Some industry gurus say never read your book reviews. Maybe if you are selling tens of thousands of copies and the reviews come in too fast to read, sure. Put your assistant on the task to pick out those snippets you want to use in blurbs, in ads, and on covers. But for those without assistants, […]
Reviewing is an Honor
/ 2021-03-05With every release of a novel, the author and publisher seek quick reviews so that others will buy. Receiving a review copy is an honor, frankly. You have been entrusted with a book, a free book, often ahead of others, and you have been asked for your particular opinion. The author and publisher want you […]
Amazon Reviews Can Be a Treasure Trove
/ 2020-11-13Many hate Amazon, and some small enterprising companies have tried to take a chunk out of it, a mouse trying to nip the beast, so to speak. I am not for or against those small entities doing something they feel the need to do. I, however, have always been an Amazon fan. Why? Because I […]
Earning Money Writing Book Reviews
/ 2020-10-17A popular Stephen King quote is: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” While I wholeheartedly agree, I also recognize the difficulty in sitting down to read when you need funds for food and rent. Reading improves your writing, yet, too often, feels like a […]
How to Deal with Your First Bad Review
/ 2020-06-12Amid all the euphoria of getting published for the first time, and all the good wishes from friends and family, it’s easy to forget that your book is now out there in the world, alone and unprotected, and must sink or swim on its merits. Soon enough, all that positivity will be challenged by your […]
Six Ways to Rethink Rejections
/ 2019-12-27For obvious reasons, writers often find rejection difficult. Even the word feels unnecessarily harsh. When that dreaded notification arrives, most forget that it’s only a collection of your words – and not you yourself – that’s been turned down. Here – from a serial rejectee – are some ways to reframe the concept of rejection […]
Review Copies, Freebies, and Author Copies: Q&A
/ 2019-12-06Think the author of a new book is entitled to unlimited copies? Think again. Here we look at author copies, review copies, and giving away freebies. What is a review copy? Often known as ARCs (advance review copies), review copies are a promotional version of the book for the trade and media. They will not […]