Joan Cox
asked
Werner A. Lind:
Werner, how do you introduce your work to people on goodread? I have placed an excerpt of my book on my blog, however I don't know how well attention is given to new blogs to the whole community. Do they receive access through the email?
Werner A. Lind
Joan, good question! If you're a Goodreads author, you can connect your blog to your Goodreads profile. Anyone on Goodreads can access it from there, and your Goodreads friends will get notices of your new blog posts in their continuous update feed, which shows on their homepage. But only people who officially "follow" you on Goodreads will get e-mailed notices of your new posts. I don't blog myself, but one author friend has stated that author blogs (new or old) don't really receive much attention.
Many authors do introductory giveaways of their books, though I never have (and the results of these are mixed, in terms of reviews). Many Goodreads groups have venues where author members can introduce and promote their work. You can also add your book to Goodreads lists where it's appropriate (though I personally don't add my own work to "Best of..." or "Recommended..." lists). Some authors agree to "swap" honest reviews, but those arrangements need to be disclosed openly in the reviews, and have obvious pitfalls (for instance, it can be hard to be objective in your review, even if you honestly try to be).
In my experience, the best strategy for book promotion is to NOT make book promotion your goal of being on Goodreads. Enjoy the site as a reader: read a lot, review what you read honestly and fairly, join groups that interest you and take an active part in their discussions, make friends with people you genuinely want to be friends with and read their reviews (and if you like the latter, say so!). When opportunities arise naturally to mention your book, do so without a strident hard-sell approach. Following this advice won't put your book on the NYT Best Seller list; but I think it will result in some people taking you seriously and giving your book a chance.
Hope this helps! Best wishes with your writing.
Many authors do introductory giveaways of their books, though I never have (and the results of these are mixed, in terms of reviews). Many Goodreads groups have venues where author members can introduce and promote their work. You can also add your book to Goodreads lists where it's appropriate (though I personally don't add my own work to "Best of..." or "Recommended..." lists). Some authors agree to "swap" honest reviews, but those arrangements need to be disclosed openly in the reviews, and have obvious pitfalls (for instance, it can be hard to be objective in your review, even if you honestly try to be).
In my experience, the best strategy for book promotion is to NOT make book promotion your goal of being on Goodreads. Enjoy the site as a reader: read a lot, review what you read honestly and fairly, join groups that interest you and take an active part in their discussions, make friends with people you genuinely want to be friends with and read their reviews (and if you like the latter, say so!). When opportunities arise naturally to mention your book, do so without a strident hard-sell approach. Following this advice won't put your book on the NYT Best Seller list; but I think it will result in some people taking you seriously and giving your book a chance.
Hope this helps! Best wishes with your writing.
More Answered Questions
Lenore Gay
asked
Werner A. Lind:
Hello, not so much a question for Werner. I agree with his view about advertising books. Over time it's tedious to get sales pitches. Now a question. You have a lot of activity. How long have you been on Goodreads? I'm new. Still trying to figure out how to get around and not post in the wrong place.
R.F. Sands
asked
Werner A. Lind:
Hello Werner, Is Adrian Ferrer your pen name? Assuming it is you that wrote that wrote "Angel of Death", we have written books of a similar genre. Would you be interested in exchanging kindle copies to read? I would be pleased to read your book. We could share private commentary and a simple, kind amazon review for each other, thank you for the consideration, RF Sands "The Missing Apostle" (Robert)
DAVID WILSON
asked
Werner A. Lind:
Werner ~ I used to to go to Davenport Iowa & Rock Island Arsenal for years. Your academic career I find so amazing ad diverse ~ you are now a librarian, taught college and live in such a beautiful part of Virginia! Wish I could personally get to meet you and listen to your views on the economy, politics and where the US of A is headed? David Wilson Huntsville, AL
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