Net Galley: Freebies for the Cost of a Review

[Regina]

So what happens if you don't like a book you read for netgalley? What do you do? And this is a book that didn't even come close to being "okay".

[Rossy]

Since you have two options. Writing a short review or a long one. Why don't you write a short review of why the book did not work for you?

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I agree. Best to let them know what didn't work. They can't expect everyone to like everything they read. I had a hard time w/one of my NG bks I didn't care for at all. It was hard for me because I knew the author and publisher (one or both) would be reading it. Good luck!

[Regina]

Rossy and Steph thank you. I like that approach. I appreciate the advice!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Np! Good luck w/it.

[Mariya]

I thought there was an option to decline the review. But still, I had a book that I requested that I didn't like, and still wrote the review, I mean honest opnion and that's what they want.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

You're right, they do offer that option. I'm wondering how choosing that might effect your chances in the future though. Dunno.

[Mariya]

I had this thing , I did decline, b/c of the damn kindle feature not being avaiable and I couldn't stand reading it on the reader they provided so I declined, but then my friend got an ARC so I borrowed hers to read and ended up reviewing it and going back in to update my declined review to put up an actual review. I think it;s okay though as long as every book you read from Netgallery you don't decline. b/c they do give these books for us to read only for a cost of a review.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Good point. :)

[Regina]

Good point. All good ideas and I so appreciate them. I may email the contact first and ask their preference. But I haven't thought it through yet. If I don't do that I will likely write a short review of why it did not work for me. The book didn't upset me or frustrate me it was just bad. I am surprised it is being published.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

LOL! I read one of those myself (too bad to publish). Let us know what ya decide/what they say.

[Regina]

I emailed the publisher and received a response within minutes. It was a nice response. Basically, that the critical response to this author's works is all over the map and they expected such a reaction and generally, this imprint doesn't attempt to control what reviewers say and publish. And he encouraged me to do what I felt was best -- i.e. a negative review or no review at all. Because I committed to doing a review, I will do a review.

[Rossy]

Nice, i like their response. Who was the publisher? I'll be sure to buy from them!

[Regina]

I agree Rossy, I think their response is great. It is Orbit (which also does the Jaz Parks books I believe, it is the same man who sent me my Jaz Parks NG book as the book I am having issues with). I believe Orbit is an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

That was a very nice response.

[Rossy]

I've made a note of it, thanks. I'm all about the costumer service when it comes to publishers these days.

[Regina]

Did you all get the email that the Kindle function is now back for some publishers -- and only as to the Kindle device itself? Good news, but pretty limited!

[Literary Ames]

Yep, all ready sent The Deadliest Bite to my Kindle. I didn't realise you could read them on the app in the past. No loss for me.

[Regina]

Me neither. I prefer to read on my Kindle anyway.

[Mariya]

I had no idea also, who likes reading on the app when you actually have the kindle, but WOW. I knew it! I just knew when they said back in march it would be like almost the last day in March.

[Rossy]

I'm so happy it's back. I prefer it going to my kindle too, the option to highlight and leave notes is too useful.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I highlight and do notes too, Rossy. But, I read my eBooks on Stanza whenever possible. That's a great feature (for any reader/app)! Helps me LOADS w/my reviews.

[Regina]

Me too Rossy and for me, the Kindle does note taking and highlights better than on the Nook. Steph -- I have never used Stanza, are you able to search through highlights/notes or just view only highlights and notes once you are done reading? Or do you have to page through to see them? If so, I may use Stanza instead of my Nook for the publishers that are not allowing Kindle access. The nook does not have a function where you can view all your highlights, in order to see the highlights again, you need to page through the entire book until you come to them. The only way to solve that is to take a note when you highlight (which I don't always do, so it is a pain), and then there is a function to just view your notes. But I would love an option that allows me to avoid this!

[Lisa M]

I'm on NG too. What a great service. :)

Interestingly, I requested three books from Harper Collins (two by well known authors, the other was someone I've never heard of). They approved the unknown author, but have left me hanging on the other two. The haven't accepted or denied them. They just sit in my request box. I wonder if they're waiting to see if I'll review the one they did send, before giving me a copy of the higher demand items. Any one else notice this?

As a side note, I don't care for the one I did get, but I'm plugging through in case they are waiting.

[Mariya]

I had requested some from HarperCollins, the last ones I requested they took a long time, I was told by NG is b/c the were behind on the requests, like lots of people were requesting them, I'm sure you'll get an answer soon.

[Lisa M]

Mariya wrote: "I had requested some from HarperCollins, the last ones I requested they took a long time, I was told by NG is b/c the were behind on the requests, like lots of people were requesting them, I'm sure..."

I'm sure they'll work through eventually. I just found it interesting that I requested the first two on 3/6, and the last one on 3/10. The 3/10 was approved the next day. I'm not complaining (free books, how could I?) but it's just kinda odd. :P

[Shelleyrae]

HarperCollins are really picky so it's more likely you will only get one approval a month type of thing from them. You might find this post interesting: http://www.readreactreview.com/2011/0...

Regina, I read using the Stanza App wherever possible. I am reading on the Kindle app right now and it seems so limited compared to the Stanza App. Even down to the fact I can't alter the screen brightness with a stroke of the finger like I can in Stanza. To answer your question, yes you can view your notes at any time, it lists them by chapter and provides jumps to the page within the app. The only issue is you can't export the list - you can only export them (via email) one at a time.

[Literary Ames]

That was interesting, Shelleyrae. I was actually declined for a HarperCollins book today and after a quick check it's the 3rd they've declined. They're the only publisher that has refused me access although by some miracle I did get Pale Demon.

ETA: From NG's publisher preferences page:

Please note: HarperCollins Children's Books will be releasing a limited number of NetGalleys and all titles will be discontinued on NetGalley a month before the on sale date of the book.

http://www.netgalley.com/about/publis...

Strict!

[Rossy]

Wow Shelleyrae, i had no even realized how many other people felt the same way. I have to say that i'm not liking much how it no longer feels like a community for small bloggers/reviewers either.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Thanks for that, Shelleyrae. I completely understand Sonomalass's discontent. When I first started using NetGalley, I was blown away by the ability to request and receive a free ARC so easily ~ for the cost of a review. Sure, I can do that! I'm doing that with all my other books anyway! Great, thank you so much for understanding that I don't have a blog, but DO have a forum (GR) which will get your book(s) and my review(s) out there. Win/Win!

I've gotten a rejection or two and their reason, at least the only one I can tell, is that I don't have a blog. I'm sorry. I spend *don't make me say it* # of hours on GR already, I have 2 groups, x # of friends and x # of followers, I'm sure that is equal to, or in some case of newer blogs, greater than the # of "eyes" that will see a review on a random blog.

So, now it's more of a Chance to win/Win situation. I still feel grateful for the opportunity to read a book for free that either (1) is a release I have been pining for already (EX: Green-Eyed Demon and Outside In) ~ both cases I'd already ordered the books, so I could've just waited to read my own copy. They got an early review (positive, as those cases were) and I got a jump on other fans of the series or (2) is an unknown to me that may have me searching for and possibly buying their authors' books in the future.

I refuse to create a blog for the chance that it may increase me odds of receiving an ARC. I've buffed up my profile to include links to my groups, as well as my profile here on GR. If I don't fit the pool they're lookin' to read their book, then so be it. I just hope that they continue on the way they started and offer them to those that prove they are willing to read a freebie for the cost of a review [period].

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Regina wrote: "Me too Rossy and for me, the Kindle does note taking and highlights better than on the Nook. Steph -- I have never used Stanza, are you able to search through highlights/notes or just view only hi..."

Sorry, I didn't answer, but Shelleyrae gotcha. I used to use Stanza's bookmarking feature and add note to each bookmark I made. But, that was taking too much time (coupl'a extra seconds, I'm sure, but I'm impatient) away from reading. Then, I checked out the annotation feature. Now, I use that exclusively.

I hold my finger on a word and Stanza asks "copy or select all". I select the bits I want to remember, usually a sentence or two, then click "annotate". The bits I selected are copied there and I can add add'l notes, if I choose or just leave it as is.

At the end of the book, when I'm ready to post my review, I open the book again, click on "annotations" and there's my list. Quick and easy. Love it.

Sorry to ramble. Hope that helps.

[[deleted user]]

Steph wrote: "I spend *don't make me say it* # of hours on GR already, I have 2 groups, x # of friends and x # of followers, I'm sure that is equal to, or in some case of newer blogs, greater than the # of "eyes" that will see a review on a random blog.
~ ..."

I'm constantly amazed by how under-utilised GR is by author and publishers. It's a gold mine of readers and reviwers, and a little heavy marketing on here would up readership of books by significant percentages. You'd think they'd be lining up instead of making blogs a priority. I follow recs on here much more than on the blogs I read. I wonder if anyone has ever pitched this to them?

[Lisa M]

Shelleyrae wrote: "HarperCollins are really picky so it's more likely you will only get one approval a month type of thing from them. You might find this post interesting: http://www.readreactreview.com/2011/0......"

I tried to find HarperCollins preferences when I signed up, but I must have overlooked it. It's good to know about them being picky, and that they pull it before the book release. I'll have to check the books release dates. But I have a better idea what's going on. Thanks all! :)

EDIT - Both of those titles I didn't get are either already released or about to be.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I'm not sure, Moss. But, I agree. It'd be in their best interests to market here.

[Josie]

And I third that Moss. I spend (and I'm sure others do too) a substantial amount of time on GR, plus I'm pretty sure I find the majority, if not all books to read on here (a lot of them on SOS lol)! And if I don't I always end up checking the book and reviews out on here anyway. So basically I look at GR reviews rather than blogs/Amazon etc.

[Shatha]

Is there anything I should do to make sure that I get the book? Or any certain publishers that will give books more easily? Thanx!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hi, Shatha, welcome to the group!

NetGalley has a page called "What are publishers looking for?": We want to help you put your best foot forward when requesting titles. So here are some hints for what publishers are looking for when approving requests. Hopefully that'll help ya a bit.

LINK: http://www.netgalley.com/about/publis...

[Kellie Maddox-Ward]

Hi All,

So what your saying is I can join NetGalley and request books as long as I review them? (oh and they are available lol)
as long as I mention in the review they gave me the ARC?
Do I post them here and send them a review as well?
or do I just review it here and send them a link?
Thanks in advance ^_^

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hi, Kellie! Welcome to SOS! NetGalley works with publishers who gift advanced read copies (ARC) of their books to NetGalley members. While NetGalley hosts them, the publishers have final say on who they gift the ARC. So, you can join NetGalley, request a copy of book, but get denied for whatever reason. Or, you could get approved. If you're denied, don't fret. Many of us are denied. The publishers are looking for certain things, like whether or not you have a blog, how many people will see your review, etc. The specifics are listed in the link above your post. If you are approved, you will be able to download a copy of the eBook to read and review. They are asking for an honest review, so you shouldn't feel pressured to write a good review of a book if you didn't like it. You'll need to share your review with the publisher at NetGalley. I also include a link to the spot(s) where I've shared it - Goodreads, blog, etc. Hope that helps!

[[deleted user]]

Hi, I got a question if that's okay.

How old do you have to be to join NetGalley -
I'm seventeen.

=)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hi. I'm not sure actually. Let me log in and poke around the site to see if they mention an age requirement.

ETA: Sorry, they do require you to be 18+.

This Website is made available solely for adults eighteen (18) years of age or older. If you are under eighteen (18), please exit this Website immediately.

Definitely check it out next year, if you're still interested. It's been luck of the draw with me getting approved. I think, best chances are if you have a popular, active blog in addition to GR, Twitter, etc.

[[deleted user]]

Steph wrote: "Hi. I'm not sure actually. Let me log in and poke around the site to see if they mention an age requirement.

ETA: Sorry, they do require you to be 18+.
This Website is made available solely for ..."

Oh, okay. Thanks! :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

No problem - happy to help.