Carole’s Comments (group member since Oct 19, 2016)

Carole’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

I will no longer review books.

Hi- I just got this note in my email

Hi Carole,

We're reaching out because several of your recent comments were flagged by Goodreads members. To clarify, incentivized reviews of any kind are prohibited on the site, and review swaps that fall into this category break our rules. This might include implicit agreements between authors to exchange positive reviews, or agreements to exchange a 5-star rating for a 5-star rating.

We hope this information is helpful, but please let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
The Goodreads Team


I"D LIKE TO KNOW who is perceiving me as trying to swap reviews and therefore questioning my integrity?

That's a scary cover-

lol

I've done the Goodreads Giveaways- they aren't worth it. It's much better on Amazon or do a Rafflecopter and get followers.

I sent my kids books to this reviewer- she does a Kids Korner thing- Look her up and write her. She has also reviewed my son's books as well.

http://fuonlyknew.com/2017/11/27/my-m...

If you do a press release- you may get more reviewers.

You put a sticker on it or a notice that says ARC Advanced Reader Copy with errors or something like that. So- they know it's not the finished copy.

Voted and shared!!

Erica wrote: "That is frustrating...I wonder if they are trying to weed out Indies. When does this start? It mentions an introductory timeline, but has it started yet?"

I'm feeling that way too, Erica. It's like they are cutting us off at the knees.

Thanks, guys- I learn so much from all of you- really. I think we are all an amazing group of authors. I don't get the secrecy on the other threads. If you have something that might help- you have to share. That's how I built my business. I never had a brochure, salesperson, or marketing plan. We built it by word of mouth and by the advice of the people we were servicing. Their generosity helped me feed my family. I just carry that model in everything I do.

Conny is a great reviewer! Take a look at her blog, she's reviewed and done giveaways with all of my books. Also, all of the people who won books write reviews about them. She has a terrific and active following.
I have paid Conny to proofread for me and she does an excellent job at affordable prices.

Aww- thanks, Anita. You make me feel more special than I am. I am just following the templet of the movie studios. I try to imitate what they do on a small scale.

I can't keep track of it all. As soon as I learn one thing, they come up with another new media thing to learn!! The one my son and assistant think are the best is Snap-chat. I think Twitter has turned into a big advertisement. The publisher of my son's book said people turn off if all you do is blast your books. I don't know- our audiences are growing. I find Facebook keeps my son's book selling. I find bloggers work for me better.

I would book a bunch of blog tours - google Monsterland by Michael Okon- they are just ending now- the books was released Oct 13. I started some of them the first week of October- I did at least six - it brought a ton of reviews. I send out a mail chimp to our mailing list with a giveaway and the offer of an ARC. We got over a hundred replies- Mind you, this book was released two years earlier and has over 188 reviews I think already- So, many people were reading it over.
If the book was indie- I'd send an arc to Kirkus, Foreword, and Readers' Favorite.

I send a care package with arcs to about 100 colleges- the school newspaper- the arts and entertainment editor.

I started posting teasers on Facebook. I got him onto about four podcasts. I ran contests-

I did street teams, I'm sure I did more- I have to think. It was last month, after all. lol

Ted is 100% right! But it sure is fun and feels great when you get an award. It does validate your writing, I think. Even if it's just for you.

Amy! You have to start saying- I am expecting to win something and you will!!!

Listen, they campaign for Oscar wins. Very often the people who win are the ones backed by the richest studios or have huge publicity campaigns- Harvey Weinstein, anyone???

I have seen many books and movies for that matter, that I couldn't explain how they won awards. It's the way of the world.
Foreword Review is a great place to start. Al Galasso may not have an "important" contest (NABE)- BUT he'll put you in his display for booksellers everywhere to see your book.
IndieReader gets your book into the Huffington Post if you win. Reader's Views has a huge following. Moonbeam has the prettiest awards and and medal that they give you. Shelf Unbound goes to libraries and bookseller. Readers' Favorite gives a great editorial review as well.

Thanks, Denise!!! I am publishing an article on Medium I think on Thursday or Friday that is similar.