I am back after my one week hiatus from the Buzzers. This week our topic was chosen by Evie and we talk about our reason's for accepting or denying review requests, so kind of a do's and don'ts of requests. Watch on to see me rant (this week ON topic woohoo!)
So what makes you accept or deny a review request?
Let me know!
I 100% agree with you, especially about the twitter/facebook ones. Would You believe that I've been getting a bunch on goodreads and on blog COMMENTS? Some authors are ridiculous. I'm pretty sure I have my blog linked to my goodreads, and the contact me button isn't too far away on my blog to click instead of commenting! yikes.
ReplyDeleteoh and another one I hate would be when I get a review email that starts off by saying:
" REVIEW THE NEXT BEST-SELLER FROM *Instert Flattering Comment* AUTHOR ______. and then they tell you what the book is about and link you to their goodreads. You're kidding me right? I won't accept a request if it feels like I'm talking to an automated machine, that can't be bothered to say hello first! The List could go on forever.... But I 100% agree with you on everything!
I get really annoyed by requests that don't come via email. Also, ones that don't include all the important info and books that clearly aren't what I read.
ReplyDeleteI do like requests that let me know the author read my review policy, and ones that are clever and grab my attention.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jenni!
I've been getting them on twitter and goodreads as well. Haven't gotten one via e-mail though, but I don't have my e-mail up anywhere either, because my blog isn't that known and atm I'm just reviewing books I know I'll probably enjoy and own myself. But I do get where you're coming from! Okay, I wanted to say something else as well, but I can't remember... Whyyyyy??? Alright, I cannot remember.. -.-
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts and have a lovely week, Jenni! :)
Great vlog sweets!! I'm not going to leave a big long comment since I already commented on the YouTube channel.
ReplyDeleteOooh, this is a good topic!
ReplyDeleteYour name ISN'T Alluring Reads? O_O How did I not know this? *shock*
Yup. No links is lame. Also, they almost never put the cover in there, which is because it sucks. But I can find it, so you might as well put everything in one place.
I've gotten a couple requests like that, where they've clearly read a review of mine at least. Those are much more tempting. I accepted one of those.
Wow, a self-help diet book: that sounds insulting. Punch! Yeah, I've gotten like medical thrillers and legal books and I'm like WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.
DO NOT ATTACH THE BOOK. DO NOT. If I were a worse person, I would leak all of those on the web, because I didn't want it. I also won't accept those no matter what.
Twitter ones. OMG. NO. Goodreads is okay, so long as it's a book that I've added. I got one of those. If it's an author friending me and pimping their book, though, not happening.
I get so many requests just sent to "Dear Blogger" -- I pretty much delete them right off the bat.
ReplyDeleteSOMETIMES I'll search for the author or book ... I kind of like to see what the ratings ARE before I accept a book for review. If all it has are crappy reviews, I tend to deny.
I LOVE IT when authors do their research and actually look around on our pages before they send a request. I mean, if we're going to devote our time to read and review their book, the least they can do is take the time to get to know US as bloggers.
I don't get a lot of review requests via Twitter or Facebook, but I HAVE gotten them. They kind of drive me nuts.
I think I've finally gotten to the point where I'll do the requesting. Yes, I may open up my review policy to say I'm accepting requests ONE DAY, but not now. I have too many things to read as it is.
Great vlog!
Hi Jenni,
ReplyDeleteI'm not a book reviewer, but I think this was great. It's often easy to forget how super busy book reviewers are. I bet many of you go unappreciated.
BTW...I love that you vlogged your tips.
Addressing you not as a person but as "Alluring Reads"?? That's kinda bizarre. And I agree with you... it's such an honored and happy feeling when I receive a sincere review request that has everything included. Loved your vlog, Jenni!
ReplyDeleteI accept as many books as I can fit into my schedule. I am not picky at all about the books I accept, because depending on my mood, it could be any type. But I won't accept books I know for sure I will not want to pick up and read.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few exceptions. There are times that I get an email with a "request" that doesn't tell me ONE thing about the book, not even the title. That is ridiculous. They will just have in the email quotes from other bloggers who liked the book, but nothing about the book at all. Some without even a link to their website which confuses me.
I have even had 2 "requests" in which I responded with interest and was told that I should "buy" their book to "review" it. Um...No . One of these books I actually did buy because it sounded awesome, but unfortunately it's at the bottom of my TBR list, probably not to get a review anytime in the near future with my other responsibilities.
Love this topic! I agree with absolutely everything you said. I hate the "Dear Bloggers" they're so impersonal. I understand that authors are trying to get the word out about their book, but if they can't take the ten minutes to personalize a request, why would I take the 4-6 hours to read and review their book. Even if they didn't read my review policy, it's common courtesy. I especially dislike authors who blatantly ignore my book tastes. I've lost track of how many thriller mysteries I get *sigh*. Thanks for being a part of book buzzers! Hopefully some authors will take this week's question to heart.
ReplyDeletePretty much agree with all of the ones you've listed. I can't stand when they're addressed "Dear Blogger" or "Burning.x.Impossibly.x.Bright" or sometimes don't even have any kind of Addressee...they just go straight into it! I'll admit on a grumpy/long day, I will even ignore the ones where they spell my name wrong. It just bothers me, and since I never once spell my name "Amber" on my blog, it always makes me pretty aware that they really didn't look at my blog that closely. :P
ReplyDeleteI also can't stand to get books that have nothing to do with the genres you read. A few weeks ago I got a request for a book about finding balance with your spouse. First thought, not even married! Second, huh???! Sometimes I'm not sure where the people requesting reviews get their info. :P
My other big review request pet peeve is when I'm subscribed to someone's mailing list without being asked to be signed up. I think if you're going to sign up someone for your mailing list you should send them an email first asking if it's alright. I just find it so rude to just add someone to a mailing list when you've never even talked to them before.
I also agree that it's awesome when you can tell someone has actually read your review policy and taken the time to read some of your posts. Those kind of requests are so nice. :)
I have to admit that I always want authors to include their book description and links in the request, but I don't really like it when they send them all as attachments....but I must admit, it's better than when they give you nothing. I've gotten requests before that pretty much just gave me the author's name and the book title, and that was about it. I've gotten a FB request before, too...although it was more of a plea to buy their book. It was like "Here's my book on Amazon. You should read it"...I promptly deleted the message and don't remember it or the author. I don't post my personal FB on my blog, so I found it to be almost an infringement on my one personal page...like you mentioned in your video. I haven't gotten one since then though and that was over a year ago, so hopefully you're good. :)
Thanks for sharing. :) It's a great topic this week, and I loved hearing your answers, Jenni!
Great vlog Jenni! I hate it review requests don't include my name. I mean really? My name is in the name of my blog and in my email address, how can you not get that right?
ReplyDeleteI also feel a bit offended if it's clear that the author didn't bother to proofread the email and there's spelling mistakes in the first sentence.
Also, self-help requests are totally weird.
Yes to all of these. Yes. No requests on Twitter and Facebook OR Goodreads. Include my freaking name in the email. Don't send an attachment of the book with your request or I will rant on you.
ReplyDeleteBasically, I don't accept self-published books anymore. I will make an exception if I have worked with you before, but even that is rare. I need to read what I want these days. I am over required reading. OVER IT.
Great vlog, chickie!
I think your blog ate my comment! Or I didn't publish it (probably most likely).
ReplyDeleteJust before I watched your vlog I received an email 'Dear Mel'...yeah, that's so not my name dude. Really irritates me, at least call me Aussie Zombie if you can't find my name (which is not hard at all).
It makes the delete button look reaaaaaaaally attractive!
Love this topic! I've only had one review request and she was awesome! She included links and everything, spelled my name right (a LOT of people spell it Leanna, just NO). It didn't really indicate that she took the time to go through my blog and everything, but the genre was something I liked as well, so maybe she did!
ReplyDeleteThe self-help thing is weird! LOL, like are you saying that I need help with something?!