Creative Reviews discussion

HI Everyone!

I am posting this evening because it has come to my attention that we have something occurring in the group that I am not very happy with at this time.

I have recieved word that there are members of this group that are agreeing to read and review a book - accepting a free copy of the review book - then not posting a review.

Note: If you are a reader who has accepted a free copy of a book for review you are obligated to review the book.

The only exception for this is if you have read the book and for whatever your reason you have not liked it and dont want to post a negative review. If this is the case a polite and private email to the author would be the best way to handle this situation. This way the author knows that you at least attempted and you did not just get a free book and run. The last thing any reviewer would want would be to gain a reputation of letting people down.

I understand that reviewers get a ton of books and sometimes the list and life gets in the way. I really do understand that, it happens to us all. But please keep in mind that an author has sent you their work, something they really labored over and that deserves some acknowledgement. If you have had a review book for a while because of a huge TBR pile and still plan to review it a polite email to the author to let them know you haven't forgotten them would be appropriate.

If you have accepted a book for review and now realize you don't have time to review it please let the author know so they don't wait and wait (and become frustrated) for something that isn't coming.

This is a great group and we are a great support to all our authors. We have a fabulous group of reviewers and bloggers as well. I want it to reamin that way so we all can benefit from bringing our skills and knowledge together. I hope that this problem doesn't continue. If it does and I get emailed about a specific reviewer on several accounts you WILL be deleted from the group.

Now lets all go forth and be supportive of one another.

This is why I am selective with giving certain people a copy. I have had one review and one person current but so far all is well in my end, i'll keep alert though for sure, Thanks Cambria.

Thanks Cambria, as a reviewer I have not agreed to review a new book through this group for some time because of my towering TBR.

Personally, if I have accepted a review book from any author in this group and haven't either reviewed your book or updated you on the progress, please feel free to message me and ask me - in my eagerness I do admit to having forgotten where I have obtained a few of my review books from.

I hope I haven't had anything fall through cracks but it can happen. If I do I wouldn't mind a nudge from an author. I'm just getting a blog going so I'll have another place to post in addition to posting here and on Amazon, so once I'm up and running I hope to get through a lot of books at a faster rate. But the setup is a time consuming pain in the butt!

Thanks everyone. It IS hard to keep track sometimes and I do understand its hard to keep track. I appreaciate everyone leaving a comment and understanding my message.

Also, I think that it is important that authors know that it is acceptable to email a reviewer to inquire about a review - just not to do it repeatedly. LOL.

BarkLessWagMore - congrats on your new blog! They are definitely a lot to set up and I wish you luck!

Hi, Cambria -

Just want to say to you, and all the authors out there, if this refers to me in any way, (and it could!), please let me know. Either Cambria or the authors concerned.

As all 'my' authors know - via one means or another - there have been personal reasons for two gaps in my review schedule. But rest assured - slowness does not mean being disregarded.

If anyone needs to speak with me, my email address is: madley (AT) cogeco (DOT) ca

I agree with the other reviewers here - just let us know if there is a trouble spot - and we will do our best to work things out.

Thank you!

Patricia

Thank you Patricia!!! ;-)

I agree with Patricia. If there's an author out there that I forgot to post a review for, please let me know at rasenna at sbcglobal dot net. I have lost track of some of them and my TBR is lowering quite steadily.

It takes me a bit longer to post a review because I do it longhand first then type it in my Word program and go over it again before posting it. So I'm definitely a slow-poke!

Cambria, please PM me if I've been remiss and someone has made a complaint. I really, really don't want to mess up here. I love this group so very much!

Sara the Atchless

As a group member and also a reviewer for an online book review service, I know how important it is for an author to receive reviews of their books. The worst thing is to mail out a copy of your work, know that someone received it but never wrote a review.
Oh, well.

As a reviewer, I feel like it's betraying the authors trust not to send back a review.

I currently have seven people whom I sent my book to for review. While none are yet to read I have in fact heard back from four and am not in a panic or paranoid that they will not read, I am still in trust with them and do hope that they will read when they have time.

Well, as an author who's been bit by this problem, I figured it's time to post.

To date, 15 people have requested to do reviews via Creative Reviews. Most if not all have a history of many reviews and continue to post them, so I know they haven't vanished.

Of those 15, only one has posted a review. Just that single one. When I message the rest asking if they just didn't like the book, I either get no reply or claims that the review should be up "this week." Needless to say, that week passes (along with a few more) and there's no review or progress.

Please note that some of these people promised reviews by certain dates and all have had the books for months.

I guess the moral of the story is to not give out review copies in CR? I'm getting feedback from other sites, just not from here. It's really disappointing. Heck, I'd even be happy with a "didn't like it, so not reviewing it" reply from these people, but they don't even do that much.

And no, this isn't a "bashing the reviewers" comment...I love my reviewers and want to hear what they have to say. But if they promise a review, take their free copy, then never reply again, it's disheartening.

Jim

Edit: Out of respect for the reviewers, who may have very good reasons they're just not sharing, I am not giving out their names.

Personally, I know my TBR list is long, and I'm working on that. So, if I haven't reviewed your book yet, rest assured I will (or if you need it by a certain date [for a blog tour, etc] please let me know and I can try to accommodate you). I know life gets in the way, as well as my editing schedule, but if I have taken a copy, I WILL review it.

Trish

I'm with Tricia - I've not accepted any new books from this group for ages because my TBR is out of hand. If I haven't read your books yet, I'm so sorry!! I'm trying to get to them, I really am.

I usually don't read a lot or at all for that matter but I surprisingly have 3 books to read which is alot for me. Also have four people who currently have my book to read for review. had two reviews this week. not bad.

As for me, I have allowed myself to get swept away by the excitement of writing reviews, and have plenty to-do on my plate. I'm not complaining, just saying!

Life has gotten "in my way", (the nerve!), a couple of times these past few months, and books have taken a backseat.

BUT, even with all that, I will be reviewing each and every book I have made a committment to review. Albeit, maybe much later than originally planned.

Jim - it is very unfortunate that you have, as you say, been bit on this issue. Especially since your stats are so high - 15 (14) reviewers having had your book for months with no replies.

Your statement: "But if they promise a review, take their free copy, then never reply again, it's disheartening." - is disheartening to me, I can only imagine how you feel.

As real life has overtaken me these last few months, I do know that "my" authors have received reviews from other reviewers, so that eases my pain and guilt a little! It does not let me off the hook! But, I am thankful for others who are also reviewing these books.

I am learning the hard way, (I am still a Newbie!), that committing to a date is just asking for trouble. I have one coming up shortly, and I can feel my anxiety building!!!

Jim, please don't give up on this group - Creative Reviews - this is one of the best groups of people I have had the pleasure to join up with. And there are 1200 of us!! Look out world!! "LOL!!"

I do not have a copy of your book, Jim, but please let me know if I am one of the reviewers you are waiting on.

For Jim, and everyone reading this, please feel free to email me directly if you are expecting, but have not received a review from me. As I mentioned in my earlier comment in this discussion thread, please let me know where the trouble spots are.

Please email me at: madley (AT) cogeco (DOT) ca

Together we can continue to make this a great place to be.

Patricia

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only reviewer in over her head with books to read and review. It seemed like just a few months ago I was twiddle my thumbs, look for new books to review. Now I not only have a dozen new books to read, but a couple of lengthy beta-reads, and a couple of re-reads to do because the authors valued my previous reviews of their books and wanted help with the sequels.

The last time I had a real handle on this madness was when I had pneumonia for two months. I'm not really wanting to get sick again (it's always a distinct possibility with me), I sure could use two months to get caught up.

Jim, if I failed to review something for you, could you email me again and I'll move you a few notches on the pile. *smile*

I do think there's a thing at the moment where with so many books free people are just downloading everything while it's free. Usually they have full intention of reading them, but yours is probably lost among 500 freebies.

If it's any consolation, sometimes you get one long after you've given up on it. I sent someone a copy bacj in May? June? of last year and recently got their review back! Bonus!
JAC

For the most part, my books-to-review are actual print copies - on my bookshelf - where I can see them!! If they start falling off, then I will really worry!
I don't have an eReader, so I easily limit my downloads. I cannot see that changing any time soon!!

I like what you said, J.A., I hope other authors feel the same way, when my reviews come in four or five months later......

Patricia

Patricia wrote: "For the most part, my books-to-review are actual print copies - on my bookshelf - where I can see them!! If they start falling off, then I will really worry!
I don't have an eReader, so I easily l..."

I've had a review 3 month after I gave away the free copy (two are still to come, but I won't despair) - so yeah, I won't give up on those reviewers.
I know that "free" is a powerful word, but for that reason if I "win" a book, I try to put it at the top of the TBR list - like I did with the ones I won on this group's giveaways...
But now I'm falling behind with a review due to a wonderful author and I feel guilty! TODAY I'll finish that book! I'm only 50% in! GAAAAH!

This is a great discussion. Reviews are critical to an indie author since it's the best way to be discovered by readers. That's why we anxiously wait to read the opinions of those who have our books. I've been lucky that most reviewers have had the courtesy (that's all we ask for), to let me know either initially, or in response to an email, that they're backlogged. Patricia (my novel's on her TBR pile) is one who always answers email and authors understand that life gets in the way of the best intentions. From a writer's perspective, all we ask is to be kept in the loop and also that reviewers be realistic about how much they can take on.

I find it interesting comparing the discussion here with a similar one in another reviewers' group.

Here, authors politely ask for updates and say that we gave you a free copy, the least you can do is either do what you promised or tell me you won't. Reviewers seem to concur (except the ones that we complained about, lol).

In the other group, reviewers get angry about how authors expect that they provide a free service. Promise or not, they feel since it's free, they owe authors nothing. They consider a free book from the author the least the author can do to promote themselves, review or not.

Very interesting contrast. :)

I'm always amazed how many people actually believe that all authors should be obligated to give out free ebooks (and sometimes print copies), since it "costs them next to nothing." I don't mind giving out free things to get reviews (even bad reviews). However, I seriously object to people saying I need to give out endless free copies of something that consumed 100s of hours of my life, with no expectation of even a nod.

There's even a thread that never ends on Amazon's forums about how no author should ever have a right to charge even a penny for their work. Yeah, that'll help the industry survive and put more quality books in your hands. Great plan. ;-)

This group is one of the best on GR, imho, and the reason it works is because we all respect each other. As an author, there's no point me feeling that the world owes me something because it really doesn't! But conversely, if I have something that a reviewer might want (ie a decent story) and if they have something that I want (ie a thoughtful review) then it's a win-win.

But only so long as I respect the blogger's right to have their own opinion on my book, like or hate, and they respect the work I've put into it - so long as I have done!

The truth of the matter is that nobody owes anybody anything. You can hope that people oblige rather than execting them to, and if you look at it in that light, anything good that comes your way is a bonus.

But then I always was one for low expectations - keeps me cheerful!
JAC

I've been on hiatus but I'm back..or at least going to try and get back into the swing of things on here!

I will say, that I still have A LOT of books that I have for review, but as many of you can tell, I have been MIA in the group for sometime - I have been in an editing cave for quite a while, and it's not looking like I will be getting to any of them soon.

I apologize profusely to the authors that I have received books from, and maybe (in October) when I have a 2 week break planned for myself, I will be able to get some in, but I'm currently working for 3 pub houses and running my own editing business, so my time for reading got eaten up VERY quickly!!

So, PLEASE don't think I have forgotten any of you - I still have my list saved on my PC along with the books. You guys are all wonderful, and I wish I had more time to be on here chatting with you all!

Amy wrote: "I will say, that I still have A LOT of books that I have for review, but as many of you can tell, I have been MIA in the group for sometime - I have been in an editing cave for quite a while, and i..."

Amy, I am always SOOOO happy when I find out I am not alone in this real world vs reviewing world scenario.

I feel dismay at the thought of letting authors down, once I have agreed to a review. And I so want everyone to know that I have not forgotten anyone, or any book. And continue to ask for forgiveness and understanding.

Many, many thanks,

Patricia

Yep, I have more books, too (four total, five come November). I'm giving away the ones for free that are going to be reviewed but like you guys, I don't want to give them away just to see somebody cut and run, although I'd much rather them do just that than to leave a negative review but that's part of this game.

A negative review isn't a bad thing. If someone doesn't want to review because it would be negative, they owe the author at least a message saying that. Cutting and running without a word always sucks.