Help finding reviewers

[J.L.]

Hi everyone!

I am very new to the indie publishing scene. To be honest, at times I feel like I'm in over my head.

My first novel came out a few weeks ago. The excitement was extreme, to say the least, but since then it's been a slow crawl. I didn't really have any delusions of fame, I just felt overeager to see what people think of my novel. I've posted on a lot of boards, but so far only two people have requested review copies, and I'm still eagerly awaiting their reviews.

I'm enjoying every minute of the journey so far. The whole writing experience is great and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But have you guys also struggled getting reviews? Do you maybe have a few hints and tips for those starting out like me?

[Thomas]

The "in over the head" feeling is completely normal. Many of us have been there, or are there now. As is the excitement feeling.

I've had my first out since March this year and the best advice I can give is, the reviews will come. Keep asking and there will be reviewers. Reviews can take some time as most reviewers I know of have a backlog of books to get through, so if it's on their list, give them some time.

Your best reviews are going to come from random people as they pick up your book. Do some events in stores, sell copies, and keep writing. The reviews will come eventually.

[Justin]

I'm probably the last person who should be giving advice on finding reviews however I do know of two places you could try. One is the ARR program in the Making Connections group here on Goodreads. You request for people to read your book by filling out info and they will post it and if people like it they will comment by leaving their e-mails. (If your not a member I'd suggest commenting on a few threads to get used to the group then go ahead with ARR).
The second place I'd recommend is your blog page or Facebook Fanpage if you have either. Just say your looking to do a giveaway for a few copies in exchange for reviews, you may get a couple people.

[Yolanda]

Also struggling to get reviews, people buy but dont review, will try your FB suggestion Justin. Also search for bloggers who do book reviews, I've managed to get a few from them and a Giveaway on GR is also good.

[Anne]

If you choose facebook, join groups. That's the key. You can make a fan page, but the motto, if you build it, they will come, is totally false. You need to get out there and gain exposure. You'll do that in groups.

There are reviewer groups there. Authors, readers, reviewers and bloggers is one. I don't remember the names offhand.

Anyhow, join some groups. Post in them. You're allowed to do it freely there. It's encouraged. Just make sure to read their terms first. With some, though rare, you need to email you post to the moderator. Most you don't.

The only other tip I can think of off hand, is make sure that you're posting in groups that support your genre.

Good luck!

[Lorna]

Start looking around at blogs that review your genre. Look at their review policy, and submit to the blogs you think will be interested in your book. Not every book will be chosen, and as a reviewer for two blogs, I know that the details of the books are shared with the reviewers, and they choose what they personally want to review. Of course it's not a guarantee that the reviewer will like it, but it's a start. Personally if I review a book on a blog, I also send it to Amazon and GoodReads.

[Mike]

Try joining the Goodreads Review Group. This works in rounds of ten writers, each of whom reviews the next four on the list. That way, everyone gives and gets four reviews and none of them are reciprocal. I am one of the moderators, and also sometimes take part. It obviously does take work to participate, and you're not guaranteed good reviews; they're meant to be honest. But you will find yourself reading some surprising indie books and getting helpful reviews of your own. The group front page is here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...