New ways to rip-off aspiring self-publishing authors.
Incredible. Two years ago I did “giveaways” on Goodreads. They were expensive because they meant buying books and shipping books to anyone who’d asked for one, up to the number you said you had to give away, in my case 5 copies each of three different titles. That was met buying 15 books at close to $7 each and between $3 – $7 postage each. That’s AT LEAST $150. The idea was to get reviews from the people who’d gotten free books.
That didn’t happen. I don’t think my “giveaway” yielded any reviews at all. Maybe one or two, but it’s doubtful. One woman even complained that it “took too long to get the book.” Seriously.
And NOW Goodreads is CHARGING authors for basically NOTHING. So, if I wanted to DO a giveaway for The Price (which I was thinking of since no one reviews it) would have to pay Goodreads (a subsidiary of Amazon at this point) $119 so that I could buy books and pay to ship them. What would I get for that $119? Nothing that I wouldn’t have anyway.
And who looks at Goodreads to get recommendations for books? I don’t know anyone, though I’ve heard it’s an active community of book lovers.
What do you think?
Which book do you want reviewed? I don’t read a lot, but I’ll do it for you and post all the reviews for free. Including on my blog and Amazon.
If you want to I’d love it because your reviews are intelligent and articulate even when it’s a book that didn’t really float your boat. I really need a review for The Price. I can send you a kindle version at anything you’d like. It’s not a super long novel and my editor says it moves fast. 😊
I have an old copy from before it was published title “The Price Mobi.” I exported it to my Kindle, so I’ll see if it runs. Sometimes, they don’t. If it’s available and a cleaner version, I’ll buy it. It’s the easiest way to get it and have it delivered where it belongs.
Okay. I bought it. That way it automatically shows up where it’s supposed to be. I actually meant to read it, but I don’t read much these days. Mostly I listen. The ONLY books I read are those by people whose books I know I like because I’ve read them before … a couple were new authors when I found their books. I always hope for an audio version. Eventually.
Thank you so much, Marilyn. I really hope you like it. ❤ BTW I thought Amazon had put out an audio version of The Price. I'll have to check that out.
Nope. They didn’t…
I always check to see. Sometimes, I get lucky. And sometimes, the audiobook is so bad, I can’t listen to it. They ain’t all great.
For this coming year’s potential book club list, I did look at reviews and blurbs on both Goodreads and Amazon.
That’s very helpful! Thanks 😊
I wouldn’t pay Goodreads just to have someone review your book. Have you checked out Booksprout or Hidden Gems? I think they have a free option for authors to have their books reviewed. I can also review your book since I have KU and I can add it to my library.
I won’t pay them. Good grief. The book I want reviews for has won an IndieBRAG medallion which opened the door to some reviewers. I will check out the ones you’ve mentioned! Thanks!
Hi Liz — what’s “KU”? I’d love to send you my book.
KU is Kindle Unlimited or Kindle Select (from the author side). I can borrow it from KU since I have a subscription.
Great!!! I appreciate it. 🙂
$119, and you don’t even get a listing in the Giveaway section…?
That’s such a rip-off that it’s actually kind of impressive.
Oh, the list of rip-offs available to self-published authors is very impressive. But this one made me laugh and want to punch them out at the same time. Still, people will buy it. They’ll spend money to spend money. 😦
Yep, as long as people keep paying for stuff like this, companies will keep up the practice 😛
Yep. 😦
I look at Goodreads and amazon as well, but find it horrible that they nickel and dime authors this way.
I’m old fashioned and don’t use Amazon I’m afraid, so I wouldn’t know how to do a review. I wrote a children’s book years ago (it’s on a floppy disc) I contacted a publisher but they wanted me to pay, I think it was vanity publishing. They keep emailing me. I ignore them. Not a good relationship.
I do browse reviews and rec lists on Goodreads from time to time, particularly when I want to learn more about a title and when I’m struggling to meet my next book.