Let's be honest: Indie authors don't have much street cred (yet). Most major, legitimate reviewers will not review your book. This includes Kirkus Reviews, the New York Times Book Review, and Publishers Weekly. Reviews are one of the best ways to get your book out there, so it's too bad we don't have access to this.
However, there are a lot of websites out there who are happy to write a review for you-- for a price. In fact, Kirkus even has a branch for that called Kirkus Indie. Many authors, understanding the value of a good review, will pay for this, but you will not find prestige here, either. These reviews will not help get your book into libraries or get you exposure.
I am not in favor of paid reviews. A website offering this service asked my opinion on their site, and I gave them my honest thoughts: Indie writers need better tools for building communities and reaching readers, not another way to empty their wallets. (There may be paid promotional opportunities that are worthwhile, but a blurb of this kind is not.)
My reviews have all come from book bloggers, who do this because they love to read-- not for money. They're very helpful and honest. I've received glowing praise and constructive criticism alike. This is the best we indies can hope for, and it will help get your name around in the circles of book lovers, which is where you want to be known.
If you need reviews, find people who blog about your genre. Do not pay money (sometimes hundreds of dollars) for someone to write about your book. They are usually (though not always) taking advantage of an indie author's eagerness to be as professional as possible, when there are much better ways to go about it.
Indie authors will not find legitimacy by throwing money around. We will become legitimate by writing good books. That's where you should be spending your money-- editors and cover designers.
What do you think, indies? Do you agree/disagree? Have you paid for reviews, and if so, were you satisfied with the outcome?
Well, I can't really speak from experience, but I have to agree with your point. Indies deserve all the respect and attention as any other author and focusing on producing the best books possible is the way to go. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. I'll do my homework and find the book bloggers for my novels genre. Besides, there are the Amazon reviews too. Not paying. No thanks.
ReplyDeleteI would never be able to trust a review, if I knew the author paid for it. So no. This is a really foreign consept for me and I had no idea this is actually happening.
ReplyDelete"If you need reviews, find people who blog about your genre." Oh, we do! We'd love to hear from you guys about your books :)
ReplyDeletewww.openbooksociety.com
Well said! My dad wrote a book and he told me that he paid a blogger to review his book. I was floored! He paid a blogger that I had never heard of??? I may suggest to pay an experienced blogger to give you constructive feedback before you are published but never to get a review.
ReplyDeleteSad thing is, I haven't read his whole book while I am here reading and reviewing others books. I feel bad. :(
There are so many book bloggers out there, professional ones, who review for the love of it. Paying someone to review your work, especially for an indie without the big bucks of a publishing house to back them, is crazy. Look around the web and with just a little effort you will find them. Reviews from people who review with love will always be a better one to have than someone you handed money to.
ReplyDeletehttp://fantasycookie.blogspot.com