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.

12. You state here what authors already on the list have reviewed you, and which ones you have reviewed. (If you can't remember, go to your or another author's profile, click the middle link under the picture, and type the name of the author you're wondering about in "search and add books".) If you have more than one pen name, LET US KNOW! I will do what I can to help you avoid reciprocal reviews, but ultimately, it is on you to avoid reciprocal reviews!

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.

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: Loralee Evans

Member Links
1. Loralee Evans
2. Laura Koerber
3. Sass Green
4. P.L. Tavormina
5. Joseph Minart
6. Tempest Miller
7.E.K. Frances
8. Eric Gibson
9. Thomas A. Burns Jr.
10. Tony Travis

Book Links
1.Ephraim's Garden
2. A Very Heaven
3. Billionaire's Bet
4. Telomeric
5. The Tale of the Young Witch
6. England 2K State Insekt
7. The Hybrid
8. Perilous Shores
9. Shooters
10. Generational Space

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...

Eric Gibson
I'd like to join with Perilous Shores (or sequel)

You've reviewed Ephraim's Garden, but I have others you can read, Eric.

I'd like to join with Telomeric or any book in the series for those who've read it.

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

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

Loralee, you've reviewed this title. I have one novella you haven't reviewed yet.

I've reviewed Eric but not this book.

Eric has reviewed me, I've reviewed you, and you've reviewed Eric. But it looks like you'll fit!

Also, I have added Laura Koerber to the list.

Hi It's Sass Greem (also Cat Green) and I'd like to join with Billionaire's Bet

I've reviewed you, Sass. Have you reviewed or been reviewed by P.L. Tavormina, Eric Gibson, or Laura Koerber?

Please can I join with The Hybrid.

Author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

P.L. has reviewed me but I have alternatives
Sass has reviewed me but not this book
I've reviewed Laura and Loralee but both have alternatives.

Yes I reviewed P.L. Tavormina and Laura reviewed me.

Hi Everyone, May I please join this round with Jigsaw Sonora.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

The only book I have read is Loralle's. I can read another of her works as an alternative. I have reviewed one of P.L's other works but not this one. Eric has reviewed me in the past.

Please advise and take care.

I've reviewed David but I think he has more books.

Yes, this is a book E.K. can read. No one on Goodreads has read this one yet. Take care.

I would like to register my interest. I have been reviewed by SaSS and Laura and have reviewed E. K. Frances. what is the position on using a different goodreads for reviews because i would increasingly like to keep my reviews separated from my author page?


Tempest

Checking in to say I've:

reviewed Laura Koerber (I don't think it was this book), I've reviewed three of E.K.'s books, including the Hybrid

... been reviewed by Cat Green (one of my books), and by David (two of my four books),

and I see no conflict with Tempest.


EDIT: Sorry, got confused regarding Laura but we cleared it up a few messages down, I think.

I'd like to join with Shooters!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

P.L. Can you confirm that you've reviewed Laura? I checked your list of books, and cannot see that you have.

I may need to switch things up. and possibly remove some people on the current list. Laura Koerber has priority since she asked first on another thread, and then priority descends in order of peoples' posts so long as they're clear when they sign up about whom they've reviewed and who has reviewed them.

Edit: Okay, Laura has reviewed P.L., not the other way around.

Sorry, Laura has reviewed me, not the other way around. I sent you a mail.

Thomas, I hope I can fit you. You've reviewed me. Have you reviewed or been reviewed by anyone else on the list?

EVERYONE: please read this: I think I have been able to make spots for everyone, with one spot left to fill. Will you also check and make sure there are not conflicts?
To do this, go to your profile. Under your picture, click the middle link.
In the box that says "Search and add books" type in one by one, the names of the 4 people above you. If their names do not come up as having been reviewed by you before, you're good.
Next, go to the profiles of the 4 people below you. Under their picture, click the middle link.
In the box that says "Search and add books" type in your own name. Do this with each of the four people below you. If you name does not come up as having been reviewed by them, you're good.
We will need to do this again when we have the last person and are ready to start. But if you could do it now to make sure I've got the list right, it will be a big help.



Tempest, sorry that I haven't answered your question before now. I don't think Goodreads cares what profile you post reviews from. So long as you are not reviewing the same book multiple times with different profiles. But if you're posting reviews from the same profile you're using to post comments here (your author profile), it makes it much easier for me and other mods to see whom you have reviewed so that we can reduce the risk of reciprocal reviews.

I've reviewed Laura (not this book) , P.L. (not this book), and Loralee (not this book). No clashes with anyone else.

Thank you, Thomas!

Yes, that order works for me.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... I'd like to join with this book that no one has read.

Thank you Loralee for putting my name in. There is a conflict with David Alyn Gordon; I have reviewed one of his books. Otherwise, all good.

Works for me - thank you!

David, It looks like I won't be able to fit you after all. Since Laura reviewed you, but you've reviewed me and P.L., and I've reviewed Laura and Laura has reviewed P.L., I can't see a way to fit you in without reciprocal reviews.

My placement is good so far.

I have not reviewed P.L. Tavormina, Tempest Miller, or E.K. Frances

Thomas A. Burns Jr., David Alyn Gordon, Loralee Evans, and Laura Koerber have not reviewed me.

Laura

What book did you review of mine? I do not see it on the books you have reviewed. I checked this morning and rechecked. Please advise.

Never mind. I found the book Laura reviewed. Take care.

I would like to be in this with Generational Space

If possible, thanks. There are 3 in the trilogy of short stories all if that is doable, if not just that one listed.

Thanks.

Tony

I hope I am able to add you, Tony. I know you've reviewed me. Who else in the list has reviewed you, and whom have you reviewed?

Please follow the directions in message 19 to check.

Loralee wrote: "I hope I am able to add you, Tony. I know you've reviewed me. Who else in the list has reviewed you, and whom have you reviewed?

Please follow the directions in message 19 to check."

Only you have I reviewed before, and EK Francis has reviewed me on Keyholes.

for what it may be worth, I am willing to do more reviews than I get back if that will help with group make up.

You only need to do four reviews per Review Group.

I'd like to join with my book, Witch's War if you can fit me in.
I have reviewed Loralee and P.L.
Laura and Sass have reviewed me, but not this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

If there is still room I could join with my latest book,
Seeking Truth at Ardwick House

Thanks, G J Griffiths,
G.J. Griffiths

Amanda has reviewed Aerovoyant but not Telomeric. (thank you Amanda!)

I have reviewed two of GJ's books including Seeking Truth but happy to review one of his others.

I have no review-relationship to Tony as far as I can tell.

I have reviewed GJ's book, but he has others I can do.

just to reiterate Laura and Sass have reviewed me and I have reviewed E.K but not the book of theirs listed for this group.

I'm so sorry, Amanda. From what I can see, I wouldn't be able to fit you.

G.J. let me know who has reviewed you and whom you have reviewed, and I'll see if I can work you in.

Sorry, doesn't work for me as I've reviewed Laura before.

I've reviewed:
Loralee Evans
Laura Koerber
Neil M. Campbell
Tony Travis

Reviewed me:
Sass Green
P.L. Tavormina
Tempest Miller

Thanks, E.K. I just saw that, too. So I had to take Neil out.

Laura, that's a very serious problem, because G.J. has also reviewed four of your books.

The only way to have the two of you in the same group from now on, is to always have you in each other's blind spots. Since you've reviewed each other.

G.J., I just checked, and it looks like you've reviewed at least me and Laura, and since I can't move people around because of currently conflicts, I can't fit you in. I wish I could. My apologies.

Everyone, I wasn't able to fit in Amanda, G.J., or Neil. So we still have that one spot left.

That's right--I did review G J by mistake and took the review down. He knows.

May I join your group with my book, The Tale of the Young Witch? I have not read any of the authors, and they haven't read mine.

The Tale of the Young Witch

Whew! Loralee,
Plenty possible clashes here... I don't envy you sorting it.
Here goes - Laura and P.L. have reviewed me but I have other books for them instead.
I have reviewed you and E.K. so maybe there are other books they can offer?
Good luck, Graham :-/

G.J., the problem is that with the current clashes, I can't move anyone around without putting people where they'd be reviewed by someone they've reviewed. And with your current clashes, I can't fit you into the spot that is left.

Everyone, with Joseph Minart joining, I THINK I have it sorted without clashes.

EVERYONE on the list, please follow these instructions. Do not rely on memory as that has created problems in the past.

Please check and see if you have reviewed any of the 4 people above you. (The list wraps so 10 is above 1).

To check this, follow these steps:

1. Go to your profile.
2. Click on the middle link under your picture.
3. In the box that says "Search and add books" type the name of one of the 4 authors above you, then click the magnifying glass icon.
4. Repeat with the other 3 names.
If it says "You have no books matching "author's name" for each author then you have not reviewed them before.

Then please check to see if any of the 4 people below you have reviewed you. (Again the list wraps, so 1 is below 10.)

To check this, follow these steps:

1. Go to each of the profiles of the 4 authors below you.
2. Click on the middle link under their pictures.
3. In the box that says "Search and add books" type in your name. Then click the magnifying glass icon.
4. Make sure to do this with each of the 4 authors below you.

If each time, the next screen shows "*Author's Name* has no books matching "Your Name" then no one below you has reviewed you.

Once you have check BOTH ABOVE AND BELOW, and you are clear both ways, please come back here and type "Good to go" or some equivalent of that.

I rechecked all eight of my matches. All clear. I'm good to go!

I have checked both above and below me, and I am good to go.