08-15-2010, 12:27 AM | #31 | |
Addict
Posts: 197
Karma: 1010202
Join Date: Mar 2010
Device: iPod Touch
|
Quote:
Camille |
|
08-15-2010, 07:29 AM | #32 |
Addict
Posts: 270
Karma: 1041222
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: UK
Device: Kindle
|
I agree Smashwords needs promoting more and more traffic.
And this has nothing to do with the fact my books is currently rated 4.6 stars and has several five stars reviews ... oh no. Not at all. Props to ficbot for doing this with no agenda other than to review self published stuff and sort the quality stuff from the dreck. Hope you get round to reading my book sooner or later. Dont let the 4.6 rating influence your decision in any way. Not at all. |
08-15-2010, 08:06 AM | #33 |
Marion
Posts: 62
Karma: 70000
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NY NY
Device: KindleDX
|
Just a suggestion for reviewers from a writer: Blog reviews are terrific, but might I suggest that you also post reviews for books that you are most enthusiastic about (your 4 and 5 star reviews) on not only Smashwords but Amazon as well and if the book is available at Kobo, B&E, Diesel, etc. then at those sites too? That would really help readers to find your finds.
|
08-15-2010, 11:44 AM | #34 | |
Maria Schneider
Posts: 3,746
Karma: 26439330
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Near Austin, Texas
Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard
|
Quote:
Last edited by BearMountainBooks; 08-20-2010 at 09:49 AM. |
|
08-15-2010, 11:46 AM | #35 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,409
Karma: 4132096
Join Date: Sep 2008
Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App
|
Marion, you're turning this almost into a full-time job Such promo, imho, is the author's job. I can't possibly keep track of every site where the author may have put their book. I review on the blog, and a shorter one at the site where I purchase it. If the author wants to leverage my review to other uses, that is their call.
|
08-15-2010, 01:09 PM | #36 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,222
Karma: 769316
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Eternal summer
Device: 350, iPad, PW
|
Quote:
And at that point, the author should take the ball and run with it. Seriously. Even if it's a low/medium exposure blog, it's someone else posting a positive review on a published medium. And that's good for a cover blurb! Or at least a point in the sales copy!!! And if the author fails to capitalize on the positive press, well then, that's their own damn fault Plus, you have to keep in mind that many sites only allow "confirmed purchases" to have reviews posted. So, to expect a reviewer to buy six copies of a book to be sure that he posts the same highlights from one review is pretty ballsy, imo. The fact that he does quick blurbs and/or star reviews on Smashwords (where he purchased the book to begin with) is good enough. Soon as I get some more time and money, fic, I'll be looking to join you in reviewing the slush pile Last edited by jaxx6166; 08-15-2010 at 01:12 PM. |
|
08-17-2010, 09:03 AM | #37 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 90
Karma: 100000
Join Date: Jul 2010
Device: Kindle, iPad
|
Ficbot, I'm really glad you're doing this. Anything to help readers of ebooks (like myself) separate the wheat from the chaff on Smashwords would be much appreciated!
Pat |
08-17-2010, 06:57 PM | #38 |
Guru
Posts: 997
Karma: 1086596
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Florida
Device: none
|
Yes, thank you, ficbot. We indies need all the help we can get. But as far as not being able to tell the wheat from the chaff, I would think with the 50% samples they give, that wouldn't be a problem. Hope you get a chance to review mine someday. I'll be checking you blog and your current reviews as soon as I leave here. Thanks again.
Joyce |
08-17-2010, 10:58 PM | #39 | |
Addict
Posts: 197
Karma: 1010202
Join Date: Mar 2010
Device: iPod Touch
|
Quote:
The most valuable sites to a reader are going to be those where the reviewer has a point of view and standards, and doesn't waste the reader's time with anything outside of that. Readers with the same point of view and taste can trust a site like that to tell them about books they will love. That's the kind of thing that creates passion, and it means so much more to a book than just about anything. Camille |
|
08-17-2010, 11:01 PM | #40 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,409
Karma: 4132096
Join Date: Sep 2008
Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App
|
Thanks for the comments, everyone. New review will be up prob the day after tomorrow. It's "Prestwick" by David Hough. Pretty good so far---not 'Radium Halos' good (pacing is a bit sloggy and some of the disaster movie parts are a bit overly graphic) but not bad overall.
|
08-18-2010, 02:42 AM | #41 | |
Guru
Posts: 893
Karma: 950683
Join Date: Oct 2009
Device: Kobo Libra2
|
Quote:
In fact, almost every book I haven't finished has been non-fiction that turned out to be too dry to bear. I can't recall the last fiction book I didn't finish, even if I did feel like throwing it at the fireplace afterward screaming, "I wasted 3 hours of my life on this!!". -Marcy |
|
08-18-2010, 09:40 AM | #42 | |
Maria Schneider
Posts: 3,746
Karma: 26439330
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Near Austin, Texas
Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard
|
Quote:
I have started "Learn me Good" by John McPhearson (which ficbot reviewed and didn't like too much). And I don't know how much of it is "nonfiction." It's more an exaggeration/funny kind of piece, but I happen to like that sort of thing. I also read a very good book on Einstein that I found fascinating. But I'm also not much of a non-fiction reader. Well, unless it travel related, in which case I devour all kinds of travel info! Last edited by BearMountainBooks; 08-20-2010 at 09:50 AM. |
|
08-19-2010, 10:17 PM | #43 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,222
Karma: 769316
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Eternal summer
Device: 350, iPad, PW
|
Books I've purchased:
Boomerang, Lucifer's Calling, Shades of Gray, The Second Coming, Under the Amoral Bridge, 2184, Shard Mountain, To Speak for the Dead, The Kinshield Legacy, Portrait of the Past. I'm going to start working on reviews for 'em this weekend, have to finish a bunch first. but ya know.. |
08-20-2010, 04:28 AM | #44 | |
It's about the umbrella
Posts: 25,112
Karma: 56250158
Join Date: Jan 2009
Device: Sony 505| K Fire | KK 3G+Wi-Fi | iPhone 3Gs |Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF
|
Quote:
Read and loved: Boomerang, The Second Coming, 2184 TBR: Under the Amoral Bridge, Shard Mountain, To Speak for the Dead, The Kinshield Legacy, Portrait of the Past |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Great way to get free books to review on your blog | lmpreston | Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links) | 0 | 07-08-2010 10:02 AM |
Free Smashwords Coupon This Week - The Whore of Freedom | DaringNovelist | Writers' Corner | 7 | 06-12-2010 12:48 AM |
Stop by my blog for my review of Repo Men | lmpreston | General Discussions | 1 | 03-23-2010 11:20 AM |
Read An Ebook Week Kicks off at Smashwords | Smashwords | News | 1 | 03-09-2009 01:37 PM |
Blog review of the SPR | SoCal Bob | Sony Reader | 5 | 11-16-2006 10:58 AM |