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   Sarah J Hoodlet (sjhoodlet@writing.exchange)'s status on Wednesday, 25-Sep-2024 02:20:45 JST Sarah J Hoodlet

   #WritersCoffeeClub 22Sep—Would you ever pay for a review? Have you? Do you feel it’s worth it?

   A thread.

   I've never paid for a review. However, I’ve offered my book for free (to ARCs) in exchange for one. Of the 8 that took me up on that, only 1 left a review.

   I’ve also used BookSirens (again for ARCs, although my book’s published). Technically, I guess I’m paying for that, because each time someone downloads it I get charged $2. So far, 10 have downloaded it, and 2 have left reviews.

   ...

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     Sarah J Hoodlet (sjhoodlet@writing.exchange)'s status on Wednesday, 25-Sep-2024 02:20:43 JST Sarah J Hoodlet

     in reply to

     Like others mentioned yesterday, I feel like there are a lot of instances where self-published authors are getting scammed or taken advantage of. Even if an influencer only asks for a paperback copy of the book without a fee, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a review.

     And it’s not actually free. In fact, between the cost of the author copy and shipping, it’s more expensive for us to send it than it is for them to just buy it themselves.

     …

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     Sarah J Hoodlet (sjhoodlet@writing.exchange)'s status on Wednesday, 25-Sep-2024 02:20:44 JST Sarah J Hoodlet

     in reply to

     As a new author, I was experimenting with ways to get my book into the hands of readers. Going forward, I probably won’t use Book Sirens again (not worth it, IMO), and I’ll limit the free books to those people who have read the first one (because it’s a series, and offering the second one for free when they haven’t read the first seems a little odd).

     …

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     Sarah J Hoodlet (sjhoodlet@writing.exchange)'s status on Wednesday, 25-Sep-2024 02:21:08 JST Sarah J Hoodlet

     in reply to

     I understand and respect that influencers are trying to make money, or are dedicated to the craft of influencing others. But it does seem a little…manipulative.

     In the end, I wish authors didn’t have to worry about paying for reviews and/or ratings. I wish readers would leave them, with honest opinions and gentle feedback, and we could all live peacefully.

     I know. That's never going to happen. Wishful thinking.

     -end-