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Goodreads Hack: Your Guide to Book Giveaways
Here's a question for you: Do you like books? Well, of course you do. Here's a followup question: Do you like FREE books? OK, I think you'll see where we're headed with this.
Every year Goodreads readers win thousands of free books through our popular Giveaways program. In fact, more than 400,000 books were given away last year alone. Publishers and authors offer the giveaways to build buzz for their books. Not only do you have the chance to win a free book, but many of the books are months away from publication so you'll be one of the first readers to discover and review them.
Insider Tips for Giveaways:
New Kindle giveaways:
We have good news for everyone who loves to read Kindle books. Our Kindle ebook giveaways program is rolling out of beta and more publishers are being added, which means you can enter for the chance to win even more books. Another perk? You'll get the Kindle books right away instead of waiting up to six weeks for a physical copy of the book. You just need to make sure your Goodreads account is linked to your Amazon account so you'll get the book. You can do that here.
Choose either print, Kindle ebooks, or both:
When you're on the giveaways page, you can specifically filter for Kindle or print books at the top of the page.
Find out about giveaways for books on your Want to Read shelf:
We'll let you know when there’s a giveaway running for a book you have on your Want to Read shelf—it’s another reason to keep updating your shelf with new and noteworthy books as you hear about them.
Filter to find your perfect book:
You can browse book giveaways by most requested, popular authors, recently listed, or ending soon. You can also search for giveaways by your favorite genres. So, go right ahead and search for books ranging from science fiction novels to the latest memoirs.
Ready to try your luck with a Goodreads giveaway? See which books tempt you here. Want some suggestions? How about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Electric Michelangelo (P.S.), Finding Claire Fletcher, A Column of Fire (The Pillars of the Earth #3), and The Revolution of Marina M.
Check out more recent blogs:
7 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week
20 Years of Harry Potter: Goodreads Members on the Magic of J.K. Rowling's Books
Nina LaCour's Ultimate Pride Month Reading List
Every year Goodreads readers win thousands of free books through our popular Giveaways program. In fact, more than 400,000 books were given away last year alone. Publishers and authors offer the giveaways to build buzz for their books. Not only do you have the chance to win a free book, but many of the books are months away from publication so you'll be one of the first readers to discover and review them.
New Kindle giveaways:
We have good news for everyone who loves to read Kindle books. Our Kindle ebook giveaways program is rolling out of beta and more publishers are being added, which means you can enter for the chance to win even more books. Another perk? You'll get the Kindle books right away instead of waiting up to six weeks for a physical copy of the book. You just need to make sure your Goodreads account is linked to your Amazon account so you'll get the book. You can do that here.
Choose either print, Kindle ebooks, or both:
When you're on the giveaways page, you can specifically filter for Kindle or print books at the top of the page.
Find out about giveaways for books on your Want to Read shelf:
We'll let you know when there’s a giveaway running for a book you have on your Want to Read shelf—it’s another reason to keep updating your shelf with new and noteworthy books as you hear about them.
Filter to find your perfect book:
You can browse book giveaways by most requested, popular authors, recently listed, or ending soon. You can also search for giveaways by your favorite genres. So, go right ahead and search for books ranging from science fiction novels to the latest memoirs.
Ready to try your luck with a Goodreads giveaway? See which books tempt you here. Want some suggestions? How about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Electric Michelangelo (P.S.), Finding Claire Fletcher, A Column of Fire (The Pillars of the Earth #3), and The Revolution of Marina M.
Check out more recent blogs:
7 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week
20 Years of Harry Potter: Goodreads Members on the Magic of J.K. Rowling's Books
Nina LaCour's Ultimate Pride Month Reading List
Comments Showing 51-100 of 193 (193 new)
message 51:
by
McKenna
(new)
Jun 28, 2017 08:20PM
I don't understand how people are winning several giveaways a year, but I haven't even received one after several years of entering.
flag
Shelby wrote: "I've never been notified when books on my shelves are listed for giveaways! I always have to search for them myself."me too!
Guido wrote: "I would like a feature that shows any book by authors that I have on my shelves - or even authors on my friends shelves"Ditto that for me!
AND I think I've won 2 books in the time I've been on GoodReads (quite a while). I do write reviews of every book I read so it's not that.
Sometimes I get so tired of entering and not receiving that I stop for months. But you also have to look at the odds - thousands of people wanting and maybe only 1-5 being given away.
The curse of wanting print books? Being in New Zealand and so not eligible for all books in the giveaway service?
I have to say I am surprised Goodreads need to advertise the free review book giveaway when so many people enter...
Amber wrote: "I enter these but never win. would love to win one of the giveaways I enter for on here."Most give away are random, but publishers/ authors tend to pick people with lots of reviews. The goal is to get feedback from the winner of said giveaway.
For example
I won about 5-6 in about two months and hit a reading rut where I was reading less and reviewing less than that. I noticed that I stopped getting picked after that.
Jane wrote: "Even though I sign up for receiving giveaways for books on my shelf, sometimes I get an email and sometimes I don't."Where do I do that? And which shelf exactly is compared to the Giveaway list?
Thanx
It would be nice to be able to filter books by language or have language shelves to choose from.
What about the people who don't own Kindles but have other e-readers? And those people who live in places Amazon won't ship/sell to and therefore don't have an Amazon account?
Thanks as I'm going to throw a Giveaway by next weekend. :-):-)
I have been very lucky in that I have won quite a lot of books here. A lot have been authors I have never heard of. Some have been series that I have on my already bursting tbr list and yet others are just some of my favourite authors. I am so behind on reading them all! Some have been book I never would have thought of as something I would like. I have won some amazing books!
I used to enter a lot of GR #BookGiveaways, but rarely won any of them. I still enter a few here and there.Thanks for having the giveaways.
Jamie wrote: "I always wish that we got a notification on Goodreads when we win a book. I only add giveaway books to any of my shelves once I've won them, so that my shelves don't fill up with books I don't have..."There's an option to view the giveaways you've entered and a drop down menu you can use to filter just those that you've won.
Olivia "Don't Blame Me I Voted for Hillary" wrote: "I've had good luck with Goodreads giveaways. My tastes in books are quite broad and I enter to win anything that looks good. So I've won quite a few books."I've had pretty great luck this year as well. I enter every day and I'm open to lots of types. I have had a couple not show up though.
Hααℓєу♡ wrote: "Amber wrote: "I enter these but never win. would love to win one of the giveaways I enter for on here."Most give away are random, but publishers/ authors tend to pick people with lots of reviews...."
I don't really write reviews and I'm still winning. I think its pretty random.
I've been on Goodreads for 2.5 years now and have won about 140 books so far. I try and read and review them as quickly as I can but I have gotten a bit behind now as I'm reading other books as well as the books I've won. I've only had 6 books not turn up so far out of all the books I have won. I try and message the author if my book hasn't turned up and they sort it out.
Amanda wrote: "I often wished there was a way to go back to your previous page after entering a giveaway. For example, if you are looking at all of the memoirs and enter a giveaway for one, it would be nice to go..."Right click where is says "Enter Giveway", then click on "Open Link in New Tab." I had the same problem then I figured that out and haven't lost my place since.
What if you dont own a Kindle?? being discriminated against because we dont believe in Apple products?? I use a Kobo, I get notified about free books via BookBub onto my Kobo account.
Adrienne wrote: "What if you dont own a Kindle?? being discriminated against because we dont believe in Apple products?? I use a Kobo, I get notified about free books via BookBub onto my Kobo account."Kindles aren't made by Apple, they're made by Amazon. I have a Kindle Fire but I still prefer paper and binding books. We also use BookBub which is why our Kindles look like we should be on an episode of Hoarders. We have that many books.
Adrienne wrote: "What if you dont own a Kindle?? being discriminated against because we dont believe in Apple products?? I use a Kobo, I get notified about free books via BookBub onto my Kobo account."Both Kindle and GoodReads are owned by Amazon, therefore their "products" will be Kindle/Amazon based. One does not have to have a Kindle in order to enjoy the GoodReads site nor to enter for a book giveaway. What they are saying is that people can now specifically request an ebook for their Kindles instead of just paper.
katwiththehat wrote in message 21: "Kind of surprised there are so few Kindle books available. I would think that would be cheaper than sending out print books. Maybe there's something I'm missing."Although print giveaways have been around for a while, Kindle Giveaways are still a very new addition, which is likely why there are fewer offerings than expected, for now. Kindle giveaways are only available to select publishing partners, but other authors should be able to list Kindle ebook giveaways soon, though we have no exact date at this time. 😊
Sid wrote in message 20: "Considering that it's Kindle, something accessible electronically, does this mean that giveaways will not be restricted solely to the US? I understand that, for print versions, it's a lot more diff..."
Hi Sid! At the moment, Kindle giveaways are only available in the United States. Even though Kindle books are accessible electronically, there are still associated publication rights according to each country in which they're offered.
That said, print giveaways are available worldwide depending on where the giveaway creator (author, publisher etc.) has selected to offer them.
Amanda wrote: "I often wished there was a way to go back to your previous page after entering a giveaway. For example, if you are looking at all of the memoirs and enter a giveaway for one, it would be nice to go..."This is why I use tabs to apply to books for giveaways. Use your middle mouse button or right-click open new tab. That way you keep your place AND get to apply for the book you want.
Nyssa wrote: "I'd be excited about this if we were allowed to choose the shelf used to find out about the giveaways. I already own the books on my "Want to read" shelf, that's why they are there. The books I don..."I agree with wanting to have a way to indicate that I've already got the book versus needing get it. I've created my own shelves for this. My friends and I would like a way (the same coding) to know when a book would be good as a gift or if we might want to borrow it. WANT TO READ is only part of the sequence of events needing to happen.
Shaun wrote: "Hi Sid! At the moment, Kindle giveaways are only available in the United States. Even though Kindle books are accessible electronically, there are still associated..."Thanks very much for explaining. I had noticed several print giveaways available worldwide. Would it be possible then, to have an option to filter by that?
I know that this is a feature that might take a while to implement, but would it be possible to do so, later on? If such a thing already exists, I'm very sorry. I must have missed it.
Sid wrote in message 76: "Thanks very much for explaining. I had noticed several print giveaways available worldwide. Would it be possible then, to have an option to filter by that?"Good news! Giveaways are auto-filtered already by your country. For your convenience, only the giveaways available in your country (as set on your profile settings) will appear on the giveaway page.
I love the Giveaways! I've won about 25 in the last five years. Some have them have been truly amazing! Thanks for this great option, Goodreads.
I have entered about 100 giveaways in the MANY years I have been on this site. I never won anything. My husband entered 1 giveaway which he won. I don't get it. :: cries ::
Nevada wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I often wished there was a way to go back to your previous page after entering a giveaway. For example, if you are looking at all of the memoirs and enter a giveaway for one, it woul..."Use the backing up a page/undo button on your computer...
I would love it if the mobile app had a link to the giveaways. Will this be added in a future update? Right now, I have to rely on the emails. But sonetimes I just want to see what's available and don't want to hunt down an email to access the lists.
Amber wrote: "I enter these but never win. would love to win one of the giveaways I enter for on here."Hi Amber- I just joined goodreads and am excited to learn all the ins and outs. If you'd like to read my book, I will send you a copy. It's not actually winning a give away, but it's getting a book for free. So, we can count it as a win! Contact me however you feel comfortable. Through goodreads or on my website and I'll get it in the mail. Have a good day!
Danielle wrote: "I think audiobooks should be available as giveaways."There are audiobooks as giveaways. Just not a lot, I think. I've won one and entered a few.
Adrienne wrote: "What if you dont own a Kindle?? being discriminated against because we dont believe in Apple products?? I use a Kobo, I get notified about free books via BookBub onto my Kobo account."Amazon makes Kindle and now owns Goodreads so it makes sense to use their own products only. You can always download the free Kindle app on ANY device, even PC, and use that way. It's free to have an Amazon account as well.
Nyssa wrote: "I'd be excited about this if we were allowed to choose the shelf used to find out about the giveaways. I already own the books on my "Want to read" shelf, that's why they are there. The books I don..."I totally agree with this! My To Read shelf are books I own and haven't read yet. My Wishlist shelf is books I don't have yet. When I get notified of giveaways, they are books I already own. I would love to be able to choose the shelf used to find out about giveaways.
Betsy wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "I'd be excited about this if we were allowed to choose the shelf used to find out about the giveaways. I already own the books on my "Want to read" shelf, that's why they are there. T..."So switch your shelves. I don't see Goodreads changing that anytime soon. They only go off of 'Want to Read' and 'Read,' I believe. It's easier for you to change your shelves than Goodreads to change their whole algorithm.
I read only ebooks and the only giveaways available for my country are for paper-books (which I would have to give away again after reading them, because I don't have room for paper books).So I shouldn't feel so bad about the fact that I've never won anything.
Guess what? I do, anyway >:[
Elyse wrote: "I've won 26 since 2012. All physical books. It's so exciting to win! It does help your "odds" if you write reviews for books you've read and not just rate them. And especially reviews for books y..."
I have a query. Firstly congratulations on winning so many books. Unfortunately my luck is not so good. I've been trying Giveaways of Goodreads for over a year. I've rated and reviewed books. I try and stay active on my account for over an hour or two. I've used polls, quizzes, I've liked quotes and added lots of books in my want to read list that I genuinely want to read but I've lost all of the giveaways. Do you know the reason for my failing luck??
Sara wrote: "Elyse wrote: "I've won 26 since 2012. All physical books. It's so exciting to win! It does help your "odds" if you write reviews for books you've read and not just rate them. And especially revie..."
It's honestly just random, I believe. I've entered thousands over the past 5 years and only won 26. I don't think actual Goodreads activity counts for anything. Goodreads says winning is absolutely random so there's just no "tips" to give!
Laura wrote in message 88: "And can I filter by language?"You'll be unable to filter giveaways by language at present — sorry Laura! I'll let our developers know you want this though.
Elyse wrote: "Sara wrote: "Elyse wrote: "I've won 26 since 2012. All physical books. It's so exciting to win! It does help your "odds" if you write reviews for books you've read and not just rate them. And esp..."
Activity counts so does randomness apparently. It's stated in Goodreads Giveaway's terms and conditions.
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
Ulla wrote: "Amber wrote: "I enter these but never win. would love to win one of the giveaways I enter for on here."I've won twice so far. Wishing you good luck. One time will be your time!"
Thanks Ulla. Keeping my fingers crossed for one of them. We'll see what happens though. I entered for and the All's Faire in Middle School book recently. I'll just enter them and forget about them.
and thanks T.L. I will think about it.
I run a book club on here called the Reading for Pleasure book club and have had two publishing companies contact me recently about reading their clients books for consideration for it and one was sent in the mail which was cool which was The Young Widower's Handbookand I found the other at my local library so I am lucky that they ask me about that even though I nominate them and its the members that vote for our fiction group reads so sometimes the books I nominate wins the poll but sometimes it doesn't.
Sara wrote: Activity counts so does randomness apparently. It's stated in Goodreads Giveaway's terms and conditions.https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
That's an old post from 2013 that describes the way they used to do it. The terms have changed since then, and now the giveaways page says, "Winners are picked randomly at the end of the giveaway."
If I remember right, it changed around 2014 or 2015.
As someone who reviews 50+ books a year, I wish it was still based at least a little on activity. ;) But getting those freebies was nice while it lasted.
Good grief. Having seen race riots, inequality of pay for women, people lose jobs and their apartments for being gay, religious wars, immigrants being treated like dirt for being "different" and various other forms of ostracism or favoritism based on things people can't change or control, we now have people whining about being "discriminated against" because they choose not to download a free app so they can get free books. That is not discrimination. That's a choice.
It's not even a valid complaint for technology reasons. Kindle is not an Apple product. Both the Kindle App and the Kindle hardware are Amazon product. The Kindle app works on damn near any hardware and platform. Since Goodreads is owned by Amazon, it makes business sense they would push Kindle e-books over other e-book formats.
Sarah wrote: "I've been doing these things for about 4 years and still haven't won a giveaway."Agree with you and others - I always write reviews on GR and Amazon and never win - like over 7 years I won 1 book and it took 3 moths and 11 emails to finally get it!
Meanwhile others win every week.
T.L. wrote: "Amber wrote: "I enter these but never win. would love to win one of the giveaways I enter for on here."Hi Amber- I just joined goodreads and am excited to learn all the ins and outs. If you'd lik..."
This is really sweet. I hope she takes you up on your offer.
Donna wrote: "Sara wrote: Activity counts so does randomness apparently. It's stated in Goodreads Giveaway's terms and conditions.https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog......"
Ohh that's unfortunate! Thank you for the info!!
Ruthie wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I've been doing these things for about 4 years and still haven't won a giveaway."Agree with you and others - I always write reviews on GR and Amazon and never win - like over 7 year..."
I know! I've seen people post that they've only been on GR for a year and have won 140 books, like that doesn't sound random to me.
Hi all! I'd like to confirm that giveaway winner selection is completely random in order to give every member a fair chance. There's no minimum or maximum time between one win and the next either. Your odds of winning any one giveaway vary depending on the number of copies being given away and the number of people entering the giveaway. Some readers may increase their chance of winning by entering every giveaway available, but I'd like to encourage you to only enter giveaways you're interested in.
Shaun wrote: "Hi all! I'd like to confirm that giveaway winner selection is completely random in order to give every member a fair chance. There's no minimum or maximum time between one win and the next either. ..."Thank you for the clarification, Shaun!
Jennifer wrote: "T.L. wrote: "Amber wrote: "I enter these but never win. would love to win one of the giveaways I enter for on here."Hi Amber- I just joined goodreads and am excited to learn all the ins and outs...."
Jennifer- I would gladly send you one too. :) Although, someone told me that it's not done "like that" on here...made my actions seem highly uncouth. I plead ignorance and being new- two very wonderful characteristics when attempting to be "nice." Take care!
There's one more question/complaint I have regarding giveaways: Why are some giveaways for GB (or some other country outside the US) only? You'd think that since Goodreads is an American website all giveaways would be available to Americans--as they should.
Olivia "Don't Blame Me I Voted for Hillary" wrote: "There's one more question/complaint I have regarding giveaways: Why are some giveaways for GB (or some other country outside the US) only? You'd think that since Goodreads is an American website al..."I believe whoever holds the giveaway has full control over where they can/will send the book. So it all depends on where THEY are located. Goodreads itself doesn't put on the giveaways. Publishers and authors, sometimes bloggers, actually do the giveaways.
