Do I Pay to Review?

[Shalini Ayre]

Hello

I've recently updated my blog to let people know they can approach me to review their books. Am I being a tad naive/cheeky to expect a free copy of the book? I appreciate that $2.99 for a kindle copy isn't a lot of money, but it will soon add up if I have to do that for everyone who asks me to review their story.

Any advice on 'review etiquette' would very much be appreciated. 

Thank you

Shalini

[Nikki-ann]

As others have mentioned, I've never had to pay to receive a review copy. If somebody asks you to review their book then the 'etiquette' is that they supply you with a review copy (be it physical or an e-book). You're not being cheeky at all! :)

Nikki-ann - www.notesoflife.co.uk

[Shalini Ayre]

Thanks Nikki.

[Lisa LaVergne-Pottgen]

No, I do not think it is unreasonable to ask for a free copy for a review.  However, if you are only just starting out, sometimes that is hard to accomplish.  My first couple of reviews were books I bought myself and reviewed because I wanted to.  Once I started getting established a little more, then, review requests started coming in.  Netgalley is a great resource, as is Edelweiss, which is a similar setup to Netgalley.  I have received books from both.  I am also listed in a couple of reviewer directories, one specifically for Indie published books and authors.  I have gotten quite a few hits off of those.

[Shalini Ayre]

Thanks Lisa; and for the other resources which I'll have a look at soon.