Review requests
What a hoot it is to seek out honest reviews for a book that will be released next week. Yes, sarcasm. Self-promotion is a weakness of mine. Hell, more than a weakness; it's a detested necessity that makes my shoulders cramp from tension after only five minutes. My abhorrence of self-aggrandizement has been solved at the "real job" over the years by finding a boss who understands and appreciates true hard work, not someone who always seeks to shine the spotlight on themselves. What is the literary analogue to this? Yes, probably plain dumb luck.
So, to help luck along, I have journeyed over the inter-webs to find an arrangement whereby I provide a book to someone who promises, when they get a chance, to read it and post their honest opinion. This sounds spiffy, a true win-win. Book reviewer has free material and gains exposure by writing a review. Book author gets a precious review that hopefully will lead to more book sales. As long as the book doesn't suck. So. Does it suck?
During this long exploration through a variety of book review sites, I came across requests made by other authors in the comments sections of these blogs. The wording of the plea for a review was always something like, "my masterpiece is done!! I know you would love to read my book. My Mom/Spouse/Best Friend/Chiropractor read it and just Loved it!"
A few times I looked up the book and read a preview on Amazon and most were cringe-worthy. But the real issue isn't that there are a few pleading, needy people writing and trying to sell crappy books. Hell, more than a few. There is an ocean of these type of people out there.
The real issue is that I am freaking LUMPED in with them with no real way to distinguish my own precious, unique genius (sarcasm) without sending out artillery batteries of self-promotion.
Couple this with my annual one month post Superbowl no beer drinking pledge plus the Northern California rain, and I am grumpier than an author with a brand new book should be.
That being said, hell, if you want a free copy of the book and are willing to give an honest review, hit me up!
So, to help luck along, I have journeyed over the inter-webs to find an arrangement whereby I provide a book to someone who promises, when they get a chance, to read it and post their honest opinion. This sounds spiffy, a true win-win. Book reviewer has free material and gains exposure by writing a review. Book author gets a precious review that hopefully will lead to more book sales. As long as the book doesn't suck. So. Does it suck?
During this long exploration through a variety of book review sites, I came across requests made by other authors in the comments sections of these blogs. The wording of the plea for a review was always something like, "my masterpiece is done!! I know you would love to read my book. My Mom/Spouse/Best Friend/Chiropractor read it and just Loved it!"
A few times I looked up the book and read a preview on Amazon and most were cringe-worthy. But the real issue isn't that there are a few pleading, needy people writing and trying to sell crappy books. Hell, more than a few. There is an ocean of these type of people out there.
The real issue is that I am freaking LUMPED in with them with no real way to distinguish my own precious, unique genius (sarcasm) without sending out artillery batteries of self-promotion.
Couple this with my annual one month post Superbowl no beer drinking pledge plus the Northern California rain, and I am grumpier than an author with a brand new book should be.
That being said, hell, if you want a free copy of the book and are willing to give an honest review, hit me up!
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