THE Group for Authors! discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
General Discussion
>
Listopia: can I suggest my own book?
date
newest »
newest »
From what I understand, no. It's not a good idea at all. I asked a similar question months ago and I was told it is poor etiquette for an author to do this. Perhaps because it would mean some authors will flood their books in the wrong lists, over vote their books, etc.
Ok, thanks. I think in the process of trying to figure it out, I opened the window and then canceled until I could get a ruling. But it may have glitched. On my books page it says it is listed ( though I didn't list it) but its not on the list if you look at the list's page. Ah well
Adding it to one or two lists in which in clearly fits is not a violation of Goodreads policy. It may be inadvisable it terms of perception among potential readers, though, as Megan says.John, your book is indeed on a list, at position 59. But it's an appropriate list, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.
The problematic situations are when authors add their books to dozens and dozens of lists, some of which it doesn't belong on at all. Or get some of their friends to do so. Users DO notice this sort of thing, and they will complain to Support and shelve the books in question negatively.
Thanks rivka I guess my canceling of the window didn't work. My apologies. But if its no problem ill just leave it. That was the only list I wanted it on anyhow. I'm endeavouring to try to not run afoul of ettiquette. Lol.
No apology necessary. Voting for your book on a single appropriate list shouldn't ruffle too many feathers.
I do this sometimes (guiltyyyy). I try to only vote on lists related to topic, and not quality (i.e. 'best of' lists). Some indie lists are sorted by sale price, so if your book is really cheap you might want to put them on the $2.99 or under, $1.99 and under lists, as those are really helpful to people who are on a budget but still want to read.
I was wondering about this. Much of what I write is Alternate History and it would be a perfectly logical fit to add it to an Alternate History list, but not doing it myself, I worry about asking my friends to add it (because that seems to be me by proxy) but if neither me nor anyone who knows it exists add it, how is it going to get added so that people know it is out there?
If the book fits the list then there should be no problem with you adding it. It is only when the books are added to lists that they do not fit the criteria for where problems start.
Thanks. I'll have a look to doing it tomorrow with one.
Think of lists as rich metadata about your book. If your book takes place in Maine, you're helping readers by adding it to a list called "Books That Take Place in Maine." What I would avoid is adding it to lists that make a qualitative statement ("Best Books of 2013") or, as others have stated, lists that are inappropriate for the genre, category, or subject matter of your book.
Hi there, totally new to this group and joined it because of this particular thread. Very interesting. I most likely won't try to post my book on Listopia because it seems to be breaking some kind of unwritten etiquette rule. Authors won't do it because it might make them look bad. But a part from spamming Listopia with one's book, isn't it a sign of healthy confidence? I think, if we believe what we spent our time and effort on would be enjoyed by others, why not put our book on listopia. I mean, we didn't publish our books to hide it. and lets face it, as self publishers it gets out there first by us. Nobody does this for us. So if we believe in what we created, why not stand behind it, put it on an appropriate list and dare I say vote for it? Again, I haven't put mine on a list. but I'm starting to rethink that. it's just a shame to think that someone would shelf an author's book negatively because he/she put it on listopia, rather than appreciating that the author believes in his/her work. Sorry for the rant. :D
I listed mine! If we can't stand behind our own books...who will? Just my opinion :)
totally agree Dorothy. it would be like creating a painting and then hanging it in the closet.
I listed mine. Maybe it was wrong but so far no one has flagged and/or flogged me. :)
Well, there are different kinds of lists. Some are 'best of' type lists, which I suppose could be seen as promotional or bragging if you list your own. Others, though, are 'books about X' lists. If you have a book about giraffes, I don't see the problem with listing it in a 'books about giraffes' list, so people looking for books about giraffes will know that it exists.
You can but you come up as the one who added it and could look conceited.
K.A. wrote: "Well, there are different kinds of lists. Some are 'best of' type lists, which I suppose could be seen as promotional or bragging if you list your own. Others, though, are 'books about X' lists. If...":D I like that K.A. not sure if my book would work in a giraffe list. lol. but i'll look to see if there is a list about dogs.
I believe there are several "dog" lists.
John wrote: "been trying to find out where the rule is on this, but haven't seen it.I want to add my book to independent authors/short stories, but I also don't want to do it if that's not kosher.
please advi..."
As a user who likes to make lists for my own use and the use of others, here's the way I feel. I don't object if an author adds their book to a list for which it clearly fits the category. I do object if I can see they have spammed numerous lists with their book and only their book, and/or have gotten their surrogates to do so. I also object if they put it on a list where it doesn't fit the list criteria.
One suggestion: I usually feel better about an author or their surrogates putting their book on the list if they will take the time and make the effort to vote on several books in addition to their own. I know that lowers the score on their own book a little, but it does come across a lot better, IMO.
yeah, interesting, I post my book to an appropriate list, but in the end, it just didn't feel right, so I removed it.
Patrick wrote: "Think of lists as rich metadata about your book. If your book takes place in Maine, you're helping readers by adding it to a list called "Books That Take Place in Maine." What I would avoid is addi..."This sounds intriguing! I've thought about creating a list about where I grew up, and since my book takes place there, I was going to add my book plus other books or authors related to my hometown. It would be like a shout-out to my old home's authors and books. But will this violate any guidelines? It won't be a "Best of...", just a way for readers to find our books and also nod to other authors from where I used to live. I also don't want to be flammed for doing so, so I'm not sure how to properly do this.
Megan wrote: "Patrick wrote: "Think of lists as rich metadata about your book. If your book takes place in Maine, you're helping readers by adding it to a list called "Books That Take Place in Maine." What I wou..."I don't see any way that could be wrong. Besides, it's fun to make that kind of list, so go for it!
Can someone please tell me where to find these lists. I can't find one suitable for short stories.
John wrote: "been trying to find out where the rule is on this, but haven't seen it.I want to add my book to independent authors/short stories, but I also don't want to do it if that's not kosher.
please advi..."
You can do it if you want but if my experience is anything to go by it is not gonna help. Tried it already. You need MORE people to be voting for your book into the same list, my friend. That means you need to call upon your friends, parents, uncles, aunts, ex-, and so on...:-)
Dorothy wrote: "I listed mine! If we can't stand behind our own books...who will? Just my opinion :)"I agree & have listed mine. I did take the time to vote for others while visiting the list. It's all part of the way it works in the end. If people are not happy with me putting my book there then I guess they won't vote for it.
I added my book my book to more than one list, I think three, maybe four. The lists were appropriate for the genre of my book. Did I feel sheepish? Yes, of course! I wish someone else would add or vote on my book, but they have to know about it first, I guess. I have had some good reviews, but I'm not certain why readers didn't add the book to a list. Who can know these things? I will say that each list says Anyone Can Add Books To This List. I'm certainly Anyone. Also, you can vote for up to 100 books. I try to adhere to my own standards: I add other books, not just my own. I vote on other books liberally. I also join discussion groups on topics about books I have read and have an opinion about. I review or rate books I have read. It's not All About Me World. So with that said, I feel like I'm a participant in the Goodreads movement.
I was a Goodreads member long before my book was published. I love books and I love discussing them. I was a reviewer long before I was a writer, so as such I continue to review, but, hopefully my reviews are tempered by what I now know and feel as a writer.
I don't like spam or a constant barrage of Buy My Book! It doesn't work. Connections with real people is what this is all about. So...therefore, I added my book to a few lists. I believe it's a personal choice, but shouldn't be viewed as conceited, or spammy if done in the right spirit. I should just end this, but that's my two cents on the matter. I hope I didn't make anyone mad.
Jan wrote: "Can someone please tell me where to find these lists. I can't find one suitable for short stories."You can create your own list if you can't find a list on your topic. Goodreads will inform you if there is a duplicate list.
Click on the little arrow next to Explore. At the top are tabs you can click. One of them is Create a List. Happy listing!
Paula wrote: "If the book fits the list then there should be no problem with you adding it. It is only when the books are added to lists that they do not fit the criteria for where problems start."A single vote for the book on an appropriate list or two is way different than the jerks who try to game the system with a flood of voting campaigns and even fake accounts to add votes ...
Readers who use the listopias also sneer when they see a "my book is #whatever on goodreads list of best book evuh" type of promotions because they realize that none of the lists are goodreads lists and rather just a list generated by one member that might have only three people using/voiting or might have thousands.
Perception can be a slippery slope. Be very careful to read listopia criteria and too much activity on the listopias can be seen as gaming the system (against TOS) and can lead to consumer boycott of your book.
The amount of crap and how busy the librarians are kept cleaning crap off inappropriate lists and staff hours spent removing spamming/gaming/voting-campaign/fake-account crap has really made it a sensitive subject for many, many, many goodreaders when an author uses their listopias for what they see as commercial purposes or spamming/gaming the system.
Marlowe wrote: "...That means you need to call upon your friends, parents, uncles, aunts, ex-, and so on...:-) ...."Which readers interpret as gaming the system and they will then try to get your book removed from the listopia based on suspicious activity and/or not meeting criteria.
Gordon wrote: "...So if we believe in what we created, why not stand behind it, put it on an appropriate list and dare I say vote for it? ..."
Maybe because authors have a commercial interest in their books so goodreads members (and customers or potential customers for your book) could easily interpret that as gaming the system or making commercial use of goodreads (both prohibited by the terms of service you agreed to).
All interpretation and perception.
And very annoying if you are someone who created a listopia only to have it flooded with inappropriate author adds and suspicious number of voting and have to then flag to support or librarians to get the books and votes removed.
Almost every listopia I've seen that someone created wanting authors to add their books will say so in the criteria. Some older ones were created before it was a problem, so you can probably sneak onto those for a while before someone complains (and possibly even stay if staff/librarians decide was an appropriate add with no suspicious voting -- but you will possibly by then have offended everyone using that listopia and cause them to organize a boycott of your book by various means).
Megan wrote: "...I also don't want to be flamed for doing so, so I'm not sure how to properly do this. .."
If you do create that list, it might be helpful to have a librarian get the "settings" on your book to match the list criteria (actually I just checked and it looks like your book has accurate setting information -- frequently books don't).
And to specify in the criteria that both author and reader adds are more than welcome provided their book has the appropriate setting.
And then you'll need to keep an eye on the list for the authors with inappropriate books or who are spoiling it for the rest of the authors by spam voting (it always looks weird when a brand new release by an unheard of author with only 2 reviews and 5 shelvings somehow gets several thousand votes on a listopia that hadn't seen a lot of use before their voting campaign).
Honestly, I don't personally care if authors add their book to just a few appropriate listopias that welcome author additions and only vote once for their book (versus author voting circles, campaign drives for votes over on social media, votes from your friends/supporters/minions or creating sockpuppet accounts type of things). But, it is a sore subject because misuse has become such a problem that many listopias are now useless to readers.
I can't add my own books to Listopia It says "Sorry, you can't add or vote for your own book on Listopia. You're welcome to add or vote for other books on this list. "
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
I want to add my book to independent authors/short stories, but I also don't want to do it if that's not kosher.
please advise. thanks