I’ve shared tidbits here and there about my journey to finishing my first novel and how it took years to stick with it and fight through life and doubt to complete it.

After I finished Even Halos Can Be Crooked, I skipped a lot of steps that authors take for promoting their novel and getting a buzz started. I didn’t do a cover reveal, I didn’t set up a pre-order, I didn’t promote it on Facebook book groups, or other social media outlets, I didn’t do a book tour, giveaway, or send out ARC’s. These are all steps Indie Authors take to help make their book release a success.

I was just so damn happy to have finished my first novel ever and get it formatted for print and ebook, I published it well before any of those traditional marketing steps were taken.

Once it was published is when I discovered all the extra things I’d missed in my excitement to share my first book. I started researching bloggers, joined a ton of Facebook groups, called my local libraries, reached out to our local news stations. It was slow going and painful.

One thing I did though, was make sure I wasn’t wasting my time or others by reaching out to reviewers that weren’t open to review requests, making sure the blogs weren’t dead and had no activity for a year, or they didn’t read that genre or subject matter.

Let me say it again for those in the back: I spent hours reading review requests and about reviews, how to requests, and searching for blogs that would cater to my novels genre.

It got depressing when I found so many blogs that were either closed to review requests, only wanted traditionally published authors, wanted money for reviews, had six months or longer turnaround times, or didn’t read my type of novel.

Then when I did find a reviewer that met those unicorn requirements, I had to find their name, their email address, and craft a review request.

Writing an email telling someone why they should pick your novel to read out of the hundreds of requests they probably get throughout the month is… some my most challenging writing I’ve done.

You can’t go in with an egotistically hard sell. It won’t work. The most it’s likely to do is get your email deleted or maybe staring in a ‘how not to request a review’ post.

You gotta show you took the time to read the request requirements. That’s huge in showing the reviewer respect for her time. Most of these bloggers are reading and reviewing books FOR FREE on top of working full time, raising a family, and trying to have a life.

You’re coming at them asking for a free promotional review, you can never go wrong with being humble.

Don’t go the opposite though;  some authors think it’s funny to put their work down as a selling point. Nine times out of ten, that’s not gonna work in your favor.

Take it from a bloggers point of view, why would they read your book if you don’t even like it??

You gotta sell the emotion, what’s different about your story that makes it stand out from all the other requests in their in-box. I started off saying this was my first novel ever and I’d greatly appreciate any help in promoting it.

Then I’d list why I think they might enjoy my story. I’d go off the tone of their blog and gear my reasoning towards that.

But I’d make sure to convey how much I love my characters, how much fun I had writing the novel and how much fun I have reading it. I’d list pop cultural references to give them an idea of what to expect – if you like Supernatural, then you might want to give this a try. If you like Katie MacAlister and her quirky sidekicks or humor, then you’ve gotta meet Desmin.

I’d try to compact that all into an email or form and it. Was. Grueling!!

It’s almost as rough as or worst than sending query letters. It’s pretty close between the two.

Keeping that request just long enough to gain interest – without it being so long I gave the plot away – used up a lot of my editing skills. Add in distractions of a tiny young baby and getting the email or request completed sometimes took anywhere from a couple of hours to days.

I made sure to include I’d cross promote the hell out of that review if they chose to read my book. Later on, I even put the reviews in the back of my future books.

I’d instantly be a mess of nerves and worry after I sent a request. More so if I went back, reread the request, and discovered typos! I’d immediately think ‘crap, there’s goes that chance!’ Especially if I spelled a name wrong!!!

I’d debate on would it make it worse to send another email correcting the mistake and then, even worse, have another freaking typo. I started crafting the requests in a Word document and then when I’d paste it in the email, the font would blow up.

Legit, it was just as hard as writing the novel was!!

When I finally got bloggers that agreed to review my first book, I was on pins and needles waiting to find out if they hated it, couldn’t finish it, or loved it!

It was depressing when a few that agreed to read it never posted a review, never followed up, nothing. I’d wonder, did they even read it?

I sent out a number of free copies knowing I might never get a review. I knew it was a chance and part of promoting myself all on my little lonesome.

I figured for the ones that didn’t review my novel, maybe that was for the best. You know what I mean?

Getting my first couple of reviews definitely started some friendships. When I say I’ll share and promote, I don’t mean just my review. I try to be supportive. These bloggers need the love just as much as we need review hugs.

Today, one of my awesome blog reviewers-turned friend shared a post about how to correctly request an honest review and I was honored to make the list of authors she shared that followed her requirements and took the time to do it right.

It validated all that time and effort I spent and showed it’s been appreciated.

Just because they are a blogger that’s not getting paid, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a professional approach.

I have mad love for book bloggers and greatly appreciate all their help in promoting, not just my novels, but all the books they share!

Here’s a link to my book blogging supporter that posted the blog ‘Honest Review Requests Done Right’ by Erica Robyn Reads! If you’re just getting started, this is something to keep in mind.