THE Group for Authors! discussion

How can I invite friends on goodeads to read and review my books?

Have you placed your book up for a GR giveaway? That's a way to generate interest. Usually they give a review when done.

Warren wrote: "How can I invite friends on goodeads to read and review my books?"

If you have physical books (rather than ebooks) the best way is to post a giveaway, and then write a status update or blog post about that giveaway. In the blog post, you can say something like "Reviews are appreciated." We don't recommend messaging or commenting to everyone who adds you as a friend about your book. It's not a great strategy.

To list a book for giveaway, go here:

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway

Warren wrote: "How can I invite friends on goodeads to read and review my books?"

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/8...

is a group, mostly authors, who will not only read your book but will post reviews.

I know GR doesn't want you to recommend your book to people, because they consider it spamming. However, I think the best way is to get involved in groups. People will like you, want to be your friend, and see you are an author. Once they have noticed you are an author, they are more likely to add your book. Listopia is a good way to get information out about your group, and I agree about the book giveaway too! :)

One thing I've discovered in the weeks that I've been a member is that Goodreads is very much a readers group that sometimes barely tolerates authors. Authors have a different perspective. We're trying to make a living and some of the readers on Goodreads are only interested in obtaining books by loans or other means rather than paying authors for their months/years of work. It's very discouraging. After reading posts by many readers outraged that they can't pass-along Kindle books free to all their friends, I posted a question on Amazon Kindle forum as to why readers think their perceived right to free books supercedes the authors and publishers rights to make a living. I cited the applicable copyright law and people were livid. Even though I kept it completely civil, they're responses were nasty. Instead of remonstrating with the overreacting protesters, I was summarily bounced from the group. If that's representative of the kind of readers Kindle is attracting, maybe I'll return to publishing printed books. Have any of you had similar experiences?

Hi Larry, I've yet to publish an e-book but hope to by the first of the year. I believe it is a good idea to publish in both soft cover and e-book because there are still many who have not or refuse to go the e-book route.

As far as readers expecting to receive free books, well, I believe authors, might have started this stampede.

I wouldn't worry about being bounced from a group because there are so many groups who would be happy to have you. I tend to gravitate towards authors groups because, as an author, I do interpret books differently from readers.

Whatever you do, I wish you much success.

Thank you. Your Goodreads' name aptly describes you. You are very gracious. I'm curious to hear more about your position that authors might have started the free books stampede. Best,
Larry

Larry wrote: "We're trying to make a living and some of the readers on Goodreads are only interested in obtaining books by loans or other means rather than paying authors for their months/years of work. It's very discouraging."

Tell me. I have a bookshop. This isn't the 19th century and I don't know why libraries should be free for all (I think they should be for children and various other non-moneyed people) but that has bred a culture of why pay for books? Amazon, with its non-payment of taxes (catching up on them) has furthered this with a culture of if the book isn't free then it ought to be hugely discounted. Loads of people come into my store with their phones and scan in the books they want, ask me for something or other and say they will come back.... Looking at the near future, I think the answer is probably electronic for most books and probably $0.99 downloads.

Petra,
I feel for you. I think "free" has grown thanks to the internet, where everything is free except porn sites. As to Amazon, I must respectfully disagree. I have both a Trade Paperback and EBooks on sale with Amazon. The printed price was set by my publisher and has never been reduced by Amazon. I get to set my actual selling price for the EBooks. However, Amazon does have a rather misleading List Price. I was told by them that is what they feel the book should/would list for and apparently is used as a guideline for buyers. I even started out my mystery at a 99-cent introductory price (even at that, sales were meager) then bumped it up. Based on that and comments by some Goodreads readers, even 99-cents to to rich for their blood. Sheesh.

Patrick wrote: "Warren wrote: "How can I invite friends on goodeads to read and review my books?"

If you have physical books (rather than ebooks) the best way is to post a giveaway, and then write a status update..."

I would love to list my book in a giveaway, but I'm not comfortable with mailing all the copies out myself with my personal address listed plainly on the boxes! :( I looked into it already, there's no way to hide my own home address! :(

Larry wrote: "Petra,
I feel for you. I think "free" has grown thanks to the internet, where everything is free except porn sites. As to Amazon, I must respectfully disagree. I have both a Trade Paperback and ..."

hahahahahahahahah! funny to mention porn sites! ahahahha!

Petra X- How disturbing to hear the habits of hopeful customers. I personally can't get enough of bookstores and I always buy books. I think it's an inexpensive "habit" that provides hours of entertainment. And I love the aura in bookstores.

C-I work at the post office and you can leave your return address off a parcel. It's frowned on, but I think you have a good reason and you can do whatever you want as long as you pay the postage. If the address being sent to is wrong, you just won't get it back!

I agree with a former comment about getting involved with the groups, which will get your name out. I think it's also important to be involved in the readers' groups because many authors are overwhelmed with stacks of books to read and shortage of time for writing, family, work...Don't expect it to be a fasttrack no matter what you do to market. Some authors have a knack for it, the time, and the money to market well. Most have to do it the hard way, which takes a lot of time and effort.
Technology has encouraged people to think everything should be fast, easy, and at their fingertips, yet some things are still done with a bit of sweat equity! Good luck!

Oh but I would have to use DHL, I'm living in a hamlet on the Italian Riviera! And DHL doesn't send without a sender's address and telephone number and email!!!

Oops, my mistake! Sounds like a perfect place to live and write!
C. wrote: "Oh but I would have to use DHL, I'm living in a hamlet on the Italian Riviera! And DHL doesn't send without a sender's address and telephone number and email!!!"

C. wrote: I would love to list my book in a giveaway, but I'm not comfortable with mailing all the copies out myself with my personal address listed plainly on the boxes! :( I looked into it already, there's no way to hide my own home address! :(

Maybe I'm being naive, but just what are you afraid of here? Do you think that the people who win the giveaway will be so offended by your book that they'll form a mob, come to your house, drag you out into the street, and beat you to death? Just how controversial are your books? :-D

Seriously, I've sent books to reviewers, and I did a Goodreads giveaway, all with my return address on the package, and I don't think anyone has written me a letter after getting my address from there. No one has come to my house. I get some junk mail from companies trying to sell me their services, but I think they got my address from government forms I had to fill out.

C. wrote: "Oh but I would have to use DHL, I'm living in a hamlet on the Italian Riviera! And DHL doesn't send without a sender's address and telephone number and email!!!"

Can you get a post office box or some such?

Mark wrote: "C. wrote: I would love to list my book in a giveaway, but I'm not comfortable with mailing all the copies out myself with my personal address listed plainly on the boxes! :( I looked into it alread..."

I think its probably the fear of a stalker. I agree with Mark that a P.O. box would fix this problem. Or, send it from a friends address...

J.D. wrote: I think its probably the fear of a stalker. I agree with Mark that a P.O. box would fix this problem. Or, send it from a friends address...

Or send it from an enemy's address, and kill two birds with one stone!

Mark wrote: "J.D. wrote: I think its probably the fear of a stalker. I agree with Mark that a P.O. box would fix this problem. Or, send it from a friends address...

Or send it from an enemy's address, and k..."

Haha! I like that! It's perfect!

Mark wrote: "J.D. wrote: I think its probably the fear of a stalker. I agree with Mark that a P.O. box would fix this problem. Or, send it from a friends address...

Or send it from an enemy's address, and k..."

HAHAHAHAHAHAH! That's funny!!!!! :D :D

J.D. wrote: "Mark wrote: "C. wrote: I would love to list my book in a giveaway, but I'm not comfortable with mailing all the copies out myself with my personal address listed plainly on the boxes! :( I looked i..."

I will have to look into a P.O. Box.

I have had many male readers become enraged with me when they realized that I wasn't going to marry them! My goodness.... how frightening....! :( I had to write a disclaimer once! It said "Just because you feel a connection to my writings, doesn't mean we are in a relationship. And all feelings evoked by my writings, doesn't mean that we are getting married."

But aside from that fact, there is just the better judgment of not wanting your home address all out there with people you don't know!

I'm looking for a new self publishing company. My current company is just not working well for me. Please send me any recommendations that you have. I know most of you are skeptical about self publishing but I do not have the resources most probably have.

Kyra wrote: "I'm looking for a new self publishing company. My current company is just not working well for me. Please send me any recommendations that you have. I know most of you are skeptical about self p..."

Self Publishing for print or ebook?

Printed Books; both really.

Kyra wrote: "Printed Books; both really."

Printed books... Lulu or Createspace
Ebooks... Smashwords, PubIt, Amazon Kindle, etc.

Patrick: What's the problem with having your return address on your mailing? I sell used books on Amazon and mail them with my return address plainly on the package and I haven't been visited by any Vampires or terrorists yet.

C. wrote: "Patrick wrote: "Warren wrote: "How can I invite friends on goodeads to read and review my books?"

If you have physical books (rather than ebooks) the best way is to post a giveaway, and then write..."

Peter wrote: "Patrick: What's the problem with having your return address on your mailing? I sell used books on Amazon and mail them with my return address plainly on the package and I haven't been visited by a..."

I don't know of a problem. C commented that she didn't feel comfortable putting a return address on a package, and DHL won't ship without one.

Sorry. I thought that was you who had the problem.

C: I have had many male readers become enraged with me when they realized that I wasn't going to marry them! My goodness.... how frightening....! :( I had to write a disclaimer once! It said "Just because you feel a connection to my writings, doesn't mean we are in a relationship. And all feelings evoked by my writings, doesn't mean that we are getting married."

Is this your way of telling me that you're breaking it off between us? I thought we had such a deep, intimate relationship after exchanging two forum postings. :-)

C: I think I'll organize a posse of single men to track down your address, show up on your doorstep and demand that you marry them. The good news: You get your pick.

P.S.: I won't be one of them, nor am I single.

P.P.S.: Just kidding.

You guys are hilarious! hahaha

Catherine wrote: "Hello Group!
I'm only a few hours old on goodreads, and, I have 0 friends. I've always been a bit of a loner but seeing that big fat 0 there is unsettling. I've tried the Facebook link to add fri..."

Suggestions...
Click the little arrow next to the word "Explore" at the top of the screen. It will show you a list. At the bottom, it will say "people", click that. You can then search for other readers who are the best readers, reviewers, etc...
Also, when you join groups... moderators are good people to friend, because they are usually friends with a lot of people. Hmmm...The friend suggestion box is a good place to find people who share your interests. Or, when you are in a group... on the right side click "members" and you can browse to see who else belongs to that group.
Otherwise, friend people who talk to you in groups. :) You're welcome to friend me. ;)

And I am going to friend you so hard.

Hmm, I'm not sure if you're threatening him or propositioning him. :-)

Mark wrote: "And I am going to friend you so hard.

Hmm, I'm not sure if you're threatening him or propositioning him. :-)"

Her... I am a HER. lol

Mark wrote: "And I am going to friend you so hard.

Hmm, I'm not sure if you're threatening him or propositioning him. :-)"

Okay, I changed my pic. lol The picture had me and my husband in it, which is probably where the gender confusion came into play. Now, I just have a picture of me. :)

Mark wrote: "C: I have had many male readers become enraged with me when they realized that I wasn't going to marry them! My goodness.... how frightening....! :( I had to write a disclaimer once! It said "Just ..."

Does anyone in this conversation (other than I) know what "stalker" means? ROTFL :-))

Larry wrote: "Mark wrote: "C: I have had many male readers become enraged with me when they realized that I wasn't going to marry them! My goodness.... how frightening....! :( I had to write a disclaimer once! I..."

Catherine wrote: "lol. I did know that."

I know that you know, but he called me a "him". lol I then realized that having my hubby in my pic with me... probably not a good idea. hahaha

Larry- lol Woman are usually well versed in the definition of a stalker and the dangers they pose. I remember the creepy videos I had to watch in health class about crazy men who stalk you and kill you b/c they can't stand the thought of anyone else having you. Seriously, CREEPY! lol Why they think it's okay to scare 15 year old girls like that... is something I would like to know. Of course, when I broke up with my bf and he started stalking me... yeah, I couldn't help thinking about those health class videos!
ps. Stalker=restraining order!!! LMAO!!!

J.D. wrote: Her... I am a HER. lol

Sorry, didn't mean to question your femininity! "J.D." could be anything!

But given some other comments on this thread, maybe it's a good idea to include your husband in your picture, to help scare off the stalkers.

Mark wrote: "J.D. wrote: Her... I am a HER. lol

Sorry, didn't mean to question your femininity! "J.D." could be anything!

But given some other comments on this thread, maybe it's a good idea to include yo..."

lol Don't worry, I wasn't upset or anything. I thought it was kind of funny though... Yes, J.D. could be male or female. ;) It stands for Joy Danielle. :)

Is it possible to do a good reads giveaway for older books (pre 2010), or is this something Goodreads might consider adding in the future? Right now, this feature is only for current year's titles or upcoming releases, as far as I can tell.

Skylar, yes. I believe you just leave the year unselected in that case.

This is absolutely hysterical, and makes me want to read your books!

Thanks for the kind word!

Hey, I notice that on your profile you say that you have "passion, for spice". So do I! Especially for curry and oregano.

Warren wrote: "How can I invite friends on goodeads to read and review my books?"

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/8...