How to Nicely say No Thanks

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I am sure you have all received books from authors and publishers or Requests to reveiw a book you weren't excited to read...

 

How do you say NO without completely turning those publishers and authors off from sending you books in the future?

 

or if your an author, what is the best "No Thanks" you have received?

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Ashley Wiederhold]

Good points-- and just to clarify, not responding to press releases sent out in mass emails is alright, and what I was referring to. When it comes to authors sending an individual email, though, I would certainly always respond in one way or another. If someone has taken the time to look through my blog and email me I certainly will take the time to respond to their request, even if I am not interested in the book.

[Christine Amsden]

Oh yes, absolutely. Mass mailings can be discarded without response unless you're interested. :)

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I don't like just NOT responding. If I were putting myself out there and sending my book out for review, I would at least like a "no thanks" response... Maybe even a why associated with that. I just dont want to burn bridges before they are built! Glad to know it isn't taken personally

 

Basically I dont want to accept a book to review that I have no interest in reading, it isn't fair to the author. You want feedback from people who actually like your genre! right?

[Christine Amsden]

Absolutely! And of course, I try to find reviewers who I think might like my book, but even if I, say, send my scifi book to someone who likes to review scifi, they may read my synopsis and go, "Eh." Starting from "Eh" is never a good sign. Expectations play a huge role in how much you enjoy a book. :)

 

I appreciate your policy of responding, I really do. You would be amazed how many e-mails I send that just disappear into the great e-mail void in the sky. :)

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Thanks! It is great to get some feedback. I mostly get those "Eh" moments. It isn't that people are sending a genre I don't like, I think its more that I don't feel interested in the particular book. You are totally right, I don't think I would be able to give a fair review with an "Eh" starting out point- so I would rather gracefully decline.... Still trying to figure out how to do that though lol!

 

KW

[Laura Marie Patterson]

I am new to writing books but as a song writer and musician, I would send out countless music demos and would either receive no response or a positive review. I would suggest by not responding your not being rude to the submitter. On the other hand if your receiving many requests for reviews and your time is limited, then a simple

"I am sorry but due to the demand for our reviewing services, we can not accept your book for review at this time.

Thank you for your submission."

 

 

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I've been sending that type of sentiment out to the books I am really interested in checking out later, but dont have time right now... but some of them, I am just not interested.

 

Do you think a simple No, Thanks is better or worse then just not replying?

[Jennifer Kitchens]

I try to be as nice as possible.  I hope to be a published author myself someday, so I always try to think of how I'd like my rejections to be worded someday.  Personally, I have a fairly narrow genre that I review - clean romance.  So I try to list specifically that I don't accept books that do not fit into my criteria.  I usually don't say no - I haven't been around that much, but I will warn people when I'm getting overloaded so they know how long of a wait it will be.  The truth is, I love clean romance - so unless it's poorly written or just plain out there, I probably can appreciate it even if I don't like it.

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I have the dilemma that I don't really know my personal preferences quite yet. I only really started to love reading a few years ago and haven't come across many books I couldn't fly through. Its just been lately as time is important and more and more offers come in... I think I am not turning away bad books, just books that I wouldn't review as well as someone else....

 

if that makes ANY sense at all lol!

[Linda]

If I don't think I will like the book, I simply tell them that their book would not be a good match for me.  When I reach my limit I thank them for contacting me, but tell them I have so many books to review that I need to catch up before I accept any more.

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I like that... It isn't a good match :)

 

Thanks!

KW

[Evangeline Han]

In my review policy, I clearly state that I am under no obligation to perform a book review unless I agree. If they want to send me books, I'll accept the books but it doesn't mean that I will review those books. It is their job to ask me whether I can review or not.

 

http://sugarpeach.wordpress.com/