Sci-Fi, fantasy and speculative Indie Authors Review discussion

(Books which have survived the appraisal stage will be moved here and are available for reviewing).

The Dark Colony

also: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Colony-Ast...

Hard Science Fiction

The Earl of Brass

also: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Earl-Brass-In...

Brush with Darkness by Jamie Maltman is now up for review. It is currently on promotion for a few days so if you want to review this book, grab your copy now ;)

Will add link later when I make it to my laptop!

OK, so anyone willing to review The Dark Colony, please send me a private message on here, I'll send you a pdf or epub.

I'm going to do the same thing as Richard. Send me a message if you would like to review it, and I can send a mobi or pdf file for The Earl of Brass.

J. A. wrote: "Brush with Darkness by Jamie Maltman is now up for review. It is currently on promotion for a few days so if you want to review this book, grab your copy now ;)

Will add link later when I make it..."


http://www.amazon.com/Brush-With-Dark...

I'd like to review 'Robots Like Blue' https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

How do I get a copy, do I have to buy it, or does the author provide a mobi epub etc. Also what are the time limits for the reviewing process?

At the moment, Turhan, you direct message the author for a free copy - and the time limit on reviews (at your own suggestion) is now two months.

Robots like Blue by Anthony J Deeney has recieved 5 thumbs up and is also up for review.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

If anyone wants to review "Robots Like Blue," it is free on the kindle, on Wednesday 5th November. If you miss this date email me.

http://www.amazon.com/Robots-Like-Blu...

Just made a note to myself. Thanks Anthony.

J. A. wrote: "Robots like Blue by Anthony J Deeney has recieved 5 thumbs up and is also up for review.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Hey J.A. did you know this link goes to Harry Poter and the Order of the Phoenix? Not Robots like Blue? Thought you'd want to know.

Keith wrote: "J. A. wrote: "Robots like Blue by Anthony J Deeney has recieved 5 thumbs up and is also up for review.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Hey J.A. did you know this link goes to Harry Pot..."
I meant Harry Potter. Sorry...

That is really bizarre since I copied the link!

That's better! Thanks much Jelena.

I've corrected it Jelena - for the second time in fact; I changed it to the 22616382 version yesterday evening! I'm beginning to wonder whether there's a problem with these book links since quite a few people seem to be having trouble with them.

I've seen this in the past, complained to both Goodreads and Amazon, and the support dudes try it out, and it's fine. Some sort of intermittent problem.

Richard wrote: "I've corrected it Jelena - for the second time in fact; I changed it to the 22616382 version yesterday evening! I'm beginning to wonder whether there's a problem with these book links since quite a..."

I had had my links mysteriously switched to Harry Potter book a couple of times, so I get it. Ever since Amazon acquired Goodreads, they started fixing the system that wasn't broken. The result is this.

J.K.Rowling Must love it! Wish the links would send you all to "Robots Like Blue!"

The Earl of Brass is free today 11/9/14 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L...

Not to be a whiner, but I'm not getting a lot of requests for review copies of - as I understand the process I can't put the sequel into appraisal until I get five reviews on the first one? I've only had one so far.

Richard 2060 wrote: "Not to be a whiner, but I'm not getting a lot of requests for review copies of - as I understand the process I can't put the sequel into appraisal until I get f..."

Hey Richard.

I'm not so sure that you or anyone for that matter will ever reach that magical number of reviews (obviously you, or others, might do) but I would assume that readers may or may not choose to read books that have gone through the appraisal process based on several factors. Reviewing books is a very organic process and can be influenced by just about anything. If it turns out that you don't get 5 reviews, at least you've had some great feedback about the blurb, cover and sample, plus the one review you mentioned.

Personally, if I ever get to the review stage, I'd be incredibly grateful that I even reached it! :)

BTW, where is that review posted?

Hi Turhan. When I said I'd only had one, I meant I'd only been asked for one review copy. I have a couple of reviews on here, but I can't recall if they came out of this process. And you're right of course, I did get excellent feedback in the appraisal stage, improving both blurb and cover.

Richard 2060 wrote: "Hi Turhan. When I said I'd only had one, I meant I'd only been asked for one review copy. I have a couple of reviews on here, but I can't recall if they came out of this process. And you're right o..."

Ah, I see. I look forward to reading the review if the person that asked for it ends up posting it. It'll be nice to see the Bettereads Project achieving its purpose of helping indie authors produce stellar work.

Don't be too put off by the number of review copies you get asked for, Richard. Some of us went and bought the book ;)

And some of us will be buying books in December. Seriously, I've made the executive decision to devote the entire month to reading and knitting.

Good for you all (not y'all, that's something else entirely) and thank you. I applaud the reading/knitting decision. If I spent less time on the crack cocaine of social media (twitter) I'd do more writing.

My tired brain completely omitted the words 'of social media (twitter)' from that sentence on first reading it, Richard. That made me sit up lol

Richard 2060 wrote: "Not to be a whiner, but I'm not getting a lot of requests for review copies of - as I understand the process I can't put the sequel into appraisal until..."


I bought a hard copy back on the 3rd. If i had known you were giving review copies i would've saved 10$ :p

J. A. wrote: "My tired brain completely omitted the words 'of social media (twitter)' from that sentence on first reading it, Richard. That made me sit up lol"

I first saw 'and' rather than 'of.' Had to do a double take.

You'se guys are fabulous. Thanks. Hey, KP, I don't give out hard-copies, that actually costs me money. I'm a pensioner, you know...

Richard 2060 wrote: "You'se guys are fabulous. Thanks. Hey, KP, I don't give out hard-copies, that actually costs me money. I'm a pensioner, you know..."

I know; i was being facetuous. :)

A review of The Earl of Brass: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Lamikorda:



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Here's my review for The Earl of Brass: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

(hopefully I did this correctly and the link works)

Eric wrote: "Here's my review for The Earl of Brass: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

(hopefully I did this correctly and the link works)"

Thanks, Eric =) I wish Goodreads had half stars as well. It drives me crazy that I cannot give things, especially 3.5 or 4.5.

I guess they have to draw the line. People like me would then say: "how about quarter stars or tenths of stars" and then where would we be?

True, but half stars usually suffice for most people. Still though, I wish you could do that. Some books aren't a solid 4 or 5. I feel like half of what I read is a 3.5

I agree. I always feel bad when I have to settle for the next lowest whole star. On the other hand, I don't feel like I'm being honest if I round up. Kinda anal, huh?

I get what you mean. I don't like to give people 3s, so usually if I thought it was a 3.5, but I enjoyed it, I round to 5. If it was 3.5 and I dragged my heels through it, it gets a 3. That tends to be my train of thought. I only do that with 3s though. If it was a 4.5, it's usually a 4.

That's a good way to do it. I think I'll steal your methodology. Thanks.

Silverblood Demons



book link:Silverblood Demons

Richard wrote: "Silverblood Demons



book link:Silverblood Demons"

I just created a mobi, epub, and a PDF for this. If anyone is considering reviewing it, please let me know, I will glady provide you with a copy :)

For anyone that is interested, my book titled
will be available for free Dec 20th through Dec 24th at Amazon books.

My review of Lamikorda: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Nica of Los Angeles



book link: Nica of Los Angeles

Well, I'm up to four reviews now on The Dark Colony (assuming unfavourable reviews count), so there is light at the end of the tunnel :=)

Richard, you should have your fifth this weekend. I've got it open, just got slightly distracted yesterday getting a rash of reviews written on books I'd just finished.

Thanks K. Mods, was there any limit on the star-ratings of reviews, for them to be counted? I got one where the reader really didn't like the book. Two stars.