Group 164. Out of this World - Mod Scott

[E.M.]

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round.
The new amazon rules state that authors/publishers are no longer allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on amazon. To comply with this new rule, we no longer insist members review on amazon. However, we are all in the same situation, we want reviews.
When sorting out groups, I prioritise those members who have fully participated in previous groups and don’t have multiple review connections with the other participants.

This is an 'Out of this World' round
Fiction books classified as sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, paranormal.

If you are only willing to review your own preferred genre, make sure you join a genre round. Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.
Let’s be honest here – we don’t all like the same things but we all want reviews. The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your goodreads author and goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:
1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed. If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to goodreads, amazon.com and amazon.uk. Amazon has recently changed their criteria for reviewers to allow only those people who have spent $50 on amazon. If you are unsure about your amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files. Many authors can also provide mobi and epub files. You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review. Some authors borrow books via KU and others provide smashwords coupons. This is their choice. International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. It is up to individuals what disclaimers they place in a review concerning receiving a book in exchange for a review. Note: reviews that state you received a copy ‘IN RETURN’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

7. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

8. You have an author profile set up before you join.

9. Your goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

10. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round. Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

11. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book.

12. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it. If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

13. The new amazon.com review guidelines do not allow for free books to be supplied in return for reviews. Therefore, you are not obliged to review on amazon, just on goodreads. We all want reviews, its why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

14. Your goodreads details and the rounds you participate in will be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.
It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be:
Scott Spotson


Member Links
1. Scott Spotson
2. James Maxstadt
3. Jeanette O'Hagan
4. S.D. Reeves
5. David J. Tucker
6. Jessica Titone
7. Alex Beecroft
8. Jennifer Arntson
9. Lucretia Stanhope
10. Mary R. Woldering

Book Links
1. The Deadly Wizard Games
2. Tales of a Nuisance Man
3. Akrad's Children
4. Curses of Scale
5. Genesis: The Battle Within
6. Stolen
7. Lioness of Cygnus Five
8. Scavenger Girl: Season of Atchem
9. Fateful Attractions
10. Voices in Crystal

[Scott]

Thanks, E.M. Look forward to modding. I'll also participate. My book offered is Wizards Rising: The Cataclysm, which is currently available on Goodreads as The Deadly Wizard Games -- same story, just new title and new tweaks. I'll make the changeover in the next few days.

The Deadly Wizard Games

[E.M.]

Thanks, Scott and welcome aboard to Dan!

[Brin]

Can we be in more than one review round? I've posted in 165 but would love to do 164 as well (fast and thorough reader).
Children Of The Furnace

[Brin]

Just noticed this:
You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

Seriously, this isn't an issue for me? Don't want to plead special case or anything – but I often read three books in a weekend – and not skim read, in-depth. Plus used to run a review blog. I will get through them, promise, pretty please??

[Scott]

Hi Brin, no you can't be in more than one review round simultaneously. The rules are designed to prevent the same authors from hogging all the review rounds at one time. For example if we had no rules regarding this, and had five review groups, in theory the same ten authors could sign up on all five review groups.

But, if you finish Group 165, you can join Group 164. Unless this group is really slow to form, it's unlikely that you will join on time, but you never know.

[James]

Hi, I'd like to join.

Book link is:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Author link is:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

First time doing it, so no conflicts.

Thanks!

[E.M.]

Welcome aboard James - do make sure you read the rules if this is your first time :)

[Brin]

No worries, can see that's fair.

[Brin]

I'm just super-keen!!

[Jeanette]

Hi, I'd love to join this round with YA fantasy novel Akrad's Children

My GRs profile is https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

The book https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

(I've finished all my reviews in the previous round),

So far I'm aware of any clashes.

[E.M.]

Jeanette wrote: "Hi, I'd love to join this round with YA fantasy novel Akrad's Children..."

Welcome aboard Jeanette, I think maybe you got the link to Akrad's Children a bit off there though ;)

[Jeanette]

E.M. wrote: "Jeanette wrote: "Hi, I'd love to join this round with YA fantasy novel Akrad's Children..."

Welcome aboard Jeanette, I think maybe you got the link to Akrad's Children a bit off there though ;)"

LOL - yes, ... if only lol. I fixed it. Teach me for copying & pasting a truncated link. And how many authors get a single digit number for their book.

[S.D.]

S.D. Reeves | 1 comments
I would love to join this round.

My profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

My book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[E.M.]

Welcome aboard S.D. - but is a bad idea to copy/paste incomplete links ;)

[S.D.]

That's what I get for not double checking, hah! Sorry about that. Edited, just for the sake of it.

[E.M.]

No worries, S.D. - you are not the first ;)

[Mary]

I'd love to be reviewed My link is

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[E.M.]

Heyas Mary! Great to see you here and happy to add you to this round, but I need a link to the book you would like to be reviewed and can you please affirm that you have read the rules? Thanks :)

[David]

Hiya
here is my link, if a spot is free ...

[E.M.]

Welcome aboard David! Don't forget to check for any clashes ;)

[Jessica]

I'd love to join.

Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

My previous review round was in a different genre, so no conflicts here so far. I will keep checking the thread and speak up if any arise.

[Alex]

Ooh, I would love to be involved with this please. My book is here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
and I am here
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[E.M.]

Welcome Jessica and Alex :)

[Jennifer]

I'd also like to join! I've read the rules. What is the timeframe once we begin? (I'm sure it won't be an issue, but didn't see it noted). I do. It have any conflicts with any members. Scavenger Girl, Season of Atchem is listed with KU, and I'd be happy to supply another eVersion if necessary. Here are my links.

GR Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scavenger-Girl...

[Lucretia]

I'd like to join with, Fateful Atractions. I have read Scott before but not this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[E.M.]

Welcome aboard Jennifer and - Oh, hello again Lucretia ;)

Jennifer, for future reference you need to post the Goodreads link to your book when you apply for a round not the Amazon one and you are allowed 12 weeks for reading all 4 books. :)

[Mary]

Hello E. M. I've read the rules and can do this. The link is for Book 1 as it is the start of the series. I really need the others reviewed though.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[E.M.]

Welcome aboard Mary!

This round is now 'Pending' which means if you can double check you have not reviewed any of the four people 'above' you (it wraps around so 2 is reviewed by 1, 10, 9 and 8) in the list I would be very grateful. If no one protests by tomorrow, I will post the doings to set the round off and hand over to Scott :)

[Scott]

Looks good E.M. I usually have conflicts every round, but this one looks pretty straightforward! As Lucretia said, she's reviewed me before, but not this book, and the list's set up in the right order for that to happen. No other conflicts, wow.

[Jennifer]

E.M. wrote: "Welcome aboard Jennifer and - Oh, hello again Lucretia ;)

Jennifer, for future reference you need to post the Goodreads link to your book when you apply for a round not the Amazon one and you are ..."

Hahaha! Oops. That's what I get for responding after midnight on my phone. Here's the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Thanks for the add, 12-weeks is more than enough time! I'm super excited to participate!!!

[Mary]

E.M. wrote: "Welcome aboard Mary!

This round is now 'Pending' which means if you can double check you have not reviewed any of the four people 'above' you (it wraps around so 2 is reviewed by 1, 10, 9 and 8) i..."

Haven't read any of those! :-)

[Alex]

These are all new to me too.

[Jeanette]

No conflicts that I can see.

[Jennifer]

I'm not familiar with anyone, so I'm good!

[E.M.]

OK - still a newb at this so if anyone notices a discrepancy please squeal - you should be reviewed by the 4 'above' you and be reviewing the 4 below.

START DATE: 26-Nov-17

END DATE: 17-Feb-18

Round 1 – post your review by 17-Dec-17
Round 2 – post your review by 07-Jan-18
Round 3 – post your review by 28-Jan-18
Round 4 – post your review by 17-Feb-18

As AUTHORS you send your book file to:

164-01__Scott Spotson
Mary R. Woldering for round 1
Lucretia Stanhope for round 2
Jennifer Arntson for round 3
Alex Beecroft for round 4

164-02__James Maxstadt
Scott Spotson for round 1
Mary R. Woldering for round 2
Lucretia Stanhope for round 3
Jennifer Arntson for round 4

164-03__Jeanette O'Hagan
James Maxstadt for round 1
Scott Spotson for round 2
Mary R. Woldering for round 3
Lucretia Stanhope for round 4

164-04__S.D. Reeves
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 1
James Maxstadt for round 2
Scott Spotson for round 3
Mary R. Woldering for round 4

164-05__David J. Tucker
S.D. Reeves for round 1
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 2
James Maxstadt for round 3
Scott Spotson for round 4

164-06__ Jessica Titone
David J. Tucker for round 1
S.D. Reeves for round 2
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 3
James Maxstadt for round 4

164-07__ Alex Beecroft
Jessica Titone for round 1
David J. Tucker for round 2
S.D. Reeves for round 3
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 4

164-08__ Jennifer Arntson
Alex Beecroft for round 1
Jessica Titone for round 2
David J. Tucker for round 3
S.D. Reeves for round 4

164-09__ Lucretia Stanhope
Jennifer Arntson for round 1
Alex Beecroft for round 2
Jessica Titone for round 3
David J. Tucker for round 4

164-10__ Mary R. Woldering
Lucretia Stanhope for round 1
Jennifer Arntson for round 2
Alex Beecroft for round 3
Jessica Titone for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

164-01__Scott Spotson
James Maxstadt for round 1
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 2
S.D. Reeves for round 3
David J. Tucker for round 4

164-02__James Maxstadt
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 1
S.D. Reeves for round 2
David J. Tucker for round 3
Jessica Titone for round 4

164-03__Jeanette O'Hagan
S.D. Reeves for round 1
David J. Tucker for round 2
Jessica Titone for round 3
Alex Beecroft for round 4

164-04__S.D. Reeves
David J. Tucker for round 1
Jessica Titone for round 2
Alex Beecroft for round 3
Jennifer Arntson for round 4

164-05__David J. Tucker
Jessica Titone for round 1
Alex Beecroft for round 2
Jennifer Arntson for round 3
Lucretia Stanhope for round 4

164-06__ Jessica Titone
Alex Beecroft for round 1
Jennifer Arntson for round 2
Lucretia Stanhope for round 3
Mary R. Woldering for round 4

164-07__ Alex Beecroft
Jennifer Arntson for round 1
Lucretia Stanhope for round 2
Mary R. Woldering for round 3
Scott Spotson for round 4

164-08__ Jennifer Arntson
Lucretia Stanhope for round 1
Mary R. Woldering for round 2
Scott Spotson for round 3
James Maxstadt for round 4

164-09__ Lucretia Stanhope
Mary R. Woldering for round 1
Scott Spotson for round 2
James Maxstadt for round 3
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 4

164-10__ Mary R. Woldering
Scott Spotson for round 1
James Maxstadt for round 2
Jeanette O'Hagan for round 3
S.D. Reeves 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 and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to amazon, will find mods 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 :)

Please consider downloading one of my books and/or one of the round mod’s books as a thank you for all the hard work we put in for the group.

[E.M.]

Quick 'start-up' summary as I know a couple of people are new here and might be scratching their heads - you should PM the four people who will be reviewing you through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.

Ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF, though unless a publisher uploaded it for you, you can always download a .mobi of your own book from Amazon.

Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books instead, or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there.

Phew! That is me done - over to Scott! :)

[Scott]

Thanks E.M. Let's shuffle these books around!

[David]

No clashes by the looks E.M ... ta 😊

[Scott]

Hi everyone. Are you exchanging books? This group is a "go."

I've contacted the four authors I'll be reviewing and did that yesterday, providing my email address. As for anyone reviewing me, please let me know your email address. Thanks!

[Alex]

I've sent out my books to the four people reviewing me and have recieved one of the books I'm to review. If the other people whom I'm reviewing want to get in contact, I'm on alex@alexbeecroft.com

[S.D.]

I've sent out books to two people, and have received books from two people. Still waiting on the first rounders.

[Jennifer]

Alex wrote: "I've sent out my books to the four people reviewing me and have recieved one of the books I'm to review. If the other people whom I'm reviewing want to get in contact, I'm on alex@alexbeecroft.com"

Thanks Alex! I just emailed you ;)

[Scott]

So far I have gotten books from two authors, and sent my book to one (thanks Alex!), waiting for the rest.

[Jeanette]

I've got two books and sent one. Sent emails to James, Mary and Lucretia.

[Mary]

So far only one person has asked for my book. I bought one book and another needs to be sent in a different format.
If anyone else needs to know, my email is crazeeferret@hotmail.com
Mary R. Woldering

[Jennifer]

Mary wrote: "So far only one person has asked for my book. I bought one book and another needs to be sent in a different format.
If anyone else needs to know, my email is crazeeferret@hotmail.com
Mary R. Woldering"

Hi Mary,
I downloaded VIC with my KU ;)

[Jennifer]

David wrote: "Hiya
here is my link, if a spot is free ...
"

How would you like to receive Scavenger Girl? I can email it, or you can get it on KU.

[Alex]

Here's my first review. I hope the idea was to be honest. If it wasn't, let me know and I'll try to get it taken down:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The star rating is lower on Goodreads because four on Amazon is "I liked it," whereas 3 on Goodreads is "I liked it."

[Scott]

Thanks Alex. You're fast.

Everyone got his or her books or gave away to everyone? We should finish exchanging books by Nov. 30, that's four days after group start date.

Let me know if you're having trouble.