Sci-Fi, fantasy and speculative Indie Authors Review discussion

Hi folks,

you'll have noticed that I haven't asked for nominations for our two monthly book club this month. This is for several reasons, most notably that while people are hppy to nominate and even vote, they do not seem to be reading or if they are, they are not joining in the discussions or leaving a review. Really it's the review part that's important. The discussions are entirely optional.

I can't, and wouldn't dream of trying to, insist that if you nominate or vote or if your book happens to be chosen, then you must read one of the books up for the book club. I realise people are busy and have thinks like um actually writing the books to do. However we do need more people to participate.

So throwing it open to you guys, what if any, do you think the stipulations should be?

I don't want to close this function down and I'm certainly intending to run the next one, but if by and large it's only really me and Richard reading the books, then maybe a different approach is called for?

All constructive imput gratefully received.

As you were ;)

J. A. wrote: "I can't, and wouldn't dream of trying to, insist that if you nominate or vote or if your book happens to be chosen, then you must read one of the books up for the book club."

Well, this is in a way what is actually done in at least one group that I know of. If one votes for a book then one reads and reviews it, but of course that group centers very heavily on reviews so it is a little different from this group. I don't know if it would be a good idea to take up the same policy here, but I think it could be worth considering.

I know I haven't taken much part in BOTM, instead I have read and reviewed two of the Bettereads books, but I agree it would be a shame if it would be closed down.

Wow, I guess the hardest thing for me is being so incredibly busy in life outside of Goodreads. I generally get up around 5 a.m. go to work, get back around 6ish and try to live through another demanding (emotionally and mentally) crazy, unpredictable, relationship with my "SO". It's rough. So adding a BOTM is a commitment I just couldn't keep, despite wanting to be a part of the review/fun of it.

Would it be nuts to committing to read a 'few' chapters of a book, you, (the person nominating) and then review it? Perhaps the first 5/6 chapters, or a quarter of a book, and then maybe someone else could review the next 5/6 etc? Yeah, probably nuts but that's what I think I am :)

Turhan I can relate to having a lot to do outside Goodreads, but I don't think this idea would work. Reading few chapters works well with the Bettereads project to see if books should be allowed through or not, but to get books reviewed in full that way, reviews would have to be combined and I think that could get complicated.

I don't know, but maybe three books of the month is a bit much? Perhaps it could be one and the author asked to take part in the discussion because after all he / she is looking for reviews? Maybe it would be too strong a reaction to take up the policy that one has to read the books one votes for, but the question could be What book do you want to read these next two months? Then it is not really a rule, but implied that reading is involved and not just voting? But I really don't know. These are just my random thoughts on the subject.

One of the problems for my participation is that the BOTM is often too far outside of the genre I read, or is a story concerning something I don't care about. For example, I don't read Fantasy, and I'm not all that fond of dystopian SF. It's difficult for me to find something I like to read in SF, so I usually go for Mysteries or Historical Fiction until I do find something good in the genre of my first love, Hard SF. So if I don't participate every month, it doesn't mean I don't want to participate; it just means that I'm waiting for something good.

I do have to agree that if you vote for a book, it's because you pledge to read it IF it wins. Else, you only potentially contribute in eliminating the ONE book people would actually read.

Time management seems to be the running theme and I'm just as guilty. Another roadblock for me is that I'm a secret DNF-er, meaning that if I read something that doesn't hold my interest, I don't give a bad review, I move on. If the issue is technical and I feel confident that the author would benefit from my feedback, I'll offer it. But if it's a case of a story not holding my interest, I'm not comfortable with putting that on the author (bettereads project aside). This was the case with one BOTM book. I began,found it wasn't something I liked, and felt that because this had nothing to do with the author's competency, I didn't want to hurt them unnecessarily.

Also, there are a lot of members, but only a fraction are actively participating in discussions, so the pool of potential readers is already slim. Anyone have suggestions on how to broaden our reach?

Christina wrote: "Time management seems to be the running theme and I'm just as guilty. Another roadblock for me is that I'm a secret DNF-er, meaning that if I read something that doesn't hold my interest, I don't g..."

That's exactly why I don't openly sign up for read-and-review anymore. If I don't like something I want to be free to stop reading it without anybody knowing.

Also, I'm usually reading something else or have the next book in mind already. I'm weirdly wired; for me to enjoy a book, it needs to be read when I feel like it and it may not be when a group decides to read it. :/

You all make good points and I certainly do t want to have to chase up a 'sign up' list for BOTM - I really do have enough to do ;)

I can understand time constraints - I have the same problem.

All authors whose books are chosen and who have a GR presence are invited to participate in discussions. If they aren't on GR then I draw the line at actually stalking them... But many of them have pitched in and there's been some productive conversation.

G.G. Made a good point about being in the mood to read a book, too. This is important - if I'm not in the right frame of mind to read something that's being pushed on me then it'll receive a more negative reception yhan it might have done.

I suppose the main questions are as follows:

Do you want this function to continue even if you cannot participate (or would rather not unless you see a book that grabs you) ?

Are you happy to try and do one book a year of your choosing out of the three that get picked every two months? Hypothetically anyway.

Should we keep up with three every two months? Personally I'm inclined to continue this as it answers, at least pear tidally, the question of genre preference , which was why it was started.

Most importantly, even if you have been unable or disinclined to participate, has it brought a book/ books to your attention? It seems to be raising book profiles but do you agree?

I am happy to continue it as is if it is at least doing the latter :)

I do want it to continue and hope to participate whenever possible. I like the different categories as well because scifi/fantasy is pretty broad and there are going to be folks with different tastes. Anything that draws attention to indie books is a good thing, right?

Christina wrote: "Anything that draws attention to indie books is a good thing, right?"

I think so. And I think it would be a s shame if we couldn't continue with the BOTM in some form, so I'll try to take part in the reading and the discussion next time.

J. A. wrote: "I suppose the main questions are as follows:

Do you want this function to continue even if you cannot participate (or would rather not unless you see a book that grabs you) ?

Are you happy to try..."

Yes! I'd like it to continue!

Yup, I'd like to try to do one a year, Yup, oh, I already said that :)

Yeppers, because it gives a broader spectrum of genre choices.

Because I wasn't going to be able to participate (due to "time constraints") I hadn't checked out the BOTMs...I know, I know. Anywho...I like what Christina said... "Anything that draws attention to indie books is a good thing, right?"

Oh, and yeah Hákon, you're right about my silly idea, what was I thinking, sheesh! :)

Forgot to throw in a few cents here.

I don't vote unless I'd want to read one of the books on offer, and would hope others do the same. When you've got multiple categories that's especially important, because otherwise you could get the fantasy novel winning that is less uninteresting to the sci-fi crowd, or vice-versa?

I'm curious about how this BOTM will co-exist with our BetterReads project as well, since it draws out a lot of the same potential interest, except in more directions.

I do come and browse to see what the book club has to offer from time to time, but I only get involved if I think it's something I'm going to enjoy. I read last months sci-fi, Lamikorda and pitched in a little to discussion and have been waiting to see what book gets picked next.
As has been mentioned, the book club is a great way to help indie authors get some notice so I hope it continues.