A question.

[P.D.R.]

'I was provided this book from good reads first reads'

Now what is a Goodreads first reads?
Am I missing a newsletter or not reading my newsletter closely enough?

[Angie]

I think it is a book people get an opportunity to read prior to the release date. Not sure how they get the privilege though. A group they are part of...?

[P.D.R.]

Thank you for that, Angie. I thought there might be a list sent round but I couldn't work out how and what. It sounds as though the book was actually provided and I didn't know GR did that.

[Lesley]

It isn't connected in anyway to the group Goodreads First Readers?
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Darkpool]

I think it's just a name for giveaways. Hit the giveaways link under the "Explore" drop down list, and the page heading says "First Reads". There's a blurb on there about early releases and stuff, but it seems that a book doesn't have to be a new/pre release to go into the giveaways...

[Kirsten]

I have another question. Not related to the above question, but I didn't think it needed its own board, so please bear with me as I walk my way through the question:
I've just been asked to write a guest blog post for another author's blog. Which is lovely, and I've written it, and submitted it back to them, just waiting on their response now.
But author's blogs. Are they something widely read? Do you value them greatly? Is it something I should be doing myself? Argh. It's a complicated world this publishing business. Write a book they said. It'll be easy!
Anyway, thank you.

[P.D.R.]

Easy! Hah!
Yes, if you go and accept a contract with most Small Press publishers they will expect you to have a blog, tweet, use Facebook, have a website and use maybe google plus or some other forms of social media. The trad publishers now do too.

Goodreads would be part of your author's portfolio too and an Amazon author page, ditto for Smashwords and any author /reader websites you like.

If you go Indie it's vital you do all that. You need to be where the readers who like your genre will be!
Amazon puts out over 3 million books a year. You have to be where readers might notice you.

You go as a reader and interesting person first of all. You do not run around screaming 'Buy my book.'
It will take five years to build up visibility through friendships with enough readers who then might buy your book.
BUT
fret not. The friends you meet, like the ones I've met here, are worth every moment of your time.