Get Reviews! discussion

Lots of old friends here, some new ones and a few fresh faces. I'd like to welcome you all. I hope you get some reviews, chew the fat about whatever takes your interest and have a few laughs.

If you're new, feel free to tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What do you write? Day job, pets... tell us whatever you like. Don't be surprised if Raymond St. Elmo wants to find out more about the juicier details.

Okay, I'll start.

My name is Michael. My friends have always called me Mike. That pattern has stuck through life. If you get a message from me signed 'Mike,' that means I consider us to be friends. I also answer to 'Hey, you!' and 'Oi!'

I am a professional writer who dreams of being able do what I love full time, which is writing fiction. I'm pretty blessed to write for a living, but these books don't finish themselves! Work always gets in the way dammit.

So to answer my own questions. I'm from New Zealand, which many of you will know better as Middle Earth. I'm a rabid genre-swapping writer who writes about whatever takes my interest at the time. You know the day job already. My wife and I have a cat called Stevie, who isn't named after Stevie Nicks, but from a piece of dialogue in the film Over the Hedge.

Oh. The "New here" threw me.

My name is Robert. I'm not sure what counts for being a professional writer, so I'm not going to claim that status, since I still have a Day Job (TM) that has nothing to do with writing. I write books to entertain myself, and they seem to entertain other people. I don't claim to caim for more than that, and certainly disavow any symbolism that a professional english teacher might misconstrue from the content. The books you can read now are all superhero works, but I'll have some Fantasy books out this year.

I'm from some part of the United States that gets snowy, cold, and overtaxed. I don't have pets, unless you count dust bunnies. But I swear I'll sweep those up one day.

There's nothing new about me, but I'll share anyway.

Mike (and David Rose) know me from the first incarnation of this group, The Reviews Initiative, conceived and moderated by the incomparable Marise. There I was also an oft-times lurker and sometime moderator. Mike, David, Ginger, and Kathy shepherded it into its next incarnation, The Reviews Community, which then transformed into GET REVIEWS! (I added the exclamation point because I'm ancient and it reminds me of an old TV comedy called Get Smart!)

Though I wish I could call myself a professional writer, that would involve making money at it. So, nope. My day job is working for the State of Minnesota to provide pensions for city and county employees, including police officers, firefighters, and school employees. I also occasionally work as a floor supervisor at a local theater where I am paid to watch Broadway tours, operas, and listen to excellent chamber music. Girl's gotta live. I'm married with three kids, one grandchild, and too many cats.

There was a time I hung out at a now-defunct writing site called authonomy. One of the more interesting people I met there called himself Ornithograph. Why? He claims it was something to do with birds and writing, but I think he just strung a bunch of letters together and called it good. He's done the same thing here, only this time he's spelled out Raymond St. Elmo. Why? Ask him. Whatever he tells you is bound to be funny. And sometimes profound. But mostly funny.

I've met a lot of delightful people because of these groups, some of whom are a part of this new endeavor. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you and enjoying your stories and talent. It should be fun!

Robert wrote: "I'm not sure what counts for being a professional writer..."

Basically just getting paid for it, doing it for a living. Doesn't necessarily mean I'm any good at it. Mostly, I feel like a rank amateur. Every time I learn something, I discover how much more there is to know. Go on, ask me a question. I'm sure I won't know the answer.

Kathleen wrote: "The Reviews Community, which then transformed into GET REVIEWS! (I added the exclamation point because I'm ancient and it reminds me of an old TV comedy called Get Smart!)."

Quite right. As above about me not knowing stuff, orders and injunctions need exclamation points. Thank you, editor, lurker, looker, pension provider, floor supervisor and Raymond St. Elmo stalker.

Somebody has to watch him. God knows he can't be let loose on an unsuspecting public.

Kathleen wrote: "Somebody has to watch him. God knows he can't be let loose on an unsuspecting public."

We could send him to literary prison. The inmates there are required to write a positive review for The Name of the Wind.

My name is Kyle. I'm an engineer, preacher, voiceover guy, and writer, hailing from the American southeast.

I've got a creative drive that nags at me if I'm not making something, so I started churning out books in college. That's all this is to me, is a creative outlet. I'd love to have some moderate success, sure, but that's not the motivator. I don't think I could entirely stop writing if I wanted to.

I'm married with three wonderful kits (cats, not children) and I love playing tabletop/video games with friends.

Nice to meet all of you!

Hello, my name is Samantha Henthorn. I live in Bury near Manchester UK. I used to be a nurse, but in 2014, the NHS decided to retire me due to ill health (MS). That's why I'm here, writing, self publishing, reading and reviewing. I am married and I have one grown up daughter, two cats and one dog.
A dear friend who I have never met in person but is a very talented author - Virginia Arthur invited me to this group.

Because of business in other parts of my life (I'm doing a distance learning degree) I plan to start engaging with the books on the bookshelf (and posting my own) towards the end of the month. Many thanks, Samantha (OK to call me Sam)

Hi Sam, glad you could join us. We're looking forward to seeing your books and getting to know you better.

Hey, hey, K S Ferguson here, better known at home as Kathy. (Yes, another one! That won't cause any confusion in the group!) I'm that person Mike referred to as having the inside scoop on how Amazon connects the dots when they suspect reciprocal reviews. I'd tell you more, but then I'd have to kill you.

My day job is technical writer and instructional designer. Writing help docs for unfinished software is where I honed my fiction writing skills. I write mysteries in SF and fantasy settings, although there hasn't been much time for my own writing the past two years. But I'm about to retire and hope to change that.

My daughter used to live with me in the great Pacific Northwest of the US, but I've reached that stage in life where I live with my daughter, her two dogs, and her two cats. I'd love to jump in and review. It will be a bit until I have something to post for review.

Kathy! <3

Hi gang, a lot of you are not new to me but it's always interesting to learn something new from the snippets on this thread. Nice to meet you all! :-)

I'm a writer living in Ethiopia. In one job I work as a writer and editor for NGO's, agencies, the Ethiopian government and for a small media house called 'Ayaana'. I write on topics such as disability awareness, human trafficking, development issues, ethnic/tribal/racial issues, health and hygiene, cross-cultural topics, etc.

In my other job I write fantasy novels primarily for the YA market to keep some bread on the table for my family. I LOVE a good yarn, I'm musical (woodwinds) and have 4 kids.

Marc! Glad you could join us :)

Michael wrote: "Robert wrote: "I'm not sure what counts for being a professional writer..."

Basically just getting paid for it, doing it for a living. Doesn't necessarily mean I'm any good at it. Mostly, I feel l..."

That sounds like a dare!

Robert wrote: "Oh. The "New here" threw me.

My name is Robert. I'm not sure what counts for being a professional writer, so I'm not going to claim that status, since I still have a Day Job (TM) that has nothing ..."

I agree with Mike. If you get paid for it and, might I add, treat it like it's a business, then you're a professional writer.

K.S. wrote: "Hey, hey, K S Ferguson here, better known at home as Kathy. (Yes, another one! That won't cause any confusion in the group!) I'm that person Mike referred to as having the inside scoop on how Amazo..."

I am also in the training industry, doing a bit of instructional design and technical writing. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Marc wrote: "Hi gang, a lot of you are not new to me but it's always interesting to learn something new from the snippets on this thread. Nice to meet you all! :-)

I'm a writer living in Ethiopia. In one job I..."

Nice to see you again, Marc. I'm pretty sure I've reviewed some of your books in the past, probably from one of the former incarnations of this group. :-)

Hello all,
I'm Trish. I wrote for a few years, just hopping around genres, but now I mostly book blog and edit. I think I'm addicted to reading, but there are worst things to be addicted to.

I'm a Training Specialist for my day job, creating presentations, teaching classes and workshops, designing eLearning, and making audio sound good. I've also dabbled in project management, which helps with the editing projects, too.

Lately, I've been mulling over my latest story, which I fondly refer to as Death Mage. It's been in revision since, well, I think 2014? I made the thing too racy and now I don't want anyone to read it! Can't edit it out either because I worked all that into the magic system...

Anyhow, I'm about as active in groups (now) as I am in actually pubishing books (not much), but I do enjoy popping in here and then, and since I know some of you from before, this is where I want to be.

Patricia wrote: "Hello all, I'm Trish..."

Trish, it's lovely to have you here :)

Michael wrote: "Hi Sam, glad you could join us. We're looking forward to seeing your books and getting to know you better."

Hi, As promised, I am back (It's the end of the month) I have just bought a book from the review chain which I intend to read and review. I'll add my books to the bookshelf - I think this is the 'done thing'
Happy reading, Sam

Michael wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Hello all, I'm Trish..."

Trish, it's lovely to have you here :)"

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I can’t remember if I have done this or not so I am introducing myself again.

I am an Australian who wishes she wee Canadian author of ‘poetry with soul and horror with none’.
My current WIP is fantasy, though, so I may have to alter my tag line.

Lovely to meet you all!

I’m new 😊
Sonja Marnewick and the first time self published author of Raising Alexis on amazon kindle. How do i get into the review chain? I’m an avid reader and read basically all genres, so i’m up for sharing and reading your books if anyone would return the favor?

Thanks everyone

Sonja wrote: "I’m new 😊..."

Welcome. Glad you joined our little group.

To list your book on a review chain, look at the instructions at the top of the thread. Make sure you choose the chain which has the right price for your book. Basically, you purchase, read and review the book immediately before your listing. The next person to list will purchase, read and review your book.

Sing out if you need more help. Lots of people here know the system inside out.

Thanks Michael, I will join a chain today :)

Hi, everyone. I'm Lennie.

I'm so excited to be here! I Love reading and writing and am super glad to have found a group I like. 😁 I'm looking forward to reading & review the works of other group members and & sharing my own writing with the world!

I'm just a regular gal for Oklahoma. I'm 23. My house is full of books, and my phone is full of Audiobooks. I work two "real" jobs, a stocker at one store and a cashier at another. Writing is my third job, but someday, I'd love to do it full time.

I like reading and writing (obviously, lol). I also love coffee, animals, & staying up too late.

I write horror stories (and fanfiction, but no one but my sister reads those.)

I just self-published my first book on Amazon. It's a collection of 3 short stories. It's not perfect, and I designed the cover myself using Amazon's cover creator. But it's MINE and I couldn't more proud.

I'm working on a novel and a novella and hope to have my second work published soon. :)

Lennie wrote: "Hi, everyone. I'm Lennie. I'm so excited to be here! ..."

Welcome, Lennie. We're really happy you have joined us. Thanks again for reviewing Joanne's book. Feel free to start a discussion about anything if you want to. Lots of enthusiastic writers here and we love talking about the craft.

Welcome, Laurel! :)

Hi Laurel, glad you've found this great group! Welcome!

Hello everyone!

I’m Deborah. I was invited to join this group by Samantha Henthorn, who I’ve never met, but consider a friend and colleague in the writing world.

Two years ago, I was taking an online creative writing course, and during week 4 I abandoned it to write my first novel. It really happened by accident, and I surprised myself. I have another story floating around my head, and notes for several short stories jotted in my notebook, but have over-committed to reading and reviewing books for my blog – how I met Samantha – and due to other circumstances last year, my story writing is on hold.

At the minute I haven’t got capacity to read and review any more books than I’m already committed to review, so for now I will lurk. But I’ll be back!

Hi Deborah,

Welcome from one lurker to another! You'll find that this is a great group of people, and once your comfortable and have a bit more time to plunge into the pool, you might just find some excellent authors too.

Until then, maybe I'll see you over in the Lurkers' Lounge.

Oh, and I am one of a plentitude of Kathys. Nice to meet you!

Hi Deborah,

I'm so glad you found us! Welcome.

Hi Kathy.

Nice to meet you too.

Yes, Samantha said this would be a great group to be involved with, so rather than add joining to my To Be Done list, I thought I'd sign up early, and hang around until I have time to take full advantage.

I already read quite a lot of indie authors and have found some firm favourites! I take part in blog tours and sometimes respond to a request on social media to review an author's book if their pitch appeals to me.

I have looked in the Lurker's Lounge and could probably spend all day in there... not good! I'm so easily distracted. Which reminds me, I have a book to finish :)

Ginger wrote: "Hi Deborah,

I'm so glad you found us! Welcome."

Hi Ginger.
So am I!

Welcome, Deborah. Glad you joined us. Lurkers are most welcome here. We even have a lounge for them :)

:)

Hello all,

I'm Devyn. I stumbled across this group and thought that it seemed like a great community to be apart of. I love reading so much that my 'currently-reading' stack is almost knee high and I have alaways have an audiobook to listen to.

I also write whenever I get the chance. I work as a chef right now to pay the bills but I am hoping that, one day, to be able to make a living as a writer alone.

Fantasy and Science-fiction are usually what I go in for, but I will read anything so long as it seems interesting. I try to celebrate what makes a story interesting when I read and review, as well as do what I can to help give useful feedback.

I look forward to getting to know you all better.

Devyn wrote: "I am hoping that, one day, to be able to make a living as a writer alone."

That's an admirable (and likely common goal around here). Since I haven't managed that yet, the only advice I can give is to keep writing.

Devyn wrote: "Hello all, I'm Devyn."

Welcome, Devyn. Glad to have you with us.

Hi peeps, I'm Ahava,

Glad to be here (invited by the lovely Samantha Henthorn)! I've wanted to write books since I was a kid. Three years ago, I became a mum and basically morphed into someone who didn't want to wait around anymore to call myself a writer. A few months ago, I quit being a policy-wonk at a government department and decided I WILL make a go of things with writing (while being a fulltime mum to my little one).

I'm just on the verge of finishing up a humorous series called 'The Hopeless Husband Series' and about to embark upon trying my hand at a YA urban fantasy series about mermaids.

I'm really enjoying reading other indie authors and it blows me away, how much talent there is!! Good to meet you all and hope we can get to know one another!

Take care,
Ahava

Welcome, Ahava! Sounds like you'll have your hands full chasing after the little one while churning out pages!

Hi Everyone,

I'm Norma.

I love reading and writing and I am super happy to be a member of this group.

I look forward to reading and reviewing other group members work. I like reading every genre but my favorites are self help books and memoirs.

When I'm not writing, I help others with their mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.

I look forward to getting to know everyone!

All the best!

Norma

Welcome, Norma. Very glad to have you with us.

I'll add your book to our list so hopefully we can get you some pay-it-forward reviews too. Feel free to start a discussion if there's anything you want to talk about.

Thank you so much, Michael!

Hi everyone, and thanks for the add to the group! I'm a newly published author (yes, with an actual publisher, and no, that doesn't seem to have made my workload any less!). I have a non-fiction self-help style medical book out right now that I'm constantly on the lookout for reviews for. But generally I'm a fiction writer, so I'm excited to read some of the titles I've seen listed in the group!

Belated welcome, Amy! I found your book infinitely readable and very valuable advice for both those with chronic pain and their loved ones.

Thank you :)

Hello there!

Immanuel here, first of all let me tell you how happy I am of being member in this group.

A self-published writer here, I just had a story in my head and It had to be written, I am 100% sure you understand this feeling. I decided my first book to be the first volume of a fantasy series, and so The Sword's choice series was born.

I am eager t to reading and reviewing your books, and get mine some reviews as well. Let's do this together pals!

Regards.

Hi all,
I write under the pseudonym L J scar and I go by LJ which are my actual initials. I live in a place called Kentuckiana on the Indiana side of Louisville, Kentucky on the state line. Lacks a bit of identity. Haha. I make a living off investing, mostly in real estate.

I wrote and then published most of my books between 2010 and 2015. Then I got away from it for a while. I had a surge in Kindle unlimited reads during the quarantine. This spurred me into finishing my book I started writing in 2015. I published about 9 days ago. I always found getting reviews to be very deflating after publishing. Seems nothing has changed in the five years since I last published and I am anticipating my first review of my latest.

My five works currently on Amazon are contemporary romances that don't follow a typical romance format. I write the kind of romance I would like to read-about people who get hurt, heal and get back up again. My last two books have been more light-hearted and shorter than my first three.

I love to read. I'll read any genre. I'm excited to be a part of the group and can't wait to give some great reviews! Thanks for letting me be a member.