Review Group discussion
Finished rounds
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Group 122. Clean. Mod G.J.
Is there a significant difference in the demographic makeup of the Clean group vs. the General group? Is one much more one way than another? Are there philosophical or artistic differences? Other than "cleanliness" what is the nature of the books in clean?Thanks so much for answering.
Phew - thanks. I've read rules & all good with me. Links are Diana J. Febry and Who Killed Vivien Morse
Hi Jonathan, so I don't have the time to do the research for you. Have a look back between general and clean rounds in the finished rounds folder.
Thought: add the three of us (myself and two listed in the general round still forming, although very slowly). The two books now listed in general round 124 seem "clean."Then close down group 124 and presto! Group 122 is full.
I haven't been reviewed by, or have reviewed, the two nice authors listed in Group 124.
Emma wrote: "Hi Jonathan, so I don't have the time to do the research for you. Have a look back between general and clean rounds in the finished rounds folder."I'm not asking anyone to do any research for me. I just thought people might have enough experience to comment.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look through those.
I'd love to join this round. I have read and agree to the rules. I'm a little unclear on #13. Is this saying that I'm not technically obligated, but strongly urged to review on Amazon?I have not reviewed nor been reviewed by anyone here.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Welcome aboard Jonathan.Yes, you've got it. The new amazon rules mean an author can no longer supply a free book in exchange for a review. It has to be the reviewers choice to review, BUT we all want reviews on amazon.
Scott, the two authors chose to join the general, not the clean round. Maybe their books don't fit the 'clean' criteria. And if a book has gruesome details, it shouldn't be in a clean round. This round was set up for authors who prefer not to read graphic material, I have to respect that.
Amazon still allows people who haven't purchased the book on Kindle to review, right? Doesn't it bias against such people now in computing the "aggregate" score? If I'm right on both those counts, are these groups encouraging people to buy the book so as to avoid that penalty?
Yes that's right Jonathan, those reviews just aren't 'verified'. However, even books borrowed from KU don't come up as 'verified'.Yes it would be lovely if everyone left verified reviews for each other, but I don't think its a tenable option for the group to insist members spend money in order to participate.
The logistics of ensuring members pay around the same price, as well as ensuing non-reciprocal reviews would be too taxing.
.com now prioritises 'verified' reviews in the list of displayed reviews, but non-verified reviews still count towards the number of reviews.
Okay, I'll officially pull out here and set up tent in "General" still forming. Thanks!
I believe you can also only do five unverified reviews per week on Amazon now? Down under the "Additional Guidelines" section. https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...
Thanks for posting that Theodore, I hadn't seen that, they seem to sneak in new ruls all the time. Luckily, it doesn't affect us here, note the does not include clause.This is the exact wording:
Customers can submit 5 non-Amazon Verified Purchase reviews each week. Non-Amazon Verified Purchase review counts are calculated each week from Sunday at 12:00am UTC through Saturday 11:59pm UTC. This policy does not apply to Vine reviews or reviews on digital and physical books, music, and video.
Ahhh, good catch, thanks. That's a huge relief for me!
Hi Emma, I am able to provide free codes for my book for those who have an ipad/iphone. Is that going to be ok to provide these codes to whoever is going to review my book? I get these codes via D2D who have this arrangement with Apple. Thanks. James
You can provide them if you wish, and most people will be happy to have them, but you also need to have at least a PDF copy to send out (which you can get via D2D) just in case people don't use smashwords.
Emma wrote: "Yes that's right Jonathan, those reviews just aren't 'verified'. However, even books borrowed from KU don't come up as 'verified'.Yes it would be lovely if everyone left verified reviews for each ..."
Emma wrote: "Yes that's right Jonathan, those reviews just aren't 'verified'. However, even books borrowed from KU don't come up as 'verified'.
Yes it would be lovely if everyone left verified reviews for each ..."
Thanks. I think they weight verified views more too.
So now I'm just waiting for this round to begin?
Hi Emma, I am able to provide free codes for my book for those who have an ipad/iphone. Is that going to be ok to provide these codes to whoever is going to review my book? I get these codes via D2D who have this arrangement with Apple. Thanks. James
You can get your book to your reviewer in whatever way you both agree, BUT they only have to accept a PDF copy. They don't have to accept the format YOU choose, unless they want to.Verified reviews on amazon only occur when a book has been bought, not borrowed, from amazon.
If you are in Kindle select, it may be possible to set up a giveaway for one day, so that your reviewers can get your book for free and still give you a verified review.
Aha Emma, here is where my first novel belongs! Romantic (tender, wholesome) comedy with plot-twisting suspense, but no bad language at all or gore or anything. I apologize, and will write a note on the other more general site.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
and
my Goodread Author link is:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Thank you so very much for your patience.
I look forward to reading and reviewing.
All best,
Glen
Emma wrote: "Welcome Glen, one more to find....."And then, once an additional author/book is found, you tell us which books we are to read?
Do we get all 4 books at once or one at a time? (I understand that you randomly assign them.)
Do we then orchestrate obtaining the book from the author, or does the author initiate contact with us?
(One of the Goodreads problems I am having is that in the current messaging system the name of the person writing is clear, but there is no identification of the name of the group from which they are writing, much less any further sub-details of the thread- and so I am hunting around trying to find out!!!)
Thank you so kindly for your clarifications.
Glen
That's all correct Glen. If you want to get an idea of what with happen have a look at one of the running threads (anything without 'now forming' in the title.It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to the four reviewers. You have to be at least be able to provide PDF files.
However, some of out lovely members will buy a book if the price isn't too high (so you get verified reviews), and others will download via KU (if your book is in Select), but they are not obliged to do this.
To message people, click on their icon to go to their author page. Underneath the page is a grey bar with 'follow author' on it. To the right of this is a down arrow. Hover over it and you'll get a menu, include 'send message'. This is goodread PM (private message) system. we use it to talk to tack other privately, just like email. Its more secure than mentioning email addresses on an open forum like this.
I hope that helps.
Hi, I just got my science-fantasy book published. It's a good fit for young adult. Am I too late to join this group? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Oh, btw, the name of my novel is Grounded, a Dragon's Tale.
Sorry if this is off-topic, but are reciprocal reviews (independent of the groups) against the rules on this site? Some of the books here look interesting, and I was thinking that if I didn't end up being assigned to them, I'd suggest reciprocal reviews with the authors.
Mod
Gloria, can you let me know if you have any review clashes with the other members?Chrys, don't runaway yet, just like you Gloria has been in quite a few groups, I've got my fingers crossed that one of you will fit, but as she put her hand up first, she gets priority (unless she doesn't fit).
Jonathan, what you do outside the group is entirely up to you, but reviewing books of people who have reviewed you, is often frowned upon, especially on amazon. There is nothing to stop you doing it on goodreads, but you might find amazon won't let you post as they will think you are biased, especially if you recently received a high star review in return.
The spectre of bias is why we adhere to a strict non-reciprocal policy within the group.
Mod
You know, 'The Spectre of Bias' sounds like a great name for a character. Or a book title...
Its mine! (looks around cuddling her new 'precious' idea).
Mod
Mod
(looks around cuddling her new 'precious' idea)."
Reminds me of the wordplay in 'The Phantom Tollbooth.'
Hmm, not wanting to be rude, Chrys but I really hope Gloria hasn't got as many connections, just thinking about trying to fit you in with the other (few though they may be) clashes in this group is giving me a headache already!
Mod
Emma wrote: re: avoding the spectre of bias.Good point. I'll avoid it.
Hi, Just to let you know that I haven't reviewed any of the listed books. I'll give those who are assigned to review my book a code so they can download it for free from Smashwords.
Its not the books that are important per se, its the authors. Have you reviewed any of them and have any of them reviewed you?I'll take it that this is what you meant and start setting up the group ASAP. I'm sure you know the drill as you've been in three previous groups.
At last, here we go!START DATE: 07/12/2016
END DATE: 01/03/2017
Round 1 – post your review by 28/12/2016
Round 2 – post your review by 18/01/2017
Round 3 – post your review by 08/02/2017
Round 4 – post your review by 01/03/2017
As AUTHORS you send your book file to:
122-01__ Mary T Kincaid
Diana Febry for round 1
Gloria Piper for round 2
Glen Weissenberger for round 3
Johnathan Lewis for round 4
122-02__ Alison Ripley Cubitt
Mary T Kincaid for round 1
Diana Febry for round 2
Gloria Piper for round 3
Glen Weissenberger for round 4
122-03__ Augustine Sam
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 1
Mary T Kincaid for round 2
Diana Febry for round 3
Gloria Piper for round 4
122-04__ Theodore Ashford
Augustine Sam for round 1
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 2
Mary T Kincaid for round 3
Diana Febry for round 4
122-05__ James F.Foster
Theodore Ashford for round 1
Augustine Sam for round 2
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 3
Mary T Kincaid for round 4
122-06__ Stjepan Varesvac Cobets
James F.Foster for round 1
Theodore Ashford for round 2
Augustine Sam for round 3
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 4
122-07__ Johnathan Lewis
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 1
James F.Foster for round 2
Theodore Ashford for round 3
Augustine Sam for round 4
122-08__ Glen Weissenberger
Johnathan Lewis for round 1
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 2
James F.Foster for round 3
Theodore Ashford for round 4
122-09__ Gloria Piper
Glen Weissenberger for round 1
Johnathan Lewis for round 2
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 3
James F.Foster for round 4
122-10__ Diana Febry
Gloria Piper for round 1
Glen Weissenberger for round 2
Johnathan Lewis for round 3
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 4
As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:
122-01__ Mary T Kincaid
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 1
Augustine Sam for round 2
Theodore Ashford for round 3
James F.Foster for round 4
122-02__ Alison Ripley Cubitt
Augustine Sam for round 1
Theodore Ashford for round 2
James F.Foster for round 3
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 4
122-03__ Augustine Sam
Theodore Ashford for round 1
James F.Foster for round 2
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 3
Johnathan Lewis for round 4
122-04__ Theodore Ashford
James F.Foster for round 1
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 2
Johnathan Lewis for round 3
Glen Weissenberger for round 4
122-05__ James F.Foster
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 1
Johnathan Lewis for round 2
Glen Weissenberger for round 3
Gloria Piper for round 4
122-06__ Stjepan Varesvac Cobets
Johnathan Lewis for round 1
Glen Weissenberger for round 2
Gloria Piper for round 3
Diana Febry for round 4
122-07__ Johnathan Lewis
Glen Weissenberger for round 1
Gloria Piper for round 2
Diana Febry for round 3
Mary T Kincaid for round 4
122-08__ Glen Weissenberger
Gloria Piper for round 1
Diana Febry for round 2
Mary T Kincaid for round 3
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 4
122-09__ Gloria Piper
Diana Febry for round 1
Mary T Kincaid for round 2
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 3
Augustine Sam for round 4
122-10__ Diana Febry
Mary T Kincaid for round 1
Alison Ripley Cubitt for round 2
Augustine Sam for round 3
Theodore Ashford for round 4
Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reads/reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.
It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines.
All reviews must be posted to GR. We also encourage members to post on amazon .com and .uk. When you have posted your reviews, please post the three links to your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on amazon. I set up all the groups, and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to amazon, will find me less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.
Postings to other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.
If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.
To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum). Happy reviewing, everyone :)
I'll hang around until your round mod, Graham, takes over.
Hi Johnathan, I should read your book. On your profile, I can not find how to send a message to you. Send me a message on my profile so that I gave you my email address.
Jonathan, you need to claim your author profile ASAP. Go to the link in the sign up message with your name, this is your author page. Scroll down till you see a 'is this you?' message, click on it.Simples.
Hello Everyone,I’m G.J. and will be your moderator until 1st March 2017. I will be tracking progress and trying to keep the group on schedule. But I am also here to help with any queries or problems you may have. Here are a few gentle reminders that usually help things go smoothly for all participants. Apologies if some stuff sounds similar to Emma's notes but it only emphasises how important it is to keep to your commitment to your fellow authors and the due dates.
Note that everyone should send out copies of his/her work to FOUR others and should therefore REVIEW four different authors. It is a good idea to send your email address privately (Direct or Private Message =PM) for sending your book so that you avoid scammers &co. It's just a thought but it happens.
1. Each author is responsible for the delivery of their respective books to the assigned reviewers. The usual formats are pdf, mobi/kindle, and epub. If anyone needs to convert the format of a book, useful (free) methods are Calibre or Draft2digital so you could download one of those.
2. Reviews should be honest (e.g., you must have read the book) and remain civil. But your review does not have to be Positive (three stars or more). There should not be any discussion of the reviews on the Group thread.
3. Wherever possible reviewers should avoid "spoilers."
4. You can help me a lot by posting all three links (to GR and Amazons US & UK) at once, and by ensuring that you are giving the links to your actual review, not the book's page. Both Amazons will send you the links to the review when they have posted it. It should not take long.
5. Some of you will already have experience reviewing, and everyone has their own approach. But if you do want some useful advice, there is a nice piece by one of the group's former moderators, Jay, called “What is a review and how to I write one?” in the sign up message. I also recommend this:
https://janruthblog.wordpress.com/201...
6. There is sometimes a very good reason why people fall behind (family crises, illness, alien abduction, dead laptop) but try and let me know if you need more time. If you have any questions or problems, please let me know, either by posting here or by messaging me.
Most importantly, please enjoy the process of reviewing/being reviewed, particularly if you are new to the "experience".
Best Wishes, All,
G.J.
I've just been informed that despite saying they had read and agreed to the rules (including rule 7) two members of this round still have outstanding reviews to do an another round.Please finish those reviews before starting these ones and there will be no extension to review deadlines in this round.
I didn't think I had to check up on adults, seems I was wrong.
I see a list of authors and a list of books. But I don't see a list of assignments.
Diana, how do I get in touch with you so that I can get a PDF of your work?Mary
Emma wrote: "Jonathan, you need to claim your author profile ASAP. Go to the link in the sign up message with your name, this is your author page. Scroll down till you see a 'is this you?' message, click on it...."Thanks. I did that. I hope it doesn't take too long or hit any snags. They had many books that were not by me.
Mary wrote: "Diana, how do I get in touch with you so that I can get a PDF of your work?Mary"
Mary, a couple of points:
1. In round 1 Diana reviews your book, not the other way round.
2. You still owe reviews in 116 Clean and these should be completed before you embark on reviews here. See rule 7 above.
Thanks, G.J.
Hi Jonathon Lewis - your profile doesn't allow me to message you. Please could you message me with your e-mail & preferred format.
Hi,I've been able to email everyone in my rounds except Johnathan Lewis. When I hit "follow" and then the arrow, I don't get anything about sending a message.
Hi, Johnathon Lewis,If you see this message, could you contact me here on Goodreads and I'll reply with details on downloading my novel to you.
Review Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Buying a House in New Zealand: Find Your Perfect Home (other topics)Little Worlds of Magic (other topics)
Grounded: A Dragon's Tale (other topics)
Made to Measure Man: A Weissenberger Romantic Suspense Novel, Book One (other topics)
Nice Guys Can Get the Girls: How to be Successful With Women Without Becoming a Creep (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Alison Ripley Cubitt (other topics)Mary T. Kincaid (other topics)
Gloria Piper (other topics)
Glen Weissenberger (other topics)
Jonathan Lewis (other topics)
More...
The general review group is indeed forming, but it's a question of how long that group will take to form, as well as this group...
But, as always, I'm here at everyone's pleasure.