Book Reviews

Write a Professional Review – Don’t Hurt the Author

Book Reviews


When you are writing a book review on Amazon, it is important to remember that the rating has a direct influence on the success of the book.  It will be included in Amazon algorithms and pretty much defines the future success or failure of the author.

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Before Rating or Reviewing a Title:

  • Know what the rules of the game are and what consequences giving a three star rather than a 4-Star review are.
  • In order to review a book, it is necessary to first register
  • Anyone who has spent at least USD 50 on Amazon purchases is eligible to register
  • Once registered in one country, registered users can write reviews in any of Amazon national sites, regardless of location
  • Anything over 20 words qualifies as a review.
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Editorial Reviews
Many authors and book reviewers miss this: An editorial review is placed “over the fold” on the book’s sales page.  Visitors can read it right under your book.  Checking out the regular book reviews they have to scroll down all the way to the end of the page.

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Amazon writes: “The only type of paid review that we support is an editorial review. An editorial review is a more formal evaluation of a book usually written by an editor or expert within a genre, but can also be written by family and friends.”

Here are the official Amazon guidelines regarding reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/community-help/customer-reviews-guidelines
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If you are a member of Goodreads or other reader communities, place your book review there too.
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Helpful or Unhelpful?
Reviews can also be rated as helpful or unhelpful.  Helpful reviews will rise to the top and unhelpful ones will be pushed to the bottom.  This is a powerful tool for your friends or family to choose which of the reviews on your Amazon sales page was helpful – or not 😉

Readers who are not registered as reviewers, still have the possibility to “like” any book from the book’s buy page. “Likes” have only a marginal effect on Amazon’s algorithms.  If you liked the book, the author deserves your click.

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Bad Reviews are Forever …
This is not the place to vent anger mindlessly.
Amazon algorithms give any reviewer the power to support writers.  If you liked an author and wish him to continue writing, support the author by giving a review of 4 stars or more.  Reach out to your author by writing in words what you liked about the book and where you think it would benefit from improvement, yet, do not penalize the author with a 3-Star review.

Reviewing or rating is meant to help fellow readers and participate in the reader community.  Reviewing is an awesome power to use with care. Keep in mind that Amazon’s algorithms are changing often.

The weight of a negative rating might do more damage to the author than intended, so better think twice before giving a low rating.  3-Stars and less are read by Amazon algorithms as “not recommended” and will hurt the author.

Read More: Further proof that Amazon reviews drive book sales:
http://authormarketinginstitute.com/finally-proof-that-amazon-favors-books-with-more-reviews/

 

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Books by Doris-Maria Heilmann:

111 Tips to Create Impressive Videos:
How to Plan, Create, Upload and Market Videos
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYDH41S/

111 Tips To Make Money With Writing
The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
https://books2read.com/u/bWZMjz

111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free:
Detailed Plans and Smart Strategies for Your Book’s Success
https://books2read.com/u/bMre1a

111 Tips to Get Free Book Reviews:
Best Strategies for Getting Lots of Great Reviews
plus 1,200+ reviewer contact links
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5nx5

111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer
How to Create, Where to Upload and How to Market Your Videos
https://books2read.com/u/mVZkjr

Book Marketing on a Shoestring:
How Authors Can Promote their Books Without Spending a Lot of Money 
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5gdp

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Looking for Book Reviewers and Book Bloggers?

Reading

Here is a list of reviewer websites and book blogs, whose contributors post more in-depth reviews of featured books and e-books.  These sites are ranked by Alexa number: the lower the number, the more popular the site.  However, your submission might not necessarily result in a review, favorable or otherwise! 

And if they don’t post their reviews on Amazon (most of them don’t), then copy and paste the review to the editorial reviews on your Amazon sales page for the book.  Make sure to add it also to your own author website. 

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If a book reviewer is totally booked and doesn’t accept new submissions right now, then wait two or three months and try again:

http://blogcritics.org/books/ 12,356: Features book reviews and ebook reviews, separately.

http://www.bookslut.com/ 207,831: A monthly web magazine and daily blog dedicated to reading: news, reviews, and commentary, and unofficially affiliated with NPR. To submit a book: http://www.bookslut.com/contact.php

http://blog.booksontheknob.org/ 246,176: A site featuring and alerting readers to bargain reads, free ebooks, and providing ebook reviews. For review: http://blog.booksontheknob.org/p/about-this-blog-and-contact-info.html

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Welcome.html 368,716: A site that reviews romance novels. http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/reviewsguidelines.html

http://www.bestsellersworld.com/ 946,785: A network of reviewers that provides book reviews and giveaways. http://www.bestsellersworld.com/book_review_submission.htm

http://bookdout.wordpress.com/ 1,429,032: A blog that reviews print books and ebooks with a preference for general fiction, women’s fiction, cozy mystery, psychological thriller, murder mystery, crime, humor, paranormal/urban fantasy, romance.

http://candysraves.com/ 1,649,793: A blog that reviews books and ebooks, with an emphasis on memoirs, women’s fiction, light paranormal, crime novels, time travel novels, horror/suspense/thriller, and selected YA. Reviews are posted on the site, as well as on Goodreads, Smashwords, and Amazon.

http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/ 1,705,165: A blog that reviews all books and ebooks of any genre but erotica. Submissions: http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/p/review-guidelines.html

http://flyingofftheshelves.blogspot.com/ 3,418,571: A blog that reviews books of most genres and offers author interviews. Submission information:
http://flyingofftheshelves.blogspot.com/p/review-policy.html


Find 1,100 more reviewers in 111 Tips to Get Free Book Reviews available worldwide as print and e-book via the universal link:

https://books2read.com/u/mZ5nx5

When purchasing the print version you are eligible for a FREE eBook of the same title – which will save you lots of time when contacting reviewers.

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More Books by Doris-Maria Heilmann:

111 Tips to Create Impressive Videos:
How to Plan, Create, Upload and Market Videos
https://www.books2read.com/u/3GYnpa

111 Tips To Make Money With Writing
The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
https://books2read.com/u/bWZMjz

111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free:
Detailed Plans and Smart Strategies for Your Book’s Success
https://books2read.com/u/bMre1a

111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer
How to Create, Where to Upload and How to Market Your Videos
https://books2read.com/u/mVZkjr

Book Marketing on a Shoestring:
How Authors Can Promote their Books Without Spending a Lot of Money 
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5gdp

 

5-Star BOOK REVIEW: 111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews

Book-Reviews


Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite:

“You’ve published your first book.  Congratulations.  Self-published or traditionally published, the work is not done.  Not yet.  If people don’t know about your book, it’s not going to sell.  Plain and simple.  You could go all out and hire an expensive publicist.  You could pay for all kinds of publicity ads and blog tours.  You could travel the world at your own expense and do signings and readings.  All very expensive options…” Read more:

How About Seeking Book Reviews?
“Paid reviews or free reviews, the result is the same: more publicity.  Quite simply, reviews sell books.  But where do you find these book reviewers?  Is it fair to ask friends and family?  Sure, but will they be unbiased?  Will they even do it?”

“There are thousands of book bloggers and book reviewers out there.  All you need is a comprehensive guide to help you find the reviewers you need.  Doris-Maria Heilmann’s 111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews: Best Strategies for Getting Lots of Great Reviews is the perfect guide to help you find the right reviewers for your book.”

“This guidebook is full of useful tricks of the book industry to help you prepare your book and media package to send out to potential reviewers.  As well as the long list of tips – 111 as the title suggests) –  there are 1,200 potential online review sites to study, links that will give you the information you need to submit your book for reviews.  A must-have guide for all authors.”
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/111-tips-to-get-free-book-reviews

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More Books by Doris-Maria Heilmann:

111 Tips to Create Impressive Videos:
How to Plan, Create, Upload and Market Videos
https://www.books2read.com/u/3GYnpa

111 Tips To Make Money With Writing
The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
https://books2read.com/u/bWZMjz

111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free:
Detailed Plans and Smart Strategies for Your Book’s Success
https://books2read.com/u/bMre1a

111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer:
How to Create, Where to Upload and How to Market Your Videos
https://books2read.com/u/mVZkjr

111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews

111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews
e-Book, covering the best strategies for getting lots of great reviews – including over 1,200 direct links (clickable links to each website!) to reviewers and book bloggers.

Book-Launch

THE most valuable guide to gather book reviews

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Book Bloggers and Reviewer contact addresses can be found at the end of each chapter.  And if you send us an email, using our contact form at 111Publishing.com, you will receive twice a year the latest reviewer contacts.
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Even More Benefits for REVIEWERS:
Send us a link to your review at Amazon or Goodreads of our latest book 111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews  o r  for:  111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free and we will refund you an Amazon gift card for two book purchases.
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Table of Contents

  • WHY ARE REVIEWS SO IMPORTANT
  • HOW TO GET FREE REVIEWS?
  • THE IMPORTANT LAST PAGES
  • WHERE ELSE TO FIND REVIEWERS
  • VIRTUAL BLOG TOURS TO GET REVIEWERS
  • WHAT BOOK REVIEWERS LIKE
  • EXAMPLES OF REVIEWER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • HOW TO CONNECT WITH INFLUENTIAL BOOK BLOGGERS
  • HOW TO PITCH TO BOOK BLOGGERS / REVIEWERS
  • PLANING YOUR PITCH TO BLOGGERS / REVIEWERS
  • PAID BOOK REVIEWS
  • EXAMPLES OF PAID REVIEW SITES
  • NEWSLETTER MAILING PROMOTION SERVICES
  • PAID BOOK REVIEW CONNECTING SERVICES
  • PAID REVIEWS FOR TRADE PUBLISHERS
  • GOODREADS REVIEWS
  • AIM FOR AMAZON TOP REVIEWERS
  • EDITORIAL REVIEWS
  • AMAZON READER REVIEWS
  • UNCOVERING FAKE REVIEWS
  • APPLE iBOOK REVIEWS
  • AUDIO BOOK REVIEWS
  • HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BOOK FOR REVIEWS
  • ADVANCE REVIEW COPIES (ARC)
  • REVIEWS READ BY LIBRARIANS
  • WHY STAMP YOUR BOOK “REVIEW COPY”?
  • IMPORTANCE OF PRESS KITS / MEDIA KITS
  • ENDORSEMENTS FOR YOUR BOOK
  • MEDIA BOOK REVIEWS
  • TIPS ON HOW TO GET MEDIA BOOK REVIEWS
  • READER WEBSITES / FORUMS / COMMUNITIES
  • BOOK GIVEAWAYS at READER COMMUNITIES
  • JOIN GOOGLE+ REVIEWER COMMUNITIES
  • JOIN THESE GROUPS TOO
  • HOW TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS
  • HOW TO DEAL WITH NEGATIVE BOOK REVIEWS
  • WHY READERS – YOU – SHOULD WRITE REVIEWS
  • CAUTION: DON’T LOSE YOUR REVIEWS
  • HOW TO LEVERAGE YOUR BOOK REVIEWS
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Getting your book reviewed is the direct outcome of these three factors combined: Preparation – Presentation – Luck of the Draw.

You can at least totally influence the first two! For the last one, I cross fingers for you!

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Finally Available: The Guide to Find Reviewers

Everything You Need to Know About the Topic “Book Reviews”

Book-Reviews

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M2Y3E5W/

NOW AVAILABLE at Amazon
111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews
More than 1,200 direct links to book reviewers – clickable links to each website! and 111 tips and insider information will provide authors on 240 pages with all aspects of finding, following, and networking with reviewers and influential book bloggers.

Many important steps, such as researching which genre book reviewers prefer and how to connect with them, or how to get media reviews will help you to successfully market your books. How to prepare professional ARC’s (advance review copies) in order to get reviews before your book’s launch, is described in detail.
Practical insider information, such as how to get endorsement for your nonfiction book, how to leverage your reviews, how to deal with negative book reviews, why join many reader communities or how to plan book blog tours – including tips from bestselling authors and publishing industry professionals who explain how to get lots of free book reviews.
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Some of the Many Topics in this Valuable Book:

  • Book Reviewer Links
  • Advance Review Copy
  • How to Find Media Reviewers
  • Book Review Tips for Authors
  • How to Find Book Reviewers
  • Strategies for Getting Lots of Reviews
  • Tips on How to Get Free Book Reviews
  • How to Get Endorsements
  • How to Aim for Amazon Top Reviewers
  • How to Deal With Negative Reviews
  • Difference between Editorial and Book Reviews
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Get it now at the INTRODUCTORY PRICE (until October 31st)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M2Y3E5W/

… and don’t forget to write a review : )

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111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews

COMING SOON:
111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews
e-Book, covering the best strategies for getting lots of great reviews – including over 1,200 direct links (clickable links to each website!) to reviewers and book bloggers.

 

free_bk_rvw_aug30-copy
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Book Bloggers and Reviewer contact addresses can be found at the end of each chapter. And if you send us an email, using our contact form at 111Publishing.com, you will receive twice a year the latest reviewer contacts.
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Even More Benefits for REVIEWERS:
Send us a link to your review at Amazon or Goodreads of this upcoming book 111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews  o r  for the already launched: 111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free and we will refund you an Amazon gift card for two book purchases.
.

Table of Contents

WHY ARE REVIEWS SO IMPORTANT
HOW TO GET FREE REVIEWS?
THE IMPORTANT LAST PAGES
WHERE ELSE TO FIND REVIEWERS
VIRTUAL BLOG TOURS TO GET REVIEWERS
WHAT BOOK REVIEWERS LIKE
EXAMPLES OF REVIEWER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
HOW TO CONNECT WITH INFLUENTIAL BOOK BLOGGERS
HOW TO PITCH TO BOOK BLOGGERS / REVIEWERS
PLANING YOUR PITCH TO BLOGGERS / REVIEWERS
PAID BOOK REVIEWS
EXAMPLES OF PAID REVIEW SITES
NEWSLETTER MAILING PROMOTION SERVICES
PAID BOOK REVIEW CONNECTING SERVICES
PAID REVIEWS FOR TRADE PUBLISHERS
GOODREADS REVIEWS
AIM FOR AMAZON TOP REVIEWERS
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
AMAZON READER REVIEWS
UNCOVERING FAKE REVIEWS
APPLE iBOOK REVIEWS
AUDIO BOOK REVIEWS
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BOOK FOR REVIEWS
ADVANCE REVIEW COPIES (ARC)
REVIEWS READ BY LIBRARIANS
WHY STAMP YOUR BOOK “REVIEW COPY”?
IMPORTANCE OF PRESS KITS / MEDIA KITS
ENDORSEMENTS FOR YOUR BOOK
MEDIA BOOK REVIEWS
TIPS ON HOW TO GET MEDIA BOOK REVIEWS
READER WEBSITES / FORUMS / COMMUNITIES
BOOK GIVEAWAYS at READER COMMUNITIES
JOIN GOOGLE+ REVIEWER COMMUNITIES
JOIN THESE GROUPS TOO
HOW TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS
HOW TO DEAL WITH NEGATIVE BOOK REVIEWS
WHY READERS – YOU – SHOULD WRITE REVIEWS
CAUTION: DON’T LOSE YOUR REVIEWS
HOW TO LEVERAGE YOUR BOOK REVIEWS
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Getting your book reviewed is the direct outcome of these three factors combined:
Preparation – Presentation – Luck of the Draw.

You can at least totally influence the first two! For the last one, I cross fingers for you!

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Tagged: Advance Review Copy, ARC, Book Bloggers, book critiques, book reviewers, editorial reviews, media reviews, Tips to get free reviews

AudioFile: 38,500 Audio-Book Reviews

Audio-Book-Tips

Are you in the planning stage for an audio-book version, or do you have already some produced?  Get tips from AudioFile Magazine, which was founded 23 years ago, since then recommending and reviewing audiobooks, profiling audio-book narrators and authors.

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In an interview they explained ACX rights holders how to cast the best voice for their book, and share how to submit for a review.  Their – up to 50 reviews a week – are published in a print bi-monthly magazine, weekly e-newsletters, on the AudioFileMagazine.com website, at AudiobookREX.com, and featured by content partners who sell audiobooks.  Listeners, library purchasers, authors, narrators, and publishers are their readers.  AudioFile’s editors and reviewers even create podcasts about top recommended titles using sound clips from the audiobooks.  SoundReviews let you hear why these audio-books are worth your listening time!  Subscribe directly in iTunes, or follow them on SoundCloud.

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Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine:
“We receive review copies from all major publishers and in increasing numbers directly from authors, rights holders, and narrators. Our AudioFile reviewers –about 120 individuals from all over the country with a few scattered around the world—help us create 40-50 professional reviews each week.”
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He Explains the Professional Review Process:
“A professional or editorial review is often different from a user-review.  Editorial reviewers step back and consider each audiobook from a wider perspective.  They use their audiobook listening experience to evaluate and assess the quality of the narration, the overall performance, and the alignment with the author’s intent.  A professional’s critique is considered alongside the many other audio-books they’ve experienced. AudioFile reviews very specifically focus on elements of the performance, and what sort of listening experience to expect.”

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Tips to get Your Audio-Book Accepted for Review:

  • Listen for more than “a great voice.”
  • Choose a narrator whose vocal style and tone is aligned with your written style and tone.
  • Make sure the narrator emotionally connects to your intent.
  • Think about how much “performance” you want from your characters.
  • Consider whether big accents will define your characters or distract from them.
  • The choice of the right narrator is essential.
  • Sound quality is also something noticed by all listeners.

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Audiobook Review Submissions:
“AudioFile strives to find the best audio-books to recommend to our subscribers and visitors. If you follow our advice above and end up with a great audiobook, we’d love to hear it! Please send it in for review.”
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Send audio-books for review to:
Editor …. at AudioFile
37 Silver St
Portland, Maine 04101

For the current list with names of the editors check their web page.  For digital audiobook submissions: Please email editor@audiofilemagazine.com with a download link (Dropbox, Hightail, etc.) or a link to your title on Audible.com.  Please include the high-res audio-book cover art (300 dpi), ISBN, and distribution information.
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Short Excerpt from our upcoming book:  

111 Tips to Get FREE Book Reviews: Best Strategies for Getting Lots of Great Reviews.

 

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Book Lovers Can Be Found Here:

Reader-Groups

You might have already posted your book’s cover on Pinterest, Google+, Flickr, Snapchat, Facebook or Instagram, and other image-based social media sites with some success.  Sometimes readers are even able to order your book right away from these sites, such as from Pinterest.

But you can do more: most reader / writer book communities and forums are also places to show your books cover, and meet future readers, and find even reviewers for your books.  Always read carefully the guidelines on forums you want to join, and their policies.  Some are very generous, such as many Google+ communities, others are stricter, and you can only show a stamp-size picture of your book.
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Popular Meeting Places for Bibliophiles:

http://www.librarything.com/

http://www.BookLikes.com

http://www.kindlemojo.com

http://www.Wattpad.com

http://blog.booksontheknob.org/

http://www.goodreads.com/

http://www.booktalk.org/

http://www.booktalk.com/authors/

http://bit.ly/1e1pCCN

http://bit.ly/1a827Xv

http://bit.ly/13NFyBT

http://bit.ly/HwcJpA

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS

http://bit.ly/1dy6IU9

http://bit.ly/1dy6IU9

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More book forums and reader communities can be found under 99 Top Forums.
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After you joined a group, contribute and be an active part of conversations.  Don’t sign in and start immediately talking about your own book.  Other members will find out about it from your profile.  To be more engaged in discussions is the key for success on these places.  There are many ways to provide writing advice and book recommendations.  Offer to become a beta reader for others writers.  Ask members for their favoured books.  Your suggestion to read your book will be welcomed more once book lovers get to know you – especially when you announce your giveaway to the group.  Do write lots of book reviews for other writers – it will make you and your books popular!
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Find Not Only Readers, but also Reviewers:
Goodreads comes to mind, where are ten-thousands of groups await readers and writers, and also reviewers.

Google+ has a dozen or more book lovers / reviewer communities.  They built a large community of users online, sorted by interests – for example these communities of reviewers and authors:
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Book promo-review group
“Writers/readers/bloggers group. Join if you love to read, write, review and promote books. There are for example two sections: ‘Books Need Reviews’ and ‘Readers Offering Reviews’.”

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MODERN GOOD READS Free Ebooks 4 Review
“FREE ebooks available to all, but please leave an honest review.”
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Indie Author Book Reviews
“The Place to promote and be promoted. Modelled on the Indie Author Review Initiative on Goodreads, this is the place to write and get reviews for your Indie published books.”
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Book Reviewers.
“For readers, writers, and reviewers. This is a place to introduce your books, share your reviews, post giveaways, author interviews, or just simply be creative.”

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Join at least a handful of online communities or forums to find beta readers, mentors, book buyers and writing buddies.  Contribute through comments, messages, friending, and active participation in forum discussions.  Spread the good Karma!

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Excuses: Myth & Truth About Book Reviews

Book-Reviews


After writing reviews for many years, I am often encouraging others to do the same once they finish a book.  Giving a honest opinion of the title they just read is also a thank-you to the author.  And as often I hear quite an interesting array of excuses:

“I never wrote a review before”.
Sure, there is always a first time.  But it is easy: just read lots of reader reviews for other books to learn from excellent written ones and also to learn which platitudes to avoid – such as: “I could not put it down” or “it kept me up all night”.  Sign up at Amazon, look for: “Write a Customer Review” on the book’s sales page (scroll down, past the existing reviews).
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„It will not be interesting for others.“
What you think about the work is certainly interesting for readers and potential book buyers. Even if you are not interested in reading reviews: many others do! Book reviews are a form of social proof…  When a reader is deciding whether or not to buy a book, one of the things they look at are the reviews.  Missing reviews might drive potential readers to move onto other books.  It’s obvious how important reviews are.  And even those who are not reading reviews will glance at the number of stars that are given to the book.
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“I can’t write as good as those book bloggers.
Book bloggers are often working with publishers and receive free books from them or from authors.  Their reviews need to be elaborate and in a professional style.  Amazon requires only twenty words to consider your review. t’s certainly advisable to spend a bit more thought into a book review.  In one of our blog articles we gave plenty of tips how to write book reviews.

A review gives the reader a short and concise summary of the content. This includes a relevant description of the topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose.  And most important: Your task is not to champion or chastise the author – it is to evaluate the merits of the work – and if the author accomplished it.

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“The author doesn’t care about reviews”
Everyone who published a book will read reviews of their books!  And might even learn from critique.  And they certainly appreciate if readers post their review on several platforms, such as Goodreads, iBooks, or in several Amazon “countries”.  It doesn’t take much more time to place a book review in ten countries than it does take for one country. How to post a review on all Amazon sales pages can be found on our blog under the title: “Amazon Book Reviews Worldwide?”
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“It doesn’t help the author”
It sure does!  Authors get a lot of positive motivation from reviews, and even negative critiques help them for future projects.  It also shows the author which stories and protagonists are popular with readers – and why.  Reviews might even encourage writers to start and finish the next book faster.  Knowing that their readers care is very encouraging!
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“My Review is considered Not helpful”
There are dozens of reasons why people click on “Not helpful” when reading reviews on Amazon.  Mostly because they do not agree, or because they want to push their own, or the more elaborate – or the positive reviews to the top.  Just don’t care about other opinions, important is your own!  After all, a review makes an argument.

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The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a content summary.  It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences.  You can offer agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in not reaching its merit.  Short excerpt from the upcoming book: 111 Tips on How to Get Free Reviews.

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Important Tips on How to Write Book Reviews

Book-Reviews

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Reviewing can be a daunting task.  Someone has asked for your opinion but you may not feel qualified to evaluate this book.  Who are you to criticize a book if you have never written a novel or a nonfiction book yourself, much less won a literature prize?  You might have questions, such as:

  • What should the review contain?
  • Can I really voice my opinion?
  • What are the do’s and don’ts of reviews?

Above all, a review makes an argument.  The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a content summary.  It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences. You can offer agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in not reaching its merit.
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Review Writing Techniques
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While Reading:
Take notes while reading the book, including the page number of interesting content, to make the review writing easier and to remember important points.  Record impressions.
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Opening
Try to capture the reader’s attention with an interesting opening sentence.  The introduction should state your central thesis, and set the tone of the review.  Outline the title of the book, the genre, the author and maybe if it is a newly launched book. What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it?
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Content
Describe the content or theme, what goes on in the story, introduce some of the main characters and elements. From what point of view is the work written? What is the author’s style?  Is it formal or informal?  Does it suit the intended audience?  Write it a briefly, general story line, as not to spoil the reader’s experience.  This rule must always be followed: never give away the ending.
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Plot
Here you should write down how good the plot was. Was the plot fast paced or subdued’, was the plot a good length, or was it all over too quick, was easy or difficult to follow. This part of your review is really important, as the plot is what drives a story in a fiction book.
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Characters
How does the author portray his characters? How do they develop? Are the characters in the book interesting or not, did they fit with the plot? Or has the author a very distinct writing style? Use quotations to illustrate important points or peculiarities.
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Non-fiction Books
What sources did the author use – primary or secondary?  How does he make use of them?  What has the book accomplished? Is further work needed?  Compare the book to others by this author or by other writers.
Typically, reviews are brief.  In newspapers and academic journals for example, they rarely exceed 1000 words, although you may encounter lengthier assignments and extended commentaries.  In either case, reviews need to be succinct. While they vary in tone, subject, and style, they share some common features:

A review gives the reader a short and concise summary of the content.  This includes a relevant description of the topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose.
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However, more importantly, a review offers a critical assessment of the content.  This involves your reactions to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy, whether or not it was effective or persuasive, and how it enhanced your understanding of the issues at hand.
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Finally, in addition to analyzing the work, a review often suggests whether or not the audience might appreciate it.  It can include a final assessment or simply restate a thesis.  Reviews should be about the book.  If you think a book is a masterpiece, tell people why.  If it had potential but fell short, share your perspective.
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Introduce the book title and its author and why you wanted to read it.  Tell readers what the book is about in two or three sentences.  Name the main characters and basic plot, but don’t give away any secrets or the ending.  Share some of your favorite parts or quotes from the book.  What did you think of the main character?  Did this book remind you of any other books you’ve read?
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Before you Publish Your Book Review:
Edit, spell-check, correct grammar, refine.  Allow some time to elapse before going over your review.  Carefully read through the text, looking for clarity and coherence.
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Reviews Don’ts:
Unfortunately there are these “collectors” of free books on Amazon, who click on every book that doesn’t cost anything on a particular day, no matter if it interests them or not.  Later they might read it – and often slash it in a very unprofessional manner.

Even when it is most difficult, a review is not an emotional response to a book, and should not be used as an opportunity to criticize an author’s personality.  A book review should never be used as a “bully pulpit” for the reviewer to preach to others about his or her own beliefs.

A review is not a synopsis of the books content.  A review should tell readers what the reviewer thought of the book from multiple perspectives, not to repeat the book blurb.

Try to avoid platitudes, such as “I could not put it down”, “a page turner” or “it kept me up all night”

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Reviewers Role
It doesn’t really interest others if you liked the book or not!  Be impartial.  If you are reviewing a book by a favorite author of yours, approach it skeptically.  If you disagree with an author’s philosophy or politics, keep an open mind.  

***Your task is not to champion or chastise the author – it is to evaluate the merits of the work – and if the author accomplished it.***

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Tips from the The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC:  A great place to learn about book reviews is to look at examples.  The New York Times Sunday Book Review  and The New York Review of Books  can show you how professional writers review books.  Nobody expects you to be the intellectual equal of the work’s creator, yet, careful observations can provide you with the raw material to make reasoned opinions.
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Tactfully voicing agreement and disagreement, praise and criticism, is a valuable, challenging skill, and like many forms of writing, reviews require you to provide concrete evidence for your assertion.

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