Review Group discussion

MESSAGE 1
The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round.
The new Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are no longer allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on amazon. To comply with this new rule, we no longer insist members review on amazon. However, we are all in the same situation, we want reviews.
When sorting out groups, I prioritise those members who have fully participated in previous groups and don’t have multiple review connections with the other participants.

This is a Novella round
In joining this group you have agreed TO READ and REVIEW ANY four ALLOCATED novellas (under 45,000 words) within the set 8 week limit. You will receive four reviews.
Fiction and non-fiction, adult and children's books are acceptable.

If you are only willing to review your own preferred genre, make sure you join a genre round. Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.
Let’s be honest here – we don’t all like the same things but we all want reviews. The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your goodreads author and goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:
1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed. If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to goodreads, amazon.com and amazon.uk. Amazon has recently changed their criteria for reviewers to allow only those people who have spent $50 on amazon. If you are unsure about your amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files. Many authors can also provide mobi and epub files. You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review. Some authors borrow books via KU and others provide smashwords coupons. This is their choice. International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. It is up to individuals what disclaimers they place in a review concerning receiving a book in exchange for a review. Note: reviews that state you received a copy ‘IN RETURN’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

7. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

8. You have an author profile set up before you join.

9. Your goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

10. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round. Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

11. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book.

12. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it. If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

13. The new amazon.com review guidelines do not allow for free books to be supplied in return for reviews. Therefore, you are not obliged to review on amazon, just on goodreads. We all want reviews, its why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

14. Your goodreads details and the rounds you participate in will be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.
It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be
Hock

Member Links
1.Stacie Eirich
2.E.M. Swift-Hook
3.Chris Keaton
4.Robbie Cheadle
5.Hock G. Tjoa
6.C.A. Pack
7.Watson Davis
8.Cathleen Townsend
9.Natalie Vellacott
10.Shashane Wallace

Book Links
1.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
2.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...?
3.Living Dead Girl
4.Silly Willy goes to Cape Town
5.Agamemnon Must Die
6.The Library of Illumination
7.Loathsome Tales of Vengeance and Freedom
8.Twelve Tales of Christmas: Fantasy and Contemporary Stories to Brighten Your Holidays
9.Reuben and Joseph
10. Her Crime, His Time

I’d like to join with my newest poetry collection, Into the Light: Poems.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Happy Thanksgiving holiday to writers & readers in the U.S.!

Stacie

Welcome, Stacie.

Oooh, me, me. I've read Stacie before but not this book.
Ship Rats, please. 18k words. Not involved in any other rounds right now.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Welcome, Rhian.

Can I join this round please? I have reviewed Rhian's book and Stacie has reviewed me, but not this book.
E.M. Swift-Hook
Dying to be Roman

Welcome E. M.!

To those waiting - you cannot review anyone who has reviewed you or be reviewed by anyone you have reviewed. Got it?

Rules of the Zon.

I prefer to not give less than a 3 review. Is it okay to contact the author directly to give them a private review if I can't give at least a 3?

Living Dead Girl
Teen Paranormal Novella about 30k
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZY2XYTL/

Welcome, Chris.

I don't know whether we want to accommodate different scoring systems and have "passed the buck" (and asked Emma).

I'll wait a day for her response.

I figure its up to the author whether they'd like a low review submitted, but I'd give them the choice. I don't want to hurt anyone.

It may help to point out this issue has been debated before and the resolution was to maintain the policy of insisting on all reviews to be posted, regardless of number of stars awarded, as being the only way to maintain the integrity and reputation for impartiality of this group.

I have added Chris and his book and encourage those interested in seeing a debate on what he has proposed to go to the link that Emma provided in message 12 of this thread.

I would like to join this group if there is anyone who is interested in reviewing a book for children aged 8 to 11 years old. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Welcome, Robbie.

The only requirements for this group are that you are willing to review and be reviewed - honestly and kindly - and that your book is not over 45000 words long.

P.S. You do have to acknowledge that you have read all the rules in message 1 above - I've added you and your book pending that formality.

Hi Hock, I have read all the rules in your message above and some of the others on the introduction page. My book is 123 pages. I am happy to review books and do so quite extensively on my blog robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com.

I'd love to submit my novelette, "A Library of Illumination Christmas" to this group. I've already reviewed Rhian and Stacie, but if you could work me in, I'd appreciate it.

Robbie wrote: "Hi Hock, I have read all the rules in your message above and some of the others on the introduction page. My book is 123 pages. I am happy to review books and do so quite extensively on my blog rob..."

Sounds brilliant, Robbie. We still need a word-count. You could ask your publisher or look at your manuscript and (if it is MS Word) it will have this in the bar at the bottom. I'm pretty sure it would be acceptable but it is best to be sure - some reviewers are picky.

C.A. wrote: "I'd love to submit my novelette, "A Library of Illumination Christmas" to this group. I've already reviewed Rhian and Stacie, but if you could work me in, I'd appreciate it."

Welcome, C.A.
For the time being, you will have to review Rhian again and I hope the two of you can agree on which of her books it should be.

Please do PM each other about this.

Welcome, Natalie.

You will have to review something by Rhian as it would be against our rules for Rhian to review you.

Natalie and Rhian - Please PM each other and sort this out. Thanks!

O.K.

I've had to move C.A. and Natalie and have added myself. Now we are eight.

Looking for two more - you cannot review someone who has reviewed you, etc. ...

E.M. is reviewing one of my novels in another group. Other than that I've got no conflicts.

Hock wrote: "Robbie wrote: "Hi Hock, I have read all the rules in your message above and some of the others on the introduction page. My book is 123 pages. I am happy to review books and do so quite extensively..."

Hi Hock, I have requested the exact word count from my publisher. I should have it on Monday.

Robbie wrote: "Hock wrote: "Robbie wrote: "Hi Hock, I have read all the rules in your message above and some of the others on the introduction page. My book is 123 pages. I am happy to review books and do so quit..."

You can see this at the bottom of your word doc. Or you can copy the text into any number of programs. Unless you don't have the source material which would be odd if you wrote it.

Chris wrote: "E.M. is reviewing one of my novels in another group. Other than that I've got no conflicts."

Thanks, Chris.

E.M. can review you again. Just remember YOU cannot review E. M. -EVER - in this group.

Well now I feel bad for E.M. :/

Chris wrote: "Well now I feel bad for E.M. :/"

Aww... no need Chris - I am not a fan of ever reciprocating reviews and I look forward to reading another of your books :)

Robbie wrote: "Hock wrote: "Robbie wrote: "Hi Hock, I have read all the rules in your message above and some of the others on the introduction page. My book is 123 pages. I am happy to review books and do so quit..."

I design my books in powerpoint so it doesn't show the word count.

C.A. wrote: "I'd love to submit my novelette, "A Library of Illumination Christmas" to this group. I've already reviewed Rhian and Stacie, but if you could work me in, I'd appreciate it."

Hi Hock, my word count is 15 550 words.

Robbie wrote: "C.A. wrote: "I'd love to submit my novelette, "A Library of Illumination Christmas" to this group. I've already reviewed Rhian and Stacie, but if you could work me in, I'd appreciate it."

Hi Hock,..."
Thanks, Robbie. Welcome to the Group!!

Everyone - remember who you review to avoid being reviewed by that person in the future!

To avoid the Zon ban on "reciprocal reviews" and its consequences, please take a look at this message -
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Remember who you have reviewed and be sure to inform the moderator of each review group that you join!

Cheers.

Hi Hock, do you allocate the books for review once the group is full? I have bought Ship Rats because it looks like a book my son will love. I hope that is okay.

Hi mam,

I can review the books too if its still permissible.

Thank you.

:-)

Robbie wrote: "Hi Hock, do you allocate the books for review once the group is full? I have bought Ship Rats because it looks like a book my son will love. I hope that is okay."

Leaping in as I just noticed your question, hope Hock doesn't mind.

You will be assigned the four books below you in the list to review and you will be reviewed by the four people above you (the list wraps around). So, unless someone has to be moved because of a clash - which can often happen. You should find you are ok. Just don't post any review until the round starts in case there is a last minute move.

That said, I've read and reviewed Ship Rats myself and I promise you it is a fabulous story for children, so even if for some reason you don't wind up reviewing it, I think your son will really enjoy the book ;)

Let me know if you guys need another novella. I've been reviewed by E. M. Swift-Hook.

I can go with a book she hasn't reviewed yet (Not Dead Enough).

Watson Davis

E.M. wrote: "Robbie wrote: "Hi Hock, do you allocate the books for review once the group is full? I have bought Ship Rats because it looks like a book my son will love. I hope that is okay."

Leaping in as I ju..."

Thank you so much for the information. If Ship Rats doesn't end up being one of the four books I officially review, I will still review it. I am always looking for books for Michael as we read a book a week.

Hi all, I won't be able to offer Natalie another book (fairly) as my only other publication is 70k words, well out of the novella zone. If it's going to be an issue I will retire from this round with no hard feelings.

Robbie - thank you very much for the purchase. If I do have to drop out of the round for whatever reason, I may be able to nominate you for the 1 for 1 round (by reviewing another book and requesting yours be added to the list - if Emma permits).

Sarah wrote: "Hi mam,

I can review the books too if its still permissible.

Thank you.

:-)"

Hi, Sarah.

What book of yours would you want others to review?

Have you read the "rules" and are you O.K. with them?

Have any of the people listed reviewed you or have you reviewed any of them?

We'd be glad to have you!

Rhian wrote: "Hi all, I won't be able to offer Natalie another book (fairly) as my only other publication is 70k words, well out of the novella zone. If it's going to be an issue I will retire from this round wi..."

This looks like a matter to be determined between Natalie and Rhian - Natalie, would you review the 70k word book by Rhian? If yes, you both can stay in the group!

Watson wrote: "Let me know if you guys need another novella. I've been reviewed by E. M. Swift-Hook.

I can go with a book she hasn't reviewed yet (Not Dead Enough).

Watson Davis"

Thanks, Watson. This will work. I have placed you in number 9 and E.M. will not have to review you - do you want to select a different book/novella (under 45k words) for this group? Otherwise, Not Dead Enough has not been listed in Goodreads, just to let you know you can set it up pretty quickly.

Thanks.

I don't have a problem with others jumping in to address one question or another,

My preference is that if you are jumping in to address a question that would affect only one person, you consider using the PM so this thread can stay dedicated to the "business" of this Reading Group.

I'd like to be considered for the final spot. My novella is part 1 of a 2 part book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Hock wrote: "Watson wrote: "Let me know if you guys need another novella. I've been reviewed by E. M. Swift-Hook.

I can go with a book she hasn't reviewed yet (Not Dead Enough).

Watson Davis"

Thanks, Watson...."

Hey, Hock.

Actually, the book IS in Goodreads, but with the original name of the book. I changed the names of my first two books/novellas, and I haven't figured out how to get Goodreads to update the information about the books.

Loathsome Tales of Vengeance and Freedom was the original title of Not Dead Enough.

When I give the book to whoever's going to read it, I'll be sure to mention this to them in the messages.

Watson

Welcome, Shashane (no. 10) and thanks, Watson "Loathsome Tales"(no. 8).

We are tentatively complete - pending confirmation from Rhian that reviewing Natalie's 70k novel is O.K.

If not, we may have Sarah (message 34).

I won't celebrate yet, though.

Only slight issue with where Watson is now is that he would have to review me. :(

I have no problem reviewing Watson again or, I would take on Rhian's 70k book instead if that helps you sort things :)

Hi all, I'll bow out as the extra person may sort out the EM/Watson issue as well, if they haven't already reviewed/been reviewed by EM.

Hi there,

If there's still a spot open, I'd love to claim it. My book is Twelve Tales of Christmas, and including the back matter it's 35k, so I think it meets the length requirement.

I don't think EM and I have reviewed each other.

Links to my book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

and

https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Tales-C....

Thanks, E.M., Rhian, and Cathleen.

This looks settled. I'll get the reading and reviewing groups sorted by tomorrow.

Rhian wrote: "Hi all, I won't be able to offer Natalie another book (fairly) as my only other publication is 70k words, well out of the novella zone. If it's going to be an issue I will retire from this round wi..."
Great thanks

START DATE: DEC 7 2017

END DATE: FEB 1, 2018

Round 1 – post your review by Dec 21
Round 2 – post your review by Jan 4
Round 3 – post your review by Jan 18
Round 4 – post your review by Feb 1, 2018


As AUTHORS you send your book file to:

168-01__ Stacie Eirich
Watson Davis for round 1
Cathleen Townsend for round 2
Natalie Vellacort for round 3
Shashane Wallace for round 4

168-02__ E.M. Swift-Hook
Cathleen Townsend for round 1
Natalie Vellacort for round 2
Shashane Wallace for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

168-03__ Chris Keaton
Natalie Vellacort for round 1
Shashane Wallace for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 4

168-04__ Robbie Cheadle
Shashane Wallace for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 3
Chris Keaton for round 4

168-05__ Hock Tjoa
Stacie Eirich for round 1
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 2
Chris Keaton for round 3
Robbie Cheadle for round 4

168-06__ C.A. Pack
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 1
Chris Keaton for round 2
Robbie Cheadle for round 3
Hock Tjoa for round 4

168-07__ Watson Davis
Chris Keaton for round 1
Robbie Cheadle for round 2
Hock Tjoa for round 3
C.A. Pack for round 4

168-08__ Cathleen Townsend
Robbie Cheadle for round 1
Hock Tjoa for round 2
C.A. Pack for round 3
Watson Davis for round 4

168-09__ Natalie Vellacort
Hock Tjoa for round 1
C.A. Pack for round 2
Watson Davis for round 3
Cathleen Townsend for round 4

168-10__ Shashane Wallace
C.A. Pack for round 1
Watson Davis for round 2
Cathleen Townsend for round 3
Natalie Vellacort for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

161-01__ Stacie Eirich
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 1
Chris Keaton for round 2
Robbie Cheadle for round 3
Hock Tjoa for round 4

168-02__ E.M. Swift-Hook
Chris Keaton for round 1
Robbie Cheadle for round 2
Hock Tjoa for round 3
C.A. Pack for round 4

168-03__ Chris Keaton
Robbie Cheadle for round 1
Hock Tjoa for round 2
C.A. Pack for round 3
Watson Davis for round 4

168-04__ Robbie Cheadle
Hock Tjoa for round 1
C.A. Pack for round 2
Watson Davis for round 3
Cathleen Townsend for round 4

162-05__ Hock Tjoa
C.A. Pack for round 1
Watson Davis for round 2
Cathleen Townsend for round 3
Natalie Vellacort for round 4

168-06__ C.A. Pack
Watson Davis for round 1
Cathleen Townsend for round 2
Natalie Vellacort for round 3
Shashane Wallace for round 4

168-07__ Watson Davis
Cathleen Townsend for round 1
Natalie Vellacort for round 2
Shashane Wallace for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

168-08__ Cathleen Townsend
Natalie Vellacort for round 1
Shashane Wallace for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 4

168-09__ Natalie Vellacort
Shashane Wallace for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 3
Chris Keaton for round 4

168-10__ Shashane Wallace
Sacie Eiricht for round 1
E.M. Swift-Hook for round 2
Chris Keaton for round 3
Robbie Cheadle for round 4

Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. 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 reads/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 readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. 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 to GR. We also encourage members to post on Amazon .com and .uk. When you have posted your reviews, please post the three links to your reviews, not the book page in this thread.

The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon. Those who fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, may be barred from subsequent groups.

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

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum). Happy reviewing, everyone :)