Authors...Get off the Pedestal! Your Expectations Are too High
Monday, March 15, 2010 Unfortunately, I don't have time to read all your guidelines, they cover two pages. And since you offer a paid review service as well, I wouldn't be interested. People might think I'd paid for the review, and therefore attach no credibility to it whatever. Have a nice day.
This is an email I received last week from an author that sent one of those cold-call emails requesting a review. I wrote the author telling her, that like other reviewers, we have guidelines and that she would have a better chance of getting a review if she followed them. We get inundated with emails asking for reviews; to a point where we just hit the delete button without even reading it. I'm in contact with other reviewers and they do exactly the same thing. The majority of us (including bloggers) have guidelines on how to request a review.
You know what gets me? This author expected us to read her book (probably about 250 pages) but doesn't consider a two-way street. Yes, we expect her to read the 2 pages of guidelines. Not only that, she is expecting us to read her book and give a free review. Whoa doggie...I get offended when someone expects me to take money out of my pocket to pay my reviewers, pay my staff to process the review and post it, and tell the whole world about the wonderful book. But, it's not only authors that ask for freebees. We get requests from publicists and publishers as well. Many of the publicists and publishers are now realizing that we, just like them, do want to get paid for our work and do consider paying us. Yet, there are many, unlike the author that sent the email above, that expect us to provide a free service. I'm just not getting it; no one is offering ideas on how I'm to hire staff that doesn't want to get paid to provide this free service to them. (By the way, those that tout they give free reviews, I can venture to say they sell the books to cover their expenses. Let's face it, when a reviewer receives 2000 copies of books a month, it could bring in a nice little income! That's getting paid in a round-about way. However, we choose not to go that route.)
Way back someone decided that reviews need to be free. I have no idea where and when it started and for some reason that idea has carried on with some. I think it's that some feel that if the review is paid for it holds no credibility. Well, my comment to those that feel that way is to look within themselves and ask why they feel the review will hold no credibility. Usually, when one projects feelings onto others it's because it's an issue within themselves. Furthermore, I know there are reviewers (and I'm talking about mine) that will give an honest and fair assessment of what they read, regardless if they get paid to express the review or not. The stipend they receive is just that, a stipend, and in no way buys a positive review. Yes, they've given 3-stars for Amazon.com when that's what they feel the book deserves. And, yes, they have no problem pointing out major editing issues. That's far beyond credibility, that's honesty.
Okay, one more thing on expectations and then I'll close. We do give limited free reviews and have no problem doing that. However, why is it that so many authors and publishers don't take the time to send a simple thank you for the review? Is it because they are expecting that free review and the expectation has been fulfilled with no consideration for the reviewer? Let's face it, reviewers have a passion for reading and that's why they review. A simple thank you would be in order for the time they took to read the book...and speaking of time, possibly at least 10 hours for reading, maybe more. And, then it took 1/2 hour to write the review, and another one hour for us to process the review.
Humm....I think we all deserve a thank you. Don't you? Tell me what you think.
PS - my beef above isn't will all authors, publicisits, and publishers. There are many that are extremely considerate and we have a great working relationship established. If it's you, you know it.
Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books.
Reader Comments (23)
Irene:
There are lots of generalizations, misconceptions, and prejudices running rampant through the publishing community. Many of those have little foundation, but they are quick to spread and slow to die. A few examples: Indie books are not well edited; If you ever self-publish, it's the end of your writing career; Writers only self-publish out of desperation; etc., etc.
I have lost track of the number of times someone 'in publishing' has told me: 'Never pay for a review. NEVER!' I believe there is the perception of paid reviewing services being 'hired guns' who will guarantee a positive review. In some cases, that may be true. I've read some glowing reviews of books that were so poorly edited as to be embarrassing. However, that has NOT been my experience with ReaderViews. It may be that the authors/publishers/etc. fear that their reputations will be damaged if they pay for any reviewing/promotional services. Well, that's fine, but then they shouldn't even be speaking with you.
I found you through word of mouth. Your service enjoys a fine reputation, particularly within the indie community. Most of understand that it is a SERVICE. That means it's paid for. Duh!
Now, I realize that the most coveted reviews (a la NYT) are not paid for, but they are solicited by the publishers. And those reviewers often won't even discuss a book already in print. The reviewers are paid by the NYT, who makes money by selling their publication. The reviews are only a small piece of their overall picture. Price the ad space in their book section sometime. Ye gods!
It's true that some reviews carry more weight than others, and some potential readers will dismiss reviews from a paid reviewing service out of hand. I know I am suspicious of some paid services, having seen their five-star reviews of dreadful books. But the choices given to indies are limited. With RV, it's not just the reviewer's opinion one pays for. It's the promotion, interview, exposure...that stuff is very worthwhile. I have had nothing but good results from my association with you and RV.
Folks who expect to receive free services need to look around at the pool they're swimming in. We all need exposure, and it's not easy to get. The least we can do is compensate those willing to apply their time and talents to our cause.
Irene,
Thanks for posting this clearly dicey topic. “Free or not for Free, that is the question!” There are many perspectives to consider when pondering this issue. I am an Author, yet I was a business person long before that!
I drew the “free” card when I approached Reader Views 2 years ago. I was very grateful to you and Paige for the feedback that allowed me to fine tune my book even further, taking a “great read” into the classification of “well written great read”. I am pretty sure I thanked both of us profusely!
Honestly, when I approached Reader Views I was a starving artist. I am not sure if I would have been able to scrape up the money for the review at that time. That was the only issue then. I am a pragmatic business person in that I will invest in my projects if that investment is going to move them in the right direction. I can say emphatically that I would be happy to pay for a review of one of my next works because I VALUE you and your teams expertise and ability to offer constructive critique.
As Authors we live a simple truth. Of the tens of thousands of us, there can be only several hundred that are going to make it to the “free” review tables of the likes of the NYT. The rest of us will fight tooth and nail to gain purchase in the vast and politically controlled publishing and distribution channels.
I am going to be a NYT Bestselling Author someday. I have seen it in my minds eye. I am not going to get there thinking that my books are the best novels ever written, hence feeling entitled. I am going to get there by partnering with those that know more about the book industry and what book readers are looking for than I do.
Thank you again Irene and Paige.
Irene,
First, let me say that the title of the article in your blog was great! I had no idea what it was about, but the title pulled me in and I had to read it.
Thanks for your honest commentary. There is always a price attached to value and sometimes people don't consider what goes into the services they receive. So, I truly appreciated your article. We have to keep in mind that we are all in business and that we all deserve to be paid for the work that we do. I wish you all the best!
Thanks for injecting what seems like common sense into this topic. As soon as I read your guidelines, I'll send my latest book!
I understand your frustration. If I had a dollar for every author who complained about our detailed submission guidelines, I could hire staff to read their complaints.
However, the idea that a paid review lacks credibility is much more universal than just "some people." Like many "traditions" of the publishing industry, it's considered gospel that if an author or publisher pays the reviewer, it undermines the belief said reviewer will be unbiased. Since originally most reviews were done in magazines and newspapers, the idea was considered on a par with someone paying to have an article about their business in the business section but having it published as a regular story.
Romantic Times Magazine gives priority to books that are advertised in its pages. Does that differ from a paid review if they don't promise to do the review? Kirkus launched a paid review service nearly a decade ago. The target was self-published books and books from "POD presses." Even though those books were reviewed by the same people in the same way as via the traditional route, no one in the industry accepted them.
The problem I have with paid reviews--and I do understand the reason for them, as you well know--is that, for the reason cited above, they are perpetuating the ghettoization of non-mainstream publishing. None of the major publishers are going to pay for reviews when they can get them in the traditional journals free. Well, free of sorts--anyone who thinks their taking out full-page ads on a regular basis doesn't influence the decision makers should contact me about some gold mine stock I have available for sale.
However, self-publishers and those whose books don't meet the elite criteria dictated by the trade journals--i.e,. that an advance copy be sent 3-6 months in advance of publication, that there be a minimum print runt or whatever else they've established based on the traditional model--will be those most likely to approach the paid review services. As a result, just as "POD press" has become synonymous with "vanity press," paid reviews are now looked on as the last resort of people who can't get "really published."
I agree--as long as editorial integrity is assured it should not matter whether a review was paid for or not. The recent update to the FTC guidelines makes it clear the federal government doesn't see reviews as free if the reviewer hasn't purchased the item reviewed (and didn't that raise hackles all over the internet).
However, as someone who has fought mightily for the last decade to break down the walls separating the new publishing model from the mainstream, I have to be doubly careful about how I obtain reviews for my books. And, given the bias against paid reviews--fair or not--I can't utilize them regardless of the venue or the quality. Nor can I endorse my authors doing so. Like it or not, the stigma exists that paying for a review reflects on one's professional status as a publisher or author, and right now we pioneers have to tread a narrow path to avoid arousing the natives.
So, while I empathize with you about the "I'm too busy to read your guidelines," I can also empathize with the author, who has no doubt been told over and over that paid reviews are tainted. There are attitudes in the publishing world that those who inhabit it cling to as if drowning--witness the huge uproar when Harlequin announced they were adding a subsidy press imprint. We can hope those will change, but it won't be easy and it won't be soon. The pleasure some people derive from thinking they're part of a special population is too rewarding for it to be otherwise.
Irene,
I wonder if the FREE reviews began because they were coming from staff newspaper columnists who received a paycheck for their time? And I do appreciate you! You spend countless weekend hours at conferences and other events, encouraging authors and sharing insight with them.
The note you received was rude and had an air of entitlement that really rubs me the wrong way. If the person had taken the time to do their homework, they would not have wasted their time OR yours.
Elizabeth, you have some valid points. However, the question I put out is: Does the reader know, or even care, how the review was obtained? I doubt it. The stigma is only in the realm of the publishing industry and those in it. I can venture to say that if you go into B&N and poll the buyers in the store 99% of them don't have a clue if the blurb on the back of the book was free or paid for. That's not even on their radar screen.
This brings me to a point of the blurbs you see on fronts of books by well-known people. Those blurbs sell books but does the reader know that, for e.g. Steven Covey, or Anthony Robbins, didn't actually read the book, or even know the author? Does the reader know that the publicist sent a list of suggested blurbs and the celebrity picked one? Does the reader know that some of these well-know people "get paid" to place "their" blurb on the book. I doubt that. We, in the publishing industry know this, but it continues to happen. Why? Because it works, and the reader doesn't know or care.
Well stated, Irene. No author will "catch" all the mistakes in their work...whether grammar, plot or character inconsistencies, or heavy editing to make the work flow better. I've asked family and friends to read my draft novels and been sorely disappointed in the outcome insofar as suggestions toward improvement. One editor did a superb job in helping improve the novel; the next editor did a less professional job. However, by using your Reader View service I was able to take the suggestions by the reviewer and vastly improve my work...that's what this is all about anyway - taking the suggestions and recommendations, discarding what doesn't work and using what is applicable to improve the novel.
Authors pay for this service one-way or another; either through agent fees, percentage of earnings to the publisher for editor services, or poor sales.
Love your rant! Give it 5 stars!
When I first sought reviews for my book, Mandy The Alpha Dog, my major concern was how am I going to pay for a review not if I was going to pay. The book, being for children and aimed at the 7-12 crowd, was, for me, a challenge to get it into the right hands for a review. When I say right hands, I mean my target audience.
I had verbal reviews from our neighbors children and from grandparents and parents who bought Mandy The Alpha Dog, all of them being positive so I was not anxious in getting a good review, just needing one that would be put into print.
In today's world everyone is busy, so giving a verbal review is thought as being 'a done deal'. Even friends and relatives who say they love a book and actually mean it and 'promise to give a review' think 'tomorrow I'll do it' but tomorrow never comes.
I shopped around for a service that was not only affordable [love those office cooler sales!] but one that had 'good reviews' in respectability and honesty in the industry on their service. An added delight, I found with Reader Views is that the people behind the scenes are real, approachable, patient, and friendly.
A business is a business but customer service is the foundation. I will send any new printed book titles in my series, The Chronicles of The K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street to Reader Views because they do match your book with your target audience.
The trend of the future is not that a review is tainted but that books sell be they mainstream, self publish, POD, or e-book when the author is involved and know their target audience. Reader Views has that ability to separate the chaff from the wheat.
Irene! you're always on the money. First, Your reviews of my work are from contacts with my publisher (Outskirts Press) - and I look forward to them!
Second, since I'm working on my fourth novel my experience with "free" reviewers who respond to the PR from the publisher has provided me some "patterns of behavior" (sorry, I am a psychologist after all) that I now follow - weeding out the jerks who, as you pointed out, are collecting my books from the folks who actually critically read a work and intelligently report their views - good or bad.
Authors who do not spend the time (boring as it is) to learn the intricacies of marketing, self-promotion and the "inside systems" of this "business" are doomed to be hapless victims. There are those who make things happen (like you), those who watch things happen - and those who wonder what happened! (Old, but eternally true adage . . .)
Thanks for your professional guidance!
Irene, it was RV's offer of 'free reviews' that birthed the business relationship I have enjoyed with your company for the last three years. My publicist turned me on to your newsletter. Not only did I read it in its entirety, but I subscribed and have used many of your paid services since.
I felt that your offer of free reviews was a wonderful door opener to your many services and opportunities. I understood from reading the submissions guidelines that there could be a long wait, since the number of free reviews was very limited. That was part of the reason this small budget author submitted her book for the awards program; a gut feeling AND it would receive a free review. The gut instinct served me well when my book received an award from Readers View and your services have help this POD author promote her book ever since.
Thank you and your entire staff for the light you offer in the dark cold world of book promoting. Your submission guidelines are always clear and concise and the results rewarding.
As far as the response from the other; I beleive that arrogance is a shield used to ward off the pain of imagined rejection.
I don't mind paying a little if I can expect that a review will get done and will be done in a timely way. I can easily exceed the basic fees that most reviewers are charging with my time and money in mailing out copies to reviewers who are only going to review 1 out of 100 books. So yes, I'd rather pay $25 to $100 for a "sure thing" review then send out 20 books and hope that one of them gets a mention by someone somewhere.
My worst FREE review experience was with a service I cannot name for fear of retribution, but it was a large scale operation where I would send in 15 to 30 books to a mailing list of people who had theoretically expressed an interest in the EXACT book. Again, no money was ever exchanged through this author-and-reviewer hookup. However, I found that perhaps 25 to 40% of the books that were ASKED FOR ever got reviewed. Of those that did get reviewed, I would say 75% of the reviews were overwhelmingly negative, many of them simply going out of their way to say that it was not the kind of book they wanted to read. That kind of soured me on the whole free review thing. I think I'm done with those pretty much except for a few bloggers who are reliable.
The following came to me via email. I'm posting it because I feel she has some good points to consider.
I just gave a talk in Santa Fe on free reviews vs pay for a service reviews.
For authors (especially new ones) using a service is a great way to jump-start Google listings and Amazon.com rankings.
You're not paying for a fake review, you're paying for getting to the top of the pile faster, getting an expedited review, and having the review posted to other websites before your book gets too much older.
Sending to Book Editors is like saying "This is perfect for Oprah"--good luck! Arts and Book Pages are diminishing and if you get a review or a feature, you are indeed of the lucky ones.
I've found augmenting my PR services with various pay-for-expedited reviews, entering books in contests, and giving some away for giveaways,are all great ways to take advantage of the opportunities out there.
And, believe it or not, life is so fast paced these days that thinking a hundred book reviewers are out there just waiting to delve into a 250 - 350 page book--is not the reality.
I highly recommend using both "free" and pay-for-service opportunities.
These real people have to spend time organizing books that come in, find reviewers that would like to review your book, then take the time to post your review to their site, and get it posted to other websites. And you get this great online PR.... Or, you can pay $5 - 8,000 to some PR Expert and perhaps receive an interview or two--maybe more , if you're about to become the next James Lee Burke, Davis Sedaris, or Julia Alvarez!
The future or PR marketing? Do everything you can.
A great post, Irene. People forget that writing a review requires hours and hours of work. Not only do the reviewers have to read the book, they have to read it closely, usually taking notes while reading the book, which takes longer than reading a book for pleasure. They then have to take the time to write the review and to revise and polish it as well as submitting it for publication, whether online or in print. It may or may not be an enjoyable task, depending on the book, but in any case, it is time-consuming.
I also completely agree with your later comments that the only ones who feel paid for reviews have stigma are authors and reviewers. As an author, I can't tell you how many people assume I have tons of money coming in from book royalties. The vast majority do not know the difference between a published and self-published book. If asked, they will not know who published the book--they will not even bother to look. All they want is a good story or information that will serve them. What goes on behind the scenes most readers are oblivious to.
Authors are lucky that book reviewers are out there at all. Reviewers make a huge difference for me in deciding what books I will spend my time and money on.
Oops! I know I've thanked some reviewers for an especially enthusiastic review, but do I usually do it? I'm not sure. I didn't think it was necessary. Sorry! I promise to do better in the future.
Hey, Irene, I loved your note. And, I hereby want to say THANK YOU, if I didn't already for a review you did for me in 2008. I hadn't thought of it before, but your post brings it home. Again, thanks for your time and your reviewer's time.
Dodie
Great post! I agree with everything you've said. As a blogger, there's really nothing worse than ungrateful recipients of reviews. We take time out of our personal lives to read the books and write honest reviews. It shouldn't be too much to ask for a simple thank you. I, as do other bloggers, really appreciate grateful authors/publicists/publishers. Their good attitude benefits them as well, because it makes us more likely to review books for them again in the future. Main idea: Be thankful.
I own my opinion just like I own my ability to write, mow a lawn, or paint a house. Those skills are marketable and come at a cost to others. Experienced book reviewers have considerable value to a publisher and author because they have read enough to know what a good book looks like. Giving an honest and useful review is definitely a skill! Yes, everyone has the ability to give their opinion of a book just like most everyone has the ability to write sentences on a piece of paper. But, ask yourself this, would you PAY to read what they wrote? Talented reviewers, like Irene and Juanita, have more than earned the right to charge for their opinions.
Irene,
I agree with your post. I believe that all reviewers deserve to get paid. In fact, many reviewing websites come right out and say that just because you are paying for this review, it doesn't mean you are going to get a good review. The money is to pay our staff for their time. And I have actually seen these reviewing companies write a bad review because they didn't think a particular book was well-written. It's time for authors and publishing houses to respect the reviewers' time and efforts. And a thank you note must always be sent regardless of the positive or negative review. I too am guilty of not always sending a note. Thanks for reminding me about the importance of etiquette.
Great article! I totally agree with you. I started as a reviewer long ago and reviewed for free, though I always thought that it would be fair to get some payment for the load of reviews that I wrote. Surely I got the books for free, and I was happy I got all those books, but writing takes time and it should be valued.
I still review for free but now I am more selective and do not accept books all the year round, especially when I am busy with my own career as a writer and illustrator.
Thanks a lot for sharing this article!
Could I post it on my blog?
Liana
Liana, yes, of course you can re-post the article. I'm honored.
It never ceases to amaze me how freebees are expected throughout the world of books and writers. When I proudly announced to my friends and family that my first book was published, I was astonished by how many expected to get a free copy. Very few offered to buy my book.
And, from the other side of the coin, it seems that some writers think, "Okay, I've written a book, now pay me."
I make it a point to encourage anyone who has an interest in writing to, by all means, write it down for all to see. But I also advise "Don't quit your day job."
No matter where you are in the industry, it's hard to turn a profit, and few seem to understand that time is money. It is unreasonable to expect a reviewer to provide a book review for free.
Hi Irene:
Thanks for that interesting article. I am constantly amazed how some people seem to think they deserve something for nothing.
I have had a wonderful relationship with you and you have always found a reviewer who gave both of my books honest reviews which I truly appreciate. And I was taught to always send a thank you note when someone is kind enough to do something for you.
You know I'll be back with my third book hopefully in a year ot two.