As a readers and fellow bloggers, what are your opinions on...

[Shelver]

As readers and fellow bloggers, what are your opinions/personal policies on promoting a book that you haven't read? Let's say you're approached by an author or sign up for a blog tour or whatever, and you're asked to promote a book in some way (interview, giveaway, etc.), but you haven't actually read the book in question.

Obviously, a review of said book is out of the question, because you haven't read it. But does giving a book space on your blog via an author interview or giveaway imply giving it your approval? As a blogger, what do you do?

As a reader, would you feel deceived in some way if a blogger promoted a book he or she hadn't read? 

I'm asking because I'm a new blogger, I want to give lesser-known authors (small press, indie, self-pub) a chance to shine, but I don't want to do anything that could be considered unethical/sleazy/deceitful.

[Irina Shapiro]

I think a lot of bloggers promote books they haven't actually read, but although it's not unethical it might be slightly misleading.  People asssume that if you are promoting something or someone you are actually familiar with their work.  It might be a good idea to read at least an excerpt of the book to get an idea of the author's writing abilities and storytelling talents.  Hope this helps.

 

Irina Shapiro

www.irinashapiro.com

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

[Tiffany Price]

Any book or giveway I do on my blog I must want to read the book or I've read other books by said author therefore I am already familiar with their work otherwise I wouldn't do it.

[Grace]

Generally I will read a book before I agree to an author interview/guest post/etc.  If an author/publicist asks me to do one, I tell them that I'll let them know after I've read the book, because I don't feel comfortable promoting books that I haven't read.

At the same time, I will make posts periodically where I list any new books that I've received or am excited for.  I make it clear though that they are new books that I've gotten that I haven't read yet, and I generally ask anyone reading that post if they've read/liked any of the books that I mention.

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Books Without Any Pictures

[Bill Birnbaum]

As an author, I've had radio and television program hosts mention my book during a live interview.  Ditto for newspaper and magazine editors.  Bill

[Priya Vasudevan]

I'm an author and have been given space on blogs as guest blogger/interviewee. Since it is not a review of the book, I think its OK to do this. it only means that you are willing to give space to indie authors to promote their books. Some are quite upfront about it. I really appreciate that space!.

[Patricia Gligor]

Every month on my blog, I feature at least one author interview as part of my "Getting to know you" series. I interview authors (mostly mystery) and generally post a link to purchase their book/s. Most of the time, I've read their book but sometimes I haven't, at least not yet.

I look at it this way. My readers are adults. They are capable of making their own choices and decisions when it comes to what they read. It's quite simple to click on a link and read about a book before purchasing it. I never say that I've read a book, unless I have. Honesty and freedom of choice!

http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/