Question about books sent to you by an author/publisher

[Kaila Ann]

I received my first book from an author/publisher and the only paper that was with the book was a copy of a press release printed from the internet. On the first page of the book in a hand written note it says for review purposes only.

What exactly does that mean? Does it mean that I have to leave it on my bookshelf to forever collect dust? I am hoping that someone with a bit more experience in this area will be willing to help me. Thanks!

[Maw Books]

It means that they don't want you to sell it. The worse thing you can do is put it up on Amazon, ebay, and the likes. You will burn bridges with the publisher if you do. By receiving an ARC, the publisher would like you to read it and post a review. Many bloggers do give the book away, pass it on to other bloggers, or donate it.

[Kaila Ann]

So I can pass it along for someone else as long as I am not selling it?

[pussreboots]

I register the books through BookCrossing and either give them away to other members at our monthly meetings or I wild release them at a local coffee shop.

[Kaila Ann]

That's what I was planning to do as well but I wanted to make sure that I am not making anyone mad by doing it although it does state clearly in my review policy that I am a member of bookcrossing and likely to share my books with others.

[Kaila Ann]

It is actually stated in my review policy so I am going to assume that 1. he read the policy and 2. that he doesn't mind my sharing the book as long as I don't sell it.

My Review Policy

[pussreboots]

You won't be the only bookcrosser by far releasing ARCs. I received a number of ARCs through the site long before I was getting ARCs to review on my blog.

[CJ West]

Kaila Ann,

I can give you an author's perspective. We spend lots of money on books that we give away to reviewers and bookstore owners. Not only is the author / publisher paying for the book, but also shipping and packaging, etc. Personally, I am glad if bloggers and bookstore owners pass these books on to friends. Our goal in giving these books away is that our work will be read. All the ideas above about passing the book on or releasing it into the wild are great.

What is a bit more disturbing is when I have written a personal note in a book that I have given to someone for free and then another person buys the book online and writes to tell me about it. Not only did it cost me $12 - $14 to send a free book, but now that free book has also cost me a sale. If this happens enough times it becomes frustrating.

[sari]

Here is a thought CJ that might leave you less frustrated. Let's say I am just bought a book you wrote from someone else. I like the book so much that I write to you praising your work. In my post I mention the handwritten note I found. You think "great, this is a lost sale", when you should think "great, this person writing me likes my work, perhaps she will buy more".

See, some of us do not go out and buy books from unknown authors (or new to us authors). We tend to want these books at a discount in case we do not like the work. If we really like the writing most likely we will go out and pay full price for other work by that author.

[Kaila Ann]

Thank you for posting an author's take on this, it was very much appreciated/needed. And thank you to everyone that was nice enough to answer this question for me.

[Tim Roux]

Legally, if you are sent a free book, no terms imposed apply unless you have agreed them in advance, which would not stop publishers blacklisting you, but how would they know unless they bought the book back themselves? I would think that very few publihers send out only one copy for review.

Personally, I don't care. If people read my books and enjoy them, however they acquire them, that is good enough for me. It is all good publicity. It may deprive me of two dollars a book or something, but it won't deprive me of millions (that being the choice, of course).