Over the years I've gotten involved and learned about all phases of publishing a book, including writing reviews for publicity packets. I have an interest in helping new authors through my book reviews. So a lot of my time, I'm working to support writers through posting their book reviews. You will see them all over the Internet! I hope you will realize that some of these are individuals who have bypassed trying to find a major publisher. Many of them are retired and do not have the time to devote to first finding an agent and then a publisher. Many have used the fantastic new print-on-demand process that allows an opportunity to seek alternative methods of becoming published.
Have you ever thought of writing that novel, your memoirs, your family's story? Well there are lots of alternative ways to do that now...But do be careful! Just as you would with a major purchase...spend some time evaluating that process, what companies are available...what they will provide for you and what kind of guarantees/references they can give. Never let a self-publishing company make you feel that "they" are doing you a favor! This is still a business transaction and, no matter what, you want to ensure that you KNOW what you are getting into...and the potential costs!
Additionally, you may not realize until your book is in your hand...it will be ENTIRELY up to you to sell your book(s). Now, for many people, especially older ones who chose this route for speed, you may come to realize that all of your time may be dedicated to selling your book. Be prepared for this before you start. If you don't think you want to spend your time selling your own book...then rethink what it is you do want to do!
Oftentimes, it is too late when authors ask for book reviews. So I try to help where they are. I won't do a book review if it is full of errors; e.g., spelling and/or grammatical. This is not normally a part of the book review process; however, I do it to protect my own reputation as well as attempt to help the writer.
You have no idea how many times I've heard, "but I just paid an editor big bucks to edit and/or proofread my book!" Or, "but I thought my publisher would do that final proofreading and editing." (This is very rare for POD publishers by the way.)
Hey, just like it is on the job...you find poor as well as good employees! Make sure you check references on anybody with whom you begin a contract, albeit informally
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http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/000569_06262002.html
http://podpeep.blogspot.com/2007/10/more-about-paying-for-reviews-veinglory.html
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2001/05/43606
I take no offense...
Nor do I take what you say lightly...
I read writersweekly, to get a jist of what was being said in your referral articles...if the other two are any different, highlight it please...
Writers' Weekly talks about having more books out than having reviewers available. While they still say don't pay for them, hey, I didn't write this to obtain clients... Choosing to come to our site is purely a voluntary choice!
In fact, can any of the authors here on Gather tell me that they have been reviewed by any of the places that "review"... Kirkus by the way does charge... and newspapers of course pay their reviewers from their income...
Professional Reviewers are indeed paid...whether it is by the newspaper, the publisher, by the site owner or by the author... Yes, the author may be lucky enough to get reader reviewers...I certainly won't discount that many, many individuals enjoy writing reviews.
However, that does not make them a professional, nor does it guarantee that the review is going to be a good one or a bad one.
In fact, nobody can guarantee how a review is going to turn out... You may see that I give a lot of book 5 stars.
What you don't know is that if the book review turns out to be less than that...I interact with the author and that individual decides what to do with my review. They may choose to quote one line! But the overall review is never posted by me because I am acting on behalf of the author.
Nor do you see any of my critical reviews! Those are of books that have major issues and for which I've refused to provide a book review. If that author is concerned about my thoughts, I will provide a critical review of the issues that have caused me concern.
I had an author send me a book for review that was full of errors. I refused to review it. Her response was that she "thought that reviewers only read books for content."
I submit to you that many who review books have no regard for the English language, spelling, or any other issue... If an author cares less about these issues...then I don't want to represent that writer!
Remember that all book reviews are not necessarily posted! That is the prerogative of the client. And why shouldn't it be? Book reviews do help sell books, no matter what you personally think. That is discussed in more places than I care to provide in this response.
I am curious what you might call a "respectable" reviewer...is that a friend or word-of- mouth reader down the street, that has no background in grammar, spelling...plot, characters, etc. I doubt it...
In fact, when you read blurbs of authors reviewing authors, it normally is a line or so...
But did they really read the book, or did they read enough to provide an "endorsement" for the other author so that they might do the same for them. You may be surprised at what actually happens in the publishing world.
Now, the final test...you indicate that our site claims that authors "keep coming back."
Indeed this article discusses the need for those who are looking for online services, should gather references.
Well, I have a number of clients right here on Gather. However, it is NOT my intention to acquire clients...I always have a backlog. Most of my clients who are here on Gather, however, are mentioned when I post their reviews. Or, feel free to contact me for specific names. Hey, feel free to contact any of them for a reference................ I would hate to not resolve your and/or others' suspicions!
What I do know is that the independent reviewers on our site have the right background to provide professional reviews. We screen them all carefully before allowing them to participate. And, by the way, the independent reviewer PAYS THE SITE ADMINISTRATORS NOTHING. Yes, the co-owners take care of ALL administrative costs for the site.
I reiterate, we are not seeking clients! We rarely publicize other than to post reviews for our clients. We provide a service that some authors have come to depend upon and appreciate. Nothing more, nothing less.
I just deleted my comment.
In any event! Thanks for reading!
Recognize, however, that we represent the client who has come to us--could be an author, a publisher or a publicist. If a publisher chooses not to use our review, then in my opinion, they have a right to do that...so why shouldn't an author.
There are worlds of difference between being published by one of the major publishers versus being self-published! Major publishers are in the business and have already ensured they have a good book before they publish it.
Authors who self-published are oftentimes entirely on their own! I hope you can't fault me for trying my best to help that new author! If a book gets talked about by word-of-mouth, how often will it be a self-published book? I look at all the reviews that are freely done for Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, the Kellermans, Dean Koontz, Robert Parker, and all the other great authors...Hey I could spend all my time on the hundreds of books I read by top authors...too...just like you...
I chose a different route to be of help...
Personally, I feel this article is a TOS violation but I won't flag it. I think you meant well.
However, I believe this kind of article, pointing to a service for hire, and giving a website is against Gather terms of service. You might want to check on that with a Gather rep.
A book review is as good as the person doing the review. A review by someone's uncle or friend is meaningless, to me. Kirkus has a good reputation, but they wanted $400. per book to review. I have a trilogy, so that is $1,200. Bye-Bye Kirkus. Besides, I am a senior and don't have years to play hide-and-seek with agents or publishers, so I published myself and I am not sorry.
Julie, does that mean my work is weak because I self-published? I have all five star reviews, and not by friends, and all three of my novels were recently among ten "Finalists" in the 2008 Indie Book Awards-Historical Fiction, an International Competition. I owe much of my progress to Glenda Bixler, a true professional who has helped me beyond the call of duty.
Am I thin-skinned, Julie? Well, when a half-literate person who plays with a ball for a living has someone write their book for them and they get on National/International T.V. to promote it, I'm upset. If that makes me thin-skinned, then you are correct.
I don't have a problem with people being paid to review. But that money should NOT come from authors. Most review sites generate income either selling other services or ad space. I happen to have worked with dozens of reader sites, and I even update a list of sites that review books for authors.
http://www.bardsandsages.com/reviews1.htm
You muddy the waters when you start talking about grammar and editing. Proofreading, editing, and reviewing are three different functions. If you are offering proofreading and editing services pre-publication, by all means you should be charging for that. But most reviewers, professional or otherwise, don't proofread or look for typos in the book. Especially since many are looking at pre-publication galleys that haven't been proofread yet!
I would always say that if a author has to chose between paying you $50 for a review or spending $50 on advertising, put the money in advertising where you can control the message. If an author wants help with proofreading and editing, they should be seeking that out pre-publication. It's too late afterwards.
I must admit, though, that it bothers me that you consider these issues as muddying the waters. Major publishers have an entire staff working to ensure these issues are addressed before publishing is done. And even then, I constantly find errors, not because I am looking for them, but rather because mistakes are disruptive to the reader! Me! If there are still errors in galleys, in my opinion, you got problems!
If an author wants a review prior to publishing, I work with manuscripts and/or galleys, but, like I said, galleys are the final before printing, supposedly...why errors???
In fact, that is one of the major issues that we consider it since a lot of our authors do come from self-publishers. Authors who have chosen POD are being scammed and I am merely pointing out that many who do choose to come to me presents books that have been published with lots of problems... Many are devastated to find there are problems in their new book and are thankful for our information. (I personally provide a free error-listing for a new client. Many go back to get these changes made before they proceed with any further publicity.
I appreciate your point of view...I don't think you are up-to-date on what is happening with the volume of books being published. But that's why we have discussions like this, everybody has a viewpoint.
"Authors generally expect free book reviews; that was standard in the twentieth century--advertisements paid for the book reviews in print media. Today, however, authors must cover the cost of book reviews. A book reviewer may spend hours reading a book and writing a review, and he deserves compensation for his work. Consequently, authors must budget for the cost of book reviews. Authors are recommended to budget for mailing out a minimum of twenty books for review."
http://www.rebeccasreads.com/Editorials/Editorials2008.07.01.html
This site, by the way, was recently sold, but retained the site name Rebecca Reads... which has functioned as a free site for many years. They have greatly expanded the services they offer and are enjoying more and more popularity. I won't take the time to find other sites, because the opposing views increase the value of discussion.
I think you bring up an even different issue in your last paragraph...that of the "ghost writer."
I know it is disheartening that many authors struggle to have their books out there for the "public eye," yet someone with "a name" can pay to have his/her book written and get lots of publicity, no matter than they never wrote a word of it!
Any comments out there on or from ghost writers???
By the way, Bob was one of those individuals who sent me his manuscript for his first book only to have me provide him an error listing. He had previously paid a professional editor. Once Bob realized what could happen, he became a "holy terror" in checking every single comma and period in his books...Needless to say, Bob and I have come to know each other well during this long period. Right now we are out there posting reviews...wherever they can be posted!
Thanks for your personal thoughts, Bob...
God Bless!