Unknown Book

[Rick]

I received a book via UPS today. I don't remember requesting a review. Do you ever get books you don't remember requesting or trying to win. I'm not sure who to send the review to, or a thank you to for the contest. I'm not sure what to do after I've read it. It's one I wanted to read, but I don't remember any details associated with it.

[melydia]

This has happened to me. Multiple times. Mostly because I don't keep track of the contests I enter or the books coming my way. I like to be surprised. And if there's no contact information enclosed, then I don't have to worry about (1) reading/reviewing it immediately or (2) remembering to let someone specific know that I reviewed it. Win-win, if you ask me. :)

[Terry Doherty]

We get lots of unsolicited books all the time ... are you listed in a directory of book reviewers or describe the books you like on your blog's review policy? We've had authors and publishers search these directories and then go the extra mile to get our address (it's not on our websites and blogs). If you Google the book's title and author, maybe you'll get a return from a site that you frequent and that might jog your memory.

[Rick]

I'll try that Terry. I'm not on a directory, but that intrigues me. Where do I find them. I don't have a review policy. I probably should, but just started fully on December 1st.

[sari]

I agree. A nice note with the book would be appreciated. At least this way reviewers would have some clue as to who sent the book.

[sari]

That happened a lot last summer. I signed up with a couple of publishers but usually get a request to review a particular book. Now I keep a careful log of what I asked for and when I received it. This way if I get an unwanted book that I will not read I do not feel bad.

[Jaime Huff]

Quite a bit, really. I wish they would include a note if they are sending it for review purposes. But either ways, I don't rush on the ones I have no clue where they came from!

[Stacy-Deanne]

Jaime,

You don't have any obligation to them at all. It's very unprofessional when an author or pub can't check with the reviewer first. Unless the reviewer has on their site that they welcome unsolicited books for review, then the author or pub should contact before sending. But it's at their own risk when they send something you don't ask for. If they seriously want a review then they can contact you first. There are many reasons for this, not only is it professional, but you might not read the type of book the author wrote or you might be so backed up you can't do a review. Something anyone would know if they took the time to contact you first and let you decline or accept. Also them contacting the reviewer most likely might get their book read sooner because the reviewer will remember the person spoke to them personally.

If it were me, I wouldn't worry about it. If you really want to review it then save the book for those days when you're caught up and bored, LOL! Don't rearrange your schedule to fit it in though. That's the chance people take when they just send their book without even contacting you. And don't feel guilty either.

Best Wishes!

http://www.stacy-deanne.net

[Stacy-Deanne]

Hi Rick,

If you don't do unsolicited reviews then don't worry about receiving the book. Some reviewers post that they don't deal with books sent to them without notice. People send them anyway. If you like the book and want to do a review, then you can. But don't feel obligated, especially if you can't find time or interest to work with it. As an author, I understand why some reviewers don't like unsolicited books. They get backed up with reviews as it is. A person can send them a simple email or at least a letter with the book asking for a review but they shouldn't expect to just send reviewers books and get a review.

So if you didn't review it or acknowledged it, there's nothing wrong with that in my opinion. You're never granted a review and someone sent this book to you out of the blue. You have obligation so this is totally up to you. Especially if you're backed up with reviews you're promised to. The professonal thing was for the author or pub to make sure you accepted unsolicited books and they should have checked anyway before sending. Authors spending postage fees to seen unsolicited materials to people is a big waste of time and money.

Best Wishes!

http://www.stacy-deanne.net