lately, you still have to beg reviewers to read your books? And they turn you down? Well…maybe you don’t. I do.
Do I have your permission to be honest? When my patients ask me, “How much time do I have?” I always reply, “How honest do you want me to be? Because if you need me to lie, I’ll lie my ass off.”
Well, I’m asking you - do I have your permission to be honest? Yes? Then here I go. I’m weary of rejection. It saps not only my emotions, but my creative juices as well. Despite the exponential growth in ebooks and the fact that more and more mainstream authors are making the leap into the world of self-publishing, few prominent reviewers are willing to take the time to review an ebook written by someone outside of their comfort zone. What do I mean by comfort zone? I mean a book written an author who doesn’t have the right amount of cachet or name-recognition or New York print books trailing in his or her wake - an author they are unfamiliar with. ***Yes, I know, comes with the territory. Dues-paying and all that. Yadda yadda yadda. Blah - blah - blah. Whine, whine, whine. Suck it up and quit yer bitchin’, ya stupid author.
Here’s a smattering of the responses my requests have garnered:
1. Resounding silence. (Seems to be the most common response.)
2. “Oh, I read whatever strikes my fancy.” (This is an answer?)
3. “Our reviewer says your science fiction work is too long and she just doesn’t have the time.” (350 pages is too long?)
4. “We’ve never heard of your publisher so therefore we won’t review your book.” (Okelie dokelie.)
Yes, there are reviewers and book bloggers who are very involved in this brave new indie world, so many amazing reviewers that I can’t possibly name them all. They are welcoming and accepting, and those who’ve read my books have given me more than a fair shake. I will continue to offer my books for review to the more independent review sites. In fact, anyone who knows me is aware that all you have to do is ask and I’ll send you a book for review. I’m easy. I’m like the girl who gives it up for a burger and fries. Throw in a chocolate shake and I’ll go ’round twice.
It’s so very simple. I write to be read. Does this post make my butt look big? (Lie your ass off!)
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The only response I’ve ever gotten is silence, but I don’t send out requests very often.
Here is my not so humble opinion about those “big name review sites who only read NYT bestsellers”……bor-ing! Their reviews are generic, boring, and have no personality. It’s like reading a piece of cardboard. The book bloggers (who read EVERYTHING…e-pubbed, indie pubbed, mainstream pubbed, we just like to read, dammit) have much cooler, more interesting, more entertaining, and all-around excellent reviews. (Ah-hem.) I guess you need an agent to get your reviews done on the “biggie” sites, and I know the exposure there is wonderful for authors, but sometimes I read the 2 sentence reviews in **** and think, that’s it? 2 sentences? Barely a thought? And authors are peeing their pants for this? I just don’t get that.
And, I think your butt looks great! :^)
It’s a tough question because exposure and approval do factor into book sales and reviews are often meaningless. I’ve read rave reviews over I-don’t-know-what-they-saw-in-this- book, and I’ve seen reviewers simply miss the whole premise of a story and write a sour review.
I think we all need a little more confidence in our opinions and intuition when choosing books. Adults readers don’t really need a reviewer telling them how to feel.
XXOO Kat
Ps. This blog made your butt look damn fine!
Amber - I don’t send out requests on any regular basis either, but sometimes an indie reviewer will say to me - you need to have so and so review this book - it’s right up their alley. So and so has so far not deigned to review one of my books.
Penelope - I’ll take the indie reviewers any day, but yes, on occasion, I’d like to get one of those larger sites to bite the bullet and read something they are not familiar with. Captured would be a good one - can’t get a single big sci fi or paranormal reviewer to give it a second look. It really is a good story - just re-read it while I’ve been OOC - out of commission!
Heya Kat! I agree - I too read rave reviews and I wonder if the reviewer and I read the same book…I mean, after all, they are supposed to know what they’re talking about! I never notice a big boost in sales after a review, but the exposure for us little folk would be nice…
I agree with Katalina. I’ve never really paid much attention to reviewers when buying my books. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever even bought a book based on what the professional reviewers had to say. I guess the most important thing is the exposure they provide, but I’m still doubtful about how it factors into sales. I’ve never seen any hits to my site coming from a reviewers website. All I know is this go around, I’m not going to send out any requests…
Things to look forward to in the publishing world. Yikes. I LOVE the last line.
Delilah - yup, it’s the exposure that counts. I generally don’t buy a book based on reviews. In the past, when I’ve bought a work of literary fiction based upon glowing reviews, more often than not I’ve been disappointed.
Thanks, Ciara!
I suppose it is kind of like herd immunity. With so many books out there most people are encircled by print works and well known writers. Assuming an author is any good, they have to somehow just get noticed enough to generate a critical mass of people that will get the word out.
This is where E-books have to be worked hand in hand with other technologies. Without the monstro publisher’s publicity machine plugging away for you (assuming you are a politician or celebrity of some kind) you can now connect with readers in way’s never before imagined. A friend of mine decided he would make as much money self publishing, as going with his regular publisher, so he dumped them and did a (print) run of his new book. On one hand he makes a lot more money, but it’s also more work in that he has to hustle some to just get people to know that the 3rd book (in a series) is out.
I think there is a job market for an independent writer’s promotional assistant. Someone who will constantly seek out and explore new ways of getting the name out. Someone to keep up the facebook page and reach out to possible new readers. Bashing away at review outlets to push a title, keeping fans informed when some website does a “vote for the best book of X.” I find that often this takes me away from writing a lot more than I would like. It’s too easy to get sucked into endless surfing and emailing and posting, with the end result being little actual writing gets done.
I suspect a lot of this can be done by spouses (sig others), or if you have a savvy superfan.
But one of the reasons fans of a writer don’t like ebooks is that they can’t get them signed! Just thinking out loud, but I wonder if it would make a difference if you offered a signed card of the book cover with every purchase?
Then maybe… dare I say it? Maybe those BIG reviewers aren’t all that influential? Really? Maybe, it’s all smoke and mirrors…
Jim, I think your suggestion is brilliant. I do print up covers and offer signed covers to fans - with mixed results. Most of my fans do prefer to wait for that signed print copy. And yes, I agree - I don’t need an agent, but I do need a business manager and publicist. It’s like being a housewife - a housewife is so much more than a housewife.
I play so many roles, mother, spouse, household manager, dog trainer, cook and chief bottlewasher while still trying to work a part time day job and write - that means every spare moment is taken up with promo - unfortunately I don’t see anyone else raising their hand.
I agree that one must reach a critical mass, or as Malcolm Gladwell calls it, a tipping point, in order to get noticed. Not there yet, hope to be there one day.
Anny, I think they have a great deal of influence - that’s why Amanda Hocking, despite her success in the self-publishing world, wants that NY contract. So that someone else can take over the marketing aspect and she can just write.
It sucks and I know how you feel. I sent out requests months ago and have not heard back from one place…I think there are so many amazing authors out there who want to get a review but are not getting them and people miss out on these books because they don’t hear about them.
Yes, Savannah, I agree. Many excellent books are missed altogether. It’s a shame.