#FREE help for #Authors: Post 2 Let’s talk some more…

 

Following on from my recent popular post about getting the most from your friendly book blogger, it’s become obvious that there’s more that needs to be explained.

Here a link to the first post “Free help for Authors” http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5Qq

So post 2 is about “Getting your book reviewed”:

NUMBER 1 RULE – in my book is go to the blog and find out more about the types of books the blogger reads and their review policy guidelines. Most bloggers have found the need to write down guidelines and NOT reading them sends your request to the BIN/TRASH in all probability.

Here is a copy of my book review guidelines as an example;

I read books across a range of genres, both fiction and non-fiction.

I DO enjoy romance, paranormal, humour, murder mystery, mild thrillers, spiritual, a bit of fantasy and YA/NA books.

I Do Not Read blatant erotica, political or strong religious themed books, nor do I enjoy a book with a lot of violence. I’m afraid poetry isn’t my thing and I can only take a little sci-fi.

I prefer to accept books in paperback, I love their feel, but I’m also happy to work with PDF or Mobi files which I download to my Kindle. Ask me about sending a gift certificate perhaps.

Before I accept a book a few lines about it should be sent along with your details via the contact form at the bottom of this page, plus a link to where I can find the book. The final decision to review the book, is mine. Upon acceptance I will provide a mailing/e-mail address if necessary, I do live in the UK.

Tips to help get your book reviewed;

Getting my name right on the contact form helps your request, I’m Rosie, not Amber or anything else.

Whilst a mass copy and paste review request will put me off, as will a hard sell of your book, let me decide if I will like it.

Take a good look around my site and get to know me, look at the books I have reviewed, I’m a human being, treat me as you might a new friend and we’ll walk a while together on this path of life.

FINALLY TELL ME WHY YOU WANT YOUR BOOK REVIEWED, SHOW ME YOU’VE REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS QUESTION.

So today my inbox I had this from an author; My own thoughts are in red.

(Note there is no Dear Rosie – First Error)

I’ve read some of your reviews. I like your approach. (Empty sentences, obviously copy and paste, insulting to my intelligence)

My name is Alfie. I’ve written a book that has gone through a rigorous editing process and now . . . it’s here. (Hasn’t told me his full name, nor the all important Title of his book)

Getting it off the ground is not easy. (The learning curve is going to be HUGE) Please check the description (below) and positive reviews. I’m willing to be your guest if you like the book. (Sounds like he’s doing me a favour by offering to be my guest) It could be my first interview! (This comment just threw him to the bottom of the rookie pile, I’m generous but not desperate)

Here are two more from my Hall Of Fame book review requests;

“I hear you like books, I’ve written one…” (Good for you, keep on walking….)

” Hi Amber, oops! sorry Rosie, ha ha” (If I tell you in my review policy that getting my name right helps your request, then a joke from a complete stranger implies you aren’t serious about me or your work. Wait until we are good friends before you try random humour across the world. This author was then affronted when I told him I didn’t like his approach said he’d never had a problem before…)

If anyone needs a guideline for one type of approach that does get a chance of review here is an example;

Dear Rosie,

My Name is (Insert name) I’ve been following your blog posts and like the short style of book reviews you write. I have recently published my book (Insert title)  it’s about (short description and why you wrote it) You can find more details on my website (address)

I was wondering if you’d be willing to review a copy of my work in due course. I realise you must get an awful lot of requests and I entirely understand if you are too busy or the book is not for you. However if you could spare the time it would be much appreciated. I can provide a copy of the book in Mobi or e-pub.

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

(Name)

This style of approach will go a long, long way to getting your book reviewed, please pass this on to those who need the advice save me bashing my heard against a brick wall.

Thanks

Rosie

What has worked for you as an author? Reviewers, what requests have made it to your Hall of Fame and no further?

 

 

#FREE help For #Authors

It’s come to my attention that some of you lovely authors out there need a little help with reaching your audience.

Now I’m no professional in the matter, just a mad blogger who loves books, but this is what I’m seeing more and more of and it alarms me greatly.

When someone offers to help an author with some FREE publicity, some of you run for the hills in the opposite direction. “FREE that can’t possible be right! What’s the catch? What do I have to do? I haven’t got the time for that? It’s sounds scary, better not bother” Hands up if a bit of FREE publicity frightens you.

How many of you have a one page draft ready which can be used as a base for any publicity piece? All you need is a bit about yourself, where you’re from, when you started writing, what genres you write in, your books, buying links and where readers can find out more about you. Have a picture of yourself and your book covers in j-peg format and this document can be tweaked for use in all sorts of promos.

With the basics at hand next you should try to make it a bit reader friendly and personal depending on where it will be used, but readers usually want to know you’re a human being, why not mention your own reading habits, or something quirky about where you live or why you live there. Perhaps mention a habit you have when writing, do you wear a lucky pair of socks, or write with music playing in the background? Anything you can mention will give the reader a mental picture of you that they will connect to your name when they see it again.

Here is a link to a piece Cecily Gates wrote for the Romancing September tour as a good example of making yourself reader friendly http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5Fw

It’s all about selling yourself firstly, not your books. There are millions of faceless authors out there who have written a book, but you have a chance to make them remember you and when you publish another book you’re reader impression needs to travel to that one too.

Here’s an example; I ask all my guest  authors “Where is your home town”

Answer 1: Fleet, Hampshire

Answer 2: You’ll find me currently living in Fleet in North Hampshire in the UK,  a thriving town, close to Aldershot, home of the British Army and not far from London. I’ve lived here for 20 years and before that I was brought up on a dairy farm on the Hampshire/ Berkshire border.

The difference here makes you an individual with a bit of character, now as you are all writers a bit of promotional material should just be an extension of your creative ability and nothing to fear. Plus if someone is offering you FREE promotion, a bit of effort on your part is a must.

So what next? You’ve got a date for some publicity, you’re busy and your editor is on you back for the next book, what are you going to do?

STAY CONNECTED. It doesn’t take a minute to sign up to the blog that is promoting your work, or follow someone on Twitter, but don’t lose sight of your promotional opportunity.

Get interacting on a blog where your post will be coming, this will help you get a feel for the bloggers style and earns you HUGE brownie points. It may well also get you more readers who find out you’re an author, they’ll then eagerly read you blog promotional post and help promote it.

On the day of your piece, share the post on all your social networks, make tweets through-out the day, be available to reply to reader comments if possible, and also keep checking back over the next couple of days, many readers pick up posts around their own busy lives. Asking “What should I do? Or What do you want me to do?” Doesn’t show you at your best.

Part of a tour? If you are getting promotion for your book as part of any tour paid or unpaid it “pays” to get involved in the whole tour and not just your own day. Unless you are off planet, not helping promote the tour SUCKS! Bloggers feel used, fellow authors get disgruntled and generally you won’t do yourselves any favours.

I recently finished a shared Romance tour with author Stephanie Hurt, we promoted for FREE 30 authors in 2 locations each day for 30 days. Here is the feed back from a couple of authors who made the time each day to comment and share the posts.

June Kearns wrote:

“I just wanted to echo Lizzie’s thanks for wonderful support and promotion from you both throughout the month.

Personally, I did see an increase in sales. I was lucky enough to be on Rosie’s blog just before Romancing September – that may have helped. Twitter followers increased too – people taking part in the blog found me and I sought out others who had commented.”

Nicky Wells said:

A great big thank you from me to you both! Romancing September has been an absolute blast, and it’s been beneficial for me personally too in terms of followers and sales. I really cannot tell you how much your support means!

You don’t always have to pay to get results, but you do need to put a bit of effort in like all things in life; “You get out what you put in.”

Twitter For Writers by Rayne Hall

If Twitter makes you quake, then please spend a few $/£ reading this excellent book, which I am not paid commission for in case you wondered.

On Twitter make a list to include the blogger and some people you know who will help tweet about your piece, put them all into one list which you can easily go to so that you filter out all the other tweets that you ignore in your twitter feed. Use notifications and find all the tweets which mention you and re-tweet. Write an interesting tweet to help promote the promotional piece, add Hashtags and find out how to get a twitter picture the right size to add to a tweet. (hint – 1024 x 512 pixels)

Author pictures:

Get a really good picture of yourself and NAME the file with YOUR NAME not 978456123iphonepic or ME, or anything else because the picture gets filed by the recipient and they want to be able to go to it straight away when they search your name to write your blog piece.  Same applies to any book cover j-pegs and Mobi files of your book. If nothing else it makes you look professional if everything is named appropriately.

Make sure you have a pages with your picture and all your author links to websites, Twitter, facebook etc and the all important piece about you and your writing on Goodreads and Amazon (add separately to each Amazon site ie US, Uk, Ca) This is so important when readers/ bloggers want to find out more about you, a faceless author with no links and no social media pages will miss so many promotional opportunities.

Finally if you have the chance for a bit of FREE promotion, don’t think “Oh I’m not paying I’ll get to it sometime” and stick it in a lost file or forget about it. REACT quickly, rustle up a reply quickly in a couple of days if you are really busy, but much longer and it disappears off your e-mail page, sinks to the bottom of an in-tray and gets forgotten. DOESN’T IT? I’ve lost count of the authors I have to chase for replies and YES that can mean you. A bee in my bonnet I know.

So still confused as to why you are reading this? Well unless you sell so many of your books that you don’t need to bother with a bit of FREE help, then think on and seek out new ways and make changes to how you approach a bit of FREE help.

You can always read another of Rayne’s books that is full of great advice. Thanks for reading, Rosie

Romancing September #RomancingSeptember Just days away from the start.

Romancing September Across the World Tour

Romancing September Across the World is giving Romance authors the chance to promote their work on both sides of the Atlantic during the month of September. Romance author Stephanie Hurt from Georgia (USA) And Author Rosie Amber from Hampshire UK are joining forces in a double blogging event.

Here is the line-up for the 2014 Tour:

Sept 1st – Caroline Storer – The Roman

Sept 2nd – Sonya Loveday – The Summer I Fell

Sept 3rd – Terry Tyler – Round and Round

Sept 4th – Lizzie Lamb – Boot Camp Bride

Sept 5th – Carmen Stefanescu – Shadows Of The Past

Sept 6th – Jill Steeples – Lets’ Call The Whole Thing Off

Sept 7th – V. Steele – As My Heart Beats – Beckoning

Sept 8th – Cecily Gates – An Imaginary House By The Sea

Sept 9th – Debbie Peterson –

Sept 10th – June Kearns – The 20’s Girl. The Ghost And All That Jazz

Sept 11th – Pamela Beckford – Love: Lost And Found

Sept 12th – Adrienne Vaughan – The Hollow Heart

Sept 13th – D.E.L Connor – Spirit Warriors: The Concealing

Sept 14th – Jane Godman – Echoes In The Darkness

Sept 15th – Laura E James – FollowMe, Follow You

Sept 16th – Mary M Forbes – One Dance With A Stranger

Sept 17th – Monica La Porta – The Lost Centurion

Sept 18th – E.L. Lindley – Dare To Lose

Sept 19th – Nicky Wells – Fallen For Rock

Sept 20th – Susan Buchanan – The Dating Game

Sept 21st – Nic Tatano – It Girl

Sept 22nd – Lynn Montagano – Catch My Breath

Sept 23rd – Mandy Baggot – Made In Nashville

Sept 24th – Georgina Troy – A Jersey Affair

Sept 25th – Michelle Betham – Striker

Sept 26th – Dani-Lyn Alexander – Anonymous

Sept 27th – Romy Sommer – To Catch A Star

Sept 28th – Liz Everly – Like Honey

Sept 29th – Rae Rivers – The Keepers:Declan

Sept 30th – Jane Linfoot – High Heels and Bicycle Wheels

Join us to celebrate Romance everyday in September with this wonderful line up of authors and books.

Book Review Challenge Series – The Importance of Book Reviews by Lizzie Lamb

Last Day

Our last guest post on the Book review Challenge before we hand over to you the reader is author Lizzie Lamb. Plus authors might like to step around the fence to the book reviewers side and take a look.

1)     How important are book reviews for an author?

Very important. Not only do they let writers know what their readers (the genuine ones, that is) think, they give readers feedback to see if the book is something they might enjoy and download. Reviews also help to keep a writer’s profile ‘up there’ with Amazon. They ‘ping’ with the SEO machine and make sure that writer doesn’t get forgotten by Amazon’s big publicity machine.

 

2)     What are the top sites for book reviews?

I must admit that I don’t search these types of sites very often so I really can’t say. Sites like Novelicious and Love Reading, for example, don’t review self-published books and to me that seems rather unfair as it doesn’t bring new books to readers’ attention. I’ll ask reviewers to review my book – a free book for an honest, thoughtful opinion. Besides, some review sites won’t review indie authors so I tend to stick with the people I know or who ASK if they can review me. I would say that the best sites are those which attract genuine readers who are looking for new authors. Amazon actively promotes my kindle books on their website.

 

3)     Many authors have their books and an author platform on Goodreads. Why do you think it’s a good place?

I have been told that Goodreads is not a channel for authors to promote their work but for readers to find books they might enjoy. I have to confess that I don’t interact with GR as much as I might because it is too long winded and not very user friendly. I have a friend who is a Goodreads librarian and she’s always encouraging me to do more. But, as a writer, time is limited, so I stick to what I know works for me. I get many ‘friend’ requests from Goodreads and I always look carefully into the background of the person sending the request. If they have a private profile, or don’t post an avatar I immediately discount them.

 

4)     What else does Goodreads provide for readers that you are part of? (i.e. Groups, Reading challenge, giveaways)

This is an area I have yet to explore. When my third novel is ready I hope to use Goodreads to promote it. Or, to have someone do it for me.

 

5)     With the KDP self-publishing platform on Amazon, plus it’s world-wide buying power, this makes it a top site for books. Do people still need to post book reviews on Amazon or will discounted prices keep books selling?

I encourage readers to post reviews because I think it helps to validate me as a writer. I’ve noticed that if books are cheap or free then readers load them onto their kindle but don’t necessarily read them – and rarely review them. Another downside of ‘free books’ is that you risk attracting trolls who leave you negative 1 star reviews because in their eyes you have ‘given’ your book away and they are especially harsh on indie publishers..

6)     What would you like to see in a review of any book?

Did the book make the reader forget their cares while they were reading it? Did the reader enjoy the plot, my voice and the journey I took my heroine on? Did they, like me, fall in love with my hero? (I always do!!). I know that you can’t please everyone, but I hope that a reviewer will respect the time, effort and cost involved in uploading a decent book onto amazon and the love which I put into writing my books.

7)     Have you ever paid for book reviews? Are they considered “Professional” and important?

I have never paid for reviews but have given away review copies to most blogger who offer to review my book, and made many friends/contacts in the process. I’m only interested in bloggers who connect with readers as preaching to the converted (i.e. writers) isn’t what I’m really about. As an indie author, many doors closed to me which conventionally published authors have access to: Women’s Magazines, the bigger blogs and so on. A genuine review from a reader saying how much they loved my characters means more than a hastily dashed off review in a trade paper etc.

8)     What’s the best way to deal with a review from someone who didn’t like your book?

Ignore it. Never respond or get into a debate with the reviewer. I think most genuine readers know the worth of those negative 1 stars and the people who write them. Toughen up and get on and write your next book.

9)     Do you think anyone can write a review? Do they have to be a minimum number of words?

Anyone can write a review and I hope that most readers will ‘have a go’. Writers don’t expect everyone to love their book or to ‘get them’ as a writer. All we ask for is a balanced review which says what a reviewer liked and if they’d like to read more of the same by me. Amazon demands a minimum of 20 words and I think they could do more to eliminate ‘negative’ reviews which are often not written by a genuine reader. I’m not sure about GoodReads as I rarely go on to that forum.

10)     Where can readers find out more about you and your books? 

Here is the link for my amazon page and my blog pages:

https://www.amazon.com/author/lizzielamb

www.facebook.com/LizzieLambwriter

lizzielambwriter@gmail.com

website and blog: www.lizzielamb.co.uk

blog: www.newromantics4.com

Goodreads http://tinyurl.com/cbla48d

 

 

Thanks Lizzie they were some truly difficult questions.

My final piece in the series goes out to all you authors.

As an author it’s good for you to walk around the other side of the fence and get involved with book reviewers. Joining us on this challenge is just part of that.

Here’s some points I’ve discovered from my own book reviewing.

1. Book reviewers should be your next best friend.
2. When someone posts a review of your book you should leap on it asap. Get it out on all your social media sites. Like it on Goodreads and Amazon. Tweet it and share it on your Facebook page. Get into the habit of checking weekly or more on Amazon and Goodreads. (I know you’re busy writing but it’s no good if no-one knows about you.)
3. If a book reviewer has a blog, get signed up as a follower, interact with posts, tweet their posts etc. Get a feel for their blog and the type of books they like.
4. Then approach them for a book review and wait patiently.
5. If they are going to, or have reviewed your book, politely ask them to let you know when to expect to see it on their site. (I personally tell the author the date and send the author a link to the post as soon as I’ve posted it on the day.)
6. Mark this date in Huge red pen on your calendar and in your diary, make it really stand out. Get all your own family and friends prepared to spread the word on all their social networks too. (DON’T then book your holiday! Or if you do ask the book reviewer to change the date if possible) And Don’t dismiss the blog post as not important, so there’s not need for you to show up. Yes folks I’ve seen it all!
7. Then on the allotted day make sure you go to the book reviewers site, see your book review and tweet / facebook etc the post as much and as many times as you can during the day. If possible interact with readers on the blog who might leave a comment about your book. Lizzie Lamb, June Kearns and Adrienne Vaughan are all part of The New Romantics 4, they have support groups set up who all get behind any posts and social media about each others books. They are very pro-active and will work hard with a blogger to share posts and create awareness. Terry Tyler is a Queen of Twitter and tweets all day and more about a post, her followers get behind her and RT.
8. This can be a two way win, win situation, both the book reviewer and the author get masses of exposure.
9. After the heady high of your book review day, don’t disappear never to see your book reviewer ever again. Stay and build a working relationship with them and you never know they might review your next book too. Plus if they do other things on their blog (Like me) you might get a second chance to expose your work with just a little effort. In the last year I’ve co-run a romance book tour, a Christmas themed book tour, used books in the April A-Z Challenge and am now running this book review challenge. Some of the authors taking part this week have been with me on several tours and it great for all of us.
10. Lastly, don’t forget, book reviewers do all this for FREE. Make book reviewers your new best friends today and have a little fun.

Think you might enjoy doing more book reviewing? I’m planning to put together a group of book reviewers so that I can offer authors more opportunities for book reviews. Reviewers could take their pick as long as they write and post the reviews on their blogs and platforms like Goodreads and Amazon. I need to work out more details and see if anyone would be interested, there would be no minimum number of books to read.

All books have now been sent and the book requests are now closed.

  Do you fancy an adventure in the forests of Windemere with young warrior Luke Callindor sent to protect the heir of Duke Soloman? REQUEST A COPY OF BEGINNING OF A HERO BY CHARLES E. YALLOWITZ (Fantasy) (1 copy left)

  How about a modern twist on Tudor history? Relive the life of Henry VIII through the eyes of Harry Lanchester and his merry wives. REQUEST A COPY OF KINGS AND QUEENS BY TERRY TYLER (Contemporary) (All copies have now been requested)

  Are you in a romantic mood? How about a romantic Highland fling? REQUEST A COPY OF TALL, DARK AND KILTED BY LIZZIE LAMB (Romance) (2 copies left)

  Or how about a romantic romp with journalists in Norfolk with wedding bells in the air? REQUEST A COPY OF BOOT CAMP BRIDE BY LIZZIE LAMB(Romance) (All copies have now been requested)

  Want to escape your superpowers? Null City is they place to be in this New Adult paranormal fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF ONE WAY FARE BY BARB AND HANNAH TAUB(Paranormal NA Fantasy) (All copies have now been requested)

  More tales from Null City, can be easily read as a stand alone or part of the series.. REQUEST A COPY OF DON’T TOUCH BY BARB TAUB(Paranornal NA Fantasy)

  How about a bit of  witches and history? England 1647, civil war and Matthew Hopkins sweeps through the land as the Witchfinder. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BLACK HOURS BY ALISON WILLIAMS (Historical) (1 copy left)

  Could you see yourself at a tournament of Gamesmen as they play a game of Comet? There’s a mystery man and a potion maker in this fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BIRR ELIXIR BY JO SPARKES (YA Fantasy) (2 Copies left)

  Love a thriller? Travel with John Cannon as his relaxing leave of absence turns into a nightmare when his boat is attacked by terrorists. REQUEST A COPY OF MY GRL BY JOHN W. HOWELL(Thriller)(All copies have now been requested)

  Can we tempt you with a spiritual quest? Albion, is the oldest name for Britain. Wen and Don take you on a mystical journey through Myths and Legends of these blessed Isles. REQUEST A COPY OF THE HEART OF ALBION BY SUE VINCENT & STUART FRANCE ( A spiritual quest around England) (All copies have now been requested)

  Crime? The first book in the Georgie Connelly crime series. Join feisty documentary film-maker Georgie as she dangerously plans to expose Gentleman’s Clubs. REQUEST A COPY OF BUSINESS AS USUAL BY E.L.LINDLEY(Crime) (All copies have now been requested)

NON-FICTION here’s the chance to get some help promoting your work. REQUEST A COPY OF HOW TO PROMOTE AND MARKET YOUR BOOK BY MADI PREDA (Non-Fiction) (1 Copy Left)

  There’s more romance on it’s way.  Marianne Coltrane’s writes an award winning scoop about the sale of babies. Destiny will take her to an island off the wild west coast of Ireland. Love a mix of Ireland and romance? REQUEST A COPY OF THE HOLLOW HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN(Romance) (2 copies left)

  If you’ve read The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan, here’s your chance to loose yourself in more Irish themed romance with the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF A CHANGE OF HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN (Romance) (2 copies left)

  How about a murder mystery set in a coastal resort in Maine? REQUEST A COPY OF DEATH IN A RED CANVAS CHAIR BY N.A GRANGER (Murder Mystery) (All copies have now been requested)

 Step back in time to Georgia and the deep south for this book, real people struggling to survive with segregation and inequality. This is a fictionalised real story. REQUEST A COPY OF RED CLAY AND ROSES BY S.K. NICHOLLS (1 copy left)

 TJ Therien has his fantasy book for FREE on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble (Nook), so no limit on the number of copies but he’d still like reviews. (Fantasy) In know of at least 1 down load.

 British comedy comes in the form of the Derek series, we have the first book available as a kindle download for UK reader/ challengers only. REQUEST A COPY OF PLEASE CALL ME DEREK BY MAC BLACK (British Adult Humour) (2 copies left)

 1867, the American Wild West. British raised girl Annie meets wild man Colt McCall after a stagecoach crash. Fantastic cowboy romance. (Voucher from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com to download the book.) REQUEST A COPY OF AN ENGLISHWOMAN’S GUIDE TO THE COWBOY BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical romance) (1 copy left)

 1924, the English Shires. Jazzing flappers and a half share in a million acre ranch in Texas. (voucher from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com to download the book.) REQUEST A COPY OF THE 20’S GIRL, THE GHOST AND ALL THAT JAZZ BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical Romance) (2 copies Left)

 16 year old Jade discovers her Grandmother was murdered. She sets out to find the mystery commune killer. REQUEST A COPY OF JADED BY KRISTY FELTENBERGER-GILLESPI.(YA Thriller) (All copies have now been requested)

 

Book Review Challenge Series – The Importance Of Book Reviews By Terry Tyler

Day 3

Today our guest is fabulous author Terry Tyler. I’ve challenged Terry to talk about the importance of book reviews as an author. Plus we’ll look at Goodreads and should you write a Bad Book Review?

Over to you Terry.

1)      How important are book reviews for an author?

 Hugely, massively! The more the better. Doesn’t even matter if some aren’t that complimentary; they show potential readers that the book has provoked interest sufficient for people to want to write about it. It doesn’t matter if some of the reviews are only a couple of lines long, either.

 2) What are the top sites for book reviews?

I’m sorry, I don’t know! I only know about the few on which I’ve appeared regularly, which, apart from yours, are A Woman’s Wisdom, Once Upon A Book Blog, Jera’s Jamboree, Me My Books and I, Kerry’s Reviews Blog, A Lover Of Books, Murry Reviews and Interviews and Claire Loves To Read – and a few others…

3)      Many authors have their books and an author platform on Goodreads. Why do you think it’s a good place?

 Because for some book lovers it’s their main social networking site; some review only on Goodreads, not on Amazon. Whereas other social networking sites are populated by people with varied interests, you know that anyone on Goodreads who isn’t an author promoting is an avid reader! I’ve ‘met’ a few of my regular readers on there.

 4) What else does Goodreads provide for readers that you are part of? (ie Groups, Reading challenge, giveaways)

I know there are a lot of these sort of things but I don’t have time to get involved with them. I do always fill in my ‘currently reading’ bit, and review a book as soon as I’ve finished it, but I’m not as active on the site as I might be. I like to produce at least 2 titles a year, so my time for reading based activities is limited. I have heard it said, though, that the supposed author/reader groups are often just taken over by writers plugging their books, with no discussion.

5) With the KDP self-publishing platform on Amazon, plus its world-wide buying power, this makes it a top site for books. Do people still need to post book reviews on Amazon or will discounted prices keep books selling?

Amazon is the most important place for people to post them. I can’t underline too much how important they are, especially for the independently published author. Amazon is the place where most people buy books from; that’s where the reviews need to be seen, as well as on book blogs and Goodreads.

6) What would you like to see in a review of any book?

Reasons why the reviewer did or didn’t like it. It doesn’t have to be a clever literary critique, just their opinion, and in their own words, not using all the review clichés; ie, please don’t tell me that a book has ‘flawed characters’. If I’ve read that once….! Everyone has a flawed character! Most of all, a review should be honest. I’ve been caught in the past, buying books that sound from all the reviews that they’re going to be excellent, only to find them full of wooden dialogue and grammatical errors.

 7) Have you ever paid for book reviews? Are they considered “Professional” and important?

I wouldn’t dream of it. I don’t know how they’re considered by other people, but I’d say that if the only way you can get reviews is to pay for them, then maybe you ought to re-consider your book, or your approach to marketing. I believe there are sites when you can pay for 5* reviews. Awful! Recently, someone approached me on Facebook, saying that if I sent him review copies of my books he would write me 5* reviews for them. I asked him how he could say that, when he hadn’t even read them, and blocked him.

8) What’s the best way to deal with a review from someone who didn’t like your book?

Do nothing. People are entitled to their opinion, and also to express it.

9) Do you think anyone can write a review? Do they have to be a minimum number of words?

Amazon reviews have to be at least 20 words long – and yes, anyone can write a review. Just a couple of lines saying why you liked it is so much appreciated by the author. No-one should feel they can’t write articulately enough for a review. Just say what you think. If you stayed up all night reading it, tell us! If it reminded you of another author’s style, or another book, or a film, tell us that, too. It all helps the potential reader make up their mind.

For me, the ideal review is about two or three short paragraphs long, but shorter ones are just fine. I’ve even got a two word one on Goodreads: “Loved it!!!” That works for me!

10) Where can readers find out more about you and your books? 

My Amazon UK author page HERE and my Amazon.com page HERE

Thank you for asking me my opinion on this subject, Rosie, and I hope these answers have been of interest to you and your readers!

Thank you Terry, some of those questions were gruelling!

Not on Goodreads yet? What’s all the fuss about?

Lots of us talk about posting reviews on Goodreads, but what if you don’t know much about the site?

1) Goodreads is free to join. Its a huge community of people who like books.

2) It launched in 2007 and it aims to help people find and share books they love.

3) It boasts over 25 million members, has over 750 million books added to its shelves and has over 29 million book reviews. Just look at the difference in those last two figures.

4) You can make friends, follow authors, follow books you like, search book categories, join in book discussions, join groups and get book recommendations.

5) Each year they run a reading challenge and you can set a number of books you’d like to read each year.

6) If you have a blog there are widgets you can use linked directly to your Goodreads site.

7) As an author I have a personal page and an author page and my blog posts are linked to post on Goodreads.

8) Goodreads and Amazon now work together so if you are an author, it should be easier to get your books to show on Goodreads.

9) Good for readers. Many authors promote free giveaways of their books on Goodreads.

Over to you. tell us how you use Goodreads or ask a question about the site.

Negative and Bad Reviews

I can guarantee this is going to cause a scene.

So what do you do if you really didn’t like a book? People who slam a book and its author publically are often called Book Trolls.

Firstly put yourself in the shoes of an author, someone who has toiled hard over their book, you don’t know the mountains they’ve climbed to get this far. Personal, physical, emotional mountains, how would you feel if this was your life’s work?

So you can still write a review, it will be challenging. Find points that you did like, perhaps the overall story, a strong character, a funny moment. You might have liked the first chapter, perhaps it was full of promise, even if it all went down hill from there, still say what you liked.

You can say things didn’t work for you like a fight scene or a love scene. Or you had trouble picturing the mystery building. Some fantasy and sci-fi books need to really make the reader understand new imaginary planets and realms. I once read a book which read like an arcade game with characters leaping from level to level in huge cavernous spaces, it felt 2-D and I longed for depth in the form of the descriptions and the senses, like smell and hearing.

My best advice for a book you don’t like, is LESS IS MORE. If I wrote my favourite character was the mother-in-law and she had a minor part in the book, then I’m hoping the author might pick up that the main characters hadn’t hit the mark. If I said I really like the first three chapters, then there is a hint that the rest of the book may not have lived up to my expectations. If you’ve struggled to write perhaps 10 lines then there probably wasn’t much that made you jump up and down, leave a shorter review.  However you still haven’t been rude about the book.

Ultimately the top LESS is MORE tip. If you can’t find anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. No review speaks volumes. If you’ve been asked to write a review, be polite and say the book wasn’t for you. If you bought the book and didn’t like it, move on there are billions more books out there. Anyone who has publically slammed a book SHAME ON YOU!

Lastly, if you are an author who has received a vicious negative or unfair review, DO NOT react. It will be upsetting but you won’t win any battle with the reviewer. Walk away, and be the better person.

(I’ll own all that I’ve said above, but it is just my humble opinion)

Tomorrow we’ll being meeting book reviewer Diane Coto who blogs at Fictionzeal, Shelfari and I’ll be going down deep into reviewing a book.

Saturday 28th June – Book Reviewing by Diane Coto from Fictionzeal + Shelfari + Going in deep, talking more about reviews.

Sunday 29th June – Book reviewing by Ionia Martin from Readfulthings + The importance of book reviews by author Adrienne Vaughan +Reviewing to Amazon + Gearing up to write that review.

Monday 30th June – The Importance of book reviews by Lizzie Lamb + Authors should walk to the book reviewers side of the fence.

All books have now been sent out and the book requests are now closed.

  Do you fancy an adventure in the forests of Windemere with young warrior Luke Callindor sent to protect the heir of Duke Soloman? REQUEST A COPY OF BEGINNING OF A HERO BY CHARLES E. YALLOWITZ (Fantasy) (2 copies left)

  How about a modern twist on Tudor history? Relive the life of Henry VIII through the eyes of Harry Lanchester and his merry wives. REQUEST A COPY OF KINGS AND QUEENS BY TERRY TYLER (Contemporary) (All copies have now been requested)

  Are you in a romantic mood? How about a romantic Highland fling? REQUEST A COPY OF TALL, DARK AND KILTED BY LIZZIE LAMB (Romance) (2 copies left)

  Or how about a romantic romp with journalists in Norfolk with wedding bells in the air? REQUEST A COPY OF BOOT CAMP BRIDE BY LIZZIE LAMB(Romance) (2 copies left)

  Want to escape your superpowers? Null City is they place to be in this New Adult paranormal fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF ONE WAY FARE BY BARB AND HANNAH TAUB(Paranormal NA Fantasy) (1 Copy left)

  More tales from Null City, can be easily read as a stand alone or part of the series.. REQUEST A COPY OF DON’T TOUCH BY BARB TAUB(Paranornal NA Fantasy)

  How about a bit of  history? England 1647, civil war and Matthew Hopkins sweeps through the land as the Witchfinder. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BLACK HOURS BY ALISON WILLIAMS (Historical)

  Could you see yourself at a tournament of Gamesmen as they play a game of Comet? There’s a mystery man and a potion maker in this fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BIRR ELIXIR BY JO SPARKES (YA Fantasy) (2 Copies left)

  Love a thriller? Travel with John Cannon as his relaxing leave of absence turns into a nightmare when his boat is attacked by terrorists. REQUEST A COPY OF MY GRL BY JOHN W. HOWELL(Thriller) (1 copy left)

  Can we tempt you with a spiritual quest? Albion, is the oldest name for Britain. Wen and Don take you on a mystical journey through Myths and Legends of these blessed Isles. REQUEST A COPY OF THE HEART OF ALBION BY SUE VINCENT & STUART FRANCE ( A spiritual quest around England) (All copies have now been requested)

  Crime? The first book in the Georgie Connelly crime series. Join feisty documentary film-maker Georgie as she dangerously plans to expose Gentleman’s Clubs. REQUEST A COPY OF BUSINESS AS USUAL BY E.L.LINDLEY(Crime) (2 copies left)

NON-FICTION here’s the chance to get some help promoting your work. REQUEST A COPY OF HOW TO PROMOTE AND MARKET YOUR BOOK BY MADI PREDA (Non-Fiction) (2 Copies Left)

  There’s more romance on it’s way.  Marianne Coltrane’s writes an award winning scoop about the sale of babies. Destiny will take her to an island off the wild west coast of Ireland. Love a mix of Ireland and romance? REQUEST A COPY OF THE HOLLOW HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN(Romance) (2 copies left)

  If you’ve read The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan, here’s your chance to loose yourself in more Irish themed romance with the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF A CHANGE OF HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN (Romance) (2 copies left)

  How about a murder mystery set in a coastal resort in Maine? REQUEST A COPY OF DEATH IN A RED CANVAS CHAIR BY N.A GRANGER (Murder Mystery) (All copies have now been requested)

 Step back in time to Georgia and the deep south for this book, real people struggling to survive with segregation and inequality. This is a fictionalised real story. REQUEST A COPY OF RED CLAY AND ROSES BY S.K. NICHOLLS (1 copy left)

 TJ Therien has his fantasy book for FREE on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble (Nook), so no limit on the number of copies but he’d still like reviews. (Fantasy) Only

 British Adult comedy comes in the form of the Derek series, we have the first book available as a kindle download for UK reader/ challengers only. REQUEST A COPY OF PLEASE CALL ME DEREK BY MAC BLACK (British Adult Humour)

 1867, the American Wild West. British raised girl Annie meets wild man Colt McCall after a stagecoach crash. Fantastic cowboy romance. (Voucher from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com to download the book.) REQUEST A COPY OF AN ENGLISHWOMAN’S GUIDE TO THE COWBOY BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical romance) (1 copy left)

 1924, the English Shires. Jazzing flappers and a half share in a million acre ranch in Texas. (voucher from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com to download the book.) REQUEST A COPY OF THE 20’S GIRL, THE GHOST AND ALL THAT JAZZ BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical Romance) (2 copies Left)

 16 year old Jade discovers her Grandmother was murdered. She sets out to find the mystery commune killer. REQUEST A COPY OF JADED BY KRISTY FELTENBERGER-GILLESPI.(YA Thriller) (1 copy left)

 

Book Reviewers – Playing Nicely

Book Reviewers – Playing Nicely.

Check this out, it’s a wonderful piece that needs sharing!

Letter N on The A to Z April Challenge 2014

 

Today is letter N on the April A to Z Challenge. My Book choice is Nobody’s Fault by Terry Tyler. Genre: Contemporary

N – Nobody’s Fault by Terry Tyler

The Cranston family is torn apart when Nick, married to Ria, meets Adrienne and moves in with her after just one week.  Nobody’s Fault tells the story through the eyes of Adrienne – and also Tara, Nick and Ria’s 15 year old, very confused daughter

Drama, mystery, romance: a family with secrets… Adrienne is the love of his life. Nick is the love of her life. Six days after meeting her, Nick leaves home. He has no choice; they can’t live without each other. Nick’s wife Ria and eldest daughter Cat find various ways of working out their anger and resentment, while fifteen year old Tara is caught in the middle. And then there is Nick’s cousin Caroline, with her own axe to grind when it comes to marital affairs… When tragedy strikes, they are all looking for someone to blame.

Meanwhile, lonely and trusting Sharon, seeking love and friendship on internet dating and social networking sites, has no suspicion of the part she plays in the drama – or that the people she meets in cyberspace might not be all that they seem…

Amazon links:

Opera – [Nobody’s Fault eBook: Terry Tyler: Amazon.co.uk: Books]

Opera – [Amazon.com: Nobody’s Fault eBook: Terry Tyler: Books]

Links to other my other sites:

Blog

Opera – [Terry Tyler’s Blog]

UK Arts Directory Literary Blog

Opera – [Terry Tyler Blog — UK Arts Directory]

Twitter

Opera – [Terry Tyler (TerryTyler4) on Twitter]

Goodreads

Opera – [Goodreads | Terry Tyler (Author of You Wish…)]

Facebook

Opera – [(65) Terry Tyler, author]

Here are some randomly selected links to sites of other bloggers who are taking part in the challenge, please fins the time to visit them too.

http://www.daydreamertowriter.blogspot.co.uk/

http://writingreadingandlife.com/

http://paulamartinpotpourri.blogspot.co.uk/

http://jwright823.wordpress.com/

http://premraostoryteller.com/

During the challenge we are asking people to leave as many comments on blogs as possible, all supportive comments are greatly appreciated, thank you.

Letter G on the A to Z April Challenge 2014

 

Today is the letter G on the A to Z Challenge. My books today are, The Georgie Connelly Series by E. L. Lindley. Genre: Crime

The Georgie Connelly Stories by E. L. Lindley

Georgie Connelly is pure wish fulfilment and we could all use a friend just like her. Georgie is the fearless heroine of a series of novels, who manages to find trouble wherever she goes. She’s loudmouthed, infuriating and irresponsible but she has a heart as big as a house. The series begins when Georgie, a documentary film maker based in LA, finds herself the target of one of her subjects. Her best friends, Callie and Eric Delaney, recruit ex-Marine James Finn to protect Georgie and fireworks follow. All of the novels feature James, Callie and Eric as well as other recurring characters including Georgie’s man-eating mother.

Business Us Usual is; A thrilling crime novel, introducing Georgie Connelly a feisty protagonist along with a cast of loyal and likeable characters who surround her. If you enjoy novels that have heart and humour why not give it a try.

The Ties that Bind Us; After a harrowing couple of months, Georgie and James Finn prepare to take their relationship to the next level, only to find their plans scuppered by the
arrival of Georgie’s estranged mother, Marilyn, who is accused of murdering her husband. Suddenly Georgie has to deal with issues that resonate back to her troubled childhood.

The Righteous Path; In between projects and waiting for James to return from the Gulf, Georgie is excited when her old friend Sean Collins asks her for help in finding a missing
girl. Little do they realise where their digging will lead and before too long they are caught up in the sinister world of a religious cult.

False Allegiance; When a grieving mother asks Georgie to look into the death of her daughter, she finds herself becoming entangled with a college fraternity and its sister sorority. As she strips away the tradition and elitism, she uncovers a dark core which suggests that the death of the young woman may not have been an accident.

The stories are in the following order although they can also be enjoyed as standalone reads. Business As Usual, The Ties That Bind, The Righteous Path, False Allegiance.

Find out more at

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/E.L-Lindley/e/B006S2GRCE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1392466564&sr=1-1

USA http://www.amazon.com/E.L.-Lindley/e/B006S2GRCE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1369223835&sr=1-2-ent

Or visit E. L. Lindley’s website at http://ellindley.weebly.com/

You can catch up with more of E. L Lindley’s books by clicking over to a previous post when we discussed some of her other books and writing. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-2mY

Here are some randomly chosen links to other bloggers taking on the challenge, please find time to visit them too.

http://saylingaway.wordpress.com/

http://mywordsasweapons.com/

http://lizblocker.blogspot.co.uk/

http://alexandrawhalen.wordpress.com/

http://jeoneil.blogspot.co.uk/

During the challenge we are encouraging people to comment on as many blogs as possible, all supportive comments are greatly appreciated, thanks.

Derek’s In Trouble by Mac Black

Derek’s in Trouble by Mac Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Derek’s in Trouble is the second book in the Derek series of witty humorous tales about newspaper reporter Derek Toozlethwaite. Derek is surrounded by a cast of delightful characters who add to the chaos and calamity which is Derek’s life.

The book opens with recently married Derek caught dressing up in his wife’s clothes as part of research for a newspaper article. However wife Sally doesn’t see the funny side of her best pair of shoes being ruined and takes off to stay with her parents while her temper cools down.

Meanwhile there is so much else going on; Derek’s Granny gets a secret slot on the local radio as Granny Wisdom. Poor Hamish Macintosh is forced to sell up his farm. Aunt Thelma wants a motorbike and the lovely Sophie Clerkenwell-Brown wants to sign up the author of The Big Squeak, the mysterious Ivy Bloom. Then there are Arthur and Charlie, gardeners who are training for the Marathon and looking for sponsors and finally what is growing on Hamish’s old farm now being run by Tipsicorus International?

Just how much trouble can one man get himself into? You will have to read it and see, and like me, become a fan of Derek.

Come back and find out more about the Derek series in my April A to Z Challenge. Mac Black’s books will be featured on Friday 4th April.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

A to Z Theme Reveal – 21st March

Welcome to the A to Z Theme Reveal for my blog.

So what is the A to Z Challenge? It’s 26 blogs using the letters of the Alphabet all through April taking Sundays off. It’s a chance to find new friends, get new followers and promote your work and your blog content across the world. Anyone with a blog can sign up and take part. This will be the 5th Year of the challenge first introduced by Arlee Bird in 2010 and it has grown in success each year. Last year over 1600 bloggers entered and during the challenge we are encouraged to visit as many of the participants as we can and leave comments. I think it is a fantastic opportunity to expand your blogging world. This year nearly 1400 people have signed up already and there are still more than 10 days left to sign up. Find out more at http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

My Theme is all about books, their authors and their writing. Each blog tells you a little about the book and where you can purchase a copy or find out more about the author. The books cover a wide range of genres and hopefully there is something for everyone.

What else? Each post will also have links to other bloggers who are taking up the A to Z challenge, by providing these I’m hoping to encourage my regular readers and casual visitors to expand their blogging experience and meet new people.

What do you have to look forward to?

April 1st – A world Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba

April 2nd – Boot Camp Bride by Lizzie Lamb

April 3rd – Coronado’s Treasure by Randy Mixter

April 4th – Derek’s Revenge (The Derek Series) by Mac Black

April 5th – Everlasting by Candace Knoebel

April 6th -Round up of the tour so far

April 7th – Finding the Right Time by Stephanie Hurt

April 8th – The Georgie Connelly series by E. L Lindley

April 9th – Hidden Heart by Camelia Miron Skiba

April 10th – The Imdaland series by Rebecca Etherington

April 11th – Jaded by Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie

April 12th – The Bench by Sue Koenig

April 13th -Round up of the tour so far

April 14th – Legends of Windemere series – Family of the Tri-Rune by Charles E Yallowitz

April 15th – My GRL by John W Howell

April 16th – Nobody’s Fault by Terry Tyler

April 17th – The Orphan and the Thief by M L LeGette

April 18th – The Potter’s Daughter by Daniel A Smith

April 19th – Quentins by Maeve Binchy

April 20th -Round up of the tour so far

April 21st – Red Clay and Roses by S. K. Nicholls

April 22nd – Silk, Spice and Furry Dice by Andy N Robinson

April 23rd – The 20’s Girl by June Kearns

April 24th – Unforgiven by Barbara J Hancock

April 25th – Victoria by Stephanie Hurt

April 26th – What it Takes by Terry Tyler

April 27th – Round up of the tour so far

April 28th – X by Jack Croxall

April 29th – Over Odyssey – Yellow by Tony Carnival

April 30th – Zen Master Next Door by Edward Kardos

Reflections of the 2014 challenge.

Click here for a link to other blogs who are revealing their theme today.