Review or not to Review, Part Two

After considering whether authors should ask for a review, it seemed important to look at things on the reviewer's side of the equation. I don't mean the individual reviewer who takes the time to "Star" and comment on Amazon or GoodReads. Nor am I thinking of the paid, professional reviewer. I'm talking about about those who create blogs and webpages in order to share their opinions about books.

So Reviewers, today it's your turn...ask yourself why do you choose to spend your time reading and reviewing books?

Because you should know, Dear Blogger-Reviewer, a reader may first encounter your site because an author or friend referred them by sharing a link. Readers who come back to your site do so because they value and respect your opinion.

First, a quiz:

What is the most most appropriate reason you should start a book review blog? (Select the one most correct response)
A.) To get receive free books.
B.) For the glory of seeing my name in pixels.
C.) To receive the undying gratitude of authors and publishers.
D.) Because I am a voracious reader who loves to read and talk about books.

For the most part, review blogs and websites are written by readers - for readers. It's the reader-to-reader connection that makes a blog special and worth reading.  

I've been a reader a lot longer than I've been a writer. You can be sure that if a review site is one I regularly follow, that means the  reviewer is a like-minded reader, and I trust his or her book recommendations. I don't care how a book was acquired by the reviewer, whether it it was submitted by the author, the publisher, or selected from the reviewer's own personal collection. Because as a reader and potential purchaser, that's not relevant to me. What I want to know is whether I should buy the book.

Authors have their uses-just not on review blogs

Now let me be clear. I am speaking of the independent review site or of the "review" side of those sites created as promotion spots for blog hops, author exchanges, etc.

I'm speaking of just the review side. Or sites only built around reviews. Just reviews. Clear?

Reviews are and should be separate from promotion. Interviews are promotion. Contests are promotion. Chats are promotion. I shouldn't expect to see the author on the reviewer's website. I can go to the promotion side of the site or to the author's site if that is the interaction I seek.

Reviews should be separate from any external influence.

It may just be me, but I think it can be rather disconcerting to have the author thanking the reviewer. It raises a question. Is the reviewer being thanked for taking the time to review? For posting? For the good or bad opinion? For a free book? Just what is the connection between the reviewer and the author? 

And then there are those darn negative reviews. Have you seen the terse thank you from an author posted after a not a particularly complimentary review? Yeah...that doesn't ring true for me, either.

Disclaimer here...as an author, I have received reviews on blogs. Sometimes at my request, sometimes through serendipity. Some have been complimentary, some not. I have posted those "Thank yous," and I have always felt awkward about doing so. After the blog explosion yesterday on this very issue of authors thanking bloggers, I have decided to go with my gut in the future. Author's posts on review sites always feel like self-promotion.

I think it's better if the author just steps back and lets the reviewer and readers make their own connections. After all, Dear Author...your job (my job) was to write the book. Now it's out of our hands and on to the readers.

So, Blogger-Reviewer, I'm here...now tell me your opinion of a book. 

Why is this book on your review site and why am I here? What is the common connection? Do we share a taste for paranormals? Romances? Erotica? Mysteries?

So now, tell me about this book. Tell me about the plot (but good grief, don't you dare "spoil" it). Tell me if this book will make me laugh or cry or cringe. Tell me not to waste my money or tell me to buy it right now! 

What I want to know most from my favorite reviewers is why did this book work for you? That way I can make an informed opinion about whether or not the book will work for me, too.

Dear Blogger-Reviewer, somewhere along the way, I found your site, and because of your opinion...I have found a good book to read. I keep coming back to your site for more of your suggestions. Unless you suddenly start writing reviews that "Like" poorly written books or switch genres on me, I will continue to trust your opinion. 

Keep me coming back!

Cheers,

Laura

 I saw an interesting if semi-viral (and possibly lethal) explosion of opinions on this topic yesterday. What say you?

And be sure to drop by tomorrow for a visit with Lark and Derek from Silvia Violet's just released book, Abandoned. Phew, it's hot in here! 

To Review or not Review - Part One

It seems as if everywhere I look lately, there are conversations popping up about reviews. This post is specifically about authors who are considering requesting reviews from the major or minor review blogs and for the reviewer/bloggers who write them.

(Yes, someday I'll tackle reader reviews at GoodReads and other sites. I'll want to gird my loins, first...)

Writers...first ask yourself why you want a review...
The reason a writer wants a review directs the rest of the process. If the reason is validation-you just want someone to tell you you're good and they love your book...then ask a friend to read it and then stop talking about it. (This is the hardest one for most of us)

If it's to promote sales, but you're afraid of reviews, then don't ask for a review. Ask for blog spots or take advantage of every free promo opportunity, like LRC Loop, etc.

If, after thinking about why you want to be reviewed...you decide still want reviews and are willing to take the feedback or flat out rejections:

1. Join Manic Reviewers and follow the process to request multiple reviews at once with the minimum of trouble.

2. Always request a review privately. Follow up in private, too. Never, ever pressure the reviewer to hurry up, change their rating, to reconsider their decision not to review.

3. Give away as many copies of your book as possible, including to everyone from whom you request a review. People are more likely to rate book positively if they've been given a free copy.

4. The value of the book is in the eye of the reader. Whatever the reviewer writes is correct. Hate it, but it's true. Do pick and choose the best quotes to put on your blog or website, and ask for permission to quote, if it isn't expressly granted on the reviewers site.

And finally, I think if you thank one reviewer, you have to thank them all. Or ignore them all. (At least, that's going to be my new policy.) Either way, just accept that you live with the consequences of your choice, and there will be something wrong, either way you choose.




Cheers,
Laura

Return tomorrow for my take on Review websites and reader/review/author interaction.

Possible useful link:
Manic Reviews: http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=login