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Archived Author Help > General Goodreads Site Questions

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message 101: by Quoleena (new)

Quoleena Sbrocca (qjsbrocca) Christina wrote: "I happened to notice the other day that the number of entries on my previous giveaways are slowly trickling away."

Ah, that explains it. I was wondering why that was happening. I thought it was due to people removing it from their to-read shelves, though there's that, too.


message 102: by Garen (new)

Garen Glazier (garenglazier) | 4 comments Garen wrote: "Hello! I am so happy to have found this group. This is my first post. I have a question about disappearing reviews. I've received two ratings so far and they were showing up at the top of my novel ..."

Thanks for the suggestions! I ended up contacting Goodreads and they sent me the following response:

Thank you for reporting this to us, and I apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused! This issue is a known bug that our developers are currently working to fix. We'll be sure to keep you updated on our progress.


message 103: by Jerri (new)

Jerri Blair (jerriblair) | 2 comments Is there a place on Goodreads where it is appropriate for an author to announce that their book will be available for free on Amazon at a particular time?


message 104: by Riley, Viking Extraordinaire (new)

Riley Amos Westbrook (sonshinegreene) | 1521 comments Mod
Not officially, though there are places to list them within groups such as this one. Check out our kindle countdown folder. (Make sure to read the read me file and post correctly or the post will be deleted.)


message 105: by Murugesan (new)

Murugesan Ramaswamy | 3 comments Hi Team,
Greetings,
This is about POD in India.
My non fiction ebook going well in amazon India. Createspace print format not selling at all. The reason could be delivery time which is average 4 weeks.
Is there any solution to reduce this to 2 or 3 days.
Can I use other POD service like lulu.
Members, please advise.


message 106: by [deleted user] (new)

Lulu is a good option, and easy to do. I use Lulu for hardcovers, paperbacks, and ebooks.


message 107: by Victoria (new)

Victoria Randall | 6 comments Question about Goodreads Giveaways:
if this is the wrong spot please let me know, but I can't find a place for questions about the Giveaways.
Has anyone any information on whether it's better to offer a giveaway of two books together at once,(like a series) or one at a time? Wondering if anyone would bother to request Book Two of a series, if they hadn't read Book One.


message 108: by Riley, Viking Extraordinaire (new)

Riley Amos Westbrook (sonshinegreene) | 1521 comments Mod
You would probably get a better response, just because there are multiple books, yes.


message 109: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 790 comments Victoria wrote: "Question about Goodreads Giveaways:
if this is the wrong spot please let me know, but I can't find a place for questions about the Giveaways.
Has anyone any information on whether it's better to o..."


I get what your saying, rather than offer multiple copies of the same book you'd be offering two books in the series in one Giveaway. Hmm..that is a good question. I don't see why you couldn't although I have a feeling Goodreads would suggest you running two separate giveaways, which of course defies the whole purpose of an author getting both copies.


message 110: by Victoria (new)

Victoria Randall | 6 comments Giveaways suggested I list one book in a Giveaway and then in the comments mention TWO BOOKS, One and Two. So that's what I've done. I've seen others do that.


message 111: by Kat (new)

Kat Do we really have to have the group rules in that yellow box whenever we make a comment now?
It covers the discussion and I can't see the comment I'm replying to, and the box stays open after I've sent my comment.


message 112: by Tim (new)

Tim Schaefer | 27 comments I'm running two Goodreads ads for my book, but even though it lists hundreds of "views," I have never actually observed any of the ads running anywhere on Goodreads, other than the samples I was provided. Does anyone have any tips as to how I can find these ads to make sure they are being seen?


message 113: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Kat wrote: "Do we really have to have the group rules in that yellow box whenever we make a comment now?
It covers the discussion and I can't see the comment I'm replying to, and the box stays open after I've ..."


Yes. We are now more than 4000 members and we have had to delete quite a few nonsupportive posts. I understand why it might be a bit frustrating, but Ann set up a negativity free zone with this group and we will do what we need to enforce this policy.


message 114: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Tim wrote: "I'm running two Goodreads ads for my book, but even though it lists hundreds of "views," I have never actually observed any of the ads running anywhere on Goodreads, other than the samples I was pr..."

Hi Tim,
You may want to send an inquiry to the Goodreads marketing team for this. If you don't get a direct answer, you might check the Marketing and Promo folder to see if anyone has had any experience with running ads.


message 115: by Tim (new)

Tim Schaefer | 27 comments Christina wrote: "Tim wrote: "I'm running two Goodreads ads for my book, but even though it lists hundreds of "views," I have never actually observed any of the ads running anywhere on Goodreads, other than the samp..."

Christina wrote: "Tim wrote: "I'm running two Goodreads ads for my book, but even though it lists hundreds of "views," I have never actually observed any of the ads running anywhere on Goodreads, other than the samp..."

Thanks, Christina. I'll look into that. Has anyone who has run ads before encountered this same issue?


message 116: by Anthony Deeney (new)

Anthony Deeney | 437 comments Murugesan wrote: "Hi Team,
Greetings,
This is about POD in India.
My non fiction ebook going well in amazon India. Createspace print format not selling at all. The reason could be delivery time which is average 4 we..."


I can order my book in the UK "next day" in paperback if I pay premium post and order early enough, but still, I sell VERY FEW paperbacks. I guess that people are not going to put out £9 UK $12.99 US for an unknown indie author.

I don't mind at all, because the paperback copies have higher costs and I make about the same per download. Anyway, People actually say they have read my book, not "Ihave read your file,!"


message 117: by Tony (last edited Nov 30, 2015 07:18AM) (new)

Tony Skye (tonycskye) | 90 comments Tim wrote: "Christina wrote: "Tim wrote: "I'm running two Goodreads ads for my book, but even though it lists hundreds of "views," I have never actually observed any of the ads running anywhere on Goodreads, o..."

As a side note: all the ads I ever see are generally related to the genres Goodreads believes is geared to my reading interests. For example, I see advertisements for paranormal, horror, vamp, and werewolf books a lot because I read in that genre more than the others. It may all be coincidence, but this is my experience. I can say, however, if I come to the Goodreads home page without being logged in I see more ads for the other genres. Again, this might be coincidence. As Christina pointed out, contacting the advertising department is the best way to inquire about this.


message 118: by Anthony Deeney (last edited Nov 30, 2015 07:19AM) (new)

Anthony Deeney | 437 comments Christina wrote: "Yes. We are now more than 4000 members and we have had to delete quite a few nonsupportive posts. I understand why it might be a bit frustrating, but Ann set up a negativity free zone with this group and we will do what we need to enforce this policy.

It will not go away!

No, it's gone. I'm OK.


message 119: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Anthony wrote: "It will not go away!

No, it's gone. I'm OK. "


Nope. Check the chat from last night. It was decided that we need the rules to pop up on all posts.


message 120: by Jerri (new)

Jerri Blair (jerriblair) | 2 comments Christina wrote: "Tim wrote: "I'm running two Goodreads ads for my book, but even though it lists hundreds of "views," I have never actually observed any of the ads running anywhere on Goodreads, other than the samp..."
I've never seen my Goodreads ad running anywhere. I've always assumed it was because it ran when I wasn't looking. Does Goodreads run ads using a method similar to Amazon?


message 121: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Again, it's best to take the questions about ads to the Marketing and Promo folder where it can be discussed at length. This thread is for questions one might ask a Goodreads librarian (as the OP is).


message 122: by Colette (new)

Colette Obrien (goodreadscomuser_coletteobrien) I have a new blog and need a recommendation for a place like technorati to list it. Since they are no more, where should I go?


message 123: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Hi Colette,
You'll want to ask your question in the Marketing & Promotions folder. This thread is specifically for questions regarding the Goodreads site (like changing account info, updating books, changing viewing preferences, etc)


message 124: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 790 comments Hey Everyone,
Not sure if this has been asked already but..

How do you insert a clickable title link into your author profile? Like one where a word is highlighted and underlined and when you click it brings you to another page.

Does it envolve html or some kind of code?


message 125: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Hi Justin, I just checked and yes, you would use the html tag a href="url.com" and /a (with brackets and the word you want linked, of course)


message 126: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 790 comments Christina wrote: "Hi Justin, I just checked and yes, you would use the html tag a href="url.com" and /a (with brackets and the word you want linked, of course)"

So how exactly would it look? I'm not entirely sure how to do that on here lol.


message 127: by Christina (last edited Dec 04, 2015 01:49PM) (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Okay, this is a tough one because if I show the tags exact, they'll just end up linking, so do everything below exact except swap the [] brackets with the <> brackets. (Also, if you click on the (some html is ok) link above the comment box you can see this done properly:

[a href="www.myurl.com"] words you would like linked[/a]

I hope that makes sense. :)


message 128: by Tony (last edited Dec 04, 2015 01:52PM) (new)

Tony Skye (tonycskye) | 90 comments Justin wrote: "Christina wrote: "Hi Justin, I just checked and yes, you would use the html tag a href="url.com" and /a (with brackets and the word you want linked, of course)"

So how exactly would it look? I'm n..."


Hello Justin. When commenting like now, there is a place called (some html is ok). Click that and you will find the a href tag for links. Just copy that code, change the link address to what you want, and then change the text between the pointing arrows >< and you're all good. Copy all the code after "link:" and stop after "[/a]" (use arrows instead of brackets, as Christina pointed out)


message 129: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 790 comments Great, thanks! (:


message 130: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Rukaiyah wrote: "I've looked everywhere for help on how to post an excerpt of my book, for readers to download. I can't figure out how to do it. Any help would be appreciated."

On your author dashboard, under each book's stats you have a link that says 'add preview.' If you click there, it will give you instructions on how to upload a pdf preview.


message 131: by Monica (new)

Monica Smith (terrylynsmith) | 6 comments I was building my author website on Amazon and wanted to link my Goodreads blog to it. Is this possible?


message 132: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Monica wrote: "I was building my author website on Amazon and wanted to link my Goodreads blog to it. Is this possible?"

Hi Monica. Yes, if you have an author profile set up here on Goodreads, your dashboard will give you the option to link your blog through RSS feed. If you've not yet set up an author profile, you will need to do this first since only authors can have Goodreads blogs.


message 133: by Monica (new)

Monica Smith (terrylynsmith) | 6 comments @Christina, thank you so much. Without you, I would have never figured that out.

Another question: If i post to my blog on goodreads, it will show up on authorcentral?


message 134: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) You have to connect it on Author Central separately. There, I just think it requires the url, but don't quote me on that. ;)


message 135: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Hi Rukaiyah. My answer is still here in commwnt #132. Just go to your author dashboard and you will see the add preview link under your books.


message 136: by Riley, Viking Extraordinaire (new)

Riley Amos Westbrook (sonshinegreene) | 1521 comments Mod
And don't forget, if you want to attatch your blog to giodreads you need to do it by adding your RSS feed to your author account.


message 137: by Riley, Viking Extraordinaire (new)

Riley Amos Westbrook (sonshinegreene) | 1521 comments Mod
Go to your dashboard, scroll until you see pending question, scroll just a little more and click "view questions asked". That should pull all your questions up. Then you just find the one you haven't answered.


message 138: by Sheri-Lynn (new)

Sheri-Lynn Marean (sheri-lynnmarean) | 46 comments Hello, I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but couldn't find anywhere else to ask. It is about the Givaways
I noticed it said, hardcover, paperback, CD, or audio cassette in terms and conditions, would a flashdrive work? it is still a physical copy....thanks


message 139: by Christina (new)

Christina McMullen (cmcmullen) Sheri-Lynn wrote: "Hello, I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but couldn't find anywhere else to ask. It is about the Givaways
I noticed it said, hardcover, paperback, CD, or audio cassett..."


Hi Sheri-Lynn. I imagine not, as it is not physical media, but you would want to get clarification from Goodreads customer service as this is not a question that members or librarians would be able to answer definitively.


message 140: by Ian (new)

Ian Alexander (ianshumor) | 8 comments Hello all,

I'm completely new to the Goodreads community and I'm hoping to get some help on a question:

I've recently published a graphic novel ebook called "Nature vs. Nurture: The Cameron Case Study" and I can't find it through a title search. How can I add my title to the Goodreads database? Google has been unhelpful if you can believe it!

Here is a link to my book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nature-vs-Nurtu...

Thanks in advance for any help!
www.ianshumor.blogspot.com


message 141: by Garen (new)

Garen Glazier (garenglazier) | 4 comments I have a question that has been bothering me for awhile. I hope this is the appropriate thread to post it on. I am a Goodreads author and an avid reader. Since putting my book up on Goodreads though I've been having second thoughts about rating other books by authors on the site. Is it bad form to rate/review other authors, especially if it isn't good? Is it possible to separate your regular user profile from your author profile when rating and adding books? Is it necessary to do so or am I just over analyzing? Thanks in advance for the help.


message 142: by Riley, Viking Extraordinaire (new)

Riley Amos Westbrook (sonshinegreene) | 1521 comments Mod
Garen wrote: "I have a question that has been bothering me for awhile. I hope this is the appropriate thread to post it on. I am a Goodreads author and an avid reader. Since putting my book up on Goodreads thoug..."

Hey Garen, I do reviews on Goodreads all the time, and I'm in a ton of groups with other reviewers, and one thing that seems true across all of them is, "It's up to you."
I know people that post reviews, no matter what they thought of the book. Even if they only read the first word, decide never to pick it up again, they put that in a review. It just is what it is.
However, I also know others that state they won't rate a book unless they can give it three stars. These people tend to be pickier in the books they choose, and they try to find ones that fit their style of reading.
I'm personally of the 2nd type. I figure if I really have an issue with another authors work, and they're open to talking, I'll leave it for them in a private message, so they at least get my views for what did or didn't work for me in a story.
And as an author, I'm in the camp of, I would rather have your feedback than not. My very first review ever was a DNF 1 star review, but it made me a better writer.


message 143: by [deleted user] (new)

If the review is honest, it isn't bad form. But the trouble with being an author on Goodreads, and giving bad reviews because the book was bad, is that some authors are not as noble as others about bad reviews. I've never experienced it, but I've heard horror stories about the recipient of a bad review retaliating against the reviewing author's book. Sometimes they get their friends to do the same, and then you end up with a ton of 1-star reviews on your book by people who never read it. If I buy a bad book on Amazon, I confine my bad reviews to Amazon because there you can remain anonymous.

The bottom line is, just be careful.


message 144: by Ellen (new)

Ellen Ekstrom (grammatica1066) | 63 comments Ken wrote: "If the review is honest, it isn't bad form. But the trouble with being an author on Goodreads, and giving bad reviews because the book was bad, is that some authors are not as noble as others about..."

This is the best advice you can give a novice to the world of online book clubs and services.


message 145: by Mimi (new)

Mimi Marten | 54 comments I agree with Ken. You should be able to be honest, but not everyone in the world /including authors/ has integrity.

If I really dislike a book, I don't post the review. And it's not out of fear of retaliation, but because I don't want to harm anyone's potential sales or success. I only post 3 stars and up. Call me a wuss. :-)))


message 146: by Garen (new)

Garen Glazier (garenglazier) | 4 comments Thank you for the responses! I appreciate it. I think leaving 3 stars and up reviews only is a good policy.


message 147: by E.P. (new)

E.P. | 57 comments Hi All! Is it possible to link my Goodreads reviews (reviews I give of other books) to my blog page? I have a Wordpress.com site with a static front page and a separate blog page and I would like my reviews to be posted onto my blog lag when I post them on Goodreads. It appears to be possible but my original attempt ended in failure. Any tips would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Elena


message 148: by Pam (new)

Pam Baddeley | 153 comments Not sure - there's some html text at the side when you post a review on GR that can be used on blogs but it isn't automatic; you'd have to copy/paste it into the blog post. Maybe someone else can advise a better method.


message 149: by Andrew (new)

Andrew (whatmatters) | 124 comments Andrew wrote: "Help with GR 'read preview'

1) With the GR 'read preview' the chapters are 'justified left', instead of being centered.
2) Marcie: [followed by dialog] should be bold Marcie as well as the other c..."


Update: Problem resolved! Thank you GR team.


message 150: by Mezbauddin (new)

Mezbauddin Mahtab | 3 comments Hi. Does anyone know how to add your own books to a list? There's some book lists that have to do with LEGO and religion (really a unique type). My three books fall into that genre and I cannot add them to the list as they are my books.

Thanks.


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