I’ve been blogging for over three years now. Which may seem like a long time to some, and probably not that long to others. Either way, I spend a lot of my day on my blog, or just online in general. I’ve learned a lot in the past three years about blogging, promoting my blog, and the type of blogger I want to be (or have become).
There is a lot we can discuss about the blogging world. Each week seems to bring about new drama, or new rules we should be following. I don’t want these posts to be about how you must run your blog, rather a discussion about all the different ways bloggers choose to present themselves. I often get emails from new bloggers asking about blogging etiquette, or how to proceed with certain blogging issues. And while I’m happy to give my opinion and help answer any questions new bloggers have (because I was very forunate to have people help me when I started…and still help me today) there are many avenues bloggers can take. I found it interesting recently reading a set of posts (here and here) about whether bloggers want authors to comment on their reviews. While I prefer an author to not comment, not even with a thank you (I feel it halts discussion of the book) the majority of bloggers like it when authors respond, which really surprised me and got me thinking of doing posts like this. I think I will do a post like this every week or two and see where they go.
Today I want to talk about Blogging And Twitter.
I really think my presence on Twitter has made a huge impact on the growth of Smexy Books. I very much encourage new bloggers or bloggers who have not utilized Twitter to start. Twitter is such an odd little creature. There is always a conversation going on, and becoming part of that conversation can feel overwhelming starting out. So here is what works for me in the crazy Twitter-sphere of fun.
– You must have personality. Be silly if you are a silly person. Or be serious and dramatic. But be yourself. Put an effort out there to engage people in conversation. Don’t force yourself to be polite in every tweet if that is not your personality. Don’t try to be funny in every tweet. Just be you. Don’t be overly sweet or overly dramatic. Just go with the flow. If you tweet, they will come. Sometimes you might feel like you are tweeting into a black hole, but just keep going. And barge in on others conversations. Don’t feel like you are intruding. If you can see a tweet, it is open for comment.
– Don’t talk about your blog in every tweet. Just like I don’t like following authors who ONLY talk about promo for their books, people don’t want to follow you if you only talk about your blog, or only tweet your post links. At the same time, don’t spend 100% of your tweets talking about your beloved pet.
– You have to know WHY people are following you. I think people follow Smexy Books because I tweet a lot of book news, but I also tweet crazy quotes as I read, and I talk about the fictional men I like. I love discussing the book I’m currently reading. If all I did was talk about peens (I do hold back *ahem*) This might horrify some of you. You need to discover who your audience is and what they want to read/hear. Be yourself but remember who is reading your tweets..
– Don’t @ the author when you post a review. (For those not familiar with Twitter, when I say “@” I mean, directly tweet a person) Now don’t start yelling at me. Remember, these are rules that I follow. Please feel free to disagree with me in the comments. I strongly believe reviews are for the readers, not for the authors. If I read a book and love it, when I’m done I usually publicly tweet the author that I loved it, so others will see it as a recommendation. I tweet authors every day, and love to discuss their books with them. But when it comes time that the review posts, I don’t @ the author. The review is for my readers to read and decide their opinion. Not the author. This goes along with the mindset that I don’t like author comments on reviews, so why would I @ them when the review posts. Also if it is a negative review, why, why, why would you ever @ them. I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on this.
– Don’t post a positive review of a book just because you are twitter friends with an author. As a blogger on Twitter, it’s fun to follow authors and chat with them. Authors are my favorite people in this world. They write the books that are my absolute passion to read. When I get the opportunity to chat with one of my favorite authors on Twitter, it makes me happy. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to love their next book. Chatting with authors, whether big authors or small authors opens up the door to review more books. Review requests come in because relationships of sorts develop on Twitter. Again, that doesn’t mean you are going to like their book. I think you must take a step back when reviewing a book of an author who you are cozy with on Twitter. Remember that your readers depend on what you write in your reviews, not who you are online friends with.
I’m on Twitter because I love it and it is fun. But I also don’t lose perspective. I keep track of what I’m talking about. If I spend all morning talking about Magic Mike, then I try to keep it to book news the next time I’m on. You have to be conscious of that. If you are going to tweet under your blog’s name, remember you are representing your blog. You can always open a personal account if you want to go a different direction with your tweets .Your blog is your brand, and you should keep that in mind when tweeting. Have fun, promote yourself, but keep a good balance between the two.
Thoughts? What rules do you follow?
enjoyed your twit blog i dont tweet. but, i agree with a lot you said. if you dont like it you should be honest and say so, not say you do. i didnt like the hero in this 1 book, and i said to the author i wanted to hit him over the head with something he was so sorry for his self, and she said thank you thats how i felt about him to, then she said did you finish the book, i said yes because i wanted to see what happened. job done she said that whats she wants honesty. keep up the good work i enjoy your stuff. love reading lots of books by all different authors
The only time I @ an author is when we are doing a guest post, or some kind of other NON-REVIEW promotion. It’s a quick and easy way to notify them, and let them notify their readers, if they want.
I’ll also occasionally @ the author if they asked to be notified of the review when it posted. I know it’s lazy, but it’s usually a direct tweet to them, instead of a general announcement style thing.
I love Twitter. I have to agree with you though, some people really need to learn how to tweet about something else. I have people I really want to unfollow, because all they ever talk about it how awesome everyone thinks their book is. I want more!
I’ve had a blog for 5 years, but it’s more general interest (or more honestly, me whining about my life) and not a book review blog, nor have I ever monetized it or put ads on it. It’s my own private little bitchfest area where I talk about what I’m thinking about. I started doing some reviews on books I like, so I do include an @author on twitter because it may be an older book, and if I’m recommending it, of course I like it so I don’t have bad reviews. I’ve already bought the book and basically I’m telling my friends to think about reading it. Different circumstances altogether. I also just started tweeting again after about 3 years of having my account closed to new followers without permission. I guess it all depends on what you want to do with your blog. I don’t want to write a book, but I do like to write, so I blog instead.
That’s the best thing about blogging..you can build it to be….yours. And what makes up happy :)
Well, when I was decorating my house, it was about decorating. But the prevailing subject is probably the dumbassery of my teenaged sons. Right now I happen to be into reading a lot. And I love all the book blogs, and admire you too. There’s no way I could ever read a bunch of books I didn’t really want to read. I’m pretty set in my ways as to what I like, but I’ve found great things I never would’ve known about without reviews. Cha-ching.
We’re still pretty new to Twitter so this really helps. I’m guilty of @ an author. She was actually happy about it but I can see why it’s not the best idea.
I’m curious to know if I am in the minority with that view point. Maybe I am….
I agree, don’t @ the author. Authors who want to know who is tweeting about them will set up a search. Others who do not, can ignore if that’s their choice. No need to poke’em. :)
I only @ if it’s a good review and only if they were waiting for one…never ever for a bad one lol
I agree with the last one. I definitely don’t post a positive review just because the author sent me the book or we’re friends. Of course, I could get a little biased but I always make sure I put the constructive criticism up front, then the positive review. So it’s not all clouds and unicorns :)
As for @ mentioning the author, I just like to do it. They don’t have to read it if they don’t want to. I think if they are the big authors, they probably don’t read it. But I know the indie authors appreciate it.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Great post and I agree with everything you said. I don’t @ reply authors AT ALL when my review posts. If it’s a requested review, I’ll email the link (if the review is positive). Sometimes, if I remember, I’ll @ reply the publisher but it doesn’t happen often.
I think twitter is a great way to promote your blog and to engage. I hate people who only promo, promo, promo on twitter. I don’t want to see my timeline filled with an author’s release dates or a blogger’s review links. That will get you unfollowed with the quickness. I try to tweet my posts on a schedule, so that I’m not bombarding people. Most of my traffic comes from twitter so I try to be diligent about tweeting review links without spamming people.
I don’t think authors should EVER comment on a review. Nothing good can ever come from it. On the flip side, when an author does comment on my review, I do get a little fan-girlish and squee for 5 seconds and move on. I think it does stunt comments and discussion especially if the review isn’t particularly positive.
I’m always me on Twitter. I can’t be anyone else.
Great post :=)
I am sure I’d have more to say if I was not heading to bed ;) But yes in the end, no one can say what another blogger should do. Just be yourself like you say :)
I love twitter and I have found so many good books through it . I have even made some wonderful friends through it. Twitter is my place to hang, chat, meet new people, and find new books.
Oh for sure. Twitter has made me buy and love so many books!!!! It really is an excellent place for all of that.
I think people should just tweet and @-mention whoever they want whenever they want and tweet about whatever they want. I am not just a reader not just a reviewer not just a writer, I am a person. I am not one to make various twitter accounts just because other people might think it’s not according to etiquette to blog/tweet about my dog my car my friends and family while I also blog/tweet under the same name about books and reviews. I do not have a split personality in reallife so why should one have one in the digital world.
I love the fact authors comment on reviews and interact with the readers. I review for myself and I know for a fact that authors love to read reviews of their books why should they be excluded from the online community?
I feel if it is stated you should first and farmost be yourself when you blog/tweet you should get the opportunity to be yourself and not be pushed into a corner because others might not think it’s wise or less good publicity for blogging. Lets not forget reading is a hobby, not a job lets keep it fun and lets just really be yourself!
I think people should just tweet and @-mention whoever they want whenever they want and tweet about whatever they want.
I agree with this though too. LOL. I think I have a blogger side where I feel very strongly that you have to represent your blog etc etc
But I also have a reader side that says I can tweet whatever and if you don’t like it don’t follow me.
I love the fact authors comment on reviews and interact with the readers. I review for myself and I know for a fact that authors love to read reviews of their books why should they be excluded from the online community?
I think before an author joins in on a review of their book, people forget the author might read it, and their comments will be more honest. Once you see that author’s name there, it reminds people that they are reading it. That’s just my opinion. I love it when authors comment on non-reviews. Or other reviews besides their own. I love to get author’s thoughts and recs on books – I discuss books with authors a lot. But I just feel they shouldn’t make an appearance on their own reviews.
I am so guilty of @ ing the author in my review tweets, if they’re on Twitter. I’d heard not to do it and it’s been hard getting out of the habit, but you’re right – the reviews are for readers, not authors. Derp. Been trying to break the habit of it!!
My point is – I feel like I shouldn’t. That does not mean it is right/wrong. I’m interested to hear other’s thoughts.
I actually prefer not being @d with review links. Not that I get upset when people do it*, and there are always exceptions for people I’m comfortable with because we’ve interacted on twitter for a while…but honestly, it’s partly because I never know how to respond. I don’t always read reviews, and I don’t really want to. When someone @s me 12 times in a day with the link to their review, I start to develop some sort of hostage internet-PTSD where I wonder if I’m supposed to RT or reply or comment or SOMETHING and the tweets will keep coming until I do.
Of course, that said, every time I see this topic come up on twitter I seem to be in a minority that prefers not being contacted about reviews, so this topic (as all topics) seems very YMMV.
* (unless they @ me over & over with links to their “Moira Rogers is a buttfaced dumb hack, I hope rabid kittens eat her” blog post, and then I get seriously cranky)
You’re still not over the buttfaced dumb hack tweets? I said I was sorry. Sheesh. :)
Won’t someone think of the kittens?!?!?
Oh wait, I mean. Don’t think of them eating me. :(
Interesting coming from an author…thanks!
I love twitter if only because it brought Mandi + pintles into my life!!! :)
I like that you can converse with authors, because newsflash? author = job. They also might have similar taste in other books, movies, etc. as you! They might tell you about amazing new caramels you must have too. Basically, on twitter, I follow those who are interesting and fun. I *LOATHE* people who seem to do nothing but tweet and 100% are somehow promotion tweets.
As for the twitter friends, then review… to me it is wholly separate. Twitter is my watering hole. i’m chatting and it’s all good and fun… when I go to read and review that is me back in my corner office (yeah, I gave myself a corner office) and it is all business.
For the @ deal… I see no reason not to. I know that when someone is writing something up about me, I do like to hear about it, and it isn’t like authors don’t read book review blogs nor is it secret.
That said – I usually don’t. Any @ to authors is about one of thier tweets, a convo we’re having, or is about loving a book or a question about their work, etc.
Some of my fave authors I can not stand on twitter… some of my fave twitter authors I can’t stand their books. HAHA!!
LAST thing: I wrote more on this subject almost exactly 1 year ago here: https://smexybooks.com/2011/07/may-talks-twitter-and-the-authors-we-tweet.html
We will always have pintles ;) LOL
I agree with the twitter is fun but then back to the office for the review. I like that separation
Have I said I’m glad you’re on Twitter? Love your taste in books and have bought SO many off your recos!
Yay! I find the best recs from people on Twitter too. Love it
I really like your idea of tagging an author when you’ve finished a book to let them know you liked it and not tagging them when you’ve finished a review. I think you’re right that the reviews are meant for the readers, and most authors wouldn’t want to read any of the reviews I post, even the positive ones. I’m fairly new to Twitter, but I’m finding it to be a helpful resource in discovering: (1) sales on books; (2) new (to me) blogs; and (3) buzz in the book world.
Great post! (and thank you!!!)
I personally don’t like to @ authors in my review tweets (99% of the time, anyway), and there are a few reasons for this:
1. I feel that it puts the author in an awkward position. In other words, the author may feel forced to respond to the tweet (even if the response is a thank you) because that’s the polite thing to do.
2. I know that some authors prefer not to read reviews. I don’t know which ones do and which ones don’t, so I play it safe and don’t do it at all. Why shove your review in their face if they won’t even read it?
3. And, if the author is popular on Twitter, a lot of @ mentions clog an author’s @ feed. Imagine having to sort through a lot of mentions of reviews to find actual comments or questions from people. I know that when I’ve run blogging events people will mention me (on Twitter) as the host, and then these promotional tweets can sometimes make me miss actual questions in my timeline. Questions that I need to respond to.
Very good reasons and I agree with them all. I think it does put the author in an awkward position and I totally agree it may feel like if the author doesn’t acknowledge your @ tweet, they are being ungrateful. Which would then lead to them leaving a comment etc etc.
I love social media. I enjoy leaving (and getting) comments. I love when an author stops by to say thanks for a review or guest post or whatever. I like interacting with other bloggers, authors, and publishers through twitter. Now, this sounds like I’m a total pollyanna when it comes to reviewing but I do post negative/DNF/book breakup reviews.
There are times I’ll @ an author a link to my review, usually just when I’ve interacted with that author and am all gushy. I certainly do NOT @ negative reviews to authors or pubs–personally, I think that’s just rude.
It is a thin line to walk when you’re online “friends” with an author and you don’t like their book (be aware this might happen going in!). You want to like it but you just…don’t. You still have to be honest in your review because the review isn’t for the author. It’s for readers. Still, it can be a delicate situation–just don’t be a dick. I make every effort not to be said dick (and wish more people did this too!).
Great, thought-provoking post!
Still, it can be a delicate situation–just don’t be a dick. I make every effort not to be said dick (and wish more people did this too!).
Can this be everyone’s new motto? :)
God, I wish it would be! There’s be so much less pointless drama.
I only @ the author when it is a really positive review. I see your point about author comments killing the conversation but, as I don’t get very many comments anyway, I get a secret little thrill to know that a favorite author of mine actually came to MY blog.
I blog but I’m not a serious blogger. I have maybe three followers and two of them are my husband and me. lol. Most of the time I’m retweeting links to stories I think are funny or important. Sometimes I’m retweeting for a contest. Most of my twitter activity is reading other people’s tweets. I also blog the same way. I am not trying to build a huge audience. It is more of a sounding board than anything else.
I think your rules are reasonable. I wouldn’t have a problem if you talked more about peens, but, you know, people’s mileage may vary on that topic. :-D
Giggle snort. I will up my peen tweets just for you! ;)
Twitter reminds me of a big party where the conversion is non stop and the virtual wine is flowing.
Also gives me an excuse to link the wacky and cute things I usually don’t post on my blog.
Im not a blogger, but I follow a lot of bloggers, authors on both blogs and twitter ( and a smaller number on Facebook). I have to agree with almost everything you said. My only thing is that it doesn’t bother me one way or another if the author comments on a review, but I can understand as the blogger where that could bother you.
I have a small blog and i do @ authors when i post a good review. I don’t care if they respond to it or not or if they post.It’s definitely not so they’ll thank me. It’s just there as a option for them to retweet to their followers if they think it will help their book. If they want to say thanks for the review that’s fine and it’s usually all i get. Anything beyond that i usually get a email from them. If anything i might get a few more twitter followers from their followers but i don’t think i get many that way either. Not many retweet them unless they personally gave the ebook to review or say thank you. I do think everyone has their own ideas on how a blog should work and i think it depends on the kind and size blog you have if that makes sense. I definitely hate to see posts all day that say the same thing or are promo promo promo. I tweet mine 3 to 5 times a day at the most. If it’s wrong well then i’m wrong lol Outside of my blog tweets i try to just be myself and that i think is some great advice. I don’t have a big blog to worry about too so i don’t have that pressure to be popular.
Lisa B
Thanks for your thoughts Lisa!
I agree with you Lisa, I seldom post reviews of books I did not like (as I just don’t finish those books), and I only @the author at Twitter if the review is positive. I really love it when they respond on the blog, by email or by Tweet. I also seem to be reading authors that are not so much reviewed (anymore), and especially the cozy mystery authors are happy with every review.
I do try to tweet only once or twice about a new blogpost, unless it is for a booktour. And I chat a little with friends and authors, but Twitter is very time consuming and I try to stay away from it a bit more.
My blog is not so big, nor do I have that many active followers, which is fine by me. But I am a very big fangirl to lots of authors, and to hear back is so very thrilling. I’ll try not to @ Moira Rogers-Bree anymore ;)
Very interesting! I still consider myself a twitter newbie,and I’m hardly ever on it, but I love it. I’ve found so many great books that I probably would never have heard about by just checking in once in a while. I’m still too chicken to @ an author unless responding to something or if it’s informational in some way. I agree with KT in that it’s like arriving to an ongoing conversation…you can just “listen” or “join in”. I’m clueless about almost all of the acronyms used and am still not clear on # (hashtags) and why they exist. I hesitate to intrude on an ongoing convo, but I braved it a few times when I thought I could add something important or funny. Most of all, I’m impressed by everyone’s welcoming nature…not once has anyone made me feel like a dork and I appreciate that.
#hashtags are like keywords that you can look up in the “discover” box and read an ongoing discussion. Like if #RWA12 shows up, you can read what others are saying based on the hashtag. It’s pretty useful, especially during conventions or major events. Or, at least, that what I use them for. And the trending ones are the ones that are specific to region (world, nation, state, city, etc).
A lot of times I like just sitting back and “listening” in on twitter. It can be fun :)
I will give you a list of twitter acronyms!
Can you post that list?
Maybe I’ll make a post of it :)
This is the best Twitter advice I’ve seen anywhere. I have a Twitter account but honestly, until just now, could not figure out what the heck I was suppose to be doing with it. I’ve been sending links to my blog posts and responding to a few tweets here and there but other than that I’ve been lost. I feel odd replying to a tweet of someone I don’t know and I don’t know most of the people I follow :) I’ll try to be better about that now and get over my shyness.
I was very shy when I started. I’m a very shy person in real life. I felt like if I @’d someone to join in on their convo they wouldn’t want me to…
but it’s not like that at all! Twitter is a place where you are suppose to @ people and join in on the convo. Once you start tweeting more, you will meet other tweeters you can relate to. It’s fun – just jump in :)
@ me on twitter and we’ll chat!
I agree on the not @ing authors on reviews. It makes me uncomfortable and I’m all about being comfortable in my own tweetstream. But the big reason is I’m not writing the review for the author. Every time a blow up happens in Romanceland between an author and a reviewer, the cry goes up that reviews are for readers, not authors. I happen to agree.
I feel very strongly about writing reviews for your readers – it’s hard sometimes.
Maybe I’ll do a – reviews are for readers post – soon.
I fall in that weird place where sometimes I’m a reviewer, sometimes and author and sometimes just Tam yammering with my friends about whatever.
We have a twitter account for Brief Encounters Reviews and that posts and that’s it. I don’t post anything as a rule (save for promos or author interviews) on my personal twitter. My own website auto posts to Twitter and it might be a review, it might be a funny video, it might be announcement about a new book I’ve got coming or it could be pictures of my vacation (as are going to be showing up now).
I do not auto follow everyone back who follows me. If we interact a bit and chat back and forth, then I’ll follow you. I don’t use Tweetdeck on my laptop (doesn’t work very well) so I really don’t want 500 people (not that I have 500 followers LOL) tweeting and bunging up my feed. I started twitter as a personal thing, to keep in touch with friends, so I really don’t want 2000 people seeing me vent about work, or some idiot driver or congratulating a friend on their birthday. That’s creepy. I think if I had started it only as a promo tool, it would be different, but it’s personal, so I keep tabs, I block bots who follow me and keep it personal. I will answer everyone who tweets me, I just may not follow you unless we “chat” and have something in common.
I don’t look at my twitter acct as strictly a promo tool. My twitter is very much me and personal. Hopefully not superficial.
But it is also representing my blog and I feel like that should be taken into consideration.
Note to self: Join Twitter cause you’re missing out on more book & peen talk!
I do enjoy a good peen convo on Twitter! ;)
Not the minority.
I found a few authors on Twitter that I’ve read the books and reviewed through the free book links out there and I never @ them. It feels like…I don’t know….shilling or something. There’s a sort of oily feeling for me. I don’t want to a sort of false relationship.
I tweet authors on their lives, not their products. I kind of keep the separation for myself that way. If that makes sense. Like, I follow Alyssa Day, but I don’t comment on her books so much as her funny comments about life, dogs, or teenage son antics. I don’t gush. If they find the review, great, it’s on my Twitter feed, but it’s not an intentional action. And to date, no author has. Which I think is good. But I’m a little strange that way.
I have my personal account set up for the daily complaints and rants but my Twitter feed for this blog isn’t it.
I tweet authors on their lives, not their products.
I think authors who tweet about their lives or funny interesting things – really draws readers to them. But I also have no problem @’ing an author and saying- omg I just finished your book and it was fab. Or asking them about an upcoming book etc.
I think the difference is the type of author, though, too. An author that talks about OTHER things is a writer, not a producer. It’s a very messy line for me since I’m online friends with an author. I don’t mind complimenting but I don’t solely focus on it, if that makes sense? Like it’s not all I talk about. I don’t make it just a product exchange. I think I’m explaining this badly but in my mind, there’s a delineation from being friendly and…not. I don’t want them as friends so much as I just want to know about the writers to see -why- they write what they write since life gets experiences that inspire. The one author I’m friends with (she’s like a legit one at this point since she’s helped me outside books) was a fluke. Pre-Twitter, I emailed her, gushing on her books, but I looked for more, too. She knows I love her books but I also find her moving or odd quirks just as interesting.
“If you tweet, they will come” LOLOL
I love this post, and I agree with all you said.
When I first started blogging I tweeted reviews at authors because I was shamefully self-promoting and wanted them to send readers my way, I’m not proud of that but I was green and stupid, which, let’s face it, I’m probably still am. But it just didn’t feel right so I stopped it after a couple of times. Now I email authors the links but just when it’s a review request, which can be awkward when the review isn’t positive, so I prefer getting ARCs through publishers because it’s more impersonal, IMO and I don’t have to email an author with a review that says the book sucked.
Now I have the same “if you do it they will come” mentality in all aspects of blogging which includes attracting readers. So no more tweeting reviews at authors and I will also add at publishers.
I also agree about not spamming people with tweets about the blog, my personal rule is no more than three times a day for a review and just the day the review is out. For giveaways the rule is twice the day it goes live, then maybe once a day after. And don’t ask for a rt all the time! If it’s a giveaway or a special post, fine, but not for reviews. I can decide for myself whether I want to rt something or not.
I also have a rule of not asking people to follow me –on Twitter or elsewhere like gfc– I want to know that the few followers I’ve got, are there because they want to. I think it’s ok when blogs ask for a follow as an extra entry in a contest, but it’s just not my thing. I hope I’m not offending anyone, I want to make it clear that this is what works for me, not the “right” way.
I think Twitter has been an amazing tool for my blog and it has given me.great exposure. It’s also a great way to stay in touch with other bloggers, readers and authors, it’s the most accessible way to build q network. And it’s great fun. I love talking to people on Twitter, engaging in discussions and silliness. But it takes time, just as everything blog-related. It’s taken me 16 months to get 490+ followers (I think half of those are sexy women looking for a sugar daddy, but I won’t judge you even if you’re spam!) and I’m still surprised so many people follows me!
It all comes down to two things: 1. Don’t get obsessed with numbers and 2. Have fun.
Fantastic post! I’m sad I missed it yesterday.
I have totally @’d authors in tweets in the past. But same with you, it just didn’t feel right. I feel much more comfortable with my personal rules today.
I don’t even email authors with links anymore because when I do post a negative review, it just felt wrong sending them a link. Or even a C or C- grade. Does an author want to be told of this? I don’t know. So now I state in my review policy, authors will not be notified. I do notify publicists of all reviews (if there is a publicist involved).
It all comes down to two things: 1. Don’t get obsessed with numbers and 2. Have fun.
This x1,000.
I basically agree with everything you said in the post :)
I used to @ the author (for positive reviews) but after a discussion on DA about reviews being for readers, I realised that it was a bit hypocritical of me to keep doing it. If that’s what others want to do, that’s fine – but for me, I realised it was wrong. So I stopped.
Where I trip up a little now is when I get a review request directly from the author – I don’t tweet them about it but I feel if the author has contacted me specifically to ask for a review, then I’m obliged to email them and let them know the review is up and provide a link. I review honestly regardless of where I got the book, so a few times it’s been a C/C- or B-/C+ which I think are grades that authors don’t love (?).
I love the idea of these posts Mandi – I’ve been blogging for a while now but I’m only recently starting to get regular review requests emailed to me directly and I’m still learning my way.
See – I used to email authors who directly contacted me with a review request, when their review went live. But I’ve stopped now. Partly because, if it is a poorer grade, I felt weird emailing them. But also – if I’m following my – reviews are for readers – then I have to say – no matter who requests the review – an author, unsolicited, I picked the book myself, the review is for the reader. Once that author requests, and you accept, it is now all for the reader.
That’s my view at least. :)
So you think it’s okay just to review and not email when there’s been an author/publisher request? What if the author/publisher specifically asks you to email a link? I’m still learning the ropes, so it’s great to hear what others think about this.
I totally agree that reviews are for readers but I’m still coming to grips with what my obligations are (if any) to the other parties where I have not bought the book myself. It’s easy on NetGlley, I just upload the review there, but I’m finding direct requests are a little more complicated. Maybe I’m just over thinking?
I always email publicists links – but if it is a book review that was requested straight from an author, I don’t email them..unless they ask I guess.
In regards to your obligation to other parties – reviewing the book in a timely fashion. And alerting the requester if you want to….I think that is all you have to do
Hey,
I’m very new to all this – blogging and tweeting and all that. I never used to have time for any of it but I really want to get more involved. I’m planning to start my own blog soon, but I wanted to research a bit first, see what’s out there.
So I just wanted to say that I found this post extremely valuable. I only got a twitter account like yesterday and I’m still feeling a little lost. That’s actually how I learned about smexybooks.
So thanks for this post. Any kind of rules or guidelines are helpful at this point.
My best advice with Twitter is to just jump in. And come say hi to me! @smexybooks :)