I've just looked at Debra's website and it seems to me they are God's Gift to writers! Many people charge for reviewing books so this a great deal for authors. I have just submitted my book "Oom" for review.

As an aspiring author it is impossible to get an objective opinion on your book. My mum and sister did their best but we authors need to know the truth!

Thanks Rowena, I haven't tweeted yet...I'm not very good at it. But I will let you know when I do. I do have an account and a great deal of followers.

To Erma, Thank you and send more books at any time.

As a writer/translator I want to thank Debra of Readers Favorite for the excellent services she provides for authors. I sent her a copy of my book, Wave of Terror, and within only a couple of months it was reviewed, rated, and posted in many places such as Amazon, Librarything, public libraries (Seattle library for one) and more. And all this for FREE! I do believe her only stipulation is a book has to be rated 3 stars or more. Thanks again, Debra!

I have my moderator hat on...

Debra, thank you for posting appropriately in the correct area of the group. Thank you for your professional and dignified response to Raff's comments.

On behalf of the group, I apologize for the incivility with which you have been treated here.

I wish you all the best with your contest. Have you Twittered about it? I should be glad to retweet.

www.readersfavorite.com

Rowena Cherry

Raff wrote: "Well Debra, this is a business for you isn't it?

A) My name isn't Rafe.
B) acceptation - the usual or accepted meaning of a word, phrase, etc.
C) Do you actually read 1200 books/year? That's o..."

I apologize for getting your name wrong.

Selling books is a business also..right. You do intend to sell your book?

Yes this is a business. I have several who review for me ... free of charge. They and I give our honest opinion of books. I read and review the majority of the books myself.

I stand by my offer. Would you like a free book review?

I wish you luck with your book sales.

Debra

Well Debra, this is a business for you isn't it?

A) My name isn't Rafe.
B) acceptation - the usual or accepted meaning of a word, phrase, etc.
C) Do you actually read 1200 books/year? That's over 3 books/day. Evelyn Wood would be proud.

You certainly have the right to start a business. USA Books is another of the same ilk. Aspiring authors are a great market as attested to by the number of publishers, editors, and how to books that are on the market. I don't happen to be one of those who thinks a meaningless award would further my sales.

Raff wrote: "OK, so let's see. Reader's Favorite does nothing but run a contest. It has no literary associations with museums, libraries, publishes no magazine, has no reputation for literary excellence, and ev..."

Actually Rafe we offer free book reviews. No one is ever obligated to purchase anything. I have been doing free book reviews for many years. Send me your book. I'll review it and your will never be expected to purchase anything or enter a contest. I do take acceptation with your insinuation that I am a fraud. I work with well know publishers. I review over 1200 books a years. The publishers and authors that I work with can vouch for my honesty.

If you do not want to enter Readers Favorite contest then don't. But do not call me a fraud or blemish my name.

OK, so let's see. Reader's Favorite does nothing but run a contest. It has no literary associations with museums, libraries, publishes no magazine, has no reputation for literary excellence, and even offers a commission program for people to pull suckers into its web. Guess I should look into starting a book awards program since authors are so hungry to have award-winning next to their title, even if it's meaningless.

The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards and the "IPPY"s both charge just about the same amount, and both are extremely reputable and prestigious, at least in the relatively prestige-free world of Indie Books. Great to have another opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Awards sell books. If that's a scam, well, all marketing is a scam. The Booker Prize is a scam, if you look at it that way. But to get an independent panel of judges choosing your book as a winner means something to readers. Should it? Who cares. It works. Roll with it.

Sorry you feel that way. We are a legitimate business. Most Award Contests do charge. Check out our site before you pass judgement.
www.readersfavorite.com

From my experience, any award contest worth its salt doesn't require an entry fee. Do a Google on these people and they don't even come up. Let's see, $85 x 100 entries = $8,500. As far as I can see it's a racket.

Readers Favorites is hosting a book award contest. They offer free book reviews, express reviews and the award contest.

www.readersfavorite.com