Jan Pat asked Leslie Tall Manning:

Hi Leslie, I appreciated your guidelines on Goodreads giveaways. I'm also an author- of a sci-fish post-gender novel. It seems like you generated readers and reviews. Is it worth the $119? BTW- I used to like Shel Silverstein, until I became the Giving Tree and felt used and bankrupt. My favorite futuristic authors are Octavia Butler, Robert Heinlein and Lois Lowry. I'm going to read your Laura Ingalls.

Leslie Tall Manning Hi, Jan! Thanks for reaching out. Awesome that you are an author as well. I have made so many valuable connections here, both readers and writers. It really is a great place. As far as Goodreads is concerned, every author has his or her own ideas regarding giveaways. I have one friend who refuses to do them, ever. I have other friends who use Amazon kindle countdown deals. I find that Goodreads Giveaways, if anything, puts me on some bookshelves and definitely on readers' radar. Between Goodreads, Book Sirens, and Netgalley, over six years and across six published books, I have received nearly 100 reviews. So, for me, a few hundred bucks to get new readers is worth it. Everyone has their own budget and writing journey. You sort of have to decide what works for you.

I will say that if you do a Goodreads giveaway, offer the kindle version. That way you can give away up to 100 copies and you never have to mail a thing! I have made a lot of new friends this way, as well as gained more readership. This whole writing and publishing thing really is a snail's journey. Being in a hurry to gain readers and reviews is futile.
Best of luck to you, Jan!!

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