Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group



It's the 1st Wednesday of the month and it's time for me to delve (or drown) myself in the Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by the one and only Alex J. Cavanaugh. Just in time too, because I want to push myself to submit to book review blogs and possibly even a blog tour. I hate to admit it but I'm pretty totally ignorant about it all.

My only experience with a book review blog was when I shelled out $10 for the worst ratings of my life for any of my writing, ever, period. This caused me to never pay for any reviews ever again, to be cautious to seek out legitimate sites, and to be even more insecure (agh! I told myself to never use that word in 2013! - not including the title of this blog hop) about learning what I need to successfully reach out there.

If anyone has any advice, I've stretched my ears wide open and am anxiously listening... for anything... from anyone    ...?        ...?


27 comments:

  1. Oh! How terrible! No, don't pay for them. Never. I'm afraid I can't be of big help either. I'm not that far yet myself. I hope some of the others who comment are more helpful.

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  2. That is awful! I've never heard of paying for reviews either. As far as I know writers just ask and some nice people say yes.

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  3. Hey Nancy,

    Just be you and make a post asking for help/support and like the baseball field in Iowa, if you write it, the reviews will come :)

    I'd be happy to help out whenever needed - just let me know :)

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  4. This is the first time I heard of this. I guess you'll never do that again. There is indeed people who do review for free and they do it well, not all of them, but there are good reviewers. Try asking this time. As Mark says, reviews will come.

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  5. I'm with Mark-- write as you are lead to write and the reviews will come.

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  6. Paying for reviews? I don't think that anyone within our online writing community expects payment for reviews...

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  7. Thanks everyone for your beautiful and encouraging replies! I requested a review from that site before I met all you wonderful people, so yes, the lesson is learned!

    But there are many reviewers, big review companies and blogs, that ask for payment for reviews, for any of you who may soon be looking for reviews soon.

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  8. The only thing I think is worth passing on to anyone is this: Write good stuff. That's all that counts in the end.

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  9. I didn't know until recently that you could pay for reviews. I would be very leery of doing that and you've confirmed my hesitation.

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    1. Yes, especially when CreateSpace advertises using a couple of well-used and expensive review services. I didn't go for those, but thought $10 was alright. But as I said, never again.

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  10. I've been thinking about this myself, and have collected a couple of links:

    http://selfpublishingteam.com/3-dos-and-3-donts-of-requesting-book-reviews-and-a-ninja-template/

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTm3z_NdALc

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    1. I'll check those out Pauline. Thanks. I seem to do a lot of don'ts, so I'll be sure to study them. :)

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    2. I've checked out the site and youtube video, and thanks so much for providing this info. I was clueless about doing a media kit and knew that's something I needed to look into. This helps so much.

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  11. Sorry, hunny, I've got nothin'. I've had a few reviews from book bloggers, but have never done a book tour - I think my publisher is setting me up for one for my next book though, so yeah, you can guess what my insecurities will be that month.

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    1. I can't really guess because I don't know what they entail. But I can truly imagine!

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  12. Reviews are hard. I have reader reviews but that's about it. I'm trying to write articles for free for magazines and one of the things I want out of it are reviews for my books. This might be an option for you.

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    1. That's a good idea. Let us know how that turns out!

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  13. Unless it's a well-known writer or NYT, I've never really heard of many of the reviewers on a book, so why pay them? There are enough writers out there (and readers) who will gladly do it for free.

    As a matter of fact, I will be doing that with Anticipation of the Penitent. I read your blurb on Google+ and went over to LT and signed up. I'm really looking forward to it. Like I said before, I like speculative Christian.

    And thanks for turning me onto LT! Yet another site that I have to learn to navigate and see what it offers. I requested a few good books. I have a Kindle Fire...but don't know how it all works.

    And about the insecurity...if you feel you've gone through all the proper channels (rough draft, revisions 1,2,3,4,5 and so on, critiquing, beta reading), and you think it still passes muster (and you believe in what you've written), then the good reviews can't help but come.

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    1. Well, I'm very grateful that you've entered to get my book and I look forward to hearing what you have to say. And I'm glad you were able to utilize LT. It is a great site.

      The thing about book blogger sites is that they put your book in the highlight where you may get more sales as well as more people to review it. But, I'll just keep looking for the free serviced, and USE FRIENDS AS WELL! The site Pauline provided is VERY helpful.

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  14. Sorry I don't have advice - I've never self-pubbed anything (or had anything pubbed). I'm still in the wishful-wannabee group. Good luck! :-)

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  15. M.l.is right...lots of us will help prompt and review books for you, just gotta ask!!! I'm here for ya

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    1. I will take you guys up on your offers! Thanks so much. I'll be in touch. :)

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  16. Lots of great advice here, Nancy. I wouldn't pay for a review EVER. Simply reach out and exchange books with other writers. Many who self-pub are in similar situations so find someone who can benefit from a review from you too. Us writers really do support each other in so many ways. :)

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    1. Yes, I'm learning. Like I said to someone else, I paid the "donation" for that book blog before I learned about and joined this community. :)

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  17. Without knowing more about your book, my best suggestion would be to try a book tour. If it were me, I would talk to Kathy from http://www.iamareader.com/ - she has an incredible reach and may be able to provide some valuable service if not insight. I have no idea what her fees are, but it doesn't hurt to try. :)

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    1. Thanks for the lead, Mina. I will check it out.

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