How to Say Thank You for the Book on a Book Blog

[Joana]

This is something that has been bugging me for a while. When I first started doing book reviews, any time I received a book for review (whether it was from an author, publisher -whatever) I enclosed a thank you to them in the review. Something along the lines of "Special thanks to Author-Person for providing a free copy for review" at the end of the review after the rating. If they had a website I'd also give 'em a plug. I was told that looked tacky so I stopped.

I might get a handful of books from authors and publishers every other month or so, so I never really gave it much thought. But over the past month I've been receiving a lot of free books to review from a number of authors, publishers, and book groups. Now I feel kind of ungrateful by not mentioning them.

My question is this: Do you feel a "thank you" is necessary (or at least a mention) that you received the book in question for free and if so how? Does it make the review look tacky, devalue it, or make you look like a braggart? Those were actually some of the comments I once received, hence why I stopped.

[sari]

I sometimes mention how I got the review and may have once or twice included a thank you if I had won a contest. How I always thank the publisher or author is either by e-mail or on the enclosed mail in card I receive with books. I find it really irritating to get books from publishers with them enclosing a note on how to contact them. It irritating because I want to thank someone for a book. I just received a book (it was not good) but for the life of me I do not have a clue how to thank the person who sent it!

[Jaime Huff]

Is it on the back of the book? Some ARCs will have the contact information on the back. That's what I do for the ones that don't send any card, letter or anything.

[Linda]

If I have an email conversation I will thank them, but usually don't mention anything in the review. Maybe people who don't do reviews think that it will influence your review. Most authors and publicists are so gracious and thank me for reviewing, how can I not thank them for the book! But then again, I usually do that personally after the review. Seems to me that it is neither right or wrong.

[Lisa Jemus]

I think it is not only NOT tacky, but it is extremely courteous and professional to thank someone! You go girl! Thank away!

[Terri Quinn]

I think that you need to do whatever you feel is best. It is your review, so include any information you think is relevant, including the thank you. I've started listing the source of the book in my reviews, be it the library, a contest win, a personal purchase, or a review copy from the publisher. However, that may change next week, as I'm constantly trying out different formats for my reviews.

Try not to let the nasty people bother you. I know it's hard, but maybe if they don't get a reaction they'll stop with the hateful comments. Personally, I'm thrilled when I see that someone is getting ARCs and review copies, as that means there's a chance I might get something in the future! And I can still pick up free books at the library, so I'm not really missing out. *L*

~Terri

[Karoline]

that's a nice point. It's true, when I see people getting some ARC I say: "Hey! I I want that too" and try to get one. It's fun. :) I don't think it's bragging at all.

[Cheryl]

I than kthe author or publisher in my email with the direct link to my review. I do thank them publicty but not as part of my review. Check out my blog to see what I mean.

[Keta Diablo]

I think it's wonderful you thank them! And they should thank you for taking the time to review. Common courtesy all the way around goes a long way in this sometimes "snarky" industry. Keep up the kind words.

Keta Diablo

[Grace]

I always begin my reviews by thanks the publisher or author who sent it to me. Whoever said that it is unprofessional is obviously not a blogger. I do it mainly to let my readers know where the book has come from. I have never been called unprofessional or “tacky” because I thank the person who sent me a book. It is common courtesy.

Furthermore, anyone who does not see the value of book bloggers is clearly behind on the times. Publishers do not send out review copies to bloggers and then ignore the reviews, or at least the smart ones don’t. I think it is arrogant to assume that because bloggers are not paid, professional reviewers that our opinions mean less. Especially because given the state of the current (shrinking) New York Times Book Review, you have a much better chance of getting an actual review from a blogger. I have gotten many personal thanks from both the authors and the publishers. So, no not all publishers and authors ignore the bloggers.

[BJ Davis]

I was told by a reviewer that I should include a thank you with my reviews on Amazon.com. Is that correct?

[Maw Books]

Only if the publisher asks you too. I've never posted a single review on Amazon and don't plan to in the near future. I have a statement on my blog that I only post on my blog. I'm to busy for anything else.

[Harvee Lau]

There has been some talk recently that the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) may be getting unhappy with what could seem like reviews for free books, without letting the readers know that your book was received free. I've read a few blogs commenting on this, so I've decided to add to the end of each review, something like this: Book provided by the author/publisher for my objective review. or Book was given by the author for review.

Talk is that come September the FTC is going to start looking, but how to police tons of blogs is another matter. If anyone has more info on this, we would love to hear.