Paid Book Reviews-- What Do You Think?

[Christy Pinheiro]

Since the FTC has decided to have review bloggers disclose their freebies; what do all of you think of paid reviews?

I mean, I’m really happy to get book reviews for free, but I think that many of us would be happy to pay in order to get a review in a timely manner. And I don’t think that means the review has to be positive—believe me, I used to give people bad news about their taxes, but they got a bill from me either way! So what do you think of paid reviews??


Indie Book Reviewer List

(I edited this discussion on 10/30-- since it was woefully out of date. I also added the indie book reviewer questionnaire so that book reviewers who want to be in the Indie Reviewer "Yellow Pages" can send it to me and be included in the listing)

[Christy Pinheiro]

Hi Cheryl;
I love your book review blog, and you have a good follower base. Please consider listing your blog on the indie reviewer website (if you review self-published and small press books).

I already got 5 new reviewers in November and I'd love to make it up to 10 new book reviewers for the month.Here's the website so you can see what I mean:

http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/

[Mark Whiteway]

Christy,

Speaking as an indie author, your indie reviewer database is a brilliant resource! I only found it a couple of days ago, but I have already pitched a number of the reviewers listed and got some really positive responses! Thanks for all your hard work in putting it together!

Incidentally, we chatted earlier in the year about Midwest Book Reviews, about whom I was a little skeptical. After taking your advice, I ended up getting a teriffic review from them. I've never been so happy to be proved wrong! Thanks again.

Mark Whiteway - Author of the Lodestone Series of Books.

[Mystee]

I'll add my blog. I review for anyone and most any genre ☺

[Mark Whiteway]

Mystee,

...including mine!!! Good to hear from you. I hope you well and are curled up with Lodestone Book Two!!!

Kind Regards

Mark Whiteway

[Mystee]

Hi Mark. I can't wait to read book two. ☺My son {11} is actually tackling book 1 right now.

Mystee

[Mark Whiteway]

Mystee,

That's great! Actually, the strongest reaction I've been getting has been from young people who've read it, which has actually come as quite a surprise to me, as I didn't specifically write it with young people in mind! I would be most interested to hear your son's reaction!

Just to confirm, you did get Book Two, right? I mailed it to you in August shortly after its release. Let me know?

Thanks

Mark W.

[Mystee]

So far it has him drawn in. He seems to like the book that takes him into another world. He's not a fast reader, so it takes him awhile and he usually won't read. But since I review so much now, I've been able to find some really great books that do grab him attention and make him want to read.

Oh, I don't have it. I bet it went to my old address and they didn't hold or forward it for me. They should probably be returning it to you within a few weeks and, from what I've been told, the packaging comes back pretty beat up. I had all sorts of problems with the old post office with my move. Even after telling them to not forward and just hold..that I'd make the 3 hour round trip drive once a week to collect things.
Mystee

[Mark Whiteway]

Mystee

If it hasn't been returned by now, its probably floating down the Ohio River! Hey, these things happen. Not to worry. If you let me have your new address either on this blog or at my email address which is [e-mail], then I will get another copy out to you.

Regards

Mark W.

[Mystee]

I guess it floating down the Ohio river is good for the schools of fish.
I'll drop you an email right now.

Mystee

[Iben]

I would ofc love to be paid for doing what I love - book reviewing, but only under the circumstance that I still have completely free speech. I can't abide the thought of being paid off. If a book is horrible I want to be able to tell my readers just that! So if in order to get paid I'd have to sign a contract where I can't speak negatively about certain books I'd turn down the offer

~ iben
Borough of Books

[Mark Whiteway]

Hi Iben,

I am offering my books to any reviewers who are seriously interested in reviewing them. Please feel free to check out the links as follows:-

http://www.amazon.com/Lodestone-Book-One-Sea-Storms/dp/1602645469/r...

http://www.amazon.com/Lodestone-Book-Two-World-Stars/dp/1602645884/...

If you think you might be interested in reviewing the series, please contact me at my email address, which is [e-mail].

Kind Regards

Mark Whiteway - Author of the Lodestone Series

[Iben]

have sent you a mail