Children's Books discussion

This thread only for questions and concerns. Read below to learn how to use the folder to promote your books:

This is an experiment and is subject to change.

1. authors as readers are welcome to participate in all threads. We know we have some active members who also happen to be authors and they've been terrific about supporting the group vibe.

2. now those authors and all respectful new author members have a place to promote their books.

3. but this group is still meant to be strictly reader-focused. We won't tolerate people who spam, authors who fill members feeds,* or promotions of books that are off-topic.

EDIT: 4 authors may post their books to the group bookshelves. But to clarify, they must post to the 1. Read shelf, 2. author's corner shelf, and 3. any descriptive shelf that truly fits, for example 'mystery.' As always, abuses of the opportunity are subject to consequences.

EDIT: 5. authors are not to offer or request review exchanges.

EDIT: 6. authors are not to offer enticements to readers beyond a free copy of their book(s).

EDIT: 7. Bloggers and publishers may promote their creations in the same manner as authors. The name of your blog, or the name of your publishing company, may be substituted for 'title of book' in the rules and in your post.

EDIT: 8. Do not shelve (tag) your book as Picture-Book Club. That shelf is reserved for club reads, as explained below in the message post dated Sept. 12, 2016.

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EDIT: message 7, below, has instructions for creating your own thread in this folder right here, the one sometimes known as the Author's Corner folder. Note, only moderators can create the folders, but members can create threads. To make sure you understand, *do* create your own thread; do not add a post to a thread from another author.

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EDIT: not a rule, but a tip - GoodReads does have an official group for authors here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

EDIT: Clarification. In order to not overwhelm member's feeds, please limit the number of posts in your thread to one per month. And of course, I remind you, one thread per author (or publisher, or blogger), not per book.

If you have questions or concerns, you may bring them up here or send me a PM.

If you're an author, go ahead and create your thread. Be sure to use the subject line and the 'this topic is about' feature to highlight yourself and your work.

Let's hope this is a win-win for everyone!

Thanks for the advise. I'm trying to learn what you will and will not allow. I love to have children read real books. I'm always looking for books for my grandson the educate as well as entertain. I still like Where the Wild things are and read this one often.
I also go to early learning centers to read to the children. They just love to be read to and their questions are great.

I'm just another member, definitely not a mod, but what's important to me is that if any author or publisher promotes their own books, or has their fans promote them, that it's crucial they come in here not only to self-promote, because then it feels like spam and I pay no attention, but also it fully participate as a reading member, as a reader. Just my 2¢. I feel this way about every group that allows authors to post about their work. Please, please participate the way the rest of us do too, as avid readers of the genre.

Lisa wrote: "I'm just another member, definitely not a mod, but what's important to me is that if any author or publisher promotes their own books, or has their fans promote them, that it's crucial they come in..."

Agree 100% with that. If an author only promotes his/her work (even in the acceptable folder) but does not in any other way participate in the group, then I will not likely pay much if any attention.

How and where do I create my own folder please ?

Karen wrote: "How and where do I create my own folder please ?"

Click on author's corner. You will see all the topics listed. At the top right hand corner there should be a different coloured icon labeled "new topic" Click on that and you should be able to create your own topic/folder (including adding a title). Hope that was relatively clear.

And perhaps as a quick suggestion to the moderators, perhaps how authors, publishers etc. can create their own topic folders should or could perhaps be explained a bit in the rules section (it's easy once you have figured out how, but not everyone is automatically a computer genius).

I had this problem too and just don't use Good reads that much because of it.

New rule - added to the first post of this thread and detailed below:

Authors may (still) post their books to the group bookshelves. But to clarify, they must post to the 1. Read shelf, 2. author's corner shelf, and 3. any descriptive shelf that truly fits, for example 'mystery.' As always, abuses of the opportunity are subject to consequences.

Do not shelve your books as 'to-read' or 'currently-reading' because we need those exclusive shelves for group reads. If you have done so in the past, please note that your book may not be on our shelves at all and you may need to re-add it. (We just did a big clean-up and may have deleted some books that should not have been.)

Also, if you have listed book(s) on our Read shelf already, please go back to the bookshelves and edit your book's listing so that it is also on the new 'author's corner' shelf. I've done a few, but I'd really appreciate it if you do it yourself to save me some work.

Thank you again, all, for your patience as we try to connect books and readers in the most courteous way possible!

(Sept 6, minor edit for clarity)

Sounds awesome! Thanks Cheryl!

Personally, I find Goodreads in general to be counter-intuitive, so I don't understand your references to the bookshelves. I posted all of my books in my author's corner thread. Is the author's corner bookshelf something different?

Every group has a right to make its own rules and I respect that right. What I will be saying next should not be treated as criticism of this group's decision to limit / discourage book promotions.

Mostly, all writers are readers; they love books. I do. But when I'm (and other writers also, I presume )promoting my book, I am not able to do any other reading. Not only reading, I need to put my life on hold, and focus on my book promotion. This is similar to the state of a non-writer member of the group who is rushing to meet deadlines in his office or targets in his business. There isn't time for anything else.

In any group, forum, etc. not every member is active in taking part in discussions. Many just follow discussions, which isn't a bad thing.

I'm with Gita. I love books and read every night before bed.but I'm also a writer and an author and don't have hours to spend reading. Just my little before bed time. I have to write and market my work, often spending many hours a day sitting at the computer or contacting people. I'm constantly promoting my work.
Goodreads is a wonderful if you have time to read a lot of books and like to discuss and talk about them.
I do read the discussions a bit but prefer to check out the give a ways.

Eric, you're fine. The bookshelves are, indeed, a separate thing from the discussions. You can click on the link to them if you look to the upper right of the page, under the thumbnail of our group photo.

Brenda, Gita, this group is for readers to discuss children's books that we're reading. If lurkers see it as a resource, that's fine, too. But it is not a promotional tool for authors. If that's the only thing that you're looking for, please look elsewhere. I assure you, the moderators are in agreement on this, and have no plans to change the focus.

Thanks. I think I added them correctly.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Eric, you're fine. The bookshelves are, indeed, a separate thing from the discussions. You can click on the link to them if you look to the upper right of the page, under the thumbnail of our gro..."

Cheryl, I don't want you to change your policy. Like I said, every group has a right to make their policies. My point is that if the writer-member is not a very active participant, don't suspect him. Please don't assume that he is in the group with some base motive, or he is a lurker ready to pounce :)

ok, thank you for clarifying, Gita :)

Thank you for the comments and seeking clarification. We certainly never want it to seem like an "us vs. them" situation :-)

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "New rule - added to the first post of this thread and detailed below:

Authors may (still) post their books to the group bookshelves. But to clarify, they must post to the 1. Read shelf, 2. author..."

I apologize for not finding it, but where is the Author's Corner Folder? I am just getting the hang of Goodreads as an author, so I appreciate your help.

MIchelle

Michelle wrote: "I apologize for not finding it, but where is the Author's Corner Folder? I am just getting the hang of Goodreads as an author, so I appreciate your help."

Hi Michelle,
You've found it! You're here ;-) Just familiarize yourself with the rules outlined in the opening post of this thread and then feel welcome to create your own author thread. When you do so, just make sure that you select "Author's Corner" from the drop-down menu of folder options. (Or simply go to the top of this thread and click on "Author's Corner" and it will bring up all the threads in the folder. From there click on "New Topic" and there you go.) I hope this helps. And welcome!

Kathryn wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I apologize for not finding it, but where is the Author's Corner Folder? I am just getting the hang of Goodreads as an author, so I appreciate your help."

Hi Michelle,
You've foun..."

Thank you! I am making my way one step at a time...thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "New rule - added to the first post of this thread and detailed below:

Authors may (still) post their books to the group bookshelves. But to clarify, they must post to the 1. Read shelf, 2. author..."

I tried to move the remaining books, and there are still a lot. Yay for the authors who read this post and moved their own - but the rest you, well, I'm sorry, but I'm very close to getting sufficiently frustrated to simply delete them from the group bookshelves altogether, Next time I'm in the mood to try to clean up, I might do so - so take this chance to move them yourself!

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "New rule - added to the first post of this thread and detailed below:

Authors may (still) post their books to the group bookshelves. But to clarify, they must post to the ..."

I think you have been more than patient, Cheryl. Give the remaining authors until perhaps the middle of next week to move their books and then start deleting them. They have had more than a month to move their books!

The middle of next week, or whenever I get a chance, yes. It's just that I did say I'd move the books for them, and now I've decided not to. Again, thank you to those who did do so!

Thanks for the post, Cheryl. Nice of you to give the notice. Though there are only so many hours in the day especially with moderator duties so I'm sure dedicated authors will not begrudge us that they have to do the task themselves.

Thank you.

Kathryn wrote: "Thanks for the post, Cheryl. Nice of you to give the notice. Though there are only so many hours in the day especially with moderator duties so I'm sure dedicated authors will not begrudge us that ..."

And if they do, that is their issue and not yours ...

Hi, Cheryl. Besides being a huge reader of children's books (especially picture books), I'm a new author. (A bit of a late-bloomer, I am. My kids all grew up before I got my book published.) I'm also new to doing author things on Goodreads. I've added my book to the bookshelves. Would you let me know if I put it anywhere I shouldn't? Thanks so much!

Also, when I was adding books, there was an option to add a new shelf. Isn't that something only moderators can do? Or could I do it? I'd love to see a shelf for multicultural/diverse books.

Thanks!

If the system lets you add a new shelf, and you run the title by me or Kathryn, go right ahead. I'm not overly fond of the word 'multicultural' but I believe it's pretty much industry standard, so it's fine with me to use that.

Thank you for checking!

Thank you, Cheryl! I've got another question, if you don't mind. In the unlikely event that other folks in this group should decide to discuss my book (I noticed there was a thread for Easter books, for example), am I correct to assume that I should not post on the thread, as long as my book was being discussed?

That's difficult. In general, no, our members wince at that.
If there's actually a full discussion going on, and you really want to say something, please don't hesitate to send me a PM and I'll be glad to consider giving you an exemption, or post on your behalf, or something.

But to just add your book to the Master List of themed books, no. GR readers are very sensitive to self-promotion, because some SPAs have been the rotten apple - and you don't want to share the barrel with them and be tainted by association.

What is the Master List of themed books? I'll want to be sure to avoid it.

Thanks so much!

Oh, I'm sorry. They are threads. The ones in the Picture-Book club folder are actually titled "Master List." The other ones I'm thinking of are when a member specifically asks, in the Themes etc. Folder, for books about a certain topic. Your thread about diversity (the one where I ranted about 'other/exotic') is a good example.

Please don't avoid them!
Just avoid mentioning your book(s) title anywhere but in your own personal thread here in the Author's Corner. You'll be fine.

Thanks for asking such good questions. I hope other respectful authors learn from our exchange! :)

New policy, am mentioning here and will add to intro. comment.

Please don't offer or request reviews swaps or exchanges with other authors. Because it's a "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" strategy, it's unethical. Reviews on GoodReads need to be trustworthy, which means they need to come from ordinary readers who are reading the book for pleasure.

Which reminds me of a second rule I had better implement. No giveaways of other enticements to read your book. I've seen, in other groups, drawings for prizes, eg 'write a review and you may win an iPad.' Not allowed here.

Cheryl wrote: "New policy, am mentioning here and will add to intro. comment.

Please don't offer or request reviews swaps or exchanges with other authors. Because it's a "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yo..."

Thank you for adding these rules!!

So I want to make sure I follow the rules, I love this book club and do not want to do anything to jeopardize my membership.
I think I understand, if I want to mention my book,I create a threat in this Author section.
If we are having a topic month and my book fits into the topic I should not mention it and if someone else does I should not comment. If there is something I'd like to say make sure I sent a PM to the moderator for review.
Is my understanding correct? Like I mentioned, I'm loving everything here and don't want to lose privileges or upset anyone.

That is correct.
It seems harsh that you cannot even mention your book when it fits the topic, but it's been proven necessary due to 'bad apples.' Do feel free to PM me (or another mod.) if you want us to add a mention of a book to a topic.

Thank you, and again, welcome! :)

Btw, here's a thread from Patrick, GR senior staff, on the issue of paid reviews. Authors chime in on 'free for review' and Christa, msg 23, disses on review swaps: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Are we allowed to post about a new author we found that is also new to the community?

Sure!

Thank you. We will deal with that promptly.

Was the Author's Corner Folder ever added? I have a children's story for which I am seeking reviews.

thanks, Steve

Steve wrote: "Was the Author's Corner Folder ever added? I have a children's story for which I am seeking reviews.

thanks, Steve"

Click on group home and scroll down to the author/publisher section, it's a bit at the bottom. There, you can create your own topic featuring your book. Just make sure that you read through the group rules first, as I do not think review swapping between authors is permitted. Hope this helps.

Gundula wrote: "Steve wrote: "Was the Author's Corner Folder ever added? I have a children's story for which I am seeking reviews.

thanks, Steve"

Click on group home and scroll down to the author/publisher sec..."

Thanks Gundula!

Several authors have been creating multiple threads. I have deleted several of them. I have not consulted said authors, to see which thread they wanted to keep, but I did try to choose the more relevant of the batch.

If you have more information about your book(s) that you want to share, or another book ready for the world, or a sale, please post an additional message in your own thread.

And remember, one message per month!

Cheryl;
I am ready to begin a thread (I think its my first). Could you explain how I do it rather than adding to someone else's thread? Thanks.

Just click on the folder name above (Author's/Publisher's Promotional). On the page that reveals, you'll see a list of all the thread topics. Just above that list, next to the image that represents this group, you'll see small text that says 'new topic.' Click, and fill in the blanks.

Don't forget to take advantage of the 'this topic is about' feature... you can either put your book's title there, or, if you have more than one book, put your author profile name there.

I have a question for you Cheryl or the mods. I understand that authors are permitted to only have one thread, and to post in it only once each quarter. I recently posted a question in the author folder about suitable language in a book I was about to publish. I have since published this book and would like to create a thread for it. I don't need my original thread any longer as I'm satisfied with the answers other members gave me. Would it be ok if I deleted this thread and started another one, more specifically about my book? Or would this still contravene the guidelines?

Actually, that's a pretty interesting thread, as it turns out. Let's just leave it, not delete it. Go ahead and start a new thread for your book(s).

And thank you for asking!

Ok. Thanks very much, Cheryl