THE Group for Authors! discussion
Publishing and Promoting
>
How Do Authors Get Book Reviews?
date
newest »
newest »
There is a Goodreads group called R4R (Read for Review) which you can join and ask people to review. If this isn't your first book, I would ask people that have read your other books and liked them to read your current book and review it. Otherwise, (not sure of your genre) but you can ask genre groups to review it for you. Ex: If you write children's books, join a couple of children's book groups within Goodreads and ask them to review for you.
Awesome advice! Thanks, I had a look at this group, there are indeed active reviewers here!
My book is a dark fantasy book, so I'll be looking for readers who review fantasy. Will look around a bit more for such groups. I know there is a fine line between asking and spamming, so will try my best not to be too annoying!
The truth of the matter, reviews are helpful, but not the main driving point of catching the readers interest.
The best reviews come organically, from people who have a strong reaction to your book. It can take time to grow that's all :)Some blogs offer review tours if you want a few reviews to get you started. Just google book tours and see if they accept your genre.
J.F., I agree with Nick and A.W.Reviews are not all they're cracked up to be, unless you only have a lot of bad ones. That can hurt. But otherwise, they're just part of the equation. And the more important thing to worry about is getting your book noticed.
A hundred good reviews mean nothing if no one is looking at your book.
So, get your book some attention. Get sales. And readers who really like it will write natural reviews, or if you're even more lucky, they'll simply tell your friends. That's what sells books - personal recommendations.
etc: silly typo
I forgot, I was going to add some food for thought. When I published In The End, I sold several hundred copies before I had a single review. Now I have five 5 stars and five 4 stars and sales are barely trickling in.
I haven't bothered about reviews either - I figure if someone wants to write one they will. However, I heard the other day that the number of reviews you have affects the book search on Amazon. Does anyone know if this is true?
Rita wrote: "I haven't bothered about reviews either - I figure if someone wants to write one they will. However, I heard the other day that the number of reviews you have affects the book search on Amazon. D..."I've heard that too, and that it affects your rank, but I've seen no noticeable difference since getting reviews, and as I said above, my sales have dropped considerably since getting reviews.
Maybe they're working against me. As sad as it sounds, some people say that if all you have are good reviews, then they assume they were written only by your friends and family. Maybe I need some bad reviews. :(
But you can tell when it's friends and family because they've only reviewed one book.
To say your novels have good reviews because they were written by your family and friends is a bit insensitive. And not even a guarantee. I can't even get family and friends to write reviews -- good or bad. Maybe my novels are too long -- or maybe because they are horror novels. It is a rough road we have chosen. Let's hope we can give each other support and sod (as the Brits say) our friends.
Charles wrote: "To say your novels have good reviews because they were written by your family and friends is a bit insensitive. And not even a guarantee. I can't even get family and friends to write reviews -- goo..."Ha! It is a real trick getting family and friends to put in a good word for you. I relied upon those who actually read the book from book events. Almost short of begging for a review. I asked some sites that review books and had positive responses. The rest just came from readers I've never met. Reviews do count because I look at them for new books, and many have told me they book my books because of the reviews. Some are good, some, not.
To build a readership and get some reviews contact Amazon and/or Goodreads reviewers who have reviewed a book in your genre. Let them know you read their review and suggest that they would like your book as much as the one they reviewed. Offer a free .mobi copy if they are interested.I'm a mystery writer and contacted several people who'd reviewed Jo Nesbo and Michael Stanley novels on Amazon, with excellent results.
Charles wrote: "To say your novels have good reviews because they were written by your family and friends is a bit insensitive. "The people who say that, and I was just told it again recently, along with the statement that if anyone criticizes someone who writes a negative review of your book, then it is assumed that you, the author, put them up to it.
It's not only insensitive, it's very unrealistic and unfair. It's borne out of some antipathy for indie authors and apparently the bad behavior of a few is assumed to be the standard behavior of all.
If they only knew what we knew - it's actually not at all realistic to expect friends and family to write reviews. I can't even get them to read my books. I wouldn't dream of asking them to review them.
I had initially assumed my friends and family would be totally supportive, and at least buy my books, if not actually read them too. But I think they feel that since they know the author, they should get free copies.
Then you find out how many people you know that don't even read books. lol
At the end of my book, I have the following message:If you enjoyed Reprobate, check your e-book retailer for the Amsterdam Assassin Series!
Please review Reprobate on your retailer’s website to help me gain more exposure for the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
I've read several books with similar messages.
Edward wrote: "Charles wrote: "To say your novels have good reviews because they were written by your family and friends is a bit insensitive. "The people who say that, and I was just told it again recently, al..."
Tooo true!
Martyn wrote: "At the end of my book, I have the following message:If you enjoyed Reprobate, check your e-book retailer for the Amsterdam Assassin Series!
Please review Reprobate on your retailer’s website to ..."
That's a great idea Martyn.
P.J. wrote: "There is a Goodreads group called R4R (Read for Review) which you can join and ask people to review. If this isn't your first book, I would ask people that have read your other books and liked them..."
Can't find this group ...
Can't find this group ...
How do people go about getting reviews?
Have been emailing people off "The Indie View" reviewers list, but many sites have been shut down due to too many review requests.