Support for Indie Authors discussion
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Has anybody used: votemyreviews.xyz/contact.html?
Mod
Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking too Riley. They're not offering anything that other Goodreads members wouldn't anyway, except doing it behind the sites backs with fake accounts too. Not nice!But I'll take your advice and report them, though. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!
I got this message before. Its shady. I ignored itbut report it is probably good advice
Gisele wrote: "I got this message before. Its shady. I ignored itbut report it is probably good advice"Yeah, I thought so too and have done so now.
The fact that the address ends in .xyz instead of a .com or .net or some other known domain should be a red flag. Not for nothing, but I'd be afraid if you clicked on the link you could end up receiving a virus.
Hmm...Well I didn't click on it directly, but did copy 'n' paste it into google to find out some more info about them and it took me to their website. I think I need to run my spyware, just in case!Thanks for the nudge JJ, I hadn't thought about that.
Late to the party here, but you can pretty much bank on any communication that starts with 'I saw your ebook' but doesn't give any specifics about said book is likely out to take your money and give you very little if nothing in return.
J.J. wrote: "The fact that the address ends in .xyz instead of a .com or .net or some other known domain should be a red flag. Not for nothing, but I'd be afraid if you clicked on the link you could end up rece..."The whole thing should be a flag but I checked for kicks the .xyz and according to wiki, As of January 2016, .xyz was the 6th most registered domain name on the internet.
Well, I didn't know that and I too avoided clicking on .xyz domain but anyway, the address given leads to a document, which gives another flag and what they offer should be the third flag so... yeah, I'd report them without even checking that supposedly website/document.
It never hurts to be safe. Most of these spammer/scammer sites always seem to have funky addresses and domain names, so it never hurts to proceed with caution. Sometimes, it could be something that's specific to a small country you've never considered before. I've looked up a few funky domain names in the past before proceeding.
I agree with Riley. I checked out the website and what I didn't see concerns me. First, there aren't any reviews on the site. Second, I didn't see any social media widgets. Third, the website lacks a bio page for the owner. Finally, the testimonials indicate that the person was selling reviews on Fiverr since not one testimonial mentioned how well the owner promoted their books.
I am not even going to get started on the whole, "you are paying for the time that is spent reading your book." Really?! That sounds like a paid review to me, only in a "new and improved" package.
My review form is closed, but I am happy to feature books that I would be willing to review if someone wants to promote their books. There really is no need to go to some service that exploits indie authors.
I am not even going to get started on the whole, "you are paying for the time that is spent reading your book." Really?! That sounds like a paid review to me, only in a "new and improved" package.
My review form is closed, but I am happy to feature books that I would be willing to review if someone wants to promote their books. There really is no need to go to some service that exploits indie authors.
EA wrote: "I received this message through Goodreads and am not too sure what to make of it, has anyone used them before? The only name on it was 'Jamie' and they only joined this month, but reading down the ..."Received the same message here on GR and through the Contact Me function on my website. Immediately recognized it as a scam.
I've received that message a few times. I'm pretty sure this person gets flagged or booted, makes a new account, and repeat.
EA wrote: "I received this message through Goodreads and am not too sure what to make of it, has anyone used them before? The only name on it was 'Jamie' and they only joined this month, but reading down the ..."I had this email (unsolicited) and I flagged it to Goodreads ... little drastic maybe, but I'm not a big fan of spam.
Quite a few of us have received this email from what I've heard. I considered it spam and just deleted it. Reading through the services they offer, some of them seem like they are aimed at 'gaming' the system. For example, the offer to download your ebook as many times as you request. These phony downloads affect your standing in Amazon, giving it the appearance that your book is selling well whether or not it really is.I personally would avoid services like this.
I too received this email and it seemed kind of suspicious. The tone of the website's text is very off-putting as well. I would not get wrapped up in this.
EA wrote: "I received this message through Goodreads and am not too sure what to make of it, has anyone used them before? The only name on it was 'Jamie' and they only joined this month, but reading down the ..."I get these regularly via pm and email. It's a shady scammer preying on hungry authors to take your money for very dishonest practices. I report them each time I see this. Authors who use "services" like this are a big part of what's wrong in this industry. Maintain integrity and work hard to gain honest and real readers not these scammy shortcuts.
I just received this email yesterday. I think its a scam. When I went to open it by her name, it showed her removed.
I got this yesterday too, glad other people had experience with this. I'm often quite gullible so I am glad I checked up on it. :)
I was WAITING for a thread about this person!! This guy/woman messaged me 10+ times via different social media profiles. He emailed me, contacted me through my website's contact form, sent me an inbox on Goodreads, even put that up as an question on my public author's profile. His name changes frequently too. Don't fall for this...
Danielle wrote: "I was WAITING for a thread about this person!! This guy/woman messaged me 10+ times via different social media profiles. He emailed me, contacted me through my website's contact form, sent me an in..."I am so glad I am seeing this thread because I received this message in my Goodreads message box too! I never responded but I wasnt' sure what to make of it. Thanks to all for the feedback because it's good to know that it really is a scam. This will help lots of other indie authors in this group~ :-)
Danielle wrote: "I was WAITING for a thread about this person!! This guy/woman messaged me 10+ times via different social media profiles. He emailed me, contacted me through my website's contact form, sent me an in..."Same here.
Danielle wrote: "I was WAITING for a thread about this person!! This guy/woman messaged me 10+ times via different social media profiles. He emailed me, contacted me through my website's contact form, sent me an in..."Mmm I noticed this too. -.- Was posts on my website/social media with different names and thought 'really?' *Sighs.*
Look at us , all bonding over some creeping scam merchant. ;)
I got that same message....I just ignored it! The only thing is, he/she is targeting my google + page as well...that can't be right.
Daccari wrote: "Look at us , all bonding over some creeping scam merchant. ;)"hahaha right :P
I did a google search for the email address in the letter (I've gotten it four times, in different locations.) That email is being sent all over the place, and is showing up on Goodreads, and all kinds of author websites. As prolific as it is, I think I would agree that it must be some kind of bot.
M. Ray Holloway Jr. wrote: "I did a google search for the email address in the letter (I've gotten it four times, in different locations.) That email is being sent all over the place, and is showing up on Goodreads, and all k..."
Probably is a bot, Ray, I've gotten it several times, reported it twice myself.
Probably is a bot, Ray, I've gotten it several times, reported it twice myself.
Got it today; didn't understand why I had an email about it as it wasn't shown in my PMs. Then realised the sender had deleted their account soon after sending it. The joke is I don't even have an ebook yet as I'm still editing!
OK, I was feeling a bit left out here, but I've just received exactly the same message as a comment on my blog, coming from a completely bare Blogger profile. Now I don't feel quite such a Norman No-Mates :)
I got that email a few weeks ago. Total scam. I ignored it.
I agree with you here. Goodreads doesn't want you to swap a review with a friend and they make it difficult to get a review. I think a newbie author is desperate to get some reviews out there because they want their book to sell and look good and they are willing to try anything. I got this scam too.
I want to add a comment here. While I hear a lot of outrage at this person's blatant attempt to get money to pay for reviews, asking for money for reviews is being done by legitimate businesses. I recently paid $150 to a company and got a single review in return. That turned out to be a pretty expensive review. What surprised me was that after putting a request for reviews on Goodreads I was contacted by a Goodreads member offering to review my book. In fact what she was offering me was a review service. Her prices were a little better than $150 for a single review, but she didn't guarantee anything. Is she a better person than the scammer who sends out random e-mails? She is doing essentially the same thing. The issue is that new writers are being squeezed into a box, on the one hand we are told that our books won't sell unless we get reviews, on the other hand Goodreads forbids 'swap' reviews. I don't know what the answer is, but it is disheartening and frustrating for someone with a good book, seeking to get noticed.
Goodreads don't forbid reviews altogether; it's a matter of 'everything in its proper place'. I'm a member of other groups on site and most have a section for requesting reviews (even if it is only a thread where you can post once and ask), But there are groups especially for reviews "Good Reviews" and "Authors and Reviewers" to name but two that I'm in. Yes, having good reviews is great for sales and the ego too, if we're all honest, but they aren't something you can't publish without. Readers will buy your books because they are drawn in by them and for that you need to advertise them. Reviews are worth nothing if your book is not seen by the readers anyway, in my opinion.
There are enough people in Goodreads that will do it for nothing, just the sheer pleasure of reading and getting a free advanced copy of a book. You don't have to pay for reviews.
Marguerite wrote: "While I hear a lot of outrage at this person's blatant attempt to get money to pay for reviews, asking for money for reviews is being done by legitimate businesses."Paid reviews must be listed as editorial reviews. They are not customer reviews. This is not a Goodreads rule, it is a Federal Trade Commission rule. There are some companies that get around this by charging authors to be a middleman between them and reviewers who are not being paid by the author (if at all), but these services are dicey at best and do get shut down in a regular basis.
Got this a few days ago. Flagged it and ignored it thereafter.
I actually emailed the person, and got their order page. I'm certain it's a bot. Avoid it.
Danielle wrote: "I was WAITING for a thread about this person!! This guy/woman messaged me 10+ times via different social media profiles. He emailed me, contacted me through my website's contact form, sent me an in..."I've received only one from the .xyz domain. I didn't recognize it (the domain), so did an in-depth search. Not only was there no way to contact a person directly, and/or no "proper" website, following the email path itself led to a number of countries and even MORE "off" domains. So, yes...iI'd call this spam/phishing!
I flagged and reported the email and flagged/reported the comment on my site.
I NEVER open an email any more without checking the path first!!
Some while ago, I kept getting similar messages from people wanting to be my friend here on GR and offering various services. I flagged the first and then another appeared with a slightly different name, just one letter changed. I flagged that too. I don't think I've had any more. Flagging is so helpful and stops the worrying.
And this morning I have that same message as sent to EA in my private email inbox. That address is not given out in its entirety, so it is more than a roaming bot picking it up.It feels like a stalker.
Paid reviews. Not worth it. Booktubers and various bloggers/'bookstagram' users (isn't that just instagram book reviewers with the hashtag? I don't *think* there's actually a bookstagram site... but then I've only just started using IG) will happily accept review copies if you ask nicely and they have the time to devote to it and if it sounds like something they'd like, etc. The reviewer will have their terms and conditions and rules and all that. It'll take them some time, most likely, but you can bet they're avid readers, so not that long. They would get heaps of requests though. I've never really asked, but that will be something I'll probably do, down the track. Don't pay for reviews though, at least not on Amazon. These get taken down, is what I hear, and it sends a message to readers. Not really worth the trouble or money.
@EA: re "I will rate your book with as many stars you want on Goodreads"Umm... *spidey senses tingling like crazy* ...this is allowed?
Hugs,
Ann
Annie wrote: "@EA: re "I will rate your book with as many stars you want on Goodreads"Umm... *spidey senses tingling like crazy* ...this is allowed?
Hugs,
Ann"
Pretty much.
Annie wrote: "@EA: re "I will rate your book with as many stars you want on Goodreads"Umm... *spidey senses tingling like crazy* ...this is allowed?
Hugs,
Ann"
Not really. From everything I've heard, this is a violation of Amazon and Goodreads rules.
Just received this email, and I'm glad I came to Goodreads to check on it and saw this thread. How do I flag it?
Personally, I just delete it and block the person from sending me anything else.
I've just received it too, so I would also like to know how to flag it.
If it is a scam, which I'm sure it is, then I doubt that once they got any money from you that you'd ever hear from them again. Thank you everyone for posting about this. I got this crazy email too!
Yes, I too received this email recently, and it struck me instantly as a scam. The safest thing to do is to simply delete it and block the sender.
I've accepted their friend request because I'm a friendly person and am willing to be friends with anyone, but would welcome any feedback on them from either mods or members. Thanks, fellow authors and happy writing!
Liz
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