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More Reviews in 2016?
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I try to make sure that I leave comments and feedback on every book l read and I hope that my readers will do the same for me.
C.M. wrote: "Reviews by authors for authors."You might want to rethink that tagline - personally it gives me the impression you are encouraging review swaps, which always seems dodgy and highly suspicious.
The Just-About-Average Ms M wrote: "I agree with A.W. There have been some authors outed here and on Amazon for review swaps; two were banned from Amazon. I believe reviews are for readers, not for authors to promote their books and ..."Agreed.
Consumer reviews are not promotions for authors.
C. M. you say, "As bad as a review can be, it can help the author, and even many other authors who would read the review and profit from the wealth of information."
That isn't what consumer reviews are. That kind of thing would be much better suited for author critique/reading groups.
But I do appreciate you're not simply encouraging positive reviews, but hopefully honest ones.
And while it certainly is true that many authors do read as much, or more, as the average reader, the sad truth is, many, many do not, to the point that some don't really read much at all.
However readers (whether they happen to also be authors, or not) leaving consumer reviews for other readers should be doing so to express their own honest opinions, their own thoughts, and potentially to assist other readers in determining if they're likely to enjoy a book or not. Not to "help" the producer.
Posting to help the author, as if that help were an unbiased consumer review, is in my opinion a conflict of interest - and one that at the very least should be disclosed to consumers so they are aware and informed regarding the motivation and bias behind such a "review".
Here's a bit of info for you, C.M. on Amazon's policy on Authors reviewing authors:http://www.readersentertainment.com/b...
Amazon’s Strict New Review Policy | Readers Entertainment
For the last few months, Amazon has been changing it’s review policy and implementing new review standards. Authors have complained about reviews being taken down, or disallowed and it is all part of Amazon’s changes. You can read Amazon’s review policy here.
readersentertainment.com
A.W. wrote: "C.M. wrote: "Reviews by authors for authors."You might want to rethink that tagline - personally it gives me the impression you are encouraging review swaps, which always seems dodgy and highly s..."
Hi A.W.,
No review swaps.. no review requests... just read a book, any book and leave a review instead of doing nothing. You don't even have to contact the author or ask for their book. You buy books to read; you download free books from Smashwords for "something new" or go to friends/family and see a new book at their place that interests you.. you read; you indulge, you enjoy it (or not).
As authors, are we not allowed to buy a book, read it and leave a review? It makes us readers too ... you are an author and can also be a reviewer. I was formerly advised by an author on 2013 to do a review swap and I did it twice, but then I realised that it was the same thing as asking readers to read and review.
So instead, all I'm suggesting is that we keep reading as usual, then just do another author the favour of leaving a review.
If you buy a book, I believe you should have the right to leave a review :)
I'm buying all the books I want to read this year and I'm going to leave honest reviews when I'm done WITHOUT contacting the author.
What say you?
Regards,
CMO.
Ju wrote: "Here's a bit of info for you, C.M. on Amazon's policy on Authors reviewing authors:http://www.readersentertainment.com/b...
Amazon’s Strict New Review Policy | Rea..."
Hi Ju,
I just replied to anther similar concern.
This idea is not for review swaps or review requests...
I explore with books, so if I buy a book "as a consumer" I believe I have the right to leave a review, whether I'm an author or not.
If Amazon doesn't let me post honest reviews for books I have "bought" and read, then I'll post them on Goodreads and on my blog.
The idea is just to read as you normally would, then instead of jus moving on to the next thing, drop a review first. I don't have to contact or even know the author :).
Regards,
CMO.
C.M. wrote: "then just do another author the favour of leaving a review."See, there is the exact problem with this idea. Leaving a review as a "favour" to the author - which automatically injects a bias into a "review" that does not belong in a consumer review.
A consumer review is to be an unbiased opinion of a book in order to help other READERS determine if the book may or may not be for them.
Writing one with doing the AUTHOR a "favour" ensures it will be written with bias, written to assist in sales, or written to help improve future writing - none of which has any place in a CONSUMER review, and which corrupts the entire reason and purpose of reader reviews.
I hope you are advising these "reviews" you're suggesting as a "favour" to the author actually DISCLOSE the fact that they are being written as a "favour" to the AUTHOR, so that readers and consumers can make informed decisions regarding this bias.
That's not what I read in your initial post, C.M. I just wanted you to be an informed consumer :)Best!
C.M. wrote: "I was formerly advised by an author on 2013 to do a review swap and I did it twice, but then I realised that it was the same thing as asking readers to read and review."No.
Authors exchanging "reviews" for each other is completely and utterly different than a reader leaving a review - even if provided a review copy by the author (which would then necessarily be disclosed to readers of the review).
I do find it interesting that you cannot see the difference between authors trading "reviews", and asking a consumer/reader to read a book and consider leaving an honest review.
When you leave a "review" as a "favour" to a fellow author you're not posting it as a reader, you're posting it as a fellow author - meaning with bias, and with an agenda to help another author (and perhaps hoping other authors will do the same for your books).
That's not the behavior of "we're readers too", that's behavior stemming from your being an author, not a reader.
The Just-About-Average Ms M wrote: "I agree with A.W. There have been some authors outed here and on Amazon for review swaps; two were banned from Amazon. I believe reviews are for readers, not for authors to promote their books and ..."Hi,
I replied to other similar concerns... it's not review swaps or requests. Authors read, just because they are "authors" doesn't make them any less of a reader.
If I buy a book, I should be able to leave a review, whether I'm an author or not. As long as I read, makes me a reader too.
I think recently, I read more books than I write... wouldn't hurt me to leave a review.
Maybe I should edit my blogpost and clearly point out that there are no swaps or requests... it's a call for authors to review what they read not to ask authors to read their book and leave a review.
Regards,
CMO.
Alexandra aka Auntie J wrote: "C.M. wrote: "I was formerly advised by an author on 2013 to do a review swap and I did it twice, but then I realised that it was the same thing as asking readers to read and review."No.
Authors ..."
Hi,
There might be a misunderstanding somewhere.
The idea is not to ask an author, or a reader in general, for a review, but YOU as an author to review what you have read... you don't have to know or contact the author.
You buy a book - a random book- you read, then review.
I guess the message I'm trying to pass across is: "It starts from YOU."
I'm sure 90% of the books I've reviewed, the authors don't even know I did or that I exist, but it still helps them... a favour indirectly to show that people out there are reading their work... whether author or not.
Regards,
CMO.
Alexandra aka Auntie J wrote: "C.M. wrote: "I was formerly advised by an author on 2013 to do a review swap and I did it twice, but then I realised that it was the same thing as asking readers to read and review."No.
Authors ..."
Hi,
There might be a misunderstanding somewhere.
The idea is not to ask an author, or a reader in general, for a review, but YOU as an author to review what you have read... you don't have to know or contact the author.
You buy a book - a random book- you read, then review.
I guess the message I'm trying to pass across is: "It starts from YOU."
I'm sure 90% of the books I've reviewed, the authors don't even know I did or that I exist, but it still helps them... a favour indirectly to show that people out there are reading their work... whether author or not.
Regards,
CMO.
C.M. wrote: "Authors read, just because they are "authors" doesn't make them any less of a reader."Sure, however I've already pointed out how you aren't doing this as a reader, you're doing it as an author, and your goal is not to simply express your own opinions, or to assist fellow readers, but to assist fellow authors.
Your BIAS here is showing, and you're demonstrating this has nothing to do with you being a "reader too".
"wouldn't hurt me to leave a review."
The problem here isn't about hurting you - however if consumers, readers and potential customers perceive your reviews to be other than unbiased CONSUMER reviews it could certainly have some negative impact.
"Maybe I should edit my blogpost and clearly point out that there are no swaps or requests..."
Maybe you should edit your blogpost to explain to your fellow authors that if they post a "review" in order to do a "favor" for another author that information should be disclosed to the readers of the review so they can decide for themselves if they consider that a bias.
But, I doubt you will, because you don't appear to actually care about readers and consumers, just about your fellow authors, what helps them, and as long as you don't think it'll hurt you.
C.M. wrote: "Alexandra aka Auntie J wrote: "C.M. wrote: "I was formerly advised by an author on 2013 to do a review swap and I did it twice, but then I realised that it was the same thing as asking readers to r..."None of that actually addressed what I pointed out, which had nothing to do with if these authors know about the review or not,
And absolutely everything to do with your thinking authors should write reviews in order to help other authors.
THAT is the bias.
A review written with the view in mind that the review is to help the producer, seller, marketer, publisher of the PRODUCT is not a CONSUMER review, it's ad copy and promotional material.
I'd sure want and expect at the very least if you posted such a review that this bias be disclosed within the "review".
"I posted this because I am an author and I want to help other authors".
People reading such a review have a right to know, and make up their own minds whether to consider it, or dismiss it due to bias. If you don't see anything wrong with it, then you shouldn't have any problem admitting it in the review.
How about encouraging people to write HONEST reviews in order to help CONSUMERS? Help them find books they're likely to enjoy, and avoid wasting money on books that won't be to their taste or are complete disasters as far as writing, quality, editing, etc.?
How about writing reviews as a reader and not as an author wanting to help other authors?
How about that?
Ju wrote: "That's not what I read in your initial post, C.M. I just wanted you to be an informed consumer :)Best!"
Oh really? Maybe I didn't pass the message across properly. My idea was far from review swap (I actually forgot about this term until I started seeing replies here).
I had revised my blog post over and over again before posting to point out that authors should read and review, but I don't remember writing that they should ask for reviews or swap them. I actually went back to reread and still didn't see any indication to request review swaps.
Anyway, I just edited my post to point out that my idea is far from swaps. The message is for YOU as an author to review all that you read, even though you don't know the author - especially if you don't.
Most of the authors I review don't even know I exist. But I buy books (genres that interest me), I read and I post. If the authors choose to engage me in a discussion afterwards, that's fine by them.
And consider me an informed consumer :)... I didn't know about the Amazon-banning-author-reviewer-saga. Know why? Because whenever I get a book, I believe I get a prompt to leave a review weeks later :).
Regards,
CMO.
Alexandra aka Auntie J wrote: "C.M. wrote: "then just do another author the favour of leaving a review."See, there is the exact problem with this idea. Leaving a review as a "favour" to the author - which automatically injects..."
Maybe favour isn't the right word for you, but it's indirect favour.
I'm just saying that if I leave a review for a book, it does good for the author, even without the author asking, because reviews boosts the book. And I doubt the author will go into every review to check who left them, if it's by an author or not.
If the idea doesn't interest you, that's fine. It doesn't have to. But this year, I'll be buying and reading a lot, and when I'm done, I'll leave reviews for the books, and I'm sure it'll do a lot for a lot of people who get value from reviews.
Regards,
CMO.
It seems to me that the idea was that as authors we don't often write reviews or leave feedback on what we read. The word "favor" may not have been the best choice to convey the idea. Perhaps courtesy would have been better.
K.D. wrote: "It seems to me that the idea was that as authors we don't often write reviews or leave feedback on what we read. The word "favor" may not have been the best choice to convey the idea. Perhaps court..."
That's what I was thinking as well.
That's what I was thinking as well.
K.D. wrote: "It seems to me that the idea was that as authors we don't often write reviews or leave feedback on what we read. The word "favor" may not have been the best choice to convey the idea. Perhaps court..."Hi K.D.,
That's exactly the idea. I never left reviews or feedback before, but I've started doing so now.
Yes "courtesy" is actually better than favour. Thanks a lot.
Regards,
CMO.
C.M. wrote: "Maybe favour isn't the right word for you, but it's indirect favour.I'm just saying that if I leave a review for a book, it does good for the author, even without the author asking, because reviews boosts the book. "
EXACTLY!
See that right there - "REVIEWS BOOST THE BOOK".
That is NOT the purpose of a CONSUMER review, that is the purpose of AD COPY and PROMOTIONAL material.
What YOU want to do is to assist in PROMOTING A BOOK. That's your BIAS.
That is the exact problem with your view I have been addressing, and explaining to you.
You want your reviews TO HELP THE AUTHOR.
You want to write and post reviews TO HELP THE AUTHOR.
You are encouraging other authors to write reviews TO HELP THE AUTHOR.
THIS is your BIAS, you are writing to help an author promote their product, sell their product, improve their product, etc.
NONE of that has anything to do whatsoever with the entire purpose of unbiased CONSUMER, READER reviews.
And you are simply continuing to prove my point that you have no intention to post your reviews as a READER.
"If the idea doesn't interest you, that's fine. It doesn't have to. "
Nice way to completely ignore my point. But actually it interests me greatly, as a reader who is concerned with such undisclosed author biased reviews.
I will make note that you are declining to disclose you write your reviews in order to help the author, rather than readers.
If readers wish to post a book review, they will; if they don't, they won't. A consumer review is a subjective, personal opinion, posted to share the reader's evaluation of a book with fellow readers. It is not a commercial endorsement or personal message addressed to the author or for the author's benefit.Many are unaware of or choose to ignore a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requiring that any review that has been solicited, swapped, or compensated for in any way by the author must include a disclaimer stating so.
C.M. wrote: "Yes "courtesy" is actually better than favour. "Nope, no difference whatsoever, as you are still doing it FOR THE AUTHOR.
That is BIAS AGAINST the consumer - you know, the person who depends upon consumer reviews being reviews FOR CONSUMERS, not "favors" or "courtesies" for the SELLER.
You continue to promote the idea of undisclosed biased "reviews" that are a conflict of interest.
If you cannot divorce yourself from your author persona and post a consumer review as a consumer and reader NOT as an author, and to assist CONSUMERS not the producer of the product, then better you not post reviews.
At the very least you owe the readers of the review your disclosure that you post reviews as a "favor" or "courtesy" to the AUTHOR.
We'll see exactly how unaware of the problem here you are - because if you truly believe there is nothing wrong with your view regarding reviews by authors you'll have no problem being honest with the readers of your reviews by disclosing this in the review.
The Just-About-Average Ms M wrote: "Sorry, Amexandra, but I dont think we'll get through to C.W. and his crusade to benefit authors and their books. He just doesn't get it. "I closely agree - I feel she does get it, but pretends not to due to complete indifference to anything to do with reader, consumer interests.
Consumer reviews? Yeah, just another avenue to take over, re purpose and exploit to benefit authors. Consumers? readers? don't care about them, they don't need unbiased reviews from other consumers - not when we can force feed them promotions!
So, yes, I doubt we'll get through to her in any way that matters. Hopefully though others reading will find it an enlightening conversation.
Jim wrote: "If readers wish to post a book review, they will; if they don't, they won't. A consumer review is a subjective, personal opinion, posted to share the reader's evaluation of a book with fellow reade...":D
C.M. wrote: "K.D. wrote: "It seems to me that the idea was that as authors we don't often write reviews or leave feedback on what we read. The word "favor" may not have been the best choice to convey the idea. ...""Courtesy" is definitely the correct term. Every book I review was written by an author. The fact that, I, too, am a writer should have no bearing on anything. When I read a book, I do so as a reader, albeit a reader with good, basic knowledge of syntax, grammar, spelling, and format. When I review a book, I take all of that into consideration. I have, on occasion, written something along the lines of "This is one of the books that gives Indie publishing a bad name." I hope, in doing so, to encourage new writers to take the time and trouble to have their work edited and proofread by someone more competent than the person next door whose only claim to having something to do with publishing was a job delivering newspapers. Sure, I'm a snot, but I prefer good writing to cheap books. I you pay 99 cents for a book with "Over 500 Five Star Reviews", and it's badly written, you really have to wonder who those reviews are and what their qualifications might be.
Judy wrote: ""Courtesy" is definitely the correct term. Every book I review was written by an author. The fact that, I, too, am a writer should have no bearing on anything."If you're writing a review as a "courtesy" to the author, then the bearing (i.e. BIAS) is blatantly clear. Because that is not only not the purpose or intended benefactor or intended audience for consumer reviews, but it's not what readers and consumers have in mind when leaving a review, and certainly not what readers and consumers are looking for when reading consumer reviews.
You might be reading a book "as a reader", but you're reviewing as a fellow author.
And in doing so, rather than as a reader or consumer FOR other READERS and CONSUMERS, there is a bias that in my opinion should be disclosed in the review.
And what I've seen expressed here by *some* authors - who fail to even try to understand the needs, benefits, impact, perspectives regarding consumer reviews of unbiased readers and consumers demonstrates why I no longer read reviews posted by someone who is also an author - unless that specific author is known to me as one who reviews as a reader - and does so honestly, rather than as an author wanting to do another author a courtesy, which has been expressed here as with the thought of benefiting them in some way.
Not once have I seen any of the authors here supporting this idea expressed any desire in wanting to help readers find books they are likely to enjoy, and avoid those they are not likely to enjoy.
Not once. So, yes, it has bearing.
"I hope, in doing so, to encourage new writers..."
Right. You're simply continuing to demonstrate the point I (and others here) have made.
"you really have to wonder who those reviews are and what their qualifications might be."
Actually no, since consumers and readers writing consumer reviews (which are QUITE a different thing from professional reviews) don't need to have ANY "qualifications".
It does however make you wonder about their BIAS. Most likely they're posting reviews to do the author a favor, a courtesy, want to help boost the book.
They aren't writing them for the benefit of readers and consumers.
There is a place for professional reviews: the editorial review section.You or your publisher will need to have access to the product page to update that section, but it is a great place to put reviews from other writers.
Doesn't matter what your job is, if you buy a book and read it you have the right to review that book.Unfortunately your blogpost, including mention of the Google group you've set up does make it all look a bit shonky.
Shame, as I don't think that was your intention, I do hope it all resolves
Happy new year to you :).
In case you missed it, I made a blog post on how we authors can get more reviews this year that can help boost our presence and sales:
Reviews by authors for authors.
Read more about it here: http://cmokonkwosblog.blogspot.com.ng...
Regards,
CMO.