Questions about obtaning free copies.

[Justin]

I happen to be an impoverished college student, whose only found a job after scouting for nearly six months. Therefore my only means of work is reviewing books on blogs by signing up for various book blogs. But lately I've been eager about reviewing more books than just the ones received through tours. I'm very apprehensive about contacting writers about blog reviews as I feel I'm attempting only to earn the book for free. And they believe I have no interest in promoting their book upon my blog within an intelligent manner. Anyways, anyone have suggestions on how to address authors in email about book reviews? Also, anyone have any links for book blog tours that are specially for Young Adult Fiction?

[Nikola S]

Hey Justin!

Well, first of all, I would create a Blogger or Wordpress blog instead of the LiveJournal one. It's just more professional, plus readers tend to react better to a blog that isn't a part of a social network.

Secondly, before you write to authors, try and attract readers to your blog. Imagine the author or publicist receiving an email with a link to a blog that has no followers or no comments. What kind of promotion would that be? So first, review the books you've already read, or slowly import the reviews from your LiveJournal blog (don't post them all at once!). The best way to attract readers is to comment on their blogs, of course. Also,do you happen to have a book you don't need? Organize a giveaway!

After you have readership, now is the time to write to authors and publishers. Make sure you are kind and proof-read the letter until you're sure it's spotless. Tell them exactly what you can offer - what kind of promotion the book can get on your blog.

I hope that answers your question. Feel free to contact me if you ever need help.

[Linda]

I always let the the authors and publishers know that I also post my reviews on commercial sites (amazon,b&n, etc) and on reader sites (librarything, goodreads, etc.) I love getting the free books, but I really do spend a lot of time writing my review and posting it in many places.

[Jaime Huff]

I am going to ditto what Nikola and Linda said. Build up your readership and reviews, post on Amazon, BN, etc. When you do contact authors and publishers ALWAYS include links to your blog, and your reviewer accounts on Amazon, BN, Goodreads, Librarything, Shelfari, etc. They need to see that you are actually reading and reviewing books and that you are not just contacting them for free books. I also let them know I am a member of Bookblogs.ning.com also. Knowing that you network on bookwormish social networks is good too

http://www.thestorysiren.com/ has a ton of great links and tips about getting ARCs. She also has an email from a publisher about bloggers requesting ARCs.. they know whether somebody is a serious reviewer or not!

Good luck!

[BrownGirl]

I'll third everything that was said by the other members. Don't be afraid to approach publishers. My blog is extremely new and I sent a request to a huge publishing house for a book released a few months ago and they obliged me. I told them why I thought my readers would like a review of the book and where I'd post the review.

This list was helpful as I've found that uncovering the contact info for book requests isn't always obvious: http://www.lindaformichelli.com/reviewcopy/

good luck to you!

[Karoline]

True, very very true. Don't be afraid. If you don't get a response don't worry, keep going. Keep in mind just get the books you really really want to read.

That link provided by Browngirl is a great source of info (for the most part)

[Mary @ The Sweet Bookshelf]

Check out the group here with Boswick Communications. I've been receiving books for review from them! enter tons of contests, and there is always someone on here that will let you know if anyone is giving away any copies!

good luck!

Mary
The Sweet Bookshelf

[Stacy-Deanne]

Hi Justin,

It's best to approach the publishers. You might not ever hear back from the author, at least in a timely manner. It takes most of us a long time to go through emails and not just that, some just won't right you back because that's just how they are. You have people like that in all industries. You'll be taken more seriously by going through the publisher. Some authors (not all) even take offense to reviewers contacting them for copies. Like you pointed out, they might think you're just looking for free copies even though you're not. It also wouldn't hurt to let the publisher know you're a college student. It would give them a good idea of what kind of promotion or attention your blog would bring their author's book, if they chose to send you a copy.

Best Wishes!

http://www.stacy-deanne.net

[Wayne Hurlbert]

When contacting an author, offer to interview them on your blog in addition to the review. Most authors are very receptive to a question and answer format. You can supply anywhere from 6 to 12 questions about the book, the characters, something interesting about the author, and about their future plans as an author. At the end of the interview, you can link to the book review and vice versa. Be sure to link to the author's website and or blog; as well as to the publisher site.

Photos of the author also help to enhance the impression of your book reviews. A pic of the cover helps readers to identify the book quickly online or in their local bookstore. The photo of the author helps to place a real person with the book, making the review more immediate and personal. Authors appreciate that touch as well. I do it for all of my reviews, and most authors are pleased to see their photo on the review.

Don't be discouraged. Everyone had to start out slowly. After a while, as your contacts with publishers, publicists and authors builds up, and your reputation is established as a reliable, quality reviewer, the books will be easier to obtain.

All my best.