New kind of group reads

[Lily]

Group reads are hard to organize and it's the same problem everywhere. Differnt schedules, different time zones, all kinds of conflicts, and rarely are there more than a few people for a group read, if anyone shows up. Courtney and I have talked about an idea.

Normally, in person book clubs will raise a little money or ask authors for free copies for book clubs, one person organizes and gives members a copy of the book. That's pretty much impossible with digital books, especially indie books.

So, here's the idea. A version of Pay it Forward as Group Reads. If an author has a free book or willing to give free copies, the book will be submitted to a poll, and Fringe members will vote on which book they would like to read. If an author's book wins the poll, they also agree to participate in three more group reads.

Members will be encouraged to post reviews, either on GR or anywhere they want.

Hopefully no popularity games or unwanted divas begging for attention.

So, how do Fringe members feel about this?

[Jason]

I vote yay.
Yay!

[Lily]

lol Thanks for the vote :D

[Tabitha]

Sounds like a very nice idea :0)

[Lily]

Thanks, Tabitha :)

Mainly, we'd like to see more reader interaction. Personally I would love it. The chance to take off my author hat and just be a reader.

[Tabitha]

Agreed. I enjoy having the opportunity to rave about other authors' work.

[Lily]

I love that too, though keep in mind that if a member doesn't enjoy a chosen book, that's okay too. I feel part of the reason group reads don't work out is this unsaid expectation where everyone has to love a book. Under penalty of death or something. Yeesh.

[J.S.]

So the readers would be reading the winning book together with a group discussion going on alongside?

Most of my books so far this year have been R2R's, buddy reads and the like, and I'm really enjoying it. Found some gems I'd never have discovered by myself. So, yeah. All for something like this.

Sounds good :)

[Lily]

Whatever works best :)

First step, make sure everyone who wants to join has a copy. It wasn't obvious and took me a while to think about it.

[Michael]

I think it's pretty cool, and haven't been involved in book reads because of the money thing so this sounds like a pretty good idea

[Lily]

Michael wrote: "I think it's pretty cool, and haven't been involved in book reads because of the money thing so this sounds like a pretty good idea"

That's a much bigger factor. We could wait 6 months for everyone to buy a book. Or... we can wait a month. So, I'm thinking that's a better deal.

[Justin]

I don't do group reads tbh. My attention span to read a book right now is at an all time low lol.

[Ed]

I'd be in for something like that and I'd be willing to give away up to ten free copies of my book for a group read. It's short at 200 pages and I think would generate some discussion.

[Lily]

Justin, i totally understand. Personally, it just depends on my mood and also the book.

Ed, that's good to know, but for now, this topic is mainly to see if enough people are interested. Not just authors, more importantly, readers.

[Amber]

We're a pretty diverse group. I like the idea, but it all depends on the genre whether or not I'd read it.

[Lily]

I'm not too worried about that. we'll rotate a variety of genres, I'm sure. So we can't guarntee it'll be your genre, but maybe next time.

I don't think anyone is intested in seeing the exact same genre or type of book every single group read.

[Yolanda]

If we dont like the genre do we still have to participate?

[Lily]

Yolanda wrote: "If we dont like the genre do we still have to participate?"

Of course not :) It's all good. Monthly rotation, a vairety of genres. Not to mention indie, which tends to often blend genres.

So, let's say an author's free book is selected, that author's quota is now three more group reads, like... within your lifetime lol

None of us has the time or inclination to keep track. It will be completely up to you.