Readers, does it matter whether or not an author pays for a review? I could care less as a reader. Why or Why Not? I already know who gives a real review and who doesn’t, so there are only a handful of reviewers I actually read.

Readers, would you be upset if you found out that one of your favorite authors paid for a review? Still a no. As the previous poster said, 2000 books a month, I think the larger regional and national review organizations like Midwest are headed that way anyway.

If you are an author, have you ever paid for a review? Would you ever consider paying for a review? Under what circumstances?
My book isn’t out yet, but I might consider paying for a review with Publisher’s Weekly or Booklist, just because they have a great impact on library aquisitions and some libraries really buy alot of books. Of course I’d be praying day and night it was favorable. )

As for the comment about the newspaper not doing a review, most fiction authors need to be aware that the majority of newspapers don’t do fiction reviews for unestablished authors. Sending your book to them is probably a waste of resources.

This was a good discussion.

I published my first book last October and mailed out 150 review copies. The books on self-publishing suggested no fewer than 50, no more than 500, so I thought I was making an impressive commitment to publicity. I thought for sure I’d get a few reviews for that investment. I was particularly expecting reviews from two sources: the Midwest Book Review, which reviews most quality titles from small presses like mine (and my book was professionally designed and looks and feels good in the hand); and a newspaper in North Carolina where a friend is the book editor. I didn’t get a review from either (though the MBR did eventually review the audio book version), and it really threw me. It’s possible that my press release wasn’t interesting enough. My review kit was certainly minimal. But what I’ve been hearing from fellow authors and publishers is that it’s really more about the state of book reviewing in general right now. Roughly 175,000 books are published each year.

I wrote to the editor at the MBR to ask why I hadn’t received a review. His reply: “This is no reflection on the quality of your work because it made a quite favorable impression on me. Simply the unfortunate consequence of having only 76 reviewers to cope with the more than 2000 titles a month arriving here for review consideration.”

My friend the book editor told me that her budget had been slashed and she could review books only if they related to current events. (Mine is self-help/psychology.)

All of which is to say, on this topic, that if I had the funds to pay for a paid review, I think I might do it, at least from one of the more prestigious places like Kirkus. Because it would at least give me some idea of how my book comes across to someone in the general public, and it’s so difficult to get reviewed. It would even be okay with me if the review weren’t 100% positive because many readers enjoy controversy and get bored if all the reviews are positive.

If I were going to pay for a review, I would certainly read as many reviews on the site as possible first to make sure they’re thoughtful and well-written.

My two cents. Thanks.

KL–good points and I hear you about paying for a review sounding like gambling esp. since a postive review isn’t guaranteed and why I don’t believe that writing a review should be associated with a price…unless you’re paying someone to distribute your review to more than one outlet. Why–if you like the review and wanted it promoted in more than one venue…then that becomes advertising/promotion.

TL James–Yes authors definitely need to know the target audience/group before sending books to them for review, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. Many authors (and readers) tell me that I should read their book. Hmmm…if folks take the time to go to amazon.com and check out the types of books I read then they would know that my book choices/genre are very limited…my time is valuable so I don’t waste it reading stuff that I know doesn’t interest me…and I try not to put my reviewers through that exercise either. Not every book is for every reader…but there is a book out there for each of us.

Martin–Congrats and much success with your new venture! Let me know if you need help.

However i think if you partnered with a prominent organization like a frat or sorority and you paid for their endorsement of your book then…. HEHEHE sorry Yas i know i just opened up another can of worms LOL

Readers, does it matter whether or not an author pays for a review? Why or Why Not? – As a reader, I look for special reviews by certain book clubs, (such as APOOO and RawSitaz, etc.) to help me form my opinion about the book.

Readers, would you be upset if you found out that one of your favorite authors paid for a review? – I would not be upset, but it would sway me to look for other reviews before purchasing a book.

If you are an author, have you ever paid for a review? – I never personally paid for a review BUT my publisher did. (I won’t get into detail about that.)

Would you ever consider paying for a review? – NO! The investment of giving a free book is enough. However, like it was mention in the blog, I would and have paid for advertising and promotional services.

Under what circumstances? – I won’t. What I realized about reviews are they are opinions. In most cases they are very important because it may be components or questions in a story/book/novel that needs to be fixed or answered. I have also learned that you have to know your genre and send your book to reviewers in your genre. (I will get into details about this one.) I sent my book to a Christian Fiction Review and got a zero and a invitation to get on a phone prayer list. LOL! Reviews are not just for kuddos, they are sometimes lessons that need to be learned. Some of the best lessons are free.

-TL James
Author of The MPire Trilogy and Chronicle Series
http://www.mpireonline.com

If you are an author, have you ever paid for a review? Would you ever consider paying for a review? Under what circumstances?
It just rubs me the wrong way, plain and simple. One sites want’s $300 for a review and then says that the review isn’t promissed to be favorable. WTF? If I’m going to give you my car note you damn well better say something nice!… see that’s why I can’t do it. I can see myself going ape over a 300 dollar bad review…

I believe that organizations have to try to do what they must to offset their expenses. If charging is what they must do then so be it. Now with that said, the author or publisher has the same right to say I am not paying… I have never begrudged someones right to make a dollar, that is motivation for many. I simply am not going to pay you on top of sending you a book. To me its double dipping because you can sell the book on top of getting payment for the review ( that may be negative so there was nothing gained on my part). The book may only be 10-20 dollars but add that up knowing you’ll have that steady flow of income coming in no matter what you charge or write and you doing pretty good.

Readers, does it matter whether or not an author pays for a review? Why or Why Not?

I don’t feel it should matter. If your have a author you like and are familiar with their work that should be enough. If its a new author then you look the book over glean through and take a chance.. Reviewers are like movie critics in my eyes, many are impartial, fair, and some have their favorites. However, in the end I still need to see the film or read the book for myself and if I take a loss then so be it. That actor/author may not get my money on their next film/book.

Readers, would you be upset if you found out that one of your favorite authors paid for a review?

I wouldn’t be upset with a author paying for a review. Unfortunately we live in a capitalistic society and cost are going to be added to any means of making money. If a author feels that is what must be done then God Bless them.

If you are an author, have you ever paid for a review? Would you ever consider paying for a review? Under what circumstances?

I am a author and I haven’t paid for a review yet, simply because I don’t feel the need too. Also I can’t afford to lay out that expense. I am a self published author, who has created his own publishing company to be able to market my own work and hopefully in the future other author’s work. With having a poet book at the moment most reviewers don’t take the genere for review and there are so many that are for free, I am not paying to have your name on the review because that is what everyone says you need to have. I send out the free books and hope for the best and enjoy what’s written good bad or indifferent. I understand the game, I am just not sure how much of if I want to play. I think its funny that many will say just because you paid us, your not guaranteed a postive review why would you pay knowing you still might catch the punch in the face. That sounds more like gambling than business. “Push your chips forward and hope you have the best hand.” Not me!

I pray I haven’t offended anyone these are just my thoughts and opinions. I may be naive to much of this writing game but my thoughts come from my heart. Continued Blessings to everyone..