Emailing Downloaded Epub Files To Reviewers

randyflycaster · 12-26-2010, 09:42 AM

I'd like to email some epub files of my book to reviewers. I have a file I downloaded from Smashwords. I'm wondering: if I email it will someone be able to upload it to their ereader? Should I instead convert my MS Word file with Calibre?

Thanks,

Randy

Steven Lake · 12-26-2010, 05:42 PM

Two rules.

1. First find out if they take unsolicited reviews. If not, find someone who will.
2. Find out what format they prefer it in, and then send it in that format.

Bonus Rule: Always find out the rules and submission guidelines of each reviewer. They're different for each reviewer, and if you don't follow the rules, you won't get reviewed.

koland · 12-27-2010, 11:00 AM

Most would prefer a reviewer's coupon (one-time use, 100% off) from smashwords, if that is what you are sending (rather than a hand-tuned epub or other format).

That way, it's easy to redownload when you send a note that you changed something (awful formatting, accidental missing text, fixed the cover, or whatever). It's also easy to try a different format (sometimes the grinder there messes up one format, but not another).

randyflycaster · 12-28-2010, 09:01 AM

Koland, Steven,
Thanks. Great points!
Randy

Joseph Mitchell · 01-05-2011, 06:58 PM

I've seen some say they'd rather not mess with coupons and would prefer you just send them a copy of the book, but like Steven said, each reviewer has their own guidelines. I don't see coupons as being useful for cleaning up errors, because really, you shouldn't send out to reviewers at all unless your editing is solid. That's just begging for trouble and a bad review. I've seen some very popular reviewers state that this is how they view it, and that they refuse to revise a bad review to account for your fixing it later. Try to get it right the first time if at all possible, and accept the consequences when they review what you send them. Good luck!

ficbot · 01-06-2011, 08:40 AM

One other point to consider, Smashwords will not let someone post a review at their site unless that's where they obtain the book. My review policy is that I post the review on my own site (and Teleread, if my editor there picks it up) and at the site I get it from. So if they simply email me a file instead of providing a coupon code, I can't post the review at Smashwords also.

egtalbot · 02-12-2011, 10:46 PM

One other note - Smashwords policy is to not use the epubs generated by Smashwords for other purposes besides sales through Smashwords or one of its partners. a coupon is of course OK. The idea is that he doesn't want you using his technology and site and then say uploading the epub directly to Nook and cutting him out. I have been meaning to ask Mark Coker if sending the epub to a reviewer is acceptable or not, as I am not sure.

G J Lau · 02-13-2011, 10:25 AM

Thanks for a useful recap of everything I have learned the hard way over the last couple of months. And I thought writing was the hard part. LOL

jrlewis · 02-15-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyflycaster

I'd like to email some epub files of my book to reviewers. I have a file I downloaded from Smashwords. I'm wondering: if I email it will someone be able to upload it to their ereader? Should I instead convert my MS Word file with Calibre?

Thanks,

Randy

Good advice all around here, but just to answer your technical question - Yes, if you email a file the recipient will be able to upload it to their ereader device (or app), including Nooks and Kindles.

jehane · 02-18-2011, 03:45 AM

I've just started reviewing books and my preference is for a Smashwords coupon. Although my reviews are published on my blog, obviously it doesn't reach a wide audience (though I am hoping that will change!) So by "buying" from Smashwords I can post my review there as well.

horse_girl · 02-19-2011, 12:51 AM

Lots of good advice here but a bit scattered. To summarize:

1. Check reviewer policies. Most post this on their blog.
2. Some reviewers have an online submission form and want a file attached (ie Red Adept). Others prefer a first contact. Still others want a specific file format attached to an email.
3. If you're confused, check #1

And your question was already answered by jrlewis. AFAIK, all ereaders can be plugged into a computer via USB and books can be side-loaded onto the reader that way. (I know Nook and Kindle can and assume all the others allow it too, but I could be wrong.)

JJWestendarp · 02-19-2011, 12:14 PM

You can also email files to your Kindle. First, go into your Amazon account and "Manage Your Kindle." Somewhere in there is a spot where you can set the maximum amount you'll allow to be charged per book sent. Set that to zero. Second, if your kindle email is, for example, samdeathwalker@kindle.com, stop using that one. Use samdeathwalker@free.kindle.com instead. Now it will never, ever go over 3G, only wi-fi. Then you can email stuff to your Kindle and it'll download it the next time you connect to your wifi.

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12-26-2010, 09:42 AM	#1
randyflycaster Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 1000858 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Device: Sony 350	Emailing Downloaded Epub Files To Reviewers I'd like to email some epub files of my book to reviewers. I have a file I downloaded from Smashwords. I'm wondering: if I email it will someone be able to upload it to their ereader? Should I instead convert my MS Word file with Calibre? Thanks, Randy

12-26-2010, 05:42 PM	#2
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Two rules. 1. First find out if they take unsolicited reviews. If not, find someone who will. 2. Find out what format they prefer it in, and then send it in that format. Bonus Rule: Always find out the rules and submission guidelines of each reviewer. They're different for each reviewer, and if you don't follow the rules, you won't get reviewed.

12-27-2010, 11:00 AM	#3
koland Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,560 Karma: 8033155 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: TN, USA Device: kindle(all), nook, nookcolor, Sony, Kobo, epic, iphone, iPad, pc	Most would prefer a reviewer's coupon (one-time use, 100% off) from smashwords, if that is what you are sending (rather than a hand-tuned epub or other format). That way, it's easy to redownload when you send a note that you changed something (awful formatting, accidental missing text, fixed the cover, or whatever). It's also easy to try a different format (sometimes the grinder there messes up one format, but not another).

12-28-2010, 09:01 AM	#4
randyflycaster Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 1000858 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Device: Sony 350	Koland, Steven, Thanks. Great points! Randy

01-05-2011, 06:58 PM	#5
Joseph Mitchell Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 40000 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, US Device: PC, other	I've seen some say they'd rather not mess with coupons and would prefer you just send them a copy of the book, but like Steven said, each reviewer has their own guidelines. I don't see coupons as being useful for cleaning up errors, because really, you shouldn't send out to reviewers at all unless your editing is solid. That's just begging for trouble and a bad review. I've seen some very popular reviewers state that this is how they view it, and that they refuse to revise a bad review to account for your fixing it later. Try to get it right the first time if at all possible, and accept the consequences when they review what you send them. Good luck!

01-06-2011, 08:40 AM	#6
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	One other point to consider, Smashwords will not let someone post a review at their site unless that's where they obtain the book. My review policy is that I post the review on my own site (and Teleread, if my editor there picks it up) and at the site I get it from. So if they simply email me a file instead of providing a coupon code, I can't post the review at Smashwords also.

02-12-2011, 10:46 PM	#7
egtalbot Leader of the Conspiracy Posts: 16 Karma: 116 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Massachusetts Device: kindle	One other note - Smashwords policy is to not use the epubs generated by Smashwords for other purposes besides sales through Smashwords or one of its partners. a coupon is of course OK. The idea is that he doesn't want you using his technology and site and then say uploading the epub directly to Nook and cutting him out. I have been meaning to ask Mark Coker if sending the epub to a reviewer is acceptable or not, as I am not sure.

02-13-2011, 10:25 AM	#8
G J Lau Zealot Posts: 126 Karma: 415116 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Frederick MD Device: Nook	Thanks for a useful recap of everything I have learned the hard way over the last couple of months. And I thought writing was the hard part. LOL

02-18-2011, 03:45 AM	#10
jehane Book addict Posts: 441 Karma: 2650464 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Antarctica/Australia/Ohio Device: Sony PRS-300/T1/Asus TF101	I've just started reviewing books and my preference is for a Smashwords coupon. Although my reviews are published on my blog, obviously it doesn't reach a wide audience (though I am hoping that will change!) So by "buying" from Smashwords I can post my review there as well.

02-19-2011, 12:51 AM	#11
horse_girl Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 100001 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook, Motorola Droid	Lots of good advice here but a bit scattered. To summarize: 1. Check reviewer policies. Most post this on their blog. 2. Some reviewers have an online submission form and want a file attached (ie Red Adept). Others prefer a first contact. Still others want a specific file format attached to an email. 3. If you're confused, check #1 And your question was already answered by jrlewis. AFAIK, all ereaders can be plugged into a computer via USB and books can be side-loaded onto the reader that way. (I know Nook and Kindle can and assume all the others allow it too, but I could be wrong.)

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02-19-2011, 12:14 PM	#12
JJWestendarp Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3	You can also email files to your Kindle. First, go into your Amazon account and "Manage Your Kindle." Somewhere in there is a spot where you can set the maximum amount you'll allow to be charged per book sent. Set that to zero. Second, if your kindle email is, for example, samdeathwalker@kindle.com, stop using that one. Use samdeathwalker@free.kindle.com instead. Now it will never, ever go over 3G, only wi-fi. Then you can email stuff to your Kindle and it'll download it the next time you connect to your wifi.