Review Group discussion

GROUP 15 - moderator K.A. Krisko
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

START DATE: 31 August 2013

END DATE: 23 November 2013

Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you don’t think you can manage to do 4 book reviews between these dates please let me know now. I will find someone else for this group and you will be able to choose a later group that will be more suitable for you. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their reviewer in a format the reviewer can manage. When the file is received, please post a GR link to the book in this thread so that the author has confirmation that reviewing of the correct book has started.

There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines. All reviews must be posted by 23 November 2013.

When you have posted your review on GR please post a link to your review in this thread.

All reviews of 3, 4 or 5 stars must be posted to GR, Amazon .com and Amazon.co.uk.

If the rating is 1 or 2 stars, the review must be posted to GR but the author should be asked if they want the review to go to Amazon or not.

Postings to any other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

DON’T FORGET TO POST THE LINK TO THE BOOK(S) YOU WILL BE PUTTING FORWARD FOR REVIEWING AS I REQUESTED IN MY PM TO YOU. FAILURE TO DO SO BY THE GROUP START DATE MAY RESULT IN YOU LOSING YOUR PLACE TO ANOTHER MEMBER.

In the next post are the listings for the 4 review rounds, the who reviews who stuff. You don’t have to put forward the same book for every round, but you can only ask for one review per round.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap. ‘Sign in’ by pasting the GR link to the book you want reviewed, and start swapping books ready for round 1 once I’ve posted that we’re all signed in and there are no clashes needing a rearrangement of the order.

Member Links
S.R. Howen http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Bev Stout http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Samuel Choy http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Jaq D Hawkins http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Stevan V. Nikolic http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Walter Danley http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Allison Kohn http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/21...
Nicolas Wilson http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Brandon Collier http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
March McCarron http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Giovanni Russano http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Kirsten Jany http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

The four rounds you have signed up for:

R1 end 21-Sep-13
R2 end 12-Oct-13
R3 end 02-Nov-13
R4 end 23-Nov-13

ROUND 1
S.R. Howen reviews Bev Stout
Bev Stout reviews March McCarron
March McCarron reviews Allison Kohn
Allison Kohn reviews Jaq D Hawkins
Jaq D Hawkins reviews Giovanni Russano
Giovanni Russano reviews Walter Danley
Walter Danley reviews Samuel Choy
Samuel Choy reviews Brandon Collier
Brandon Collier reviews Nicolas Wilson
Nicolas Wilson reviews Stevan V. Nikolic
Stevan V. Nikolic reviews Kirsten Jany
Kirsten Jany reviews S.R. Howen

ROUND 2
S.R. Howen reviews March McCarron
Bev Stout reviews Allison Kohn
March McCarron reviews Jaq D Hawkins
Allison Kohn reviews Giovanni Russano
Jaq D Hawkins reviews Walter Danley
Giovanni Russano reviews Samuel Choy
Walter Danley reviews Brandon Collier
Samuel Choy reviews Nicolas Wilson
Brandon Collier reviews Stevan V. Nikolic
Nicolas Wilson reviews Kirsten Jany
Stevan V. Nikolic reviews S.R. Howen
Kirsten Jany reviews Bev Stout

ROUND 3
S.R. Howen reviews Allison Kohn
Bev Stout reviews Jaq D Hawkins
March McCarron reviews Giovanni Russano
Allison Kohn reviews Walter Danley
Jaq D Hawkins reviews Samuel Choy
Giovanni Russano reviews Brandon Collier
Walter Danley reviews Nicolas Wilson
Samuel Choy reviews Stevan V. Nikolic
Brandon Collier reviews Kirsten Jany
Nicolas Wilson reviews S.R. Howen
Stevan V. Nikolic reviews Bev Stout
Kirsten Jany reviews March McCarron

ROUND 4
S.R. Howen reviews Jaq D Hawkins
Bev Stout reviews Giovanni Russano
March McCarron reviews Walter Danley
Allison Kohn reviews Samuel Choy
Jaq D Hawkins reviews Brandon Collier
Giovanni Russano reviews Nicolas Wilson
Walter Danley reviews Stevan V. Nikolic
Samuel Choy reviews Kirsten Jany
Brandon Collier reviews S.R. Howen
Nicolas Wilson reviews Bev Stout
Stevan V. Nikolic reviews March McCarron
Kirsten Jany reviews Allison Kohn

Hello, guys. I'll set up a GR page for the book I would like to be reviewed in a day or two; it'll be an ARC distributed a little later in the month. My first review may be of Nexus if the reviewer prefers. Otherwise, it'll be of The Necromancer's Gambit, a dark Urban Fantasy that toes the line of horror.

Thanks.

Hello! I'm looking to have my fantasy novel Division of the Marked reviewed. A problem though is that in Round 2 Nicholas Wilson reviews my book and he already reviewed it for The Reviews Initiative, and unfortunately I only have the one work out so I can't offer an alternative. Is there a way to avoid this?

Thank you, Nicolas and March :)

Kathy's just pointed out to me a clash from previous reviews (Nicolas and March) so I've just rearranged.

Hello Jay,

My GR link is http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...
This the book which I would like reviewed.

Now in Round 1, Allison will be reviewing my book but she has already reviewed my book. You are requested to kindly make the change.

The other thing is that Amazon does not allow reviews of free books, unless purchased by me. Hope this can be sorted out also.

looking forward to reviewing.
Thanks

OK, Hemant, thanks for letting me know of the clash - I'll rearrange that too :)
As for Amazon, I thought anyone could review any book. Certainly I've reviewed books there that I haven't bought there. Nor has anyone else in the previous 14 groups found this problem (we all get the books free in these groups, and all review on Amazon). Is it something specifically to do with your profile and/or previous reviewing/purchase history?

I review stuff on Amazon all the time that I haven't bought there. The only difference is that if you've bought it, you get a 'certified purchase' flag attached.

Hi Guys,

Here is my book that I would like to be reviewed. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...

:-)

Hello Jay,
They disallowed my reviews of the following authors and books;
1. Allison Kohn - Day by Day
2. Rob May - Dragon Killer
3. Joe Prentis - Wolf Spencer
4. Ken Doyle - Bombay Bhel

This policy seems to be applicable to India, since many people who reviewed my book in India, were also not allowed to post a review, without first buying the book through Amazon. Free review copies or gift copies do not qualify for the reviews.
I have posted at least twice to Amazon Support staff, but they have repeated the same company policy.
Perhaps, they may have experienced fraudulent posts from India for boosting the image and sales of certain Self Published books from India.
As you may be aware, tons of self published authors are appearing on the horizon each month in India. Anybody who fancies himself to be an author is going full steam ahead regardless. It could be that some people may be falsely attempting to provide glittering reviews under different names.
In which case, I agree with Amazon's policy and endorse it.

That's a real bummer, Hemant. I'm at a bit of a loss to know how to handle it...

Has anyone got any suggestions?

Here is my book I would like reviewed -

Hemant, do you have a US friend with an Amazon account who doesn't do reviews? Perhaps they could post the reviews for you under their name? I don't know how honest that is, but if you read the books, it would still be an honest review of the book.

Okay, S.R, Howen signing in.

The Chief of All Time

Here is the book I'm submitting for review:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

Hello and Hi;
I'm really looking forward to meeting those who review my work, THE TIPPING POINT and those authors of the novels I will review.

For all 4 rounds, please review: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...Walter Danley

Hi S.R.
That is a good idea, but don't you think that the substance (being the same) will clash with the one I post on GR?

Perhaps somebody at GR could get a mechanism in place which will automatically allow, all GR reviews to be posted onto Amazon.

Since Goodreads and Amazon are not linked, not yet anyway, I wish in some ways they were, since I have reviews here that are not on Amazon, I think it would be okay. I post here under my own name and on Amazon under a screen name, the same reviews and it seems to be okay so far.

Hi SR and Hemant
I can see the attraction of using a friend to post reviews but I'm not comfortable with that. Yes, it would be an honest review of the book, but not the friend's honest opinion.

The only thing I can think of is asking if there are 4 authors in this group who have their books on Smashwords and would be happy to have the review posted there instead of on Amazon.

One thing I will do, just on the off-chance they will listen, is contact them as this group's moderator and ask if they will mark your profile as clear to post reviews of the books you are due to review for us.

http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Eagles-F...
Round #1

http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Trouble-Fi...
Round #2

http://www.amazon.com/Day-Backer-Fami...
Round #3

SARA
She has contacted me to say she is not well so not available for reviews at this time. She sends her apologies to the group. I am removing her name from the list and will let you all know asap who will take her place.

Thanks for the other sign-ins - welcome to the group :)

Jay wrote: "If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap. ‘Sign in’ by pasting the GR link to the book you want reviewed, an..."
What book does Steven v. Nikolic want reviewed? I already reviewed On The Square.

Allison wrote: "Jay wrote: "If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap. ‘Sign in’ by pasting the GR link to the book you want ..."

I don't know yet, Allison, as he hasn't signed in. If he wants the same one as you've already done I'll make another rearrangement of the ordering. Good game this lol!

Jay wrote: "Allison wrote: "Jay wrote: "If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap. ‘Sign in’ by pasting the GR link to th..."

right - thanks

Hello Jay,
Well, if they do listen and clear my profile, then it would be nice, if they clear my profile in a manner, enabling me to post reviews for other authors. I am also registered as a volunteer reviewer (kathy and Marise are the mods), as and when I do these reviews then it would benefit other authors too.

Hemant wrote: "Hello Jay,
Well, if they do listen and clear my profile, then it would be nice, if they clear my profile in a manner, enabling me to post reviews for other authors. I am also registered as a volunt..."

I've just sent the details of our request for a cleared profile to Amazon, Hemant, but they're not generally that fast in replying. I'll shift you to G16 or G17 to give us time to sort this out. I'll PM you when I hear anything.

I had over 70 members registered as waiting for a group place and only 45 places to offer, so I was expecting to disappoint a few members. However, I'm getting very few replies to my PMs re groups 15-17 so I may just rearrange the ordering for this group for the members who have responded.

Please don't think about exchanging books until we are all signed in and set to go.

Hi Jay,
I was OK with the original setup of the four rounds of reviews. As it is posted right now Allison Kohn would review my book in the Round 3 ( She already did!) and there is a ? mark next to my 3rd round review. I was about to contact everybody and exchange books but it seems that things are not quite set. Should I proceed?...

Stevan, please wait until Jay gives everyone the go-ahead as these re-arrangements happen several times during the first part of the Group set-up, due to a variety of circumstances. She'll give us the "All Clear" when it's time to go...the Group technically doesn't start until August 31!

I've already sent books to two of my reviewers, S.R. Howen, and Kirsten Jany. I've received a book from Allison Kohn.

Oh! No! I guess I am out of Gr 15, and I was dearly looking forward to reviewing...Now that is a bummer.
But I can understand, I guess I'll bite the bullet.

Hemant wrote: "Oh! No! I guess I am out of Gr 15, and I was dearly looking forward to reviewing...Now that is a bummer.
But I can understand, I guess I'll bite the bullet."

Hopefully it won't be long to wait, Hemant. G16 and G17 are only 1-2 weeks later and it just gives us chance to get a reply from Amazon.

OK, I've just done another rearrangement to account for those who can't make it, who are sick, who can't (yet) review on Amazon and the clashes that you've told me about (!!!).

Please check carefully for any further clashes. Then we're just waiting for the other members to sign in and confirm before we can start swapping books.

Thanks for your patience.

Hello, my novel is Mercenary Measures and ready to be reviewed.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

Thanks, Brandon :)

Stevan - would you post the GR link for the book you want reviewed please?

Book to be reviewed in all four rounds:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...
Thanks!

I hope it stays this way - I like a challenge

Just 3 more to sign in then we're good to go.

Sorry folks - yet another change - Warren has just let me know he's decided to pull out.

Jay, I'll bet you had no idea that this job would be this much fun when you volunteered, did you?

Walter wrote: "Jay, I'll bet you had no idea that this job would be this much fun when you volunteered, did you?"

It happens that way sometimes, Walter. I've been doing it for a year now so nothing really surprises me any more.

This is the link for Giovanni's book:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...

He's just PMed me to say he's having a spot of bother posting on the thread at the moment so I'll help out until we get it sorted.

Testing.

OK, glad that worked. I've been having a bit of trouble posting here.

I've reached out to all of my assigned reviewers and here is a public link to my book here on goodreads, The House That Smelled Like Urine and Other Short Stories

Anyone who I am supposed to review feel free to PM me. My preference is PDF but will take any format.

Well done, Giovanni - persistence paid off :)

Gio- you have me for round four. It'll be a week or two before I'm in touch, though, because I'm putting the final touches on the ARC you'll be receiving. If you want, you can send me your email now, or you can send it to me when I've let you know the copy is ready.

Side note:

Gio, Brandon, Samuel, and Walter... When I get in touch with you about the review copies of my work, please let me know if you are sensitive to graphic violence and such. My wife reminded me that The Necromancer's Gambit can get pretty graphically disturbing. (It walks the line between horror and urban fantasy.) If it sounds like something that would traumatize you, I can send you something else. I've got several short story collections, and several other novels, both released already, or coming out in a month or two. So I really don't want to push the Gambit on you if it's likely to be too far outside your comfort level. Anyways, feel free to let me know if you have any concerns about reviewing that particular work, and I'll work out an alternative.