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ARCHIVES > IndieGalley - The Indie Alternative to Netgalley

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message 1: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Hi, I've recently started a new website intended to connect reviewers/bloggers with authors. It is intended to function as an Indie alternative to Netgalley. Authors will be able to list books with us without losing an arm and a leg, and reviewers will be able to quickly screen through Indie titles for books they are interested in downloading for review or requesting approval from the author.

The site is currently in a BETA launch, so it is free to list titles at the moment. Of course, like with Netgalley, reviewers/bloggers will always be able to join for free.

Since the site is brand new, I am actively looking for reviewers, bloggers, and authors interested in listing a title with us.

Reviewers/Bloggers

It works similar to, and yet differently than, Netgalley. New reviewers are checked out to make sure everyone is an honest reviewer, which Netgalley doesn't do. Also, you don't always have to get prior approval to gain access to a title.

There will be two types of titles: Read Now, and Approval Required. Read Now titles you'll be able to download right away simply by using the password you'll get when you become an approved member. Approval Required titles will, obviously, require the author to approve before you get the download password for that specific title.

Also, unlike Netgalley, each listing includes an excerpt of the book, so you can get a feel for not only the writing style, but the quality of the work before selecting it. I always found this to be a failing of Netgalley's, especially since many of their titles are advance copies, and I usually use a sample of the book to determine if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the book.

If you are interested in joining our site there are three simple steps to follow.

-Register for IndieGalley.
-Create a profile page.
-Sign up for our mailing list.

You can find out more and join at http://indiegalley.theeternalscribe.c...

Authors

Again, we screen all members of the site, and all copies of titles are distributed using password protected links. As best as possible, we try to capture metrics of how each title does, including page views of a listing and clicks on the download link.

Read more at: http://indiegalley.theeternalscribe.c...
List your title at: http://indiegalley.theeternalscribe.c...

Hope to see you there!


message 2: by Maddie (new)

Maddie (maddisonbruce) | 23 comments I've made an account. I'm a reviewer and I have a Netgalley account which I use as well. Quick question, how many days do you have the book for before a review is due?


message 3: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Maddison wrote: "I've made an account. I'm a reviewer and I have a Netgalley account which I use as well. Quick question, how many days do you have the book for before a review is due?"

I haven't made any specific policies with regard to that yet. Since the site is new, I'll probably play it by ear, gather feedback from authors and reviewers.

Personally, I prefer not having deadlines for that. Reviewers can be busy, and sometimes a deadline can adversely affect a review. But I do imagine situations like pre-releases will have deadlines. I would go with, unless the listing has a specific due date listed, there is none. Be conscientious of the author's needs, of course, but don't rush it either.

I am always interested in feedback. You can email me with any ideas to improve the site: indiegalley@theeternalscribe.com.

And don't forget to fill out your profile so I can approve your membership! ;-)

Also, I anticipate our first listing going live very soon. I'm just waiting on some last minute details from the author.


message 4: by Harmony (new)

Harmony Kent (harmonyk) Wow this is a great idea! I am both an author and a reviewer .. will check out the site now :)


message 5: by Crystal (new)

Crystal Taylor (ctaylor517) | 1 comments What a great idea! I love netgalley but I'm all about indie authors! I just signed up, can't wait to start reviewing with y'all!


message 6: by Kim (new)

Kim Headlee (kimheadlee) Done! Though I'm at a bit of a loss as to what is meant by "media kit" in digital terms, since the media kit I schlep to conventions contains glossies of cover art & publicity photo, list of best review blurbs, and latest press release. I included links to my book's trailer and my author profile pages in that section; was that what you're looking for?


message 7: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 792 comments I'll definitely have to check this out. Sounds good.


message 8: by Heather (new)

Heather | 61 comments One of the greatest drawbacks of Netgalley is it doesn't inform the reviewer of what format the book will download in, so for those of us who don't like to read PDFs, it's a hassle. Most of the books listed on Netgalley are PDFs, but you wouldn't know that unless you downloaded them and tried to read them.

Great idea, though. I'd like to jump in at one point. I'm an editor and a high school reading teacher, so I'm always looking for great books to read. :)


message 9: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Kim wrote: "Done! Though I'm at a bit of a loss as to what is meant by "media kit" in digital terms, since the media kit I schlep to conventions contains glossies of cover art & publicity photo, list of best r..."

I get a lot of electronic media kits as a reviewer and book blogger. It usually contains an author picture, book cover image, title, author name, publication date, blurb, excerpt, links (buy links, author links, social media), book trailer link. It's usually in a Word document. Maybe I'll make a fake one as an example and put it on the site.


message 10: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Heather wrote: "One of the greatest drawbacks of Netgalley is it doesn't inform the reviewer of what format the book will download in, so for those of us who don't like to read PDFs, it's a hassle. Most of the boo..."

Oh, good idea. I'll add the file types to the listing information. Thank you.


message 11: by Desiree (new)

Desiree (DesireeBee) | 21 comments File types would be great! I don't care for pdf's as they are harder to manipulate. I usually like a larger font with sepia background...


message 12: by Amy (new)

Amy H (twinypa) just signed up, looks good


message 13: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Desiree wrote: "File types would be great! I don't care for pdf's as they are harder to manipulate. I usually like a larger font with sepia background..."

I'm the same way. On my blog, I tell authors ePub or MOBI only. I accept PDFs when they're ARCs on occasion, but don't as a rule. I like being able to make notations (which is useful for reviewing).


message 14: by C.V. (new)

C.V. Dreesman (cvdreesman) | 17 comments This is a great idea!


message 15: by Kim (new)

Kim Headlee (kimheadlee) Danielle wrote: "I get a lot of electronic media kits as a reviewer and book blogger. It usually contains an author picture, book cover image, title, author name, publication date, blurb, excerpt, links (buy links, author links, social media), book trailer link. It's usually in a Word document."

Ah. I have those for my books -- mainly to keep my own self straight on all these various links!! Next time I'll know. :)


message 16: by R.J. (new)

R.J. Heald (ruthrjh) Great idea! Going to go over and sign up as an author.


message 17: by Tracy (new)

Tracy | 32 comments This is a great idea!! Netgalley seems very strict with who they choose to read books. I've signed up for Indiegalley :-)


message 18: by Harmony (new)

Harmony Kent (harmonyk) Thanks again Danielle ... love this idea! I have submitted my book details :)


message 19: by Elysium (new)

Elysium Sexsmith (elysiumsexsmith) | 2 comments I have just discovered your wonderful service and have to say, I really hope it flourishes as it's a great idea.

I have submitted my own book for listing.


message 20: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Lucy wrote: "I have just discovered your wonderful service and have to say, I really hope it flourishes as it's a great idea.

I have submitted my own book for listing."


Thank you. I'm working on your listing now.


message 21: by Elysium (last edited Oct 23, 2013 06:18PM) (new)

Elysium Sexsmith (elysiumsexsmith) | 2 comments Danielle wrote: "Thank you. I'm working on your listing now."
Have just received your email, thank you. :-)


A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) Great idea! I've bookmarked the site to look at over the weekend.


message 23: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Lucy wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Thank you. I'm working on your listing now."
Have just received your email, thank you. :-)"


You're quite welcome.


message 24: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) wrote: "Great idea! I've bookmarked the site to look at over the weekend."

Glad to hear it. Looking forward to hearing from you!


message 25: by Vasant (new)

Vasant Davé (vasant_dave) | 26 comments Hi Danielle,
Just e-mailed you all the details for the registration of my historical novel Trade Winds To Meluhha.


message 26: by Jacqueline (new)

Jacqueline Smith | 16 comments This is wonderful! Thank you so much! I am an author and a reviewer, so I will definitely be registering this weekend! I actually attended a big Independent Author book-signing (as a guest, not an author), and met with dozens of indies all over the world and am currently in the middle of reading and reviewing all of their books! I am LOVING it! Thank you again!


message 27: by Holly (new)

Holly Blackstone (hollyblackstone) | 8 comments Wonderful! I'll put together a sample media kit this weekend and upload my titles. Yay! 8-)


message 28: by Russell (new)

Russell Brooks (russellbrooks) It's worth a shot. I'll try it out.


message 29: by Sue (new)

Sue (coccotoro) | 166 comments Hi Danielle. Thank you so much for setting up this site. I have just joined and setup a profile. I will look at the site later in detail.

Sue


message 30: by Russell (new)

Russell Brooks (russellbrooks) Danielle wrote: "Hi, I've recently started a new website intended to connect reviewers/bloggers with authors. It is intended to function as an Indie alternative to Netgalley. Authors will be able to list books wi..."

Danielle, I sent you the info you requested. I didn't receive an email confirmation. Did you get it?

Russell Brooks


message 31: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Russell wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Hi, I've recently started a new website intended to connect reviewers/bloggers with authors. It is intended to function as an Indie alternative to Netgalley. Authors will be able..."

Yes, I received it. I send out an email when the listing is live. Or if I need more information. I spent much of my free time yesterday NaNoing. I'll probably work on it today. It's on my to do list.


message 32: by Russell (new)

Russell Brooks (russellbrooks) Danielle wrote: "Russell wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Hi, I've recently started a new website intended to connect reviewers/bloggers with authors. It is intended to function as an Indie alternative to Netgalley. Auth..."

Yes, I got it. Another question, are we notified when a reviewer downloads one of our books?


message 33: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Russell wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Russell wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Hi, I've recently started a new website intended to connect reviewers/bloggers with authors. It is intended to function as an Indie alternative to..."

Metrics are given to the author at the end of the listing. Listing page views in two different measurements, plus clicks recorded for the download link.


message 34: by Russell (new)

Russell Brooks (russellbrooks) Danielle wrote: "Russell wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Russell wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Hi, I've recently started a new website intended to connect reviewers/bloggers with authors. It is intended to function as an Indi..."

ok, thanks.


message 35: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 792 comments I got to check this site out. I have a list of places to check out and this is on there, I will check it out soon enough!


message 36: by Sue (new)

Sue (coccotoro) | 166 comments Hi Danielle,

I just became a member recently and have downloaded one book to read (Chill Run). Just wanted to confirm something. When I have finished the book, I can post my review under Links-Website/Amazon/Kobo/Barnes &Noble/Sony/Diesel/Smashwords.

Thanks and the site is great.

Sue


message 37: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Sue wrote: "Hi Danielle,

I just became a member recently and have downloaded one book to read (Chill Run). Just wanted to confirm something. When I have finished the book, I can post my review under Links-Web..."


I supply the links for your convenience. Post reviews wherever you would normally post them.


message 38: by Sue (new)

Sue (coccotoro) | 166 comments Hi Danielle,

Thanks so much for confirming this. Thanks

Sue


message 39: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 792 comments I just signed up but I don't get it. Why is it showing a wordpress page and it mentions something about price but people can read your book for free? I'm just confused about some of this.


message 40: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Justin wrote: "I just signed up but I don't get it. Why is it showing a wordpress page and it mentions something about price but people can read your book for free? I'm just confused about some of this."

It's showing a wordpress page because I used wordpress as the platform to build the website. It is by far the simplest and fastest means I could come up with to list titles.

Pricing will eventually have to do with authors listing titles on the website for a certain price. Since the site is still in BETA launch, there is no charge. I have a pricing page as both a place marker and to give people an idea of what is and will eventually be available on the site.

Reviewers who are fully vetted members of the site can download and read the books listed for free. Download links are password protected.


message 41: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 792 comments Ah, gotcha. Thanks for clearing that up.


message 42: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Justin wrote: "Ah, gotcha. Thanks for clearing that up."

No problem. Anytime.


message 43: by Anastaciaknits (new)

Anastaciaknits Lovely idea. I just set up a profile. Thanks!


message 44: by Joshua (new)

Joshua Steelman (js_novels) I am very excited by this site and I will be signing up shortly. Thanks so much for doing this in support of indie authors. This is so very appreciated. Between this and the Awesome Indies site, it is further proof that indie publishing is maturing and coming into its own.


message 45: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Joshua wrote: "I am very excited by this site and I will be signing up shortly. Thanks so much for doing this in support of indie authors. This is so very appreciated. Between this and the Awesome Indies site, it..."

Oh, cool. I hadn't heard of the Awesome Indies site. I'm going to have to look into that now...


message 46: by Joshua (new)

Joshua Steelman (js_novels) Oops. I didn't meant to lump your site in with theirs, Danielle. Sorry about that. Totally different purposes. Awesome Indies is interesting because it is a step towards certifying the quality of independent books with a thorough review of "experts" in the field. The downside is that they do charge and you do have to provide proof that you had your book professionally edited.


message 47: by T.R. (new)

T.R. (trwhittier) | 9 comments Hi Danielle,

What a great idea! I am in the process of registering my novel now :)
Thank you for starting IndieGalley!


message 48: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Forrest (theeternalscribe) Joshua wrote: "Oops. I didn't meant to lump your site in with theirs, Danielle. Sorry about that. Totally different purposes. Awesome Indies is interesting because it is a step towards certifying the quality of i..."

That's okay. I didn't mind. I find the site very interesting. I think it's a great opportunity for authors who are determined to do things right.


message 49: by Cynthia (new)

Cynthia | 113 comments I signed up a few days ago waiting for approval. I have looked over the site, looks very interesting. I look forward to being a member.


message 50: by Russell (new)

Russell Brooks (russellbrooks) Hey, Danielle, I just submitted my latest thriller.


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Trade Winds To Meluhha (other topics)

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Russell Brooks (other topics)