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.

[Lisa Sheppard]

I think it's important to disclose that you were given the book for review, but I don't necessarily think that you have to make that a thank you. I will send an email or thank them using the info they provide when they send the book.

[deb m (bookmagic)]

I will include a thank you at the end as a way of disclosing that the book I reviewed is an ARC. I don't think of it as bragging, just full disclosure. Many times I will send a link to the author or publicist of any book I review regardless of where I got the book.

[Charity Gamble]

For me it would be common courtesy and good manners to thank the person who sent the book. As some have said, the FTC plans on cracking down on blogs that receive products/books, etc for not disclosing that they received the product. The reason, obviously is that there are people who allow the free product/book to influence their review of it.

But in the interest of both disclosure and courtesy a thank you is a good way to go about it.

[Jayne Townsley]

I always thank my sponsor publicly regardless of the product I am reviewing because I choose to provide full disclosure. Aside from why I do it from a blogger's standpoint, I do it because I was raised that it was right to say thank you. I cannot believe anyone would tell you that it was tacky to do so.

[Anne Marie Busch]

You are doing them a favor by taking the time to read the book, and then reviewing it. Word of mouth is very important to any author or publisher. Thanking them for providing you with a free book is not necessary, but if you feel that it is something that you would like to do, I don't understand why anyone should have a problem with it. You just have to go with your gut

[Patricia Ramirez]

If I can tactfully incorporate a "thank you" into my review, then I do. If not, I don't stress. Not to sound dismissive, but the very fact that book review bloggers are willing to post reviews on a book is often thanks enough. Some distributers, authors, publishers and publicists out there don't want it to be common knowledge that they disperse free review copies, lest they be inundated with requests...

[Kathleen Garber]

I think it's not only about thank yous but about covering your butt. I'm sure everyone's seen all the talk about indicating when a book you review was provided to you so no one can say you just said it was good because you got it for free, or worse.

[Sara Grochowski]

I say thank you... who ever said it is tacky, I think is silly... Yes, you are helping out the author or publisher, but you got a free book out of the deal... I say thanks! :)

[Elle Symonds]

I always drop them an email to say thank-you. It's the easiest way!

[Michael Rosenbaum]

Joana,

The FTC rules might change this, of course, but there's no reason to mention that you got the book for free. The print media set the standards for this many years ago with no mention that they were reviewing free copies from the publishers. It was a given, just as movie reviewers went to screenings instead of buying a ticket after the show opened.

As an author, I want people to review my books. That's how I get publicity and publicity drives sales. A public acknowledgment is not necessary and can detract from the appearance of independence when the review is favorable.

Michael Rosenbaum
http://yournamehereguide.wordpress.com/