Authors Looking directly for Readers discussion

I am a reviewer, tired of reading and reviewing books I can't hold or smell in my own two hands. I love to review romance novels and erotica, and want to know if authors actually send out paper copies anymore?

I giveaway a lot of paper books but mostly at booksignings. I'd rather giveaway a book than a bunch of swag that's going to get thrown away. I haven't really sent out too many for review. I'm sure most authors don't with the expense of the book and the shipping. Most of my print books are having the covers changed at the moment so I don't have any paper copies or I'd volunteer! =)

From my point of view, at least at the moment, sending out physical copies is definitely cost prohibitive. I think to make that happen the reviewer would have to have a proven track record (no, not for giving only good reviews), but someone who has a semi-popular blog, and can review in a timely and professional fashion.

Book costs are about $4.60 + shipping to me + shipping to whoever else wants it.

I can also understand the undesirability of digital vs. physical, however sadly for writers like me just starting out, it's just not always possible.

I can completely understand from the money point - but think of it like this. I'm so bogged down with requests for digital reviews, that I don't always get to say yes. However, when I'm given the opportunity to review a paper copy, I pretty much always do (unless it's not my genre), because a physical book is easier to remember to review - it's not like I have to go and look at my book review chart to remember to read it! It's sitting right on my shelf! :)

anyways, that's my point of view.

Well, that is a very good point. I didn't think of the digital slush pile aspect. (Seems like a book graduates from an idea to conception through a massive series of slush piles.) This is really something to consider, especially if we want increase awareness.

I don't know how it works for other bloggers, but there are so many books offered up for reviews, they tend to slip through the cracks really easy if the books offered are either new authors, or new to the blogger. I keep a running list of books I accept for review, but even I forget to add one here or there, and sometimes I don't even remember to look through the list. I generally gravitate toward books from authors that I'm super familiar with I've heard about them from numerous readers) or authors that I've read before. . . It can be difficult to keep up with review books that are sitting in my inbox waiting for me to read them.

Meanwhile, my physical book TBR list shrinks daily, because I keep them near me in a pile that I can physically see every time I enter my room.

I haven't decided yet, but I may stop accepting digital review requests sometime in the future, just because the list gets so much longer every day. If not all digital requests, then the ones from new-to-me authors.

Digital copies of books are often very hard for me to read. I find it difficult to focus on a digital screen when I am reading because more often than not it will give me a headache and dry itchy eyes (more from the glow of the screen than anything else). Also, I have no tangible reminder that it is sitting in my inbox (I'll automatically turn toward my physical bookshelf to look for the book, it completely slips my mind that the book is a digital copy.). With physical books, I can read to my heart's content and let my sisters read it as well (one of them currently is part of goodreads so whatever books I get I try to give them to her to read and review as well). Electronic copies get lost very easily for me, as I am not a very organized and tech savvy person in the first place. With tangible books, however, I've lost so many over the years that I know exactly were they are most likely to be and turn up.

Same! I keep my physical books neatly organized by size, color, and authors last name (I might be OCD.... *shifty eyes*) and have a very organized psychical book TBR pile. If only it wasn't so expensive to send books.

I no longer accept digital copies to my ereaders for same reasons as above, but do accept pdf which I download to my laptop or desk top. This suits me, as I seldom go out of the house. I have always preferred physical books, which remains in my library room when finished, for friends/family to read.

I don't really take e-books anymore. It seems like the authors there asks a lot out of the reviewer. The last guy asked for a review on all three of the major book sites.

I think generally speaking, most authors would like you to add your review to the big book sites...

The last one asked for reviews on B&N, Amazon, Goodreads, my blog, and all in 2 weeks. Like I said, too much.

Oh, I see. Yeah, I make sure people read my policy before I accept a request.

Nah, your ordering of your books isn't OCD, it's common sense.

Well, sure. I do have OCD, so i was making a joke. :-) But yeah, I keep things REALLY organized. It gives me anxiety if I don't.

As an author, I will usually ask that reviewers post their reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.This is because while I will send my followers directly to the reviewer's website, only having it on the website prohibits new readers from seeing the review, whereas having the review on regularly passed sites like GR and Amazon will continue to drive traffic to both myself and the reviewer.

Though, I am completely open to this taking as long as it takes. I'd never think to demand such a short turn around on a read/review. When you read it, you read it. I'd much rather readers enjoy reading the book than feeling like they have to plough through it because they owe a review within a week, etc.

However, back to the discussion at hand, I unfortunately cannot give print copies for reviews. It's far too expensive as an Indie Author, especially when a large number of the reviewers you contact either say no, or will say yes and then never deliver. (By never deliver, I mean, having received a 'yes, I'd love a copy', have been waiting a year since sending books out. Not, I sent them my book a month ago and they haven't answered my email/letter.)
Therefore, I have to keep review copies to eBooks. However, now I have two books out and one coming, if a reviewer I already knew asked for a physical copy, I would certainly send it. Least I can do.

Chele wrote: "As an author, I will usually ask that reviewers post their reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.This is because while I will send my followers directly to the reviewer's website, only having it on the w..."

Thanks for sharing, Chele.