I just had the below email exchange within someone named Elizabeth who is purportedly someone working with this club about the inclusion of my latest novel, I Before E, In your monthly reading challenge. Could someone tell me is this real or is this a scam?
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Thank you for getting back to me. I completely understand your concern, especially with the number of scams targeting authors. You should absolutely feel comfortable verifying who you are speaking with and how the opportunity works before making any decision.
The Goodreads community I work with is The Catch-Up Book Club, and you can view the group here:
You are also welcome to reach out to me directly through Goodreads so you can verify my connection with the community.
How the Reading Challenge Works.
Each month, we organize a themed reading challenge with different prompts that give readers an opportunity to discover books they may not have come across otherwise. The prompts are shared with members ahead of time, allowing them to look through the selections, add books to their reading lists, and decide what they would like to read.
When a book fits one of the prompts, we introduce it to the community before the challenge begins. Readers can then add the book to their lists, read it during the challenge, and participate in discussions around their reading experience. If the book genuinely connects with them, they may also share recommendations and leave their own honest Goodreads feedback.
The goal is not simply to put a book in front of readers for a short period. We want the book to have a natural place within the reading experience, where readers can discover it, discuss it, and potentially recommend it to others.
Where I Before E Fits.
Based on the description of I Before E, I see several natural connections with our reading prompts, particularly:
LGBTQ+ Fiction - for readers looking for stories that explore LGBTQ+ experiences and perspectives.
Coming-of-Age - for readers interested in personal growth, transition, and finding one's place in the world.
Identity & Self-Discovery - particularly where the story explores identity, belonging, and understanding oneself.
Family & Relationships - for readers drawn to family dynamics and emotionally meaningful relationships.
Historical Fiction - where the historical setting contributes to the story.
Literary Fiction - for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional and thematic depth.
Multigenerational Stories - for readers interested in how experiences, relationships, and perspectives develop across generations.
I would not want to force the book into a prompt simply for the sake of featuring it. The intention is to find the prompt that genuinely suits the story so that it reaches readers who are most likely to appreciate it.
Regarding your question about financial commitment, there is no charge for you to review the community, look through the prompts, or decide whether this is a suitable opportunity for I Before E. I would encourage you to take your time and verify everything first.
If, after reviewing the community and prompts, you feel the challenge is a good fit for I Before E, I’d be happy to discuss how we could feature the book and explain any associated investment clearly before you make a decision. There is no obligation to move forward.
For now, please have a look through the group and the prompts I’ve included, and feel free to reach out to me directly through Goodreads. I’d be glad to answer any questions you have and help you determine whether the opportunity is genuinely a good fit for the book.
--
Thank you for getting back to me. I completely understand your concern, especially with the number of scams targeting authors. You should absolutely feel comfortable verifying who you are speaking with and how the opportunity works before making any decision.
The Goodreads community I work with is The Catch-Up Book Club, and you can view the group here:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
You are also welcome to reach out to me directly through Goodreads so you can verify my connection with the community.
How the Reading Challenge Works.
Each month, we organize a themed reading challenge with different prompts that give readers an opportunity to discover books they may not have come across otherwise. The prompts are shared with members ahead of time, allowing them to look through the selections, add books to their reading lists, and decide what they would like to read.
When a book fits one of the prompts, we introduce it to the community before the challenge begins. Readers can then add the book to their lists, read it during the challenge, and participate in discussions around their reading experience. If the book genuinely connects with them, they may also share recommendations and leave their own honest Goodreads feedback.
The goal is not simply to put a book in front of readers for a short period. We want the book to have a natural place within the reading experience, where readers can discover it, discuss it, and potentially recommend it to others.
Where I Before E Fits.
Based on the description of I Before E, I see several natural connections with our reading prompts, particularly:
LGBTQ+ Fiction - for readers looking for stories that explore LGBTQ+ experiences and perspectives.
Coming-of-Age - for readers interested in personal growth, transition, and finding one's place in the world.
Identity & Self-Discovery - particularly where the story explores identity, belonging, and understanding oneself.
Family & Relationships - for readers drawn to family dynamics and emotionally meaningful relationships.
Historical Fiction - where the historical setting contributes to the story.
Literary Fiction - for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional and thematic depth.
Multigenerational Stories - for readers interested in how experiences, relationships, and perspectives develop across generations.
I would not want to force the book into a prompt simply for the sake of featuring it. The intention is to find the prompt that genuinely suits the story so that it reaches readers who are most likely to appreciate it.
Regarding your question about financial commitment, there is no charge for you to review the community, look through the prompts, or decide whether this is a suitable opportunity for I Before E. I would encourage you to take your time and verify everything first.
If, after reviewing the community and prompts, you feel the challenge is a good fit for I Before E, I’d be happy to discuss how we could feature the book and explain any associated investment clearly before you make a decision. There is no obligation to move forward.
For now, please have a look through the group and the prompts I’ve included, and feel free to reach out to me directly through Goodreads. I’d be glad to answer any questions you have and help you determine whether the opportunity is genuinely a good fit for the book.
Elizabeth.