How to approach reviewers

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

I know a lot of people struggle to find reviewers for their work. Here is a general list of things that I appreciate and make it more likely that I will respond to a review request positively.

1. Make sure the genre matches. I don't like romance or erotica so that is an automatic no for me.

2. Make sure that you meet the publishing requirements. A lot of people don't like indie/self pub books so just be sure they are open before sending a request.

3. Include contact info! I usually don't have a lot of time on the computer so if I have to hunt for your blog or Goodreads author page or some other method of getting ahold of you it greatly diminishes the chance of a review.

4. State that you are willing to provide a review copy in the specified format. Many people do not do this and I hate having to ask if they are willing to provide a copy before stating for certain I will review it.

5. Meet any obligations that you have. In the almost year that I have been running a blog I have had multiple authors promise giveaway copies, print copies for myself, and guest blogs that just vanish into thin air when the time for the prizes shows up. I don't have time to remind every person who commits to do something on the blog that they are supposed to do it. Keep a calendar so you know what your responsibilities are. (This is a big pet peeve as I have had 3 or 4 guest bloggers in the past 2 months who have not provided a guest blog leaving me with nothing on the day it should go live.) People who stand up bloggers are quite possibly a large reason that bloggers don't want to deal with indie authors.

Ok sorry for the rant on the last one, but it has been annoying me a lot lately and I had to vent a little. If you have found any good blogs for reviews or have had a lot of success share your secrets here to help out your fellow authors.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

As an author, I'd have to second the notion that you're more than likely going to get a review if you're willing to provide a free copy to the reviewer.

Now I personally won't provide a paperback (book + shipping = ain't gonna happen), but I'm more than happy to either gift a copy through Amazon, or more than likely simply send a code from Smashwords.

Now, every author loves to make sales, but if you're looking for reviews, I'd go so far as to say be prepared to give away some ebooks. I haven't reviewed nearly as many books as Scott, but I do my own fair share as a payback for giving my own book a chance. It isn't necessary, and most reviewers won't say it's a requirement, but its a nice perk if the author will get you a copy of their book.

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

When I began my blog I didn't require a free copy, but I have gotten a lot of books sent by authors so to be fair to those willing to provide a review copy they take priority. At the moment I have gotten so many that if someone isn't willing to provide a review copy I just don't think I would ever get to the book.

Now authors that I enjoy I will still purchase their books and leave reviews of them.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

You have gotten so many books from authors that you're backlogged??

Man. I need to advertise I'm a reviewer. LOL!

'Cept I'm not. I'm approaching my busy season, so the only real time I have to read is at night. If the book is good, I pay for it the next day 'cause I don't put 'em down until they're done. Oh, well. :)

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

I'm pretty far backlogged despite that fact that I have read around 120 books so far this year. I may have to shoot for 170 instead of the original goal of 150. My big problem right now is not having the time to sit at the computer to write the reviews and post them everywhere plus format them for the blog.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

I hear that. As more of my clients are returning to town, I find that the number of books I've been reading has dwindled somewhat.

Lucky for me I just have to get the review written, post it on my blog, and then copy and paste that sucker everywhere I have an account.

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

I do pretty much the same, but I try to include some graphics and have to make sure to get my affiliate links working properly in my blog posts.

[Patrick]

What? As an author, it would never occur to me to request a review without offering a free copy. I send hard copies wherever possible. A good Reviewer is doing me a favor. Not the other way around.

Regarding obligations, if you can't keep your word to reviewers and readers, what makes me think you can write in complete sentences or develop a coherent plot? Why should I give my time, my attention, - my money - to a slacker?

We're supposed to be professionals. Scratch that... We're supposed to be adults, fer cryin' out loud.

Thinking about that "How to NOT ask for a review" thread, I say God protect us from the colossal self-absorption of the criminally stupid .

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

Patrick wrote: "What? As an author, it would never occur to me to request a review without offering a free copy. I send hard copies wherever possible. A good Reviewer is doing me a favor. Not the other way around...."

I do often feel privileged when I am offered a copy of a book, especially if it is a paperback. I love to read and have honestly saved a good chunk of money not having to buy any books this year unless I really really wanted them.

I really don't appreciate the no shows on guest blogs though. I have pretty much one simple rule, give me the post a week ahead of time so I can get it formatted and scheduled into the blog. If I don't get it I am not going to chase down the author and beg for the post. I have my own things going on and while my blog isn't a marketing gold mine or anything it can get your book seen by some new people. If you can't keep track then you lose your spot too bad. I understand things come up sometimes and that's fine if I am contacted in some way.

In all honesty I am a little bit OCD and throwing off my blog's schedule with a blank spot on a Saturday that is supposed to host a guest blog bothers me.

[Karen]

Scott -- I tried twice to post a comment on your blog requesting a review, and both times the comment vanished into the ether. I hope it's OK to ask you to email me at kawyle@kiva.net if you're interested in reviewing my science fiction novel, TWIN-BRED (free PDF available in a couple of days, free ebook in other formats available by mid-October). I'd be happy to describe it further if you'll email me or reply to this post....

Scott wrote: "I know a lot of people struggle to find reviewers for their work. Here is a general list of things that I appreciate and make it more likely that I will respond to a review request positively.

..."

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

Karen,

It has popped in my waiting for approval log. I require approval for any comment on a post older than 2 weeks so I don't get crap links from sneaky people. I also leave the comment in the to be approved section until I respond that way I don't get lost as to who I have contacted and who I have not. I did only get one though so I have no idea what happened to the first attempt.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

Karen, I've been meaning to tell you that I got your email with the pdf attached to it, thank you very much.

I was wondering, though, is it possible to send me the book in some type of ebook format? If not, no biggie, it's just that my pdf viewer on my iPad doesn't really let me highlight areas to come back to in case you want me to let you know about any typos, punctuation problems, etc.

[Karen]

I have it in .epub now, via Smashwords -- haven't gone through every page, but it has no AutoVetter problems, and it looks OK when I scroll through. I'll send it.

Jeffrey wrote: "Karen, I've been meaning to tell you that I got your email with the pdf attached to it, thank you very much.

I was wondering, though, is it possible to send me the book in some type of ebook for..."

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

Hi Karen -

Just got it and now it's sitting on my bookshelf in iBooks. Thanks again!!

Big J

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

Gregory
That is totally fine. I'm not a huge fan of having my email out in the open either. I actually made a special one just for my blog. It's under the links tab on my blog or a goodreads message is fine.

[Melissa]

I agree with everything that has been stated. I am a book blogger who is just starting to get into doing indie reviews. A few things I would add is that if you approach a someone about doing a review give a brief description of your book. While the person may not normally read your type of book if you intrigue them they might just step out of their comfort zone (I personally do not care for erotica but if there is a decent plot I might just read it). Be understanding if it takes them a while to read your book. Keep in mind we may get lots of requests plus some of us actively seek out review copies of books that intrigue us so that leads to a very large to be read pile. Along with offering up a copy of your book consider offering up a giveaway copy as well. Giveaways not only get you possibly another review but expose you to other readers who may actually go out and buy the book if they don't win it. If you are contacting a book blogger and they do not have time to review the book consider asking them to post an interview.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

Sage advice, Melissa. I don't expect reviews if someone reads my books, but it's always appreciated. And I think your idea of adding a brief description about the book is a really good idea. Yeah, I've gone on record quite a few times stating I don't like vampires, werewolves, dark fantasy, etc. Yet now I have to add an addendum. If the story really strikes me as interesting, I might consider giving it a chance. I've met quite a few really good authors in here that have helped me to expand my list of accepted genres. :)