How can I get ARC books for my blog?

[Athina (Girl Who Reads) Reyes]

Hey people!

I was just wondering what you all did to get free ARC copies because I don't know how and it's really frustrating. My blog is suffering and it is sad. 

So what are your suggestions?? I am also open for book tours!

[Coreena McBurnie]

There are some other blog tour places as well,

Bewitching Book Tours

www.bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com

and Nurture book tours

http://nurtureyourbooks.com/vbtblog/

Simon and Schuster also does a "galley grab" program where they send you an email every month with egalleys you can download.  I am honesty not sure how I got that one, I signed up for their newsletter, then they sent me an invitation not long afterwards.

To get followers, I was quite successful doing one of the blog hop giveaway tours and got probably 200 followers that way.  That can bump you over the 300 mark.  I also get most of my books from the library or second hand store and that has really worked for me, but I also network my reviews as much as I can by posting them here, on Good reads, amazon and anywhere else I can think of.

Good luck with your blog!!

[Kathleen Kelly]

When I started my blogs two years ago, I just asked a few book bloggers what they did.. I then contacted a few publishers and requested review books. Some contacted me and some didn't. A great place is Pump Up Your Books. Look through what they have and request to review. Good Luck...enter lots of contests...

[Vanessa]

First off, I checked your blog out and think it's great. I'm your newest follower :)

 

Now, when it comes to getting ARC's and review copies of books, I find NetGalley to be one of the best places to go. If that doesn't work with you...network your butt off!! Involve yourself in blog hops (terrific way to network and get lots of traffic) and make some connections. I found that by simply putting myself out there as a reviewer I was getting swarmed with requests. I have only been blogging for about 3 months and my schudule is pretty packed. This is just how I did it. Everyone has their own ways. Contact information is definitely key, all authors and publishers will need a way to get in touch with you. Bloggers too. If you are loking to connect with a fellow book reviewer...my "door" is always open. Feel free to check out my blog, poke around a bit, and email me anytime. I would love to help you make some connections and find ways to get some great books to review :)

 

Vanessa

icedancerlilith(AT)gmail(DOT)com

http//lovelaughandread.blogspot.com

[Athina (Girl Who Reads) Reyes]

Thank you so much! I really would love to get in contact with you!

I'm going to message you my email.

[Renee Giraldy]

http://www.ReadingRenee.wordpress.com I followed u Vanessa 

[The Literary Lioness]

I received lots of ARCS at Book Expo America and the Book Blogger Convention in May. The first day was a madhouse! Free books from major publishers! Before they were published! We all went wild!

 

Anyway, I started receiving requests for book reviews one month after I started my blog with very few followers! I have been INUNDATED ever since! I have hundreds of emails from desperate authors that I've never even answered because I was overwhelmed. Just be careful if you get a reputation for reviewing indie and self-published authors. They will find you and send you books. More than you ever expected. I have received books from Belgium and Borneo (Malaysia).

 

You have to be careful about self-published books. Remember that book blogger that innocently wrote a negative review about a book and the author FREAKED OUT. It became an internet sensation. I'm not going to review self-published books anymore.

 

http://www.theliterarylioness.com

[Athina (Girl Who Reads) Reyes]

Wow, I will watch out for that!

(Malaysia? wow)

[The Literary Lioness]

Yes, here it is:

 

Author Freaks Out At Book Review

 

 

[Christy Pinheiro]

I'm sad to hear that you won't be reviewing self-published books anymore. That's too bad. I know about the Jacqueline Howett fiasco, but be aware that Anne Rice (huge, bestselling author, not self published) freaked out like this about an Amazon review a few years ago, and it became big news. Then she admitted that she didn't use and "didn't need" an editor, which didn't get a very good response, either.

 

I think that some self-published authors are difficult to deal with, but now that Joe Konrath and Barry Eisler are self-publishing, too-- the market is really going to change.

 

Christy

Indie Book Reviewer Yellow Pages

 

[The Literary Lioness]

That's not the only reason. I have received hundreds of emails from self-published authors. I had three very large messages on my blog that I was not accepting submissions anymore (I was way behind in my reading), and still the emails poured in. The main message was right on the top of the blog on the front page, and also on the contact and review policy pages. I took off my contact information and I'm still getting emails.

I must admit that I became irritated. Don't authors actually read what it says on your blog? They should read the review guidelines. It's there for a reason! I'm not trying to be mean, but I am doing this for no pay and when I say that I'm not accepting any more submissions I really mean it. I still have a bookshelf full of books to get to. I am really backed up. Even if I wanted to read them all I just can't. I also have another blog.

It's a shame, because some of the self-published books I reviewed I really liked. The authors were great. However, some of the emails I was sent -- I hate to say it, but the books sounded terrible.

Everything changed when I went to BEA and BBC. I realized that I could get ARCS from major publishing houses and read the kind of books I really want to read. I am so enjoying these books!

[Christy Pinheiro]

I have to say that I understand your argument. I only review non-fiction, and I still get constant requests for fiction reviews. I took you off the reviewer list, so I hope that stems the tide a little bit. We were really glad to have you while it lasted.

 

Christy

[The Literary Lioness]

Thank you so much. I admit that I didn't know what I was getting into when I signed up. I have been overwhelmed and feeling a lot of pressure. I know that these authors won't get many reviews and a bad review could be really hurtful and I hate giving bad reviews! I also didn't expect the sheer NUMBER of emails I would get. I've been feeling so guilty.