Review Group discussion

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round or check back another time.

The Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this rule, we don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This is a 'General' round
All books welcome - fiction/non-fiction.


Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your Goodreads author and Goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:

1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the 12 weeks of time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on Amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed.
If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.
Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

7. You have an author profile set up before you join.

8. Your Goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

9. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round.
Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

10. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book.

11. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it.
If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

Please note:
We all want reviews, it’s why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. Reviews that state you received a copy ‘in return’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.

The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.

It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be:
Trish Butler

Member Links
1. S.D. Brown
2. Gene Kendall
3. Rose Gonsoulin
4. Harshita Gottipati
5. X. Culletto
6. Andrew D. Gracey
7. Angela Panayotopulos
8. Nathan Milner
9. Cameron Ayers
10. Elle Bor

Book Links
1. Calcite Corpse
2. Black Hat Blues
3. The Perfectly Good Lie
4. Born A Free Spirit
5. World Vs
6. The Dust and the Dark Places: Part One
7. The Wake Up
8. A Clearing of Cryptids
9. The Truth Circle
10. My Name is Ophelia

Hi EM! Please sign me up with The Wake Up (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...). If there are conflicts, I can, as a second choice, provide The Art of War: A Novel. Thanks! :)

I'd like to submit my book, Black Hat Blues.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
I know I've participated in a few rounds recently, but I do have one other novel to submit if there are any conflicts.

I would like to submit my novel, The Perfectly Good Lie for this round.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thanks Rose

I'd like to submit my mystery CALCITE CORPSE.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
I've finished my reviews for my last round. I have read Black Hat Blues.
Thanks

I would like to join with Errant

I've reviewed Angela and S.D.
I am in the group 233, but I will end my last review today.

I am retiring from this group, as I saw a new 'Out of this World' group.

I would like to take part in this round with my two children's books Defenders of Mew Sienna - The Core Fulcrum The Cerulean Monarch

Welcome Angela, Gene, Rose and S.D.

Prashanti - you can only include one book in any round. Please tell me which of the two you list you would like to have in the round.

S.D. - I have used a different link to your book than the one you suggested as that edition has the cover showing and some reviews already. If you wish me to use the one you linked instead, please let me know and i will swap it.

I would like to include Defenders of Mew Sienna - The Core Fulcrum for this discussion

Prashanti - thanks for that. You can only sign up for one round at a time though. So you wish to be in this round or the Out of this World one you have also signed up for?

Sorry for the confusion, am new to all this - will join the Out of this world and join this the next time

Prashanti wrote: "Sorry for the confusion, am new to all this - will join the Out of this world and join this the next time"

No worries. It is all a bit confusing when you first join these rounds. I was hopelessly lost in my first one. I'll add you on the other round :)

I'd like to participate with my science fiction space adventure novel Framandi Alliance

Youtube Trailer
Author Page

Looking forward to participating. :)

A quick question please - This is about posting a "test" review on Amazon. After I click on "Write a Product Review" and the Create Review page opens up, does this mean I have a Reviewer status on Amazon?

Rashid - You are already signed up for an Out of this World round so you can not sign up here as well.

Harshita - I think that is a good sign, but to be sure I'd go ahead and post a review. You can leave one for any book you have read.

E.M. wrote: "Rashid - You are already signed up for an Out of this World round so you can not sign up here as well.


Understood. Though I believe the Out of this World round's already full. All ten members and books are showing against the slots.

Thank you, for responding. Please sign me up for this review group.

My book is Born A Free Spirit - Poetry/Non-fiction.

Rashid wrote: "Understood. Though I believe the Out of this World round's already full. All ten members and books are showing against the slots."

If you check the thread you will see you were transferred to the second Out of this World Group - Group 240 which you can find here.

Welcome Harshita!

I'll be joining Group 240 since it just needed one more person, and I'll withdraw from this one for now...

Angela wrote: "I'll be joining Group 240 since it just needed one more person, and I'll withdraw from this one for now..."

Nope, jk, I'm back. :p

(I have already reviewed "black hat blues")

I'd like to join
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I'd like to join with my new release: World Vs

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Welcome Ono and X.

If possible, I would like to join this review group with my book The Dust and The Dark Places Part One.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

It is the first volume of a two part Western. I can confirm that I have read the above and have the time to read the books on the next 12 weeks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dust-Dark-Pl...

Welcome Andrew.

Ono - I have removed you as I have just realised you have failed to provide any reviews for a previous group. Please complete those reviews and then reapply.

I provided reviews for every book under the name "Nicholas Hermann" If you have an email I can send you screenshots?

PS Amazon took one of my reviews down, and help desk says to check back in 48 hours.

Hello everyone!

Do you want to be part of an amazing group of authors? Then, don`t miss this opportunity to join Group 236. We have only THREE more slots left.

Sign up right away!

I would like to join this round with my new book "A Clearing of Cryptids."

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I have reviewed Gene's "Black Hat Blues."

I would like to join this round with my novel "The Truth Circle." I am currently enrolled in Group 233, but I have reviewed all of my assigned books for that group.

I see no conflicts with any of the authors thus far.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Hi is it too late for this?
I would like to submit my book for this group.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Welcome Nathan, Cameron and Elle.

Now we need to check for clashes. Please look at the four people 'above' you on the list (10 is 'above' 1) and make sure you have never reviewed them. Also, check the 4 below and if you have reviewed them before please make sure they have a book you have not yet reviewed that could do so.

If you are all good, please post that you are. If you have any issues on either of the points above, please post to say what they are.

Thanks.

Regarding the four people below me (people I'll review): I've reviewed Gene's "Black Hat Blues" and "Yeah Shut Up", but I'm happy to read another of his books if available.

Regarding the four people above me (my reviewers): Is S.D. Brown the same author as Spike Brown (who wrote "Saving Bigfoot Valley"?) If yes, that's my one clash because I've reviewed that particular book; if not, then no clashes on my end.

Changes made - please recheck!

Thanks -- I'm good! :)

Thanks. There are no clashes for me!

The four above me are all clear.

In the four below me, though, is "Black Hat Blues" which I have reviewed previously.

Nathan - I assume Gene has another book you have not reviewed. If not please say so.

Gene, you mentioned you had another novel you could submit. Is that "yeah, shut up"? I'd be happy to review that if so.

No conflicts above or below me.

No conflicts for me.

Rose

All good to go! Thanks.

Elle wrote: "Hi is it too late for this?
I would like to submit my book for this group.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4..."

Hey, Elle! So glad you made it over to this group. I'm modding this round, so feel free to ask questions. :D

Trish

No conflicts.

The book I'm submitting (World Vs) is the sequel to Girl Vs and won't make sense without understanding the first book. Is it all right if I give my reviewers a one-page synopsis of the first book so they can understand World Vs ?

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Nathan, Cameron and Elle.

Now we need to check for clashes. Please look at the four people 'above' you on the list (10 is 'above' 1) and make sure you have never reviewed them. Also, check..."

HI! All good for me. I am a newbie and have not reviewed any of these books

Thank you

Trish wrote: "Elle wrote: "Hi is it too late for this?
I would like to submit my book for this group.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4..."

Hey, Elle! So glad you made it over to thi..."


Hi Trish! Thank you so much for the info. This is such a lovely place for author connection and also to read books . I wont be in a slump this year. hahah

no conflicts!

X - I am sure your reviewers will be happy to get a catch-up crib-sheet from you to orient them in the story, rather than having to dive in un-prepped! Of course, whilst you can offer to each, it is up to the individual to decide if they want one or not.

Looks like we have a working model here, so let's go for it!

START DATE: 06-Jan-20

END DATE: 30-March-20

Round 1 – post your review by 27-Jan-20
Round 2 – post your review by 17 -Feb-20
Round 3– post your review by 09-March-20
Round 4 – post your review by 27-March-20

As AUTHORS you SEND your book file to:

236-01__S.D. Brown
Elle Bor for round 1
Cameron Ayers for round 2
Nathan Milner for round 3
Angela Panayotopulos for round 4

236-02__Gene Kendall
S.D. Brown for round 1
Elle Bor for round 2
Cameron Ayers for round 3
Nathan Milner for round 4

236-03__Rose Gonsoulin
Gene Kendall for round 1
S.D. Brown for round 2
Elle Bor for round 3
Cameron Ayers for round 4

236-04__ Harshita Gottipati
Rose Gonsoulin for round 1
Gene Kendall for round 2
S.D. Brown for round 3
Elle Bor for round 4

236-05__ X. Culletto
Harshita Gottipati for round 1
Rose Gonsoulin for round 2
Gene Kendall for round 3
S.D. Brown for round 4

236-06__ Andrew D. Gracey
X. Culletto for round 1
Harshita Gottipati for round 2
Rose Gonsoulin for round 3
Gene Kendall for round 4

236-07__ Angela Panayotopulos
Andrew D. Gracey for round 1
X. Culletto for round 2
Harshita Gottipati for round 3
Rose Gonsoulin for round 4

236-08__ Nathan Milner
Angela Panayotopulos for round 1
Andrew D. Gracey for round 2
X. Culletto for round 3
Harshita Gottipati for round 4

236-09__ Cameron Ayers
Nathan Milner for round 1
Angela Panayotopulos for round 2
Andrew D. Gracey for round 3
X. Culletto for round 4

236-10__ Elle Bor
Cameron Ayers for round 1
Nathan Milner for round 2
Angela Panayotopulos for round 3
Andrew D. Gracey for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

236-01__S.D. Brown
Gene Kendall for round 1
Rose Gonsoulin for round 2
Harshita Gottipati for round 3
X. Culletto for round 4

236-02__Gene Kendall
Rose Gonsoulin for round 1
Harshita Gottipati for round 2
X. Culletto for round 3
Andrew D. Gracey for round 4

236-03__Rose Gonsoulin
Harshita Gottipati for round 1
X. Culletto for round 2
Andrew D. Gracey for round 3
Angela Panayotopulos for round 4

236-04__ Harshita Gottipati
X. Culletto for round 1
Andrew D. Gracey for round 2
Angela Panayotopulos for round 3
Nathan Milner for round 4

236-05__ X. Culletto
Andrew D. Gracey for round 1
Angela Panayotopulos for round 2
Nathan Milner for round 3
Cameron Ayers for round 4

236-06__ Andrew D. Gracey
Angela Panayotopulos for round 1
Nathan Milner for round 2
Cameron Ayers for round 3
Elle Bor for round 4

236-07__ Angela Panayotopulos
Nathan Milner for round 1
Cameron Ayers for round 2
Elle Bor for round 3
S.D. Brown for round 4

236-08__ Nathan Milner
Cameron Ayers for round 1
Elle Bor for round 2
S.D. Brown for round 3
Gene Kendall for round 4

236-09__ Cameron Ayers
Elle Bor for round 1
S.D. Brown for round 2
Gene Kendall for round 3
Rose Gonsoulin for round 4

236-10__ Elle Bor
S.D. Brown for round 1
Gene Kendall for round 2
Rose Gonsoulin for round 3
Harshita Gottipati for round 4


Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reads/reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines.

All reviews must be posted to GR. We also encourage members to post on Amazon. When you have posted your reviews, please post the links to each of your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.

Postings to other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum).

Setting up and modding these rounds is a labour of love, with a lot of emphasis on the ‘labour’. If you want to show appreciation for all the hard work we admins put in for the group, you could download one of our books as a ‘thank you’.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)