tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6056081127174764758..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Rant: Paid book reviewsJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8070850238143764492016-01-14T00:07:10.964-05:002016-01-14T00:07:10.964-05:00KD - I've been in the position so often where ...KD - I've been in the position so often where someone will say something totally wrong about the publishing world because they heard it from someone who has an agent, or they found it on the website of a friend, or something. And if I try to tell them they're wrong, they look at me as though I know nothing. <br /><br />So that's where I assumed the OP was - trying to find proof that they're right and their friend is wrong. Or maybe they lack confidence in what they know, so want to make sure by checking in with someone who really does know.<br /><br />Isn't it wonderful that Janet's here, and so willing to share her knowledge and advice? And even from the most naive questions, I learn more about the publishing world and how to navigate it. <br />BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18221695550657804122016-01-13T23:13:13.386-05:002016-01-13T23:13:13.386-05:00BJ, yeah, I know. And I wasn't trying to imply...BJ, yeah, I know. And I wasn't trying to imply this was a dumb question (it wasn't), it just surprised me. Then again, I'm sure more experienced people roll their eyes at me all the time for stuff I don't know. Always better to ask when unsure.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27398797690325388522016-01-13T18:05:01.104-05:002016-01-13T18:05:01.104-05:00I never wanted to pay for reviews because
A) I'...I never wanted to pay for reviews because<br />A) I'm cheap<br />and <br />B) I'm cheap.<br /><br />Good to know that it's also a very bad idea.<br />Huzzah!Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91876836080939542182016-01-13T12:52:52.758-05:002016-01-13T12:52:52.758-05:00And when you add in all the genuine reviewers who ...And when you add in all the genuine reviewers who have stopped reviewing entirely or become more selective in the books they review because of those bad-apple authors who think it's okay to stalk and harass critics...<br /><br />Don't pay for reviews. Support genuine reviewers.<br /><br />[Gets off soapbox]Noel (tell me now)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12044704621194378487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20837567827924865772016-01-13T11:02:49.272-05:002016-01-13T11:02:49.272-05:00I know indie authors who've paid the $450 fee ...I know indie authors who've paid the $450 fee to Kirkus for a review. And, of course, Amazon lets those reviews (good or bad) stand, while taking down other reviews they assume were paid for or bartered. Dottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01624641148418615103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55908048321050005352016-01-13T10:45:41.953-05:002016-01-13T10:45:41.953-05:00BJ - Thanks. This little woodland creature is grat...BJ - Thanks. This little woodland creature is grateful for the reassurance :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06411520040763223680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-771285149255823322016-01-13T10:21:19.987-05:002016-01-13T10:21:19.987-05:00KD James: This person might know enough to ask Jan...KD James: This person might know enough to ask Janet this question, but her friend obviously doesn't. And when a friend figures they know what they're doing, you want to have an experienced, knowledgeable resource to back you up before you tell them they're wrong.<br /><br />Mona - The way to be banished to Carkoon is to ask Ms Reid to do MORE work. She doesn't mind answering questions, and woodland-creature-worthy questions might get a funny look if she puts it into a blog post, but that's not a Carkoon-worthy offense.<br /><br />But all the work she puts into this blog, on top of all the work she does for her clients, is a lot of work that we are all very grateful for. Asking her to do more than that is what puts you on Carkoon.<br /><br />BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90866324737974669222016-01-13T08:28:46.275-05:002016-01-13T08:28:46.275-05:00John, I didn't but yeah, there is a redolence ...John, I didn't but yeah, there is a redolence of spam.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5857296499998941802016-01-13T03:23:43.361-05:002016-01-13T03:23:43.361-05:00Hey,
Did everyone else who posted here today get...Hey, <br /><br />Did everyone else who posted here today get a greeting from the good folks (cough, cough) at GathaEditor? So tempting. <i>Not!</i>John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43956366801729040412016-01-13T01:25:21.715-05:002016-01-13T01:25:21.715-05:00I knew I'd be late to the rant because my Tues...I knew I'd be late to the rant because my Tuesdays suck, but it was worth the wait. <br /><br />I like that the Queen sums this rant up pretty simply:<br /><br />"Here's the rule: Don't pay for reviews."<br /><br />Even after a long day, I get it. Thanks. Now I have to get to a point where I need this advice! Keep moving forward...John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16050741789428559832016-01-13T00:54:24.522-05:002016-01-13T00:54:24.522-05:00I've been thinking about this on and off all d...I've been thinking about this on and off all day. It's one (very bad) thing to pay someone, anyone, to give your book a 5-star positive review, regardless what they actually think. It's another thing, in my humble uneducated opinion, to pay a professional book reviewer for his services without control over the outcome (if he's an honest reviewer, and I understand that's a big IF in this case). This is just how marketing works (like Superbowl advertising). Aren't book reviews the way a reviewer makes a living? How does a well-established reviewer choose which books to review?<br /><br />Or is the fundamental issue actually drawing the line between marketing and reviewing? You pay for marketing. You don't pay for reviews. But providing a blogger with an ARC is both marketing and a way to get reviews. Imagine my eyes spinning in different directions, and little birds flying circles around my head.<br /><br />Am I thinking too much about this?<br /><br />Honestly wondering. (And hoping not to be banished to Carkoon so soon!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06411520040763223680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52071590925452853602016-01-12T23:10:04.181-05:002016-01-12T23:10:04.181-05:00Nice rant. I love it.
As an author, I understand ...Nice rant. I love it.<br /><br />As an author, I understand the desperation for reviews. The more reviews a book has, the more likely a reader will know what they're getting... assuming the reviews are legitimate.<br /><br />I'd love my stuff to have more reviews. But I won't pay for them.<br /><br />I don't trust paid reviews. Likewise, I don't trust reviews from the Mutual Admiration Society. And yes, I can spot a MAS review. They tend to come in batches and they don't ring true (even experiential true).<br /><br />Because I value (and crave) honest reviews of my own works, I will give honest reviews to others. I review most every book I read--indie, commercial, library, ARC. And I will be honest. An honest three-star (or even one-star) review will ultimately benefit the author more than a dishonest five-star. I will give a review the way I'd give a crit in a workshop; I'll say what worked and what didn't. <br /><br />Some day the universe will pay me back. <br /><br />I figure if more genuine readers left reviews on sites like Amazon, Kobo or Goodreads, there wouldn't be such a ripe field for scam reviewers to harvest.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63152692199510185972016-01-12T22:23:11.936-05:002016-01-12T22:23:11.936-05:00The world of creative endeavour, while it may not ...The world of creative endeavour, while it may not be rank with it, is permeated with favour. I suspect this is an aspect of reality most of us are aware of, yet the paradox within this circumstance, means that it's difficult to openly admit that truth. This situation provides a fertile environment for those looking to exploit folk who, maybe through naivety, or possibly just desperation, are looking for that easily acquired favour to get a leg up. As far as I'm aware, no one will make you star for the price of a meal in an overpriced restaurant. let's face it, it couldn't work that way could it, because that price is within reach of everyone and if everyone could afford it, there wouldn't be any purpose to it.<br /><br />I know that's a cynical view, so to offer some balance I will state that playing the favour game isn't a prerequisite for success, unfortunately that's where hard work and applying your talents come in. Oops, I better get back to stacking those shelves then.DeadSpiderEyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687178085803686186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37805851221273981862016-01-12T19:44:44.835-05:002016-01-12T19:44:44.835-05:00That's good to know about Kirkus. For some rea...That's good to know about Kirkus. For some reason, I thought all their reviews were paid for, even though I knew they had a reputation for being a bit harsh.<br /><br />Some of the questions over here surprise me, like this one. This person knows enough to send a question to Janet, which I assume means they read her blog, but doesn't know not to pay for reviews? These scammers must be very persuasive.<br /><br />And I agree with Donnaeve, this wasn't so much a rant as it was a stern talking-to. ;) <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71782937209277675612016-01-12T19:22:36.284-05:002016-01-12T19:22:36.284-05:00I do read reviews, but only from selected reviewer...I do read reviews, but only from selected reviewers. When I run across a book on amazon, I usually read the 1 and 2 star reviews. I don't really trust 4 and 5 star reviews there.<br /><br />I used to do some reviews, but don't have the time anymore. Now I write the rare review when I find a book that I just HAVE to tell everyone about. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64598122241703216912016-01-12T17:49:59.802-05:002016-01-12T17:49:59.802-05:00xnye: Only if you write really serious literary no...xnye: Only if you write really serious literary novels. Which you might; if that's the case, go for it. <br /><br />...says the person who never takes anything seriously, yet whose passport photo is all >>>:-| (I told the woman that I wasn't angry, really, and she just laughed.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-92042145503600684562016-01-12T17:22:51.124-05:002016-01-12T17:22:51.124-05:00What's wrong with resting bitch face, I though...What's wrong with resting bitch face, I thought that would give me a leg up as a writer, no?xnyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07891127549416357688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2091813787232527522016-01-12T17:07:10.000-05:002016-01-12T17:07:10.000-05:00Sometimes it's a blessing not to have a lot of...Sometimes it's a blessing not to have a lot of extra money to throw around.<br /><br />Just had to replace my alternator today. Fortunately hubby is still off so he was able to ferry me back and forth to the mechanic. I did not get stranded. The car was still running off of the battery we replaced not that long ago. <br /><br />Me: Sugar Bear, should I be worried about this red battery light?<br /><br />Hubby: Don't turn it off until you get to work. <br /><br />I think I need to make my writing pay before something else breaks.<br /><br />CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42647619777446743862016-01-12T16:37:14.538-05:002016-01-12T16:37:14.538-05:00"Should I go ahead and send you some Carkoon ..."Should I go ahead and send you some Carkoon brochures? FuzzyPrint has some openings since Janet recalled us all... ;)"<br /><br />Well, of COURSE I'm going to say no, b/c I don't think that was Carkoon worthy - as in I didn't suggest to QOTKU any additional WORK. <br /><br />I'm a little crazy at times - not THAT crazy. ;) Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91027352801968927912016-01-12T16:02:26.867-05:002016-01-12T16:02:26.867-05:00Oh, and @DenaPawling - that's a lovely story! ...Oh, and @DenaPawling - that's a lovely story! I wonder where I can get a Library Lady like that? :)Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17191467210110828882016-01-12T16:00:50.433-05:002016-01-12T16:00:50.433-05:00I breathed a sigh of relief over this rant. Consid...I breathed a sigh of relief over this rant. Considering that the prospect of it, looming since the WIR, had kept me awake at nights, it was a huge sigh - and huge relief! I'm nowhere near the 'ask for reviews' stage so this is something that, while interesting and definitely bookmarked for future reference, I do NOT have to spend any longer worrying my little-woodland-creature-head about, right now!<br /><br />Which is good, because editing is about all my head can cope with at the moment. School goes back next week, and I want to get massive amounts done before the workload takes over...<br /><br />Thanks, QOTKU. What a lovely rant, and extremely useful, as ever. Happy writing, everyone!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19510170866327692662016-01-12T14:39:56.072-05:002016-01-12T14:39:56.072-05:00Donna: "Could QOTKU and her flame throwing He...Donna: "Could QOTKU and her flame throwing Hello Miss Kitty attitude be meeeeelting into a puddle of softness?"<br /><br />Should I go ahead and send you some Carkoon brochures? FuzzyPrint has some openings since Janet recalled us all... ;)<br /><br />Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41359358991660972322016-01-12T14:26:45.270-05:002016-01-12T14:26:45.270-05:00I do want to say in the history of QOTKU rants, th...I do want to say in the history of QOTKU rants, this one wasn't so bad. We didn't see ANY f bombs, or the threat of sending off a ranty-pants email to some unsuspecting boob, only to have the Shark's minions hold off that epic email CHOMP that would surely have sent the UB's head into the stratosphere. And...we didn't even get a picture of an annoyed Husky.<br /><br />Perhaps there was a bit of Scotch involved prior to writing it. (?) Or, hold on to your underpants! Could QOTKU and her flame throwing Hello Miss Kitty attitude be meeeeelting into a puddle of softness?<br /><br />I was expecting HEAT, CUSSING, and my display to actually MELT as I read the rant. Okay, there MIGHT have been a tiny poof of smoke. Only - when I breathed out, it was gone.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1288544818644596092016-01-12T13:26:42.911-05:002016-01-12T13:26:42.911-05:001. Good writing is what matters most.
2. It takes...1. Good writing is what matters most.<br /><br />2. It takes time, effort and skill to build a career as an Author.<br /><br />3. Money flows in, not out.<br /><br />I'm pulling off my asbestos longjohns and enjoying the flames with a few marshmallows. Seems the Shark's advice, when handled correctly, prevents one from being burned... Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82714820168313064012016-01-12T12:43:03.413-05:002016-01-12T12:43:03.413-05:00Maybe look at it from the reader's point of vi...Maybe look at it from the reader's point of view? If I ever found out any of my favorite authors ever did this, I would feel betrayed and never buy another book of theirs. It smells corrupt or at best, gullible. I'm sorry, I know your friend prob. had good intentions, but that would still be my impression. Just a thought!Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.com