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Is this setting off warning bells?
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Like you, I've just had someone ask if they could review my book and when I looked at their profile, it was set to private and they hadn't given any reviews or even any ratings. They asked me in the form of a question (one of those Goodreads Questions). They asked for a PDF, mobi or ePub.It set off warning bells for me and I have left an answer to their Goodreads Question asking who they are, etc. I doubt it will be answered.
No you are not being paranoid, just aware. The very same thing just happened to me, and I suspect from the very same person. I did the same thing Anna did: emailed them asking for information. I also went to GR customer service and reported it--copied the question in its entirety, including the email address of the sender. That should take care of it.
There are so many people trying to scan us now, in every facet of our lives. It's very sad that we have to be so sceptical.
Just imagine if all that "scam" energy were put to some positive projects.
J.B. wrote: "Someone recently left a comment on my profile stating they would like to review my latest book and asked for a free copy in PDF form. I've offered to send ARC's of this book in a few goodreads grou..."It's a scam. I've had several similar situations happen to me. They offer to review my book or offer to review my book for a fee. I just block them and report them to Goodreads.
The tendency for self-published authors to routinely offer their work for very little or no cost has created a consumer base that has grown to accept this practice as the norm.Many authors and readers are unaware that a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requires that any compensated consumer review include a disclaimer stating so. Compensation includes, but is not limited to a free book, gift card, money or the promise of a reciprocal review.
You raise a good question, and there's some good advice here. When it comes down to it, use your best judgement. Never pay a fee for a review. If the profile is private and you can't see their reviews, ask them to send you a link to their blog or review outlets so you can see what types of reviews they do. If they don't share their reviews, it's probably not worth your time!Giveaways are an essential part of book promotion but that doesn't mean you need to respond to every request. You can always say something like "My giveaway window has closed, but you can read an excerpt here [with a link to your blog or writing section]."
Hope this helps!
Jan wrote: "Just imagine if all that "scam" energy were put to some positive projects."I know, right? I got a similar (but different) email today from someone offering nice reviews (from 40 different goodreads accounts) for a fee.
Or if all the phone scamming was turned to good use? My poor grandpa still thinks everyone on the phone is an honest person just needing a little money.
I had to block someone who got my email offering me 2000 reviews for $2000. I kept getting it like, every day. #1, I don't pay for reviews and #2, Amazon will definitely note 2000 glowing reviews all at once
Amazon will definitely note 2000 glowing reviews all at once..."Yeah, I've wondered how scammers think they can get around such blatant disregard for the rules.
Jan wrote: "Just imagine if all that "scam" energy were put to some positive projects."The trouble is, I don't think it requires all that much energy. It's all too easy to send the same email to lots of people.
Maybe if it was harder to do we'd see less of it.
Will wrote: "The trouble is, I don't think it requires all that much energy. It's all too easy to send the same email to lots of people..."But when was the last time we got mass emails telling us how amazing we were and to keep up the good work and not asking us for money? Energy spend on encouragement rather than spamming would be a more fulfilling hobby, I'd think. :)
What a fabulous idea! I wish I had time...
Their profile is named like it's a book review blog or something similar, but if I try to view it, the entire profile is on lock down and private unless you are friends. I get the "free book?" PM's on facebook all the time by people trying to steal books and last year, I was friended by someone with 500 friends in common who PM'ed me right after I accepted the request trying to sell me the copywrite to a book they had ghost written. Except it was someone else's published book and they stole the blurb word for word. I searched for the entire blurb and it took me directly to the books smashwords page.
The book I think they are asking for, I've registered the copywrite for, but it hasn't been processed yet, like everything else I've registered. Am I being paranoid or does this sound like another scam?