With 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 to be part of a driving force of educating the world about that new book. Regardless the number of stars, you are helping to inform readers.

That publisher didn’t print those books for free. That author lost out on royalties on those books. One or the other paid postage so the review would not have to read an ebook . . . unless they just wanted to.

Yet most people who receive review copies do not review. They take the free book and are never heard from again. That is why NetGalley (professional reviewing distribution site) and many publishers only release ebooks. Not only are the books easier to distribute, but they are less of a loss when they disappear into the ether with no review.

But some authors still distribute print review copies upon request. After the cost of printing, handling, and postage, the books are mailed. Many of these books are autographed as a thank-you. The majority of those never result in a review either.

The cost of a printed review copy runs anywhere from $8 to $13, depending on whether you self-published or traditionally published. An author receives some free copies, but not that many. I receive 15. The cost of mailing those free books, however, is mine. The cost of the additional review copies, is mine.

A publisher or author may send out ten review copies or fifty, depending on the budget. They either mail them to professional reviewers or ask readers to step up and volunteer on places like Facebook, Goodreads, blogs, and newsletters. To give you an idea of my last book, Salkehatchie Secret, here are the numbers:

42 – total number of print copies mailed
2 – number of ebook copies sent
22 – number of reviews posted on Amazon
2 – number unable to post a review on Amazon
20 – number who didn’t review

(22 books times $13 = $286 loss)

Like a free sandwich at the drive-through, like the free box of cereal at the grocer, someone spent the money to put that product into place and offer it to you for free. Those lucky enough to receive a freebie will hopefully remember the brand or the store and hopefully spread the word . . . or return and buy.

Some people just see a free book as a free book. Nothing lost by anyone. But somewhere on that supply chain, somebody paid for that book. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one, please pay for it with a review. For incentive, go onto Goodreads and set yourself a goal under their annual reading challenge. Here’s mine (and see below). What’s great is that this challenge also entices you to review those books, in case you a little nudge.

(Written on behalf of silent authors everywhere.  ~Hope)