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 an 'Out of this World' round
Fiction books classified as sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, paranormal.

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:
Trish Butler

Member Links
1. Ann Birdgenaw
2. E.K. Frances
3. Jeremy L. Jones
4. Morten W. Simonsen
5. Lin Meili
6. Florian Armas
7. John Pedersen
8. Darrell B. Nelson
9. Khira Allen
10. Phillip Murrell

Book Links
1. Black Hole Radio - Bilaluna
2. The Hybrid
3. Saturnius Mons
4. Fire Within
5. I Will Save the Villain
6. The Game and the Board
7. The King's New Sword
8. Nomi vs Planet Doom
9. Songbird Ascension
10. The Soldiers' Perspective

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ANYONE SIGNING UP TO JOIN THIS ROUND

Please note that Goodreads has recently made a privacy reset to their private messaging system. This means that they have shifted the default setting to restrict those who can message you.

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.

Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

I'd like to join with my book Blind Cerulean. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Welcome Gene - as ever please be assiduous in checking back frequently and looking for clashes as the round fills. Thanks.

Hi, I would like to join with my book, The Hybrid:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hybrid-Book-...

The Hybrid

Thanks!

Welcome E.K - please keep checking back frequently as the group fills to make sure you have not got any review clashes.

I would like to join the group and submit my book. The King's New Sword. I have no clashes as I haven't reviewed anyone yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Kings-New-Swor...

John wrote: "I would like to join the group and submit my book. The King's New Sword. I have no clashes as I haven't reviewed anyone yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Kings-New-Swor......"

Happy to add you John, but first you need to please read Message 2 and enable your PM. Thanks :)

E.M. wrote: "John wrote: "I would like to join the group and submit my book. The King's New Sword. I have no clashes as I haven't reviewed anyone yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Kings-New-Swor......"
Sorry settings now changed

Welcome John - please keep checking back frequently to check on any review clashes as the group fills.

Hi,
I'd like to join this round with my book, Fire Within. I have no clashes with anyone here so far.

Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083QDY9J7

Welcome Morten - please keep checking back frequently for review clashes as the group fills.

Welcome Lin - do keep on checking back frequently for any clashes please as the group fills.

Sure I should be able to get a round done. I’ll throw in with Saturnius Mons. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

No conflicts as of right now that I see.

I would like to join with The Soldiers' Perspective.

Nobody signed up has reviewed anything by me before. I've reviewed Gene and Jeremy before. I will need to read Jeremy's sequel.

Welcome Phillip - do remember to keep checking back frequently to look for clashes as the group fills up. Thanks.

Jeremy - I had added you but have had to remove you again as I saw your PM settings are not as they should be. Please read Message 2 on this thread and when you have sorted that let me know and I'll add you in the round.

If possible (I will post my last review in another group tomorrow) I would like to join with The Game and the Board

I reviewed Phillip
I was reviewed by Gene (and Jeremy if he will join)

Should be fixed now

Welcome Jeremy and Florian - please keep checking back frequently for any clashes that might develop as the group fills. Thanks.

If possible, I would like to join this round with a sci-fi short story quartet Glass Slipper Equinox.
(I've just finished my reviews for Round 301.)
I don't believe I have any clashes in this round.

I'd like to join with my Novella, Nomi vs Planet Doom:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
https://www.amazon.com/Nomi-Planet-Do...
Florian Armas and Jeremy L. Jones have reviewed some of my other works but not this one.

I believe you have hit ten members now. So, you are probably full. But if any do not work out, I'd love to hop in with my first novel, Aerovoyant.

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

I've reviewed Lin and Khira each once, both of whom have multiple books so no problem there. Darrell has reviewed me, but I have three titles so no problem there either.

I think that's all the relationships, but since I am #11 to ask for a spot at the table, it probably doesn't matter anyway. I plan to toss my hat into the ring over at 18+, since they have room, but if for any reason you find yourself short, I think Out of This World is probably more up my alley.

I have just finished my reviews in group 301.

Best,
Patty

Welcome Khira and Darrell

Everyone - please post to tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1) ). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed and post to tell me if they have not.

Remember that you can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and searching their name. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile and searching for your name.
Please check all those who are the 4 above and 4 below you.
If you have no review clashes - or if you are scheduled to review someone who you have reviewed before but can see they have another book available just post 'Good to go :)' or words to that effect.

When everyone has posted 'Good to go' we will be :)

If you are new to these rounds do not worry, full instructions will be provided at every stage.

Good to go. Thanks!!

Good to go, thank you :)

Still good to go here.

Hate to say this, but it looks I won't be able to handle the review commitment for this round, so I'll have to drop out. Sorry!

Gene wrote: "Hate to say this, but it looks I won't be able to handle the review commitment for this round, so I'll have to drop out. Sorry!"

No worries Gene. See you in a future round.

Everyone - as you were no point continuing the check until we are full again.

Hi EM
I just finished round 299 Can I join this round instead of round #304
I can withdraw my name and join this one. I have no conflicts here.

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

Hi EM:

I asked in message #23 to join this round (with Aerovoyant) if anyone dropped out (etc)--and would still love to be in this round.

Your call, of course! :) Looks like a great batch of books.

I've reviewed Lin and Khira each once, both of whom have multiple books so no problem there. Darrell has reviewed me, but I have three titles so no problem there either.

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

While this review round is being finalised, I might take the opportunity to amend my book nomination to my novel Songbird Ascension and leave the previously nominated short story quartet as a back-up option for those who've already reviewed the novel.

Welcome Ann.

P.L. - sorry have to do this first come first serve to be fair.

Khira - book swapped

Everyone - And again even if you did so before, please post to tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1) ). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed and post to tell me if they have not.

Remember that you can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and searching their name. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile and searching for your name.
Please check all those who are the 4 above and 4 below you.
If you have no review clashes - or if you are scheduled to review someone who you have reviewed before but can see they have another book available just post 'Good to go :)' or words to that effect.

Hopefully this time we'll make it through :)

Fine for me.

No worries, E.M. Have a great round!

Good to go :)

Thanks E.M. Good to go!

Thanks all good to go

Still good.

Good to go for me

I have to read Jeremy's sequel. Otherwise, I'm good.

Good to go

Thanks all. Just need to hear from one more person...

Checked everyone. No conflicts.

Great! Here we go!
START DATE: 09-March-22

END DATE: 01-June-22

Round 1 – post your review by 30-March-22
Round 2– post your review by 20-April-22
Round 3 – post your review by 11-May-22
Round 4 – post your review by 01-June-22


As AUTHORS you SEND your book file to:

303-01__Ann Birdgenaw
Phillip Murrell for round 1
Khira Allen for round 2
Darrell B. Nelson for round 3
John Pedersen for round 4

303-02__E.K. Frances
Ann Birdgenaw for round 1
Phillip Murrell for round 2
Khira Allen for round 3
Darrell B. Nelson for round 4

303-03__Jeremy L. Jones
E.K. Frances for round 1
Ann Birdgenaw for round 2
Phillip Murrell for round 3
Khira Allen for round 4

303-04__ Morten W. Simonsen
Jeremy L. Jones for round 1
E.K. Frances for round 2
Ann Birdgenaw for round 3
Phillip Murrell for round 4

303-05__ Lin Meili
Morten W. Simonsen for round 1
Jeremy L. Jones for round 2
E.K. Frances for round 3
Ann Birdgenaw for round 4

303-06__ Florian Armas
Lin Meili for round 1
Morten W. Simonsen for round 2
Jeremy L. Jones for round 3
E.K. Frances for round 4

303-07__ John Pedersen
Florian Armas for round 1
Lin Meili for round 2
Morten W. Simonsen for round 3
Jeremy L. Jones for round 4

303-08__ Darrell B. Nelson
John Pedersen for round 1
Florian Armas for round 2
Lin Meili for round 3
Morten W. Simonsen for round 4

303-09__ Khira Allen
Darrell B. Nelson for round 1
John Pedersen for round 2
Florian Armas for round 3
Lin Meili for round 4

303-10__ Phillip Murrell
Khira Allen for round 1
Darrell B. Nelson for round 2
John Pedersen for round 3
Florian Armas for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

303-01__Ann Birdgenaw
E.K. Frances for round 1
Jeremy L. Jones for round 2
Morten W. Simonsen for round 3
Lin Meili for round 4

303-02__E.K. Frances
Jeremy L. Jones for round 1
Morten W. Simonsen for round 2
Lin Meili for round 3
Florian Armas for round 4

303-03__Jeremy L. Jones
Morten W. Simonsen for round 1
Lin Meili for round 2
Florian Armas for round 3
John Pedersen for round 4

303-04__ Morten W. Simonsen
Lin Meili for round 1
Florian Armas for round 2
John Pedersen for round 3
Darrell B. Nelson for round 4

303-05__ Lin Meili
Florian Armas for round 1
John Pedersen for round 2
Darrell B. Nelson for round 3
Khira Allen for round 4

303-06__ Florian Armas
John Pedersen for round 1
Darrell B. Nelson for round 2
Khira Allen for round 3
Phillip Murrell for round 4

303-07__ John Pedersen
Darrell B. Nelson for round 1
Khira Allen for round 2
Phillip Murrell for round 3
Ann Birdgenaw for round 4

303-08__ Darrell B. Nelson
Khira Allen for round 1
Phillip Murrell for round 2
Ann Birdgenaw for round 3
E.K. Frances for round 4

303-09__ Khira Allen
Phillip Murrell for round 1
Ann Birdgenaw for round 2
E.K. Frances for round 3
Jeremy L. Jones for round 4

303-10__ Phillip Murrell
Ann Birdgenaw for round 1
E.K. Frances for round 2
Jeremy L. Jones for round 3
Morten W. Simonsen 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 :)

GUIDE FOR THOSE NEW TO THESE ROUNDS.

Quick 'start-up' summary for anyone new who might be scratching their heads. You are reviewing the four books 'below' you on the list.

Firstly please make sure your private message status is set to 'Anyone'. You can find it under Account Settings > Edit my user Profile > Settings > Privacy > Who Can Send Me Private Messages.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there. If you can buy it adds weight to your review as it gives the 'Verified Purchase' stamp on Amazon.

However, as not everyone can buy, you should PM the four people who will be reviewing you (the four above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.

Ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF.

Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

Please make sure you have exchanged ALL FOUR books - or have been assured by your reviewers they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible. Some people read fast and it can be very frustrating to have to wait a long time to get hold of a book you are committed to review.
Don't forget to post the links to your reviews here so you can be signed off for them.

Please post your review to Goodreads, your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to as well.

The wonderful Trish Butler will be modding this round and will be by shortly to say hello. Please PM her ongoing with any issues. Thanks.

I’ll buy my assigned books in order to leave a verified purchase review.

Righty-ho fellow book chums, (I'm getting my Brit on in anticipation of my move back home next week!!) I'm in charge now. I see some very familiar names and a few newbies to me if not to the group as a whole. Don't worry I'll be gentle. (Florian, that's 3 groups in a row we are teamed up - people will start to talk!! LOL)

Firstly, an enormously big thank you to the marvellous E.M. for all her hard work pulling this round together and getting us started.

As mentioned, some people read fast and get all their reviews done very quickly. As I am never one of those people, I understand how it can feel rather intimidating if you are still on book one. Don't panic, you have 3 weeks per book and I will be with you until the bitter end. I'll pop up the occasional reminder that a round is coming to an end etc. ANY problems please PM me. I worry much less if I hear from people.

Feel free to pop up your Goodreads review link before the Amazon one has been approved, but when the Zon one comes in, please post a separate message - I don't get notifications for edits and won't know to go hunting for it.

When you do post your links they should be to your own review, not the book page. Plus, please shorten the links (always a good practice with any social media anyway). For Amazon take out the word ref and everything after it on the URL, for Goodreads the ? and everything after that. Press enter and you'll see your review still pops up (always a good test before copying and pasting here). If you need any more detailed instructions on that or finding the review page for your review LMK and I'll pop them up here.

Last FYI - I'm a Brit who's just spent 22 years in the US, hence my mix of word spelling between UK/US, and if nothing else we are polite! Any questions, I'm here for you.

Off you jolly well go then, mateys!!

Cheers.

Trish

Phillip wrote: "I’ll buy my assigned books in order to leave a verified purchase review."

That is very generous of you, Phillip, and I'm sure much appreciated.

Trish