Reciprocity?

[Patrick]

Any sci-fi authors interested in swapping reads/reviews? I'd like to boost my review numbers at Amazon and here at GR, and I'm sure others would too

By that I mean a one-for-one swap: I'll read your novella/novel, (50 - 100K) in a specific time frame, then post a short, honest review at Amazon, on my Blog, and here at GR.

I don't mean a typical 'shill and gush'. Participants have to agree to a definite deadline, be willing to face constructive criticism, and genuinely honor the agreement.

Considering my schedule, I can do 4-6 titles (depending on size) by the beginning of October.

Again, only Sci Fi at this time, please.

Any interest?

Here are some of my titles:
Patrick Todoroff

[Peter]

"Shill and gush" is a wonderful phrase. I'd like to play but I only write crime thriller reality. I never was much good at science. Best to ya!

[Patrick]

Thanks.

And... how long is it?

(Benefit of being first in line.)

[Peter]

Huzzah Patrick. About 88,000 words; 236 pages. It's a ripper read. Shall we? Can you make me sing Stranger in a Strange Land? I wanta, I hope. ;-)

[Patrick]

I'm really fascinated by the (lack of) response to the offer.

I see pleas for reviews, free book giveaways galore...

[Steve]

A lot of people don't like to get involved in review trading. In my case, I don't want to owe (or feel like I owe, or feel like he feels like I owe) anything to another author if I choose to review his/her book. It's too hard to stay objective when you have to worry about retribution, and readers may accuse you of corruption.

[Patrick]

OK, but that scenario is shaded to the negative. What if you find an book/writer you enjoy? It's entirely possible.

Why not do a little diligence, assess if the offer/author/novel is a good match, and try?

I always enjoy a good read and have no problem supporting solid work.

Another way to connect the dots is indie writers want everyone to take a chance with their work, but are unwilling to do the same for someone else.

[Steve]

Sure, authors can review each others stuff and keep their integrity. I do and have read and reviewed books by other indie authors. I just don't want to get mixed up in any situation where I feel like I can't be 100% objective.

[Patrick]

And what about an exchange arrangement would cause you to lose objectivity? No one's stopping you from offering your honest opinion.

The threat of 'retribution' is silly. Your work is subject to criticism the instant you kick it out the door - often by those who have little sympathy for the writing/creative process. Trust me - someone is going to hate your novel. Someone will love it. Most will read it then move on the the next title in the stack.

[Steve]

I had a big thing written up, but I don't want to turn your thread into a big debate.

I'm not telling you not to do it. I'm just trying to explain why I personally choose not to, and pointing out some of the trouble that you can run into. Do a search for "authors behaving badly" sometime. You'll be shocked and appalled.

[Mia]

This isn't to be a debate, but I will say that Steve's concerns are not unfounded and are not "silly." I had a not-so-great experience in the "review trading" column once that's left me wary of doing so again. If a fellow indie just asks me outright to review, and I think their book sounds interesting, I'm more than happy to. But I don't like to "trade" reviews, since then it can leave one feeling in a position of "owing" the other author, especially if they reviewed your book good and you didn't like theirs. I'm not saying that people here in this group would be like that, BUT the existence of these situations can make a person nervous to try it.

[Patrick]

"If a fellow indie just asks me outright to review, and I think their book sounds interesting, I'm more than happy to."

My point exactly.

I'm not shocked and appalled at the thought of authors behaving badly because it isn't news. I'm still willing to make the offer though because I know there are good writers out there with solid work.

Think of it this way: Any 'stranger' could take up one of the myriad of offers presently listed and savage them here, on Amazon, where ever. Sentence passed, damage done.

Swap invitations grant authors the opportunity to gauge potential compatibility while investigating work in a similar genre. I've had bad experiences too, but the negative, adversarial posture isn't a healthy way to operate.

Writers do their diligence when investigating potential online reviewers like Sift, Indie Books Blog or SF Reviewers. It's the same with an invitation like this.

You're right - This is not a debate; it's an opportunity. If it isn't for you, fair enough.