How do you get reviews for your new books?

[Ellie]

Hi guys

I asked this question on the meet the author section and Patti suggested I start a new thread.

I have just published two books on kindle - both short stories (9000 words and 12000 words). I am on amazon select and am going to do a free day the first week in June. So far I have been told that

1) to avoid going free at end of month at amazon as their reporting systems always go a bit funny.

2) to post to the list of sites you can find here (not my squidoo lens) http://www.squidoo.com/going-free-kin...

I have done number 2 for my non fiction books and it seems a weeks notice works much better than a couple of days.

3) you have a much better chance of getting onto ereader if you have at least 20 reviews and therein lies my problem. How do I get 20 reviews? I have contacted a number of bloggers but few have responded which is cool as they are obviously inundated. Some that did were lovely and nobody has been horrible so thats a good start. But they all said that it would be some time before they can post reviews.

I have looked at http://www.librarything.com/ but I cant find my books on their list and they says that the first step in the author process.

So I wondered if any of you guys who have been down this road already had any input or ideas for me?

Thanks a mil

Ellie

[Michael]

If you are after reviews then the advice given in those three points aren't really relevant.

Ultimately your best bet is to find people who are willing to review your book in exchange for a free copy.

That could involve trawling Wordpress/Blogspot/etc. looking for book review blogs.

You can start a thread in the various GR groups asking for reviewers. The following two groups have specific programs setup by the moderators for this, but the waiting list might be quite long;
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/5...
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/6...

Lastly, scour Amazon for books in the same genre as yours and look at the reviews. If you click on the reviewer's name, some of them leave an email address or a website address that you can contact them on. Ask them nicely if they would like to review your book in exchange for a free copy.

I did try to get involved on Library Thing but it seems a bit narkier there and less author-friendly if my limited experience was anything to go by.

[Ellie]

Thanks Michael :-)

I have been trawling the book review blogs - have had some good results but it is very slow going :-)

I will try the Amazon route - I was afraid that I would be accused of spamming and I would lose my account.

and I am going to give Library Thing a miss - I have had enough of nasty forums to last a lifetime :-)

[Amos]

Making Connections also has a good read and review program. We put our names down and took part in two read and review threads and they have been brilliant!

[Michael]

Yeah, getting reviews is definitely a slow business. Even if you get some people to agree to it, you might be waiting several weeks or months for it to appear.

A bit of advice I can give when you ask people directly - don't specifically ask them to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads. I have seen some discussions on book blogs where the reviewers don't like being told where to put the reviews.

If they have an Amazon or GR account already then they will post it there anyway.

Good luck.

[Ellie]

Thanks Amos and Michael - you both have given me stuff to try out :-)

[Joo]

Kuforum http://www.kuforum.co.uk/ is also a friendly place that embraces authors (if they join in and don't just spam).
Pop over and see what it's like and get your name noticed.

[Patti (baconater)]

Joo The Grand Inquisitor wrote: "Kuforum http://www.kuforum.co.uk/ is also a friendly place that embraces authors (if they join in and don't just spam).
Pop over and see what it's like and get your name noticed."

I'm sure you mention us in KUF, yes Joo? :)

[Ellie]

Joo The Grand Inquisitor wrote: "Kuforum http://www.kuforum.co.uk/ is also a friendly place that embraces authors (if they join in and don't just spam).
Pop over and see what it's like and get your name noticed."

Thank you Joo - I will go have a look. After everyone being so lovely here I am feeling quite brave lol

[Steven]

First off, you do not need 20 reviews to get a mention by POI or ENT. I have seen books with great covers and blurbs and zero or one reviews get mentioned. So don't drive yourself crazy trying to accumulate 20 reviews in a short period of time. (Honestly, the bigger difficulty for you might be the length-novels seem to be more likely to get a mention than shorts).

Now, in terms of getting some reviews: it is a process. I'd start with what folks have already mentioned: the read-to-review groups here on GR (Making Connections, The Nexus are a few), and perhaps smaller blogs that fit your genre but might not be so busy. Do not expect a 100% response rate. Think closer to 15% so you don't set yourself up for disappointment.

Another idea: since you are doing a free promotion, why not stick a note on the last page asking folks to visit your blog page and/or leave a review?

Unfortunately, it just takes time....

[Steven]

Ellie, I'm back. Sorry, just clicked through the links you had for your books in the other thread. Here's what I'd say: You have plenty of reviews, and they're all good!! At this point, more reviews will not help you. I would add one site to your plan for the free day if not already there:

http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/

(it isn't often mentioned, but does have some power)

The same guy, Michael Gallagher, runs a Kindle Books for a Buck blog, so you could consider following up your free promotion with .99 price for a bit if he will schedule you.

Your stories look interesting!

[Joo]

Of course Patti, on numerous occasions.
I don't think I've mentioned it this week though as it's been too nice outside to spend much time on forums ;p :)

[Ellie]

wow thank you so much Steven - I haven't heard of that site before - will go have a look :-)

Did you mean on the last page of the book - if so I have done that :-) The lady who formatted my books put the links in for me lol.

Thank you very much for the comment on my stories - I hope they are - I cried writing the first (my hubby is still looking at me lol) as I got caught up in the story.

The fact they are short stories is causing a few problems with reviews - most people prefer to read novels. But my writing coach said to start with short stories first to hone my skills so for once in my life I did as I was told lol

ps I really love this place - the vibe is so nice.

[Patti (baconater)]

Joo The Grand Inquisitor wrote: "Of course Patti, on numerous occasions.
I don't think I've mentioned it this week though as it's been too nice outside to spend much time on forums ;p :)"

Yay!

That made me smile. Thanks Joo!

[Ellie]

I found another resource which isnt really about getting reviews but is about pricing books - I dont want to start yet another thread (and post in the wrong place -thank you Patti for fixing that) so thought I would post it here. If you think it should be moved/deleted please do.

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=6391 is the page where he has a whole article on pricing books. I just copied the bit on ebooks


EBOOKS

Short Fiction (Under 3,000 words) $1.49

Short Fiction (3,000-6000 words) $1.99

Fiction (6,000-9,000 words) $2.99

Fiction (9,000 to 15,000 words) $3.49

Fiction (15,000 to 20,000 words) $3.99

Fiction (20,000 to 30,000 words) $4.99

Fiction (30,000 to 50,000 words) $5.99

Fiction (above 50,000 words if backlist) $6.99

Fiction (above 50,000 words if brand new) $7.99-$8.99 (maybe higher for a short time if attached to a paper book release.)

Those are my pricing suggestions here in early 2012 for ebooks.

I am not sure how you guys feel about these pricing levels.

[Steven]

Yep, I meant on the last page--sounds like you have that covered.

Here's the Books for a Buck (or less) site:
http://ebooksforabuck.wordpress.com/

He is busy but great to work with (and free). His 2 blogs are deceiving--they seem very simple, but they have a large following via kindle store, facebook, etc.

And yes, not meaning to seem critical of shorts. It may make it more difficult for you to get mentioned on some sites, etc., but no reason to change your path.

Good luck!

[Ellie]

Thank you Steven :-)

Actually you have just given me a really good idea. Why don't I ask Michael to see if he would like to list my book - maybe some of his subscribers will buy it and leave reviews

Then I can increase the price and also do my free day - mmmmmmm I feel better than I have done all day.

Thank you :-)