Creative Reviews discussion
Tips and Tricks
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Tips and Tricks
message 51:
by
Susan
(new)
May 26, 2011 05:55PM
Cambria;; Oh no, I'm not about to post anything that is inappropriate like erotica or anything with swear words every other sentence and the like. I don't like to read books like those myself, anyway. Also, a couple of the book reviews that I've posted so far are ARC's that I received from the author/publisher or via Netgalley, and aren't out yet to purchase. I've posted all of these on my book blog and I will be posting more, as I'm working on book reviews for Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli (don't ask, it's a General Hospital thing, lol), Beastly, as well as a few other's. :)
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Great! Just one thing, please don't create any new folders just choose and existing folder to place your reviews in. :)
Mod
The reason she is asking this is that if she or I do not create the folders, we do not have access to move and organize the group the way it needs to be done. We can set up any folder you would like if you feel your review doesn't fit in the folders that are already set up!! :)
Cambria ;; I don't think I've created any new folders or did I do that, by accident with my Wicked Lovely review? I noticed that it's at the top, instead of underneath the YA. I apologize if that's the case, that might have been when I was trying to figure things out and had accidentally clicked on a wrong thing. So, in this case, what would you like for me to do about that? Do you want me to somehow delete that and then do a repost in the right folder?
Um, just a quick question...how come some of my book reviews were moved to a Young Adult 2 folder at the bottom, where hardly no one can see them? I feel like I'm being tossed to the back or something. :(
Mod
I wanted to make sure that everyone's reviews had a chance to be seen on the main page, rather than the folder showing only one person's reviews. You do still have three that are showing on the main page, and your others are still on the site, but I felt this was the best way to be fair to all of the members of the group.
I don't think that I was being unfair to any of the other members of the group, I was just posting reviews. Now, because you've put all of my other reviews in that particular folder to the bottom of the group nobody is going to see them or comment on them. I mean, don't get me wrong, I was honestly not trying to edge anyone else's reviews out of the way and only have mine there, but I didn't think that it would be a problem for me to go ahead and post those reviews. In fact, I thought it was encouraged to do that. But that's fine, I'll talk with Cambria and maybe she might be able to make me feel better about this. I mean, I feel like you're not being fair to my reviews.
Mod
I understand you were not trying to push any of the other people's reviews out of view, but unfortunately, that is what happened. I am just making sure that everyone has a fair chance to have their work posted on the main wall. And as you can see, your work is still there, just moved to an additional folder.
Amy, if you would have just let me know before hand that you were going to do this and why, then I might have been okay with it. Instead, I had to see all of my reviews or most of them anyway, pushed to the bottom of the page where hardly no one will want to look at them. To me, that is not fair at all. You say that you want to be fair to ALL the members, but it's so easy for you to overlook being fair to me. That is what upsets me.I felt it was unfair, because you've taken the bulk of my reviews and have pushed them out of the way to the very bottom of the page. I don't have an inclinations to argue with you and I don't want to be a trouble maker, but I would like to be treated with the same respect that everyone else here is treated with.
You could have put that additional folder underneath the original Young Adult folder as a sub-folder, for the extra young adult reviews that everyone would like to post there instead of pushing all of my reviews to the bottom of the page where nobody is likely to want to look at them.
I'm not telling you what to do, I was just making a suggestion. I've said all I need to say about this, so I'm finished.
I'm a fairly new book blogger/reviewer so this tips thread is great. What works for me is not to limit myself to a certain format when I review. Some reviews contain my own summary of the book, some have how I personally related to it, etc. If I feel like I have to fall into formation so to speak then I won't enjoy it.
JenLR wrote: "I'm a fairly new book blogger/reviewer so this tips thread is great. What works for me is not to limit myself to a certain format when I review. Some reviews contain my own summary of the book, s..."
This is a good tip and trick, that I think everyone reviewing should keep in mind. Also, I don't feel like people should be made to feel as if they're being boxed in, like if they're writing negative reviews. I think those are just as important (provided they're done in a tasteful and constructive manner) as the honest glowing reviews that people post. A lot of times, I will pass up books that I'm pretty sure are wonderful books that I'd possibly like, if all I see are glowing positive reviews. It just seems so unbalanced. Also, I think wherever you have posting access to post those reviews, you should be able to post them as you've written them and not be told you can't post certain types. That's just my two cents on it, but I'm sure someone else will have something else to say about that, it's always the way. :)
Amy wrote: "And as you can see, your work is still there, just moved to an additional folder."After thinking about this, I see your point. However, I still feel as if you should at least point people towards that other folder where my other reviews are, so that they will know they are there and I might actually get some comments. It feels like they're hidden out of site and I've been pushed down to the bottom out of the way, so everyone else's reviews can be seen.
JenLR wrote: "I'm a fairly new book blogger/reviewer so this tips thread is great. What works for me is not to limit myself to a certain format when I review. Some reviews contain my own summary of the book, s..."
Great tip JenLR!!!
If your a blogger, don't feel as though you have to have a set amount of posts each week. My motto is if you have something to say then post and I'd you don't well then don't post.
Mod
I think you make a very good point here, most pople think they have to give to their audience daily. That is not necessary. If you have something great and fun to share, awesome, but don't talk just to talk. Great tip!!
Honestly not trying to be nit-picky at all, but I have posted a thought regarding something and I feel as if it is being ignored. So, I'd appreciate it, if someone would respond to it please. :)Thank you.
JenLR wrote: "What works for me is not to limit myself to a certain format when I review. Some reviews contain my own summary of the book, s..."Great point! I don't do well when forced into writing a review in a particular format and/or word count. Every book is a different experience for me. Sometimes phrasing will strike me so emotionally or prove a point so well that I'll include it in my review other times I'll read an entire book and find nothing to quote.
Suz wrote: "I still feel as if you should at least point people towards that other folder where my other reviews are, so that they will know they are there and I might actually get some comments. It feels like they're hidden out of site and I've been pushed down to the bottom out of the way, so everyone else's reviews can be seen."Hi Suz, I don't know what is going on with the folders and such as I haven't posted any reviews to this group yet but are you posting them on the goodreads book page as well? That way your friends can read them and comment. I get most of my comments from those on my friends list. Many reviews never get a comment at all and I've posted 773.
Mod
Nah, I'm actually a slow reader. I've been writing them since the mid 90's and also listen to a lot of audiobooks during my long commute and I review everything I read. The good and the bad.
Mod
I love them both. Don't make me choose ;) When I first started my job with the long commute (a very long time ago, I really had to train my brain to listen to the books that way but now I couldn't live without them. Sometimes I'll even listen to a book I've already read in "book" form.
Hi Suz, I don't know what is going on with the folders and such as I haven't posted any reviews to this group yet but are you posting them on the goodreads book page as well? That way your friends can read them and comment. I get most of my comments from those on my friends list. Many reviews never get a comment at all and I've posted 773. - SomHi Som, thanks for commenting. I appreciate that a great deal. *g* There is a second folder way down towards the bottom on this group, that's called a Second YA Folder, and that's where a lot of my reviews are. I think so far, only one or two of them have had comments made to them. :)
I will be happy to take a look at your reviews whenever you do get any posted up. I run a book blog, as well and have been for the last few months. :)
I'd like to know where I'd be able to post about a Read-A-Thon that's going to be going on from June 17th to the 18th at Squeaky Books. I'm not sure where to go about posting that and it would be really nice if someone could possibly help me out with this...yeah, that. :)
Mod
I do the same thing, I have many books where I have the audio book and the physical book. There are some books that you just have to know you can enjoy no matter what you are doing!! :)
Mod
This would be a good topic to put in the special events folder! :)
Amy wrote: "Suz wrote: "I'd like to know where I'd be able to post about a Read-A-Thon that's going to be going on from June 17th to the 18th at Squeaky Books. I'm not sure where to go about posting that and i..."Thanks for letting me know, I'll set about making a post there about it the closer it gets to it. Also, are we cool, as far as the pm's go? I only asked, because I didn't get a response back.
Suz wrote: "I'd like to know where I'd be able to post about a Read-A-Thon that's going to be going on from June 17th to the 18th at Squeaky Books. I'm not sure where to go about posting that and it would be r..."Wow! A read a thon? Whats that all about? It sound fun!
Amy wrote: "BarkLessWagMore wrote: "I love them both. Don't make me choose ;) When I first started my job with the long commute (a very long time ago, I really had to train my brain to listen to the books th..."I so need to get into audio books. I bet they would make cleaning much better. :) What kind of deive do you all use to listen to them?
BarkLessWagMore wrote: "Suz wrote: "I still feel as if you should at least point people towards that other folder where my other reviews are, so that they will know they are there and I might actually get some comments. I..."Holy Cow!!! You deserve and award for that!!! :)
I think posting htem to GR is a great tip. I post all mine there too.
I prefer actual books (or ebooks) because I read so much faster to myself than the audiobooks go. I get far too impatient. If I really want to listen when I am cleaning or anything, I pretty much have to wear headphones so I can hear over the kids...and that's rather dangerous in my house ;-)... I use my iPod touch usually...but I can listen on my Kindle too if I am fairly stationary.
Cassie wrote: "I prefer actual books (or ebooks) because I read so much faster to myself than the audiobooks go. I get far too impatient. If I really want to listen when I am cleaning or anything, I pretty much..."See, I'm not exactly all that crazy about audio books either, myself. There was one that was alright and voice reading did a good job, but the next one that I tried out just didn't do it for me. I'd rather read an actual physical book as well.
JenLR wrote: "What works for me is not to limit myself to a certain format when I review. Some reviews contain my own summary of the book, s..."I go back and forth with this one too, Jen. In the end, like you, I decided that I would keep certain things fairly consistent (overall formatting, layout, etc), but I would review each book the way I felt like doing it. Some books just call for a certain tone or a different approach than others.
I've skimmed through some of the tips and tricks here but I haven't read everything, so forgive me if I'm repeating something that's already been stated. One thing I like to do is to link to other reviews I've written so that people find other related content. On my blog, I have both the "link within" widget for blogger, and I also imbed links to previous posts inside my reviews where applicable. I've started doing this on my GoodReads reviews, too, in that I link to previous GR reviews I've done in the past (and I also link back to my blog for posts that also appear there). I've noticed a lot of times people then "like" or comment on several posts simultaneously, so think it helps.
Oh...just as long as you don't overdo the linking thing, of course. I'm not a huge fan of seeing reviews (in normal reviews, not the stuff that's cut and pasted into groups like this one) that make it obvious that the member is here primarily to promote his or her website. :/ I think it's possible to try to do that while respecting the main purpose/social interaction part of this site.
Cassie wrote: "I prefer actual books (or ebooks) because I read so much faster to myself than the audiobooks go. I get far too impatient. If I really want to listen when I am cleaning or anything, I pretty much..."I read pretty fast to and I never thought about that. Hmmmmm. I think about that now... :)
Wendy Darling wrote: "Oh...just as long as you don't overdo the linking thing, of course. I'm not a huge fan of seeing reviews that make it obvious that the member is here primarily to promote his or her website. :/ I t..."Great tips Wendy and I agree. Do not over do the linkage people! It takes away from the review and makes it sem like a tv show with commercials!
I guess I never really thought about linking similar reviews, it makes sense though I have linked reviews if they are in the same series.
I will add a link to a GR review if I'm referencing the other book for some reason. Other than that I'm usually too lazy.
Cambria wrote: "Wendy Darling wrote: "Oh...just as long as you don't overdo the linking thing, of course. I'm not a huge fan of seeing reviews that make it obvious that the member is here primarily to promote his ..."I still think that it's important, as book bloggers who own and maintain a blog and are passionate about it, to include their links to their reviews leading back to their blog whenever they post and wherever they are posting their reviews. The reason, I feel so strongly about this is because there are other things such as interviews, giveaways, author guest posts, among other reviews for them to see. Plus, it's just good networking. I don't feel that's over-doing it at all.
Suz wrote: "I still think that it's important, as book bloggers who own and maintain a blog and are passionate about it, to include their links to their reviews leading back to their blog whenever they post and wherever they are posting their reviews. The reason, I feel so strongly about this is because there are other things such as interviews, giveaways, author guest posts, among other reviews for them to see. Plus, it's just good networking. I don't feel that's over-doing it at all. ."No, of course it's important to bring traffic back to your own site, and I do it, too. But I've seen some members whose every review is nothing but a link to their site, or you have to leave GoodReads for the bulk of the review. That feels disingenuous to me personally as both a fellow reader and a blogger, but that's just me. Others may not mind it at all.
Mod
I think that a person should put the majority of their review up and add a link at the bottom telling them they will be moved to their site if they follow it, or share the whole review and add a link to their site at the end. People who really enjoyed their reviews or insight will generally follow the link to see what else they have to say.
Wendy Darling wrote: "Suz wrote: "I still think that it's important, as book bloggers who own and maintain a blog and are passionate about it, to include their links to their reviews leading back to their blog whenever ..."Honestly, as a fellow blogger and reader, I don't personally see how that's a bit disingenuous and I'm trying to understand. Of course, I post my full reviews here when I post them, but I also think that it's important if you do leave a link to your blog as well as a direct link to where you've posted the review on your blog as well, leading back to it. That's just networking and making sure you get the word out that there is a review up there. I don't mind it so much, when people just post the link to where they've posted their review on their blog, because more often than anything it's a blog that I've not noticed yet and a lot of times, they turn out to be blogs that hold similar interests that I share and so I'll end up following them and they'll end up gaining a new follower and possibly follow back, so it's a win/win for everybody in that regard.
Now, keep in mind, that if you want to see any of my reviews you can go here to Goodreads as well, because I post them all directly here too. So, you do have the option of checking out someone's Goodreads profile and seeing if they've posted their reviews here and chances are they have and viola...you're still reading them on Goodreads without having to leave it. You're just having to take one more step that's all.
Dude...SERIOUSLY?! lol. Wow. :)
Suz, I think we're on the same page here as far as preferences on how to link back to our blogs. And as I've said, I do the same thing--and it was actually the point of my first post here to begin with. And again, the members whose reviews I tend not to read are the ones who ONLY post links offsite or when the majority of the review is posted elsewhere. It absolutely makes sense to network, etc. What is your "dude, seriously?" comment in reference to?
And Amy, I agree. That's exactly what I do. I have decent feedback within my circle of friends and from random people visiting my reviews, so I tend to think this is what works for most GoodReaders. The last thing I'd want to do is to be intrusive or annoy people with my self-promotion. But that's my opinion, people should figure out what works best for them.
Suz, I think we're on the same page here as far as preferences on how to link back to our blogs. And as I've said, I do the same thing. And again, the members whose reviews I tend not to read are the ones who ONLY post links offsite or when the majority of the review is posted elsewhere. It absolutely makes sense to network, etc. What is your "dude, seriously?" comment in reference to?
But see, I actually go ahead and read those reviews, because I figure they've spend just as much time and thought into composing them that they deserve to have them read as well. I don't mind if there's a link to an off-site review, because of the reasons I listed above. I usually find a new blog to follow and make a new friend or gain a new follower as well, in the process. It is the importance of networking to me, of course, with all of that being said I do feel like they could at the very least post the summary of the book they're reviewing and also maybe the first paragraph or so of the review, and then post the direct link to where the rest of the review will be off-site as well as a link to their main blog page. Something akin to a, "for the rest of the review click here," type of thing. I wouldn't have too much of a problem with that. I don't just not want to read anyone's reviews though, because I don't want other's to pass up my reviews.
Oh, lol, my comment above. Sorry about that, I had just seen something that I found rather hilarious in an ironic sense and I just sort of laughed about it for a minute. lol. So no worries, totally nothing to do with you. :)
Regarding the linkies to reviews that are posted elsewhere? I've seen many a post from people who cannot stand it when reviewers do that. It annoys them if their update feed is filled with "click here to read my blog" posts with no meaty reviews on the actual goodreads site. It feels almost like an unwanted ad. Many people do not blog hop and when they log into goodreads wish to stay on goodreads. I do a full review and add a link at the end. Oftentimes, when I was writing for a newsletter that would not let me repost a review, I would post a link to my review and rewrite a shorter review just for goodreads because I knew it annoyed so many people.
BarkLessWagMore wrote: "Regarding the linkies to reviews that are posted elsewhere? I've seen many a post from people who cannot stand it when reviewers do that. It annoys them if their update feed is filled with "click..."I understand that it might annoy a lot of people, but on the flip side of that it doesn't annoy just as many people that I've come across. For me, I actually appreciate people who post a direct link to the review hosted at their blog, because it allows me to discover new bloggers and acquire new followers, if our interests are similar. Now, I did mention above, that I thought it would be nice if they at least posted the summary for the book their reviewing as well as maybe the first paragraph or two, and then do a "for the rest of the review, please click here" and it takes you to their blog.
For me, personally, I always post the review on my blog as well as on Goodreads, and any other community or group that I'm a part of. And I'm always leaving the link back to my blog on all of them, because that's just really good networking. A lot of people do blog hop, though, and they enjoy it very much. It's a way to interact with other bloggers and fellow readers, meet knew people, and gain new interests. It's a social thing, just like Goodreads is.
Amy wrote: "Another piece of advice from the "Amy has too much to say vault"! :-) When writing your review, you always want to give a small synopsis of the book. Be careful not to give anything of importanc..."
Not to dredge up an old thread, but this!
Authors are notoriously bad at describing their own stories. When I read a review, I want to hear from a fellow reader but I don't want to have the story spoiled.
I also like to hear a description of the writer's style. Do they write in a similar fashion to another author? Is the story reminiscent of other books or movie plots? I need something to which I can relate.
That's as an avid reader of reviews...I probably put in as much time researching books to read as I spend reading them.
Splitter
Mod
I think many authors have a hard time describing their own books because they have so many points they want to get across to the audience about their book that he or she has a hard time narrowing it down. We reviewers know which parts stuck out to us the most, so we have an easier time of it! :)
Great point Amy! Sometimes when you know something so well it is hard to seperate it and see it in different parts, it s=just becomes one great big lump in your mind!! LOL.I like comparing and talking about writing styles too, it's interesting. It makes you wonder what influences authors to write how they write. But really, I have no idea how to classify any writers style.... LOL.
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