas O. and not reviewed or been reviewed any of the 4 before me.

Thanks.

Yes, I have an alternate, Zita. Thanks for checking.

I might fit in at spot 2.
I have reviewed Gene & Ann
JE has reviewed me.

Alabaster Alibi
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Can I get in, I'm brand new.Talking To A Praying Mantis
I have never reviewed or been reviewed in Community.

SD, you wouldn't have fit in Spot 2 since both Ann and I would be "above" you. However, we have some leeway since you haven't reviewed the book I'm listing here, and Brody and Sotto haven't reviewed anyone in this round yet. So Brody is now in Spot 2 and you're in Spot 8.

This leaves Spot 5 free. Anyone see any issues so far?

Okay, Francis commented as I was writing my post! Please everyone, check to see if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1) ). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed.

Gene I assume I can review one of your other books?

Nevermind Gene. I just saw your reply earlier in the thread. I'm good to go

I'm good to go.

I'm good to go!

Gene wrote: "Okay, Francis commented as I was writing my post! Please everyone, check to see if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1) ). Pl..."

Hi, I am good to go, because I haven't reviewed or been reviewed by anyone in this list.
I just want to be sure, so is this mean I review 3,4,5,6?

Sotto wrote: "I just want to be sure, so is this mean I review 3,4,5,6"

Not quite, Sotto. You'd be reviewing the four below you on the list, and the four above you would be reviewing your book.

I have a clash. S.D. Brown has reviewed one of my books before so, unfortunately, I cannot review her book in this round.

(Gene, if it makes life easier, I can step out of this round and wait for another one down the track. The book I nominated is still about eight days from release (16th Dec) and the reading round formed a lot faster than I had anticipated. Otherwise, if some suitable reshuffling is possible, I can stay in the round and e-mail the manuscript to any of my reviewers who require it before the 16th. Just let me know what works best :))

Khira wrote: "Sotto wrote: "I just want to be sure, so is this mean I review 3,4,5,6"

Not quite, Sotto. You'd be reviewing the four below you on the list, and the four above you would be reviewing your book."

Got it, thanks.
So 8,9,10,1 then.

Well I’m good to go but I guess there’s going to be a reshuffle.

Okay, before we remove a name, could perhaps the group provide me with a list of anyone within these ten names who you can't review (i. e. anyone who has already reviewed your books)? I believe we have 3 authors who've never reviewed anyone so I think maybe this could work.

Neither Ann nor SD can review me as I have reviewed them previously.

If you have an opening I'd love to join. I've only reviewed Blind Cerulean and will happily review another of Gene's books.

Sorry I missed the conflict with Khira...
If I don't fit, remove me ... Khira was here first.

Gene you're dong a stellar job.

Thanks, SD.
Syl,
Can you list the people you have reviewed...and those who have reviewed you?

I've reveived:
Leia Barko
Niharika Bhol
Khira Allen
Gene Kendall

And been reviewed by:
Jason Newman
A. Claire Everward
Audrey Driscoll
Still waiting for Denis Roubien
:)

Syl and SD: there's a new round here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I'll go ahead and add SD. Syl, please post in that thread which of your books you'd like listed.

Okay cool and thanks Gene and will do. :) :D

No one in this list so far has reviewed me.

Without S.D., no one on the list has reviewed me. I've reviewed Ann and Gene.

Can I participate with my book Alpha’s Lost Prophecy?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I don’t have any conflicts with the currently posted books/authors

Okay, I've added Catherine, and that gives us 10 again. So, again, check to see if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1) ). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed.

One way to do this is to type in the author's name in the search field for your reviews...and to go to the four authors pages and then search your name.

Still good to go.

Still looks fine to me thanks.

Good to go :)

I'm good!

I'm good Gene!

thanks Gene. I saw it!

Gene wrote: "Syl and SD: there's a new round here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I'll go ahead and add SD. Syl, please post in that thread which of your books you..."

I'm good

Hi Everyone, Of course I'm confused. I thought I've seen two lists. How should we contact each reviewer and reviewee?

Francis wrote: "Hi Everyone, Of course I'm confused. I thought I've seen two lists. How should we contact each reviewer and reviewee?"

The author's page has a "Follow author" button under the author's photo. Click on the small down arrow next to it for more options and scroll down to "send message" to contact that author.

To enable messaging to yourself:
hover over your small profile photo on the top right of your author page.
Scroll down to 'account settings'.
'Edit user profile' on top right over the photo.
'Settings' on top bar.
Scroll down to 'privacy' and make sure anyone can send you private messages.

Hopefully this didn't confuse you even more!

Francis,
To contact authors, you click on their profile page, which is hyperlinked at the top of each message on this thread. This is yours:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Next to the gray Follow Author button, you click the down arrow and choose "Send Message". Indicate to the author your email address so that they can send a review copy.
BUT we're not at that stage yet. Not everyone has confirmed they have no conflicts.