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Do book review confirmations sometimes get rescinded without informing the author?
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Is this a paid review site, or a free review? I have found that many book review sites won't do a review if they couldn't finish the book for whatever reason (which I respect.) I've never had a review site not post a review of my book when I sent a copy, but I have had sites that took about 6 months before I got the review. Fortunately, I always get notifications thanks to google. Now, the R2R programs on Goodreads are hit and miss. Some programs are super awesome (Like Paranormal book lovers, where the moderators run a tight ship. A person can only have two books out for review at a time, and they follow up with reviewers after two weeks) others kind of leave it up to you to manage, and all an author can do is follow up to see if the review was done. You don't want to hound people. I gave out 50 copies of my book in March, and only have 15 reviews on Goodreads.
I had 3 or 4 different blogs offer to review my debut novel and never deliver. In that case, it's volunteer work, so I just shoot them an email asking what happened, but then move on. Most of the time, those emails don't get answered either.
@Miss Heidi: Yesss, good point about the R2R programs! They're more like throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks *smirks*I even had one reader request my book and just rate it. Turns out she's never written a review before and thought the book was just free LOL!! She was super nice and totally wrote one for me. Pretty sure it's still the only one she's ever written haha!
Yeeeeah, from now on, I'm gonna make the Read 4 Review part clear in my post. I assumed that was clear from the R2R folder it was posted in...but...doesn't hurt to crystal, eh?
Hugs,
Ann
Heidi, it was a semi-professional review site that offers paid for packages like "Tweet blast, author interview, and a month long promotion of your book, as well as a review for $100" as well as offers for free reviews, which would be emailed to the author and posted on the blog. It was an online review magazine. I didn't hound them. I sent them 2 emails months apart after them emailing me my book had already been read, and I was to expect a review within the week. I still have that email.So, my question was what happens when a "reputable" professional review magazine (online or in print) confirms that they've received AND read your manuscript, and has promised a review, but none has been given. What do you do then?
Mod
Happens all the time. Once the book leaves your hand, it's up to the reviewer. If they decide not to leave you one, well there's nothing you can do about that.
By the way, just as an added, usually responding to reviewers or reviewing reviewers, or things of that nature, can get you quickly put on a blacklist. Remember, a lot of these books reviewers know each other and talk about books they read.
My advice, ignore it and just keep writing.
I wasn't including bloggers in this, because it's a different situation. I've had rejections from bloggers as well, but this was a professional company run review group that runs on paid for services, that also confirmed the book had been read and was getting a review, but hasn't.
A.M.H. wrote: "Heidi, it was a semi-professional review site that offers paid for packages like "Tweet blast, author interview, and a month long promotion of your book, as well as a review for $100" as well as of..."If you paid for services and did not receive services, then absolutely you need to report them. Report them to the BBB, to your local fraud agency (It depends on where they are located, to determine who to report to.) and then you definitely need to write negative reviews everywhere that you can. There are so many predators taking advantage of authors and it is horrible. We must flush these people out to help protect one another. So sorry this has happened to you.
On a side note, I took a look at your book and it looks very interesting. I do book reviews on my blog www.heidiangell.com and would be happy to do a free review for you. I do have about 16 books ins queue so it won't be right away, but I will tag you on social media when I do the review.
Riley, so, for example, your saying if I paid Kirkus $500 for a review (which is their going rate), and they promise me a review (not in their contract. They call or email me a promise to review, as the book has already been read), and they never pay-up their end (the review) and also never gives a rejection notice or refund, are you just saying I'm out $500 and I can't anonymously (which Google allows) warn another indie author who is paying for this out of pocket like I have (theoretically speaking) not to spend $500 on a review they likely won't get. I'd get blacklisted for saying this about a professional company? Even though technically not providing a review that has been paid for is legally fraudulent (a scam is when a client pays for a service that is not given, and is regularly not given, by definition. Which makes the case I've given legally fraudulent, meaning I would have grounds to sue). That gets someone who is trying to protect what little money they had blacklisted? Again, I'm talking a professional company, not a private blogger who does free reviews (ergo, none of the R2R on goodreads or people who read and review for fun). Personally, I feel that if it's in a professional setting, like I've stated, as a client, I deserve to be treated better than a bad one night stand. But according to you, that gets one blacklisted.
I think what Riley was referring to was authors who harrass and complain about *Bad reviews that were given. Some people think that if they are paying for a review, then it had better be good. Then they harass the reviewers when it isn't. That isn't professional behavior. But that is also why I don't charge for reviews. I make my money through Amazon Associates from purchases by my readers. I have been really lucky in that I have not had any authors come to me complaining about my review.
And Heidi, I'd love to take you up on that offer. It might take me a week to submit (I've got a party this weekend I've got to clean up my house for and it's pretty much all hands on deck 24/7). And again, as a blogger, fellow author, and fellow free/honest reviewer, I don't care if I never hear from you about it again, or hell if you think it's so bad you just put on Amazon "0 stars if I could. just don't read." because, that's what an honest customer review is for. My problem was in a professional setting, what do you do? Because that is completely different.
Sounds great, AMH, look forward to hearing from you! I hear ya, it is frakking frustrating. But you should definitely report them. The behavior is fraudulent and if enough people have been taken advantage of, then they are running a con game. Sadly, the easiest people to con are people who have hopes and dreams, and playing on those hopes and dreams is super easy.
But it is our duty to look out for one another and to limit these criminals' reach so that they don't prey on other people's hopes and dreams!
Mod
No, I'm saying I took the true review pledge, and I have decided at this time there are no real reputable places to get a "Paid review" that isn't an editorial review. I figure if the editors of a magazine want to read my book, they can pick it up just like anyone else.
You experience illustrates exactly why I don't pay for reviews.
If you paid for a review, and were told you would receive one, and then you didn't...I would do as Heidi suggested and report them to people. Be loud and blast it anywhere and everywhere.
Unless you paid for the service though, nothing is guaranteed. Ask Christina about her experience with Reader's Favorite versus my experience with their free service.
Mostly, I'm wondering if this is a normal occurrence for these review magazines. With the first one I used (Reader's Choice), they were very clean and on top of things. I got a confirmation immediately that my manuscript had been received and when I was to expect a review or rejection letter. I got my review in half their projected time. Whereas with EB, which came highly recommended from SIA, amazon, and even Google, I've had no closure. Not even a rejection email, which I'd be more comfortable with than just being ignored.
So, has anyone else had this happen to them? And what did you do to solve it?