Questions about the rules

[Attila]

I probably managed to overcomplicate things. ;) So please post your questions about the rules here.

[Mariyam]

Hi Attila,

I've a short story collection with 12 short stories, each ranging from 2000 to 5000 words. The book name is Still the Love Blooms would it be eligible for an entry into the pool. Right now, I've requested it for the main pool since I didn't know about the short story review pool.

Thanks,
Mariyam

[Attila]

Mariyam wrote: "I've a short story collection with 12 short stories, each ranging from 2000 to 5000 words."

That's at least 27000 words, possibly more. I think that fits better in the main pool.

[Attila]

roo3story wrote: "Are they just lazy?"

I'm afraid I can't answer this. :)

The way the review swap works here is this: you choose a book from the list of available books. You read it, and write a review. For this, you get your book listed. (A short story in this pool, or a regular book in the main pool.) When someone else comes along, and they want a review of their book, they have to do the same thing. So they go to the list of books, where your book is listed. If they choose your book, you get a review from them. If they choose another book, then someone else will come along later who chooses yours.

To read the entire process in more detail, please read this post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[James]

If I find a book I would like to review, can I purchase it from Amazon rather than have the author send me a copy. This way, my review will stand as a Verified Purchase and hopefully carry more clout!

Most Indie books are ridiculously cheap, so what's the harm?

[Attila]

James wrote: "If I find a book I would like to review, can I purchase it from Amazon rather than have the author send me a copy. This way, my review will stand as a Verified Purchase and hopefully carry more clo..."

If you would like to do that, then I'm sure the author will appriciate it.

Just keep in mind that when your book is chosen by someone else, they might not do the same thing.

[Attila]

Oh, and even when you do that, please let us know which book you chose so we can keep track of the review.

[Danielle]

Am I supposed to just post the numbers that signify I read the instructions when I post in the "Is my book eligible (step1)" post?

[Attila]

Danielle wrote: "Am I supposed to just post the numbers that signify I read the instructions when I post in the "Is my book eligible (step1)" post?"

Yes, just add those to the end of the post.

Unfortunately, we've had many issues with people asking to review books, and then letting us know afterward that oh, they never thought they needed to actually post on amazon, well they can't do that... So I now want to make sure people really read the rules and understand how the pool works.

[Chris]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned anywhere, but am I right to assume this group is independent of the full-length novel group? In other words, can I request to read a short story while I'm already reading a book from the full-length novel thread?

[Attila]

Chris wrote: "I'm not sure if this was mentioned anywhere, but am I right to assume this group is independent of the full-length novel group? In other words, can I request to read a short story while I'm already..."

Yes, you can request one book from each pool, and thus be reading as many as three books at the same time (one from each of the pools).

Note, however, that you can only review a book once. If you reviewed a book in the main pool, you cannot request the same book here, or the other way round. And no reciprocal reviews, unless previously agreed to by both parties.

[Ronald]

Hi

I would like to know, what is the policy on getting reviews for books that have not yet been released?

Also, I have some publications that required an estimated 6 to 8 weeks before being acknowledged to be on the global plane. This also includes the estimated time that it takes to be established to Amazon. Are those types of publications admissible for review while they are going through that process?

[Attila]

Only released books can have reviews on Amazon.com.

[Nadishka]

Hi I added my books to the pool quite some time ago but they have not been picked by anyone yet. What happens if they are not selected? I've already done my part by reviewing others... so I'd really like to get some reviews myself!

[Attila]

They stay in the group until they are picked up. There is no time limit, they won't be removed just because they were not chosen by others yet. The only reason they could be temporarily removed is if someone asks for the book, and we're unable to get in touch with the author for a while.

[Nadishka]

Attila wrote: "They stay in the group until they are picked up. There is no time limit, they won't be removed just because they were not chosen by others yet. The only reason they could be temporarily removed is ..."

How do I check if anyone has requested one of my books?

[Attila]

You can see the book requests here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Some people prefer to get in touch with the author themselves directly, but in most cases, when a book is requested, I will send the author a private message here on Goodreads.

[Ronald]

Hi Attila

I Hope that all is going well. I have been away on an emergency. I probably would be one to two days late making the submission of the review which would probably be 10-23-18 or 10-24-18. Could you please tell me about the processes required to submit the reviews to Goodreads and Amazon?

Respectfully
Ronald Walker

[Attila]

You go to the book's page (on Goodreads and on Amazon separately), click the write a review button (or rate it first, whichever comes up), and then write your review. Since you're probably going to use the same review on both sites, it's probably best if you write it in a text editor first, then you can copy/paste the same review to both sites. The posted review will immediately show up on Goodreads, but Amazon requires manual approval, so it may take a while before it appears there. Wait patiently, and they will send you an email when it's up. When both reviews are up, copy their URL addresses into this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Ronald]

Attila wrote: "You go to the book's page (on Goodreads and on Amazon separately), click the write a review button (or rate it first, whichever comes up), and then write your review. Since you're probably going to..."

Hi Attila
How could I locate the apps for posting a review on Goodreads and Amazon, and how do I use them?

[Attila]

You don't need any additional apps. You just go to the book's Goodreads and Amazon pages in your browser (the same browser you use to access this page), click the review button, and write the review.

For example, this is the book you chose on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Click the number of stars you give it under "Rate this book," and then follow the instructions to write the written review as well.

On the same page, you click the "Amazon" button, that will take you to the book's page on Amazon. Scroll down to "Write a customer review," click that button, and follow the instructions.

[Shahnila]

Hey is there any short story for review?

[Attila]

Shahnila wrote: "Hey is there any short story for review?"

Hi, yes, you can find the current list of books to choose from here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Be sure to read the rules first, and submit your own book: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Nadishka]

I just gave a one star review for the book I picked. I honestly expected it to be good because it has 4+ star rating on Goodreads. I've posted my reviews, but will the author be offended? What happens now? Can she ask for the reviews to be taken down?

[Attila]

Nadishka wrote: "I just gave a one star review for the book I picked. I honestly expected it to be good because it has 4+ star rating on Goodreads. I've posted my reviews, but will the author be offended? What happ..."

You have the freedom to post any review you see fit, but since the goal of the group is to help, not hurt each other, it is preferred that in such cases you only send your review to the author, or even just to me, if you feel the author may be offended. If it's clear from the message that you've read the book, and would not like to post a low rating, you still get credit for that review, even if not posted.

If you start a book, and don't like it, it's usually best to just return it to the pool, and choose another one instead.

[Bryan]

I've posted a review in Amazon and Goodreads, but Amazon has not accepted my review yet. Should I wait until Amazon has accepted my review?

[Attila]

Bryan wrote: "I've posted a review in Amazon and Goodreads, but Amazon has not accepted my review yet. Should I wait until Amazon has accepted my review?"

Yes, please. And when they do, post the links of both reviews (Goodreads and Amazon). Amazon usually accepts reviews in a day or two, so normally you shouldn't have to wait long.

[Isaac]

Gone over the rules. My short story exceeds that over 2500 words. But hopefully its doable for this group and it can be read in less than 10 minutes

[Attila]

Isaac wrote: "Gone over the rules. My short story exceeds that over 2500 words. But hopefully its doable for this group and it can be read in less than 10 minutes"

That's fine. The pool limit is not 2500, but 25000 words.