Contacting someone for reviews - Page 2

ApK · 10-14-2016, 11:22 PM

Yeah, if you only have the email for a giveaway with the expectation you wouldn't use it for other purpose, then don't. Is that the case?

AndrewMowere · 10-17-2016, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Yeah, if you only have the email for a giveaway with the expectation you wouldn't use it for other purpose, then don't. Is that the case?

This has escalated slightly. I ended up contacting the person on goodreads, and he did not answer. I'd like to thank everyone who commented on their excellent advice.

In other news, the book is done, although I wouldn't call that hot mispaced mess a first draft. Time to dive into the abyss of edits and proofreading.

Dr. Drib · 10-17-2016, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewMowere

This has escalated slightly. I ended up contacting the person on goodreads, and he did not answer. I'd like to thank everyone who commented on their excellent advice.

In other news, the book is done, although I wouldn't call that hot mispaced mess a first draft. Time to dive into the abyss of edits and proofreading.

= Apparently, everyone has strong opinions on this.

It's too bad your thread escalated, as you say.

Good luck on your editing and proofreading....and proofreading....and proofreading....

meeera · 10-17-2016, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewMowere

This has escalated slightly. I ended up contacting the person on goodreads, and he did not answer. I'd like to thank everyone who commented on their excellent advice.

In other news, the book is done, although I wouldn't call that hot mispaced mess a first draft. Time to dive into the abyss of edits and proofreading.

FWIW, I don't think it's worth contacting anyone about an ARC until you have a well edited copy available. And of course you're not going to get a 100% response rate. Contact once, then leave it alone. If you're interested in getting more eyes on, consider using ARC services such as netgalley, or read some advice on how to cold-contact bookbloggers appropriately.

Krazykiwi · 10-19-2016, 01:28 PM

Particularly on GR there have been some disastrous episodes involving authors contacting reviewers (doxxings, stalking -- this one got written about by the author in question in the Guardian amazingly enough, who thought she was completely in the right, in another case a pretty loopy author travelled the length of the UK and knocked a reviewer over the head with a wine bottle at her workplace.)

It's also important to remember that as an author you have a business relationship with your readers, and have to beware of consumer protection laws. Contacting people via email if they did not opt in to specifically the purpose you are using the email address for might fall foul of the CAN-SPAM laws. Signing up for one giveaway is not necessarily carte blanche to use someone's email address for anything else, that's why many giveaway services/raffle sites make entrants explicitly sign up for a mailing list as well. ISP's tend to treat CAN-SPAM complaints a bit like DMCA complaints, and take you offline while they sort it out, rather than risking it escalating to the point they are at fault too, so all it can take is one strongly worded complaint using the right kind of legalese and your website is down for the duration.

While obviously most authors are not insane (and I assume that includes you!) and many reviewers are entirely open to being approached by authors for free books, it's simply not safe to assume that is always the case! Best practice is as mentioned: Contact only once then let it be if they don't reply. And on GR make sure you check their profile, people who don't want to be contacted will usually say so there.

Gregg Bell · 10-21-2016, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darryl

For what it is worth, this site offers reviews.

http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/

Thanks Darryl. I looked at the site. I've got a free book now. Is the site as simple as plop the free book on there and if people want they'll review it?

darryl · 10-21-2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Thanks Darryl. I looked at the site. I've got a free book now. Is the site as simple as plop the free book on there and if people want they'll review it?

Gregg. Unfortunately it looks like you just missed out. The site was offering free reviews but they have just dumped them. They now offer only paid reviews.

Gregg Bell · 10-21-2016, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darryl

Gregg. Unfortunately it looks like you just missed out. The site was offering free reviews but they have just dumped them. They now offer only paid reviews.

Okay. Thanks for getting back to me.

Gregg Bell · 10-21-2016, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krazykiwi

in another case a pretty loopy author travelled the length of the UK and knocked a reviewer over the head with a wine bottle at her workplace.

I agree this is going too far.

ApK · 10-21-2016, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

I agree this is going too far.

Yeah, a couple towns over is as far as I'd go to hit someone with a wine bottle.

gmw · 10-23-2016, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Yeah, a couple towns over is as far as I'd go to hit someone with a wine bottle.

Depends, do they supply the wine? I'd travel a bit further for a good red. I get to drink the contents first, don't I? I'm sure I must, I'd be mad to use a full bottle.

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10-14-2016, 11:22 PM	#16
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,384 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	Yeah, if you only have the email for a giveaway with the expectation you wouldn't use it for other purpose, then don't. Is that the case?

10-19-2016, 01:28 PM	#20
Krazykiwi Zealot Posts: 137 Karma: 2156958 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Too many random androids to list	Particularly on GR there have been some disastrous episodes involving authors contacting reviewers (doxxings, stalking -- this one got written about by the author in question in the Guardian amazingly enough, who thought she was completely in the right, in another case a pretty loopy author travelled the length of the UK and knocked a reviewer over the head with a wine bottle at her workplace.) It's also important to remember that as an author you have a business relationship with your readers, and have to beware of consumer protection laws. Contacting people via email if they did not opt in to specifically the purpose you are using the email address for might fall foul of the CAN-SPAM laws. Signing up for one giveaway is not necessarily carte blanche to use someone's email address for anything else, that's why many giveaway services/raffle sites make entrants explicitly sign up for a mailing list as well. ISP's tend to treat CAN-SPAM complaints a bit like DMCA complaints, and take you offline while they sort it out, rather than risking it escalating to the point they are at fault too, so all it can take is one strongly worded complaint using the right kind of legalese and your website is down for the duration. While obviously most authors are not insane (and I assume that includes you!) and many reviewers are entirely open to being approached by authors for free books, it's simply not safe to assume that is always the case! Best practice is as mentioned: Contact only once then let it be if they don't reply. And on GR make sure you check their profile, people who don't want to be contacted will usually say so there.