mith
asked
Elise Kova:
Hi, I had a question about ARCs--while I read your answer on it about EE, i was wondering if you just send ARCs to specifically bloggers, or reviewers on GR/Amazon/etc in general. I know a few authors who do ARC distributions via a newsletter/contact list and require reviews of books in the series (assuming there have been more than one in the series) I was wondering if you had anything similar to that?
Elise Kova
Cookie, I think I understand your question, but if I don't please follow up via reply and I'll be happy to elaborate on anything I miss...
When I have ARCs to send out I will make a Google form and post it on my website. Then, for a few weeks, I will make lots of announcements on my social media that it's up there for any who are interested in applying for an ARC.
After I close applications I look through everyone's submissions. I look for things like: social reach, quality/depth of reviews, quality of website, if they're willing to accept a digital ARC or not, and past experience working with me. Now, all that being said, there is no specific "If you have XXXX many followers on Instagram you get an ARC" to my system. Sometimes, I choose to work with people who are just getting their start because I can tell their serious and enthusiastic and really trying to put their best foot forward. As a debut indie author, I know how hard it is to get people to even give you the time of day. So if I can help someone else, I want to. And that's why I encourage everyone to at least apply for an ARC when I have an open call - you never know!
But, there is no "secret newsletter" or "special club" to get ARCs, just those forms.
Now, what I think is the other part of your question... Do people have to read/review the prior books in Air Awakens?
I think this is something in flux in my process. For the second book, I'm on the fence. Because the second book in a series can often times make or break that series for a person, especially in high-fantasy where world building and character development takes some time. So I think someone could be so-so on the first book and really enjoy the series after that (depending on what it is they didn't like).
However, for later books - like three and four - I think if you hated the first two it's safe to say you'll hate subsequent books (which is fine! Not every book is for every person). I'm all about receiving honest reviews and sometimes those aren't all positive. But, I don't want to send someone something that we can be confident they'll dislike :)
When I have ARCs to send out I will make a Google form and post it on my website. Then, for a few weeks, I will make lots of announcements on my social media that it's up there for any who are interested in applying for an ARC.
After I close applications I look through everyone's submissions. I look for things like: social reach, quality/depth of reviews, quality of website, if they're willing to accept a digital ARC or not, and past experience working with me. Now, all that being said, there is no specific "If you have XXXX many followers on Instagram you get an ARC" to my system. Sometimes, I choose to work with people who are just getting their start because I can tell their serious and enthusiastic and really trying to put their best foot forward. As a debut indie author, I know how hard it is to get people to even give you the time of day. So if I can help someone else, I want to. And that's why I encourage everyone to at least apply for an ARC when I have an open call - you never know!
But, there is no "secret newsletter" or "special club" to get ARCs, just those forms.
Now, what I think is the other part of your question... Do people have to read/review the prior books in Air Awakens?
I think this is something in flux in my process. For the second book, I'm on the fence. Because the second book in a series can often times make or break that series for a person, especially in high-fantasy where world building and character development takes some time. So I think someone could be so-so on the first book and really enjoy the series after that (depending on what it is they didn't like).
However, for later books - like three and four - I think if you hated the first two it's safe to say you'll hate subsequent books (which is fine! Not every book is for every person). I'm all about receiving honest reviews and sometimes those aren't all positive. But, I don't want to send someone something that we can be confident they'll dislike :)
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more