There has to be a better system than this

[Ambuscade]

After years of having used goodreads as a user, I have been completely astonished at changing shoes and attempting to use the platform as a publisher.

It is absolutely broken and is abusing its market position and crushing the ability of independent writers and publishers to make a livelihood from books.

I'm sure this was not the intent and the action was well meaning.

It indeed had evaded my notice entirely that there were now gatekeepers to adding new titles at all.

If you are an independent writer or publisher you are conpletely crippled by the absurdity of having to rely on a limited volunteer workforce to include new titles.

I have taken months out from my previous career to attempt to build a new business. But without a goodreads page for my titles I can not use any of the most important marketing platforms to promote the books.

There are people who have waited months to get their title added.

Imagine how insidious this is?

The core social platform for reading, and if you’re attempting to engage in commercial activity you can't even enter the marketplace without a months long wait?

Then compounding things, the hard-working volunteer librarian network gets flogged half to death and becomes the whipping boy for this entire absurd situation.

Can we please consider a return to a system where independent writers and publishers can make their own additions to the catalogue?

I honestly beg you.

[Dobby]

This group is for requesting librarian help with book edits. For site functionality issues and suggestions, please contact staff or Goodreads Help.

As non-staff volunteers, we librarians have little to no influence on corporate decisions about policies.

Then compounding things, the hard-working volunteer librarian network gets flogged half to death and becomes the whipping boy for this entire absurd situation.

We do, however, appreciate your support and understanding of our difficult situation. Thank you. 🙏🏻