Book Bloggers

Ever wondered about the process? Ever wondered the best way to approach book bloggers? Ever stopped to think these people are human, too?

After seeing this account of what not to do when contacting a reviewer at Feathered Quill Reviews, I asked a couple book bloggers about review books and etiquette.

First, Michelle at the Red Headed Bookchild tells us how she solicits books and provides some great tips for other reviewers:

I started my blog with a lot of previous connections to the publishing world because of my job as bookstore manager. So I was able to request books to review without a lot of the normal channels. I was also sent stuff in advanced due to my strong relationships.
BUT through the months I have discovered other outlets and there have been only a few that I have solicited myself due to extreme interest in the title.


For publishers, I keep it simple and sweet. I introduce myself, briefly mention my interest in title or genre, and readership (followers and other places I post). I thank them for their time and that's it.


For authors, I tend to gush a bit more and explain my love for their books. This has only resulted in one author setting me up with her publicist. I don't ask to review when I contact authors atleast I haven't yet. I come at them as fans and if they want to promote themselves further and send me along, then great!


I like working with both. With my previous connections, Book Blogs.ning and going to BEA, my need to request is...well, not there. I get approached plenty with wonderful books to review and I feel fortunate now that I can pick and choose.


Always be kind, to the point and thank them for their time. Don't tell them your whole life story and don't ask for too much.

Debbie at Debbie’s World of Books has tips for authors and publishers who are seeking reviews from book bloggers:

Sure, I have a few pet peeves when it comes to requests.
1. Address me by name when you send a request (and the correct name!). You would be surprised even with my blog containing my name in the title people still get it wrong.
2. Include a synopsis. It bugs me when all they include is a title and I have to go hunt down the book description to see if I'm interested especially if it's a smaller title and hard to find the synopsis.
3. If they want a book reviewed by a certain date please include that. Often I have my reviews scheduled out months in advance so don't expect me to read a book and have the review up the next week.
4. Research a blog for their review policy. If your book doesn't fall into the genres stated in the review policy then please don't send a review request.


As for dealing with authors or publishers I would have to say I would prefer dealing with the publisher and publicist. This is something new. I used to love dealing with authors until I had some attack me for not liking their books. I try to be constructive in my review if there were parts that bothered me and wasn't trying to be mean. So now I prefer to work with the middle man so to speak.

Thank you, ladies! Both Michelle and Debbie are really nice people and maintain great blog sites, so please take a moment to visit them.

Publishing Law

Publishing law isn’t just for publishers - writers and authors need to understand the law, too.

Can I use a real person in my novel if I change the name?


What rights will I give up when I sign a book contract?


If I quote someone, do I need to obtain permission?


Can I publish a book of recipes I found on the web?

Legal questions arise during all phases of the writing process. Before pouring your heart into that next book, make sure you are within the law. If you are signing ANY book contract, you MUST check with a publishing law lawyer first.

An excellent resource for writers is Attorney at Law, Ivan Hoffman, B.A., J.D. He specializes in everything from entertainment and writing to web design and sports law.

Best of all, Ivan’s site is loaded with hundreds of free articles: writing and publishing; trademarks and domain names; music and songwriting; etc. If you have any legal questions in the area of entertainment, I suggest you visit Ivan’s site first.

Another great site for publishing law is The Publishing Law Center. It also features articles and resources.

So writers beware - get informed or get sued/taken!

Marketing Tip - Library Love!

Today’s outstanding marketing tip comes from Stephen Tremp Breakthrough Blogs

There’s a new movement starting where bloggers are helping bloggers promote their books through public libraries. This is what you can do to help, and benefit from, in just 5 – 10 minutes a week. Look up two libraries in major cities on the Internet and email them requesting to carry five books.

Here’s the deal:

* 50 weeks a year
* 50 states
* 1 state per week
* 2 libraries per week

This is so easy. Example: go to Google, type in Los Angeles libraries, then selected the first link LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY. Bring up the page and look at the side links to request books. Look for the link that makes sense as every site will be different. For this site select ASK A LIBRARIAN then scroll down and selected SUGGEST A PURCHASE. Then copy and paste the pertinent information (see below). In and out in less than three minutes.

Try the same for San Diego. Total time: just over five minutes. Done! Repeat process next week, maybe mix it up a bit and try different blogging buddy authors. Try Florida next. Miami and Orlando. What’s really cool is many metropolitan areas have a central library and this usually pops up first in a search. You can input author and book information into the online request form and they will decide if any locations get a copy. Yes, this is a centralized process.

If I promote your book and others in this manner, and one third of the libraries say yes, that’s 33 copies. If 10 people do this for you (and themselves), that’s 330 copies in the public's eyes in one year. That's a lot of exposure! Of course, you can promote more than two libraries a week if you feel so inspired. I know I will.

Following is an example of how you can save author and book information to a Word.doc, then copy and paste the information to library Web sites:

CassaStar
Author: Alex Cavanaugh
ISBN-13: 9780981621067
Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press
Publish Date: October 2010
Review: “…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

Delicious and Suspicious
Author: Elizabeth Craig Spann
ISBN-13: 978-0425235539
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: July 6, 2010
View reviews at Amazon

Desert Hedge Murders
Author: Patricia Stoltey
ISBN: ISBN-13: 9781594147852
Publisher: Gale Group
Publish Date: September 2009
View reviews at Amazon

Beware the Devil’s Hug
Author: Marvin Wilson
ISBN-13: 978-0984615490
Publisher: All Things That Matter Press
Publish Date: September 1, 2010
View reviews at The Old Silly Blog

Breakthrough: The Adventures of Chase Manhattan
Author: Stephen Tremp
ISBN: 9780595474004
Publisher: iUniverse
Publish Date: December 31, 2008
View reviews at Breakthrough Blogs

Many library sites will have a box asking for reviews for each book, so you might want to take a few moments to go to an author’s Web site and copy a review or a link to Amazon reviews. Feel free to copy and use this info. Again, you can use other author info from week to week.

Finally, feel free to copy and paste everything and post on your blog for others to read and help spread the good word. Remember, it’s not important who sings the song, as long as the song gets sung.

Thank you, Stephen!


Just a quick add - you may discover some of these libraries require your library card number. Which means you can’t request a book if you don’t have a card.


However, you CAN still do something! Request the book at YOUR local library. (You do have a card, don’t you?) If it’s a book you’ve enjoyed or an author you like, get a family member or friend to request it in HIS or HER local library, too. All of this can be done online or you can make a phone call - your choice!


And here’s why publishers and authors LOVE IT when libraries order books - they aren’t returned!! One out of three books ordered by a bookstore is returned. But if a library orders a book, it’s not coming back!


So select a book from the list above or choose another - but contact YOUR local library today!

It's a Blogsplash!

Help Talli Roland's debut novel THE HATING GAME hit the Kindle bestseller list at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk by spreading the word today. Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon helps push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers.

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

No Kindle? Download a free app at Amazon for Mac, iPhone, PC, Android and more.

Coming soon in paperback. Keep up with the latest at Talli Roland

About THE HATING GAME:

When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy. After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £2000,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?

If you do buy The Hating Game and you like it, a review on Amazon would be greatly appreciated! If you don't have an Amazon account, you can also post reviews on Goodreads. Thank you!

If you are on Amazon and in a clicking sort of mood, it would be fantastic if you could click on a few tags ('Tags Customers Associate with this Product' - located underneath the Product Description). Cheers!

Visit Talli at her blog, too!