Modern Good Reads discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Read For Review (R4R)
>
R4R GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS AND REVIEWERS
date
newest »
newest »
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Modern Good Reads R4R runs on the honor system: an exchange of a free book in exchange for an honest review within a reasonable amount of time, say 3-4 weeks. Many authors offer R4R as an advance copy to ensure they can launch with reviews in place. Many offer limited copies, so if several do not review as promised, the author is stuck.
It is vital that reviewers understand a commitment to read and review is exactly that and it must be timely. Here are some guidelines before you decide.
1) Choose a genre you enjoy. It is unfair to read something for review that is not to your taste or out of your comfort zone, unless you are a serious reviewer who does this on a regular basis.
2) The author has a right to choose who they give free copies for review. Expect them to check your posted reviews to ensure you are fair and balanced and that their book is suitable for your reading tastes. If they cannot see your reviews, they may not be willing to take the risk.
3) Don’t offer unless you are committed. If life overtakes you contact the author and let them know when you will be able to review, it will save them having to contact you to see if there is a problem. This is an agreement between you and the author, so authors will contact you if they hear nothing from you after the agreed time.
4) If you don’t like the book then be honest and constructive with your criticism.
5) If you love the book, definitely consider posting your review on Amazon, Smashwords, your blog etc. as well as on Goodreads. Most reviewers are happy to do this.
If MGR notices a reviewer is not meeting their R4R commitments without reasonable cause then they will not be allowed to take part in further R4Rs offered in this group. The moderator’s decision is final.
AUTHORS – PLEASE NOTE
MGR moderators will not be checking reviewers out for you. This is an agreement between you and the reviewer. You are advised to check out potential reviewers. Your best reviewer is one that regularly reads and reviews in your genre or across multiple genres and posts a mix of fair and balanced reviews from one to five stars. Those reviewers will have earned a reputation for honesty and their opinions will be noticed.
Do make clear your expectations of a timeline for reviews to be completed and contact them after this time if you have not heard from them. Usually it’s a life glitch. At least you will know what the problem is. It may be you have to let that one go.
Never respond directly to a negative review, at least be wary of doing so. If you do get a great review, you often find the reviewer will contact you to say how much they enjoyed your book. Always nice to thank those!