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 fiction/ non-fiction accepted. This means you may be required to read anything from a book about tax returns to horror/erotica and everything in between.

Please note it is always possible that the books you are assigned may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. If you can't commit to this, please do not sign up.

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. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

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:
G.J. Griffiths

Member Links
1. Gene Kendall
2. Balroop Singh
3. David MacNamera
4. S. Lynn Helton
5. Edward Hendry
6. Charles C. McCormack
7.Ann Birdgenaw
8. Eunice Nascimento
9.G.J. Griffiths
10.Jeff Chapman

Book Links
1. Blind Cerulean
2. Allow Yourself To Be A Better Person
3. 7 Spirits, 4 Friends
4. Bye-Bye Magpie
5. The Cherokee Secret
6. ESSENCE
7. Black Hole Radio - Bilaluna
8. See Beneath Your Beautiful
9. The Mule Spinners' Daughters
10.The Sniggard's Revenge: A Fantasy Adventure

I would like to join in with my new book Saving Snow White. Thanks.

Welcome Gita - you know the drill well now, so please be alert for any clashes as we fill. Thanks :)

I'd like to join with The Clock Tower Treasure, which Gita has reviewed but she can review Jesse Sings.


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

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

Welcome Victor - do keep an eye out as the round fills :)

Can I join with my latest book Bilaluna
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

GR author link
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I reviewed Ann's Black Hole Radio but can review Bilaluna.

Thank you Victor. Much appreciated!

I reviewed Gita's 9 short chapter books and would love to review her Snow white.

Welcome Ann - please keep checking back for any other clashes as the group fills.

Hi Loralee
I would like to withdraw from this group as I have joined the 18+ group #289

Thanks and I'm sorry for the confusion. :-)

hi Loralee,
I'd like to join with Saving Bigfoot Valley
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have read Victor. I2 books)
Gita has read me..IAlabaster Alibi)

If I don't fit in, I'll understand.

Welcome S.D. - please keep checking back and say if you spot any more clashes. Thanks.

S D has read both my books. I don't have a third (yet) Probably need to move one of us.

Big oops on me there - thanks for flagging that up so quickly Victor.

S.D. I am really sorry but you can't fit in this round as there is no way I can see to position you around the other two.

thanks

I wish to join with my recent novel The Sniggard's Revenge: A Fantasy Adventure. The protagonist is a teenager so I believe that qualifies it as YA.

I have read and reviewed Gita's Mystery of the Missing Horseman.
I have not read any of Victor's books.

Jeff wrote: "I wish to join with my recent novel The Sniggard's Revenge: A Fantasy Adventure. The protagonist is a teenager so I believe that qualifies it as YA."

The YA label would refer to the kind of content not the age of the protagonist. Is it suitable reading for someone aged 12 or up? If not then it is not 'YA'. As the book is not listed on Amazon as being YA I need to ask your assurance of that before I can add you into the round.

There's no explicit sexual content. There is some violence. I don't think most teenagers would come across anything here they haven't already read or seen on TV.

Jeff wrote: "There's no explicit sexual content. There is some violence. I don't think most teenagers would come across anything here they haven't already read or seen on TV."

Would you list it as YA on the Zon, please? Then there would be no doubt at all. thanks.

The reading age is now listed as 13 - 18 on Amazon.

Jeff wrote: "The reading age is now listed as 13 - 18 on Amazon."

Welcome and thanks so much for that, Jeff. We have had issues in the past with people feeling books did not belong in the round so I need to be careful about it. Don't forget to keep checking back for any new clashes that appear as the group fills.

I'd like to join this round with my children's picture book Bye-Bye Magpie, if I can fit. (If I can't, I certainly understand and will look forward to another round.) I've just finished my reviewing obligations in round 291.

My Goodreads book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
My Goodreads author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I have no clashes with Jeff.

Gita has already reviewed Bye-Bye Magpie. While I don't currently have any other children/YA books available, I do have a novella in my fantasy series that she could review, if she'd like (Trial Run).

I've already reviewed Victor's book, but can review Jesse Sings, just as Gita would be doing.

-Lynn

Gita - please let me know if you are ok with reading a non-group topic novella from S.Lynn.

S. Lynn - Welcome, provided Gita agrees to read your novella. Please keep checking back as usual for clashes.

E.M. wrote: "Gita - please let me know if you are ok with reading a non-group topic novella from S.Lynn.

S. Lynn - Welcome, provided Gita agrees to read your novella..."
Sounds good, thanks! -Lynn

Hi EM

I am done with the other Review Group (#289) and I wondered if I could join this one with my middle-grade Book 2 Black Hole Radio-Bilaluna?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

My GR author profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I reviewed Ann's first one of this series but not this one. I'm good.

Same for me as for Victor (reviewed the other, but not this one). Good here.

Hi, I would like to join with my book : Allow yourself to be a Better Person
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
I have read one of Gita's book, not the one listed here.

Before I add anyone to this group I would like to consider how viable it is.

This group has been forming for nearly two months and has not yet filled. Even adding in those who have just asked to join we would still be four short.

I am going to give three options and all in the group (and Balroop and Anne too) please respond with which you prefer. If I don't have replies from everyone in two days I will go with option 1.

(1) Cancel the round so a new set of rounds can be opened without a Children/YA one.
(2) Convert this round to a General round to fill it more quickly.
(3) Leave as it is and wait until it fills however long that takes whilst opening new rounds.

Please choose one option and post to say your preference.

Thanks.

Option 2

Option 3
(Although, violating the "choose one option" instruction, I'd be fine with option 1, too).
-Lynn

I like option 2

I am asking other (Children's) GR authors to join our group. Can everyone recommend an author to the group?

I agree with option 2

I would like to join with my book The Quest Search for a Lost Brother. I have reviewed Victor's book The Clocktower. If he has another book I wouldn't mind reading it. I have also reviewed Bye bye Magpie by S. Lynn Helton. I will also read another one of her books if she has one.

Victor has also reviewed my book.

I might be the one modding this round, so I'm going to pop in to say that it's unfortunate that Dorothy and Victor have reviewed each other.

In order to keep the integrity of these review rounds intact, and achieve the objective of non-reciprocal reviews, you'll need to avoid each other from here on out. At least, that is my understanding. If you are going to both be in a review round, you'll need to be in each others' blind spots.

E.M. can correct anything I've said that is inaccurate, but that is what I understand.

Because of some events coming up I will be dropping out of this group.

Victor - sorry to lose you, hope you can join another round soon.

Everyone - I'm converting this to a general round as that seems to be the most popular choice.

S. Lynne - really sorry it is not you preferred option, if you would like to leave the round please let me know.

Jeff - same for you as I have not had your input on this and can't contact you in PM thanks to the recent GR privacy reset.

Balroop and Anne - as you both voted to go General, I am adding you two to the round. As ever keep checking back as we (hopefully) fill.

I'd like to join with my book Blind Cerulean. I've finished my obligations to the Out of this World round, but realize I might not fit in this round. I've read S. Lynn Helton, Balroop Singh, Dorothy Mbori , and Gita V. Reddy.

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

Dorothy wrote: "I would like to join with my book The Quest Search for a Lost Brother. I have reviewed Victor's book The Clocktower. If he has another book I wouldn't mind reading it. I have also reviewed Bye bye ..."

I need a link to your book please.

I’d love a spot in this group with Love Lessons, please.

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

I’m actually still wrapping up in the novella group, but not having received the book is holding me up. I’m sure you’ll know I’m good for the review and it’ll be done long before we start this group, but I wanted to secure a spot here :)

I’ve read Gita and Balroop before.

Ok thanks EM

Since Victor has left, assuming I don't have conflicts with anyone else, I might be able to join this group.

I have reviewed Balroop

J.E., Gene, Gita, Dorothy, and S. Lynn have all reviewed me. (That might be too many for me to fit.)

Here is my book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

E.M. wrote: "...S. Lynne - really sorry it is not ..."
Thanks, E.M. Looks like I'll be fine staying.
-Lynn

To catch up on listing clashes:

No clashes with Balroop.

As Dorothy said, she’s already reviewed Bye-Bye Magpie. But she could review my prequel novella in my fantasy series (Trial Run) or book 1 of that same series (Duplicity of Power).

As Gene said, he’s reviewed me before, but not Bye-Bye Magpie.

No clashes with J.E.

As Loralee said, I’ve reviewed her before, but not the book she wants to put in this round.

Gene has reviewed me before also

I would like to join with my new release, Killers!

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

Balroop has reviewed me before.

I’m finished in the novella round that I was completing now, so I’m freed up to join, as requested.

I have no clashes with Edward and also none with Thomas.
-Lynn