Authors' Review Exchange discussion

Welcome!

I am new to goodreads.com, but it appeared that so many authors were talking past each other. Authors want to get their works out there and recognized and this is what goodreads.com is about. I recently saw an interview with an officer from goodreads.com who stated that the site and recommendations are driven by reviews. This forum is for finding review exchange partners.

Hi Michael and any other writers out there. My name is Mark Campbell and I write horror novels. I have one published novel which is on amazon and has been added to Goodreads. It is entitled 'The Lady in Red.' This is a ghostly yarn. I wasn't sure whether I should comment here or on a separate post but thought I would introduce myself here. I think this idea of exchanging reviews is an excellent idea. I would be happy to exchange reviews with any writer out there, although it seems to be mostly for writers in the same genre which makes sense as if you write novels in a particular sector of the fictional landscape then surely you love reading it also and I have always loved reading horror novels. It's how I became inspired to write it in the first place. Looking forward to seeing the response to this.

I certainly hope that you will join the group and keep checking in. Thus far, I have seen quite a few authors creating works in your genre. Spread the word!

Cheers!

Hey everyone. I'm Anthony. I recently self published my first collection of short stories. I am realizing I know nothing about promotion, reaching an audience, and all that fun stuff. I write science fiction mostly. Heavily influenced by the classic authors like Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, etc. Currently working on my second collection where I'm trying to write stories that are a little more grounded but still containing those genre elements. Here to connect, exchange reviews, and really just to learn from others.

I would like to exchange reviews with you, Anthony. As I said in my previous comment on here I write horror fiction. Would you be interested in reading my work. I used to be into science fiction. My favourite author was Arthur C. Clarke and my brother liked Ray Bradbury.

That would be great if you guys could connect up and get things started!

Unfortunately, I don't know much about horror and that probably is not my thing. I have three sci-fi books with trailers on my profile page so those in that line may become more interested in an exchange.

As we move forward, there is nothing precluding us from taking on more than one book for review at a time. Each can judge for him/herself. Personally, I have a hard time with more than two going at once and making enough sense of them for review purposes. Plus, my hope is that though the effort will seem slower in serial mode, the results will actually be quicker and more solid. As in the movie Moneyball, we just need to get men on base.

Cheers!

Michael

Hi group: My name is Casey Dorman and my new sci-fi book, Ezekiel's Brain, has just been released in digital format I(Kindle, iBook) and will be released on 4/15/21 as a paperback original. I'm looking for reviews and will happily exchange reviews. My favorite genres are sci-fi and mystery although a genuinely literary novel appeals to me also. I've put the first chapter of my book in the Creative Writing section of Goodreads and the link is below. I can send a potential reader/reviewer a PDF or .mobi file. I have two books yet to review before I can do my next one, but that's just a week or so to get to your book. If anyone is interested, let me know.
https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...

Casey wrote: "Hi group: My name is Casey Dorman and my new sci-fi book, Ezekiel's Brain, has just been released in digital format I(Kindle, iBook) and will be released on 4/15/21 as a paperback original. I'm loo..."

Hello Casey,

I would be happy to read and review your book Ezekiel's Brain in exchange for you reading one of mine. I recently set up a group here for authors to do just that as I mentioned. The group is called Authors' Review Exchange. In the meantime, if you wish to go ahead, please e-mail me at authorScharen@physicist.net. Once I get your message, I can send you one of my books, either Sol is Not Lost or For the Ages for an exchange.

Best Regards,

Michael J. Scharen
https://michaelsbookcorner.com

Mark wrote: "I would like to exchange reviews with you, Anthony. As I said in my previous comment on here I write horror fiction. Would you be interested in reading my work. I used to be into science fiction. M..."

Let's do it.

Thanks!

Casey Dorman and I have agreed to review each other's books!

I will be reading Mr. Dorman's book, Ezekial's Brain and Casey will be reading my first book, Sol is Not Lost

It has been less than one week, and this group is off to a great start!

Thank you all, and let's keep it going by inviting more authors.

Michael J. Scharen

Hi Anthony

I haver replied to the message you sent to me in my Goodreads inbox.

Best wishes

Mark

I have read 90 pages today of Casey Dorman's book, Eziekiel's Brain. Thus far I am enjoying it immensely! It is very hard to put down. I'm letting my tablet recharge for a little while.

There must be at least 10 or 15 premises there for new novels. The number of offshoots is astounding.

At this rate, I will burn through it in only a few days. I'm taking notes on what I find as I go.

Michael

Thank you so much Michael for creating this group....It was something I had been looking out since one month...and I am glad I happened to see this today. I am excited to be a part of this group and am looking forward to read books of Goodreads Authors in exchange of honest reviews for my book:

AMARANTHINE THOUGHTS: a collection of my insightful quotes and lockdown musings

Please visit this URL for a short Trailer video of my Book
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGAQ2...

Thanks and best regards,
Ajitha Amarnath

Ajitha wrote: "Thank you so much Michael for creating this group....It was something I had been looking out since one month...and I am glad I happened to see this today. I am excited to be a part of this group an..."

Hello!
This group is less than a week old and two sets of authors have already hooked up. I am reading another author's sci-fi novel currently. I hope that you will let other's know. Goodreads.com suggestions are driven partly by reviews and partly by each individual's libraries. We can make the system work for us!

Michael
https://michaelsbookcorner.com

Hello,

Today I modified the group rules for Authors' Review Exchange.

1) In order to make sure we do not tread on Amazon.com's Terms of Service, the reviews are restricted to Goodreads.com at a minimum, plus any Goodreads wannabes other than Amazon. Do not post a review on Amazon.com from this group.

2) Reviews posted for books on Goodreads.com, there must be full disclosure if the author/reviewer received a free book by the author for review. Just a one-liner at the end of the review stating this fact should be sufficient. This is in keeping with the Goodreads.com Terms of Service.

Example language:
"I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author."

3) Make sure there is no quid-pro-quo, i.e. any arrangements for the number of stars given. As stated previously, the reviews must be honest. Remember, we are also here to improve each other's writing as best we can.

Your Moderator

Michael J. Scharen

Hey y'all,

My name is Michael. I self published a sf/horror novel in October of 2019 entitled Climb the Tree. I was all geared up for promotion, and then 2020 happened.

You can read the summary here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Would anyone like to swap for honest reviews?

I can provide .pdf copies of my book but I also have some physical print copies coming in.

Hope to hear from someone soon!

Michael wrote: "Hey y'all,

My name is Michael. I self published a sf/horror novel in October of 2019 entitled Climb the Tree. I was all geared up for promotion, and then 2020 happened.

You can read the summary ..."


Hello Michael,

I will trade with you. Just send me a note to authorscharen@physicist.net and we can set it up.
I have some Sci-fi novels out.

Take care,

Michael Scharen

Rose wrote: "Hi, I'm new to the group, my name is Rose. I'm a new author too and have just self published - as everyone knows getting noticed and reviews is very difficult!
I'm happy to do a review exchange - ..."

Welcome Rose!

You might want to hook up with Mark Campbell. He is in the group and he writes horror. I'm not much into that and I have my plate full for now. The group is maybe two weeks old and I got received my first review yesterday. I am reading another book right now so we are off to a great start.

Michael -- Moderator

Hello Alfredo,

I also write sci-fi. I'd be interested in your book, but I won't be able to start it until maybe Sunday. Send me an email at authorScharen@physicist.net and we can maybe work it out.

Greetings book lovers,

For a group that is only a few weeks old, I'm happy to see we already have 17 members! I have not been in here for a few days as I have been both fighting with my computer and reading a few books for review.

I hope others are both reviewing books and recruiting more folks to join us to keep things going.

Cheers!
Your Moderator,
Michael

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing!

As for me, I am swamped with reading material for reviews and those for a couple of my books are coming in return. I do pick up one or two here and there, but this group seems to be working out so far. We can always recruit more to beef up our offerings. I have to apologize for maybe taking on too many, but other areas have calmed down (like my website development) so I will have more time.

I'm glad to see that this group is growing. I hope everyone has plenty of books to read and review. I have three on my plate right now.

I trust that the excellent reviews provided by fellow authors will get us notice and upgrade our skills at the same time.

Cheers!

Michael

I hope that everyone is busy reading and reviewing.
I must say that I have several books on my plate, but unfortunately I've had more computer and tablet meltdowns in the last couple of weeks. I believe things are under control for the moment.

Currently, I am reading Ruse. Next will be Songbird Ascension and Chat

Keep recuiting!

I've added some of the books we've reviewed to our group bookshelf. Please add books there that you have read and reviewed. I believe it could make an impact w/respect to what books goodreads suggests to others. I think the more times the book is mentioned, as with our reviews and adding them to the group bookshelf, it increases the likelihood that those books are recommended. These should books we are actively reading or have already read and reviewed.

i have been constantly email spammed for paid reviews since i have been a member of this supposedly friendly community
however i told the spammers to f off and now negative reviews by fake paid reviewers are appearing about my book this is outrageous

I have reported them for spam what make me laugh i that their are other Authors on this website that are also called Simon bullock and the fake reviewers with same names have bad mouthed there books as well i write under a different name and have a very successful writing career this is my first attempt at comedy sc-fi and and there has been some spectacular reviews in the London economic / Readers digest and MaleXtra newspapers comparing my new book to Douglas Adams

Its A Sad Day when the website allows slander i for one will be blogging on my Author website and on social media twitter, Instagram, Facebook telling my author friends , my litary agent and publishing house to avoid goodreads with a bargepole

If this is the sort of Crap people have to put up with on goodreads then im done with it

PAY ME OR ELSE YOU WILL GET MORE FILTHY COMMENTS AND REVIEWS TOMMORROW

Why do authors have to put up with this kind of activity on Good reads

This person Joseph Barron
sent me this email several times

Hi,

Please read this email only IF you are SERIOUS about promoting your book.

If you are interested in getting honest book reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, I can help. I have thousands of ACTIVE Amazon reviewers. I have reviewers available for every genre under the sun and I accept both published and unpublished books, e-books as well as audiobooks. Please contact me if you are interested in more details.

Hi everyone, thanks for this group! My name is Jessica Kuzmier, an indie author of various genres, including sci-fi and literary. I have published several books, including my most recent one Protocell 3: Dormancy, a spec fic thriller about a pandemic (not COVID-19). I can offer PDF and doc files, and can receive PDF and doc in return. Also, as of now all of my books are free on Kobo and Barnes & Noble, this particular one is free on Draft2Digital.

Would be happy to review books of my fellow indie authors. Good luck and happy reading!

Excuse my absence. Crazy times we're living in. Check out my review and Mark Cambpell's The Lady in Red.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

OK everyone. I think we get it.

When I set up this group, I certainly did not know what I was in for. There are going to be books we don't find worthy, but that should come out in the reviews. I hope the language will stay a little more elevated no matter what we think of a particular book.

I have certainly found that some books are tedious or challenging, but I would like an honest review of my work, so I finish some books I would rather toss aside. I figure it is part of the job and we can learn useful things even from bad examples. So let's stay civil. I find it best not to nitpick in a review posted here even if I give it a lower rating. An author is generally grateful if you analyze specific points of style, plot, or pacing in a private email.

On a positive note, I am very happy that we are all getting plenty of action in terms of exchanges. I have not been without a book to review since starting the group and I hope that is true of others.

Cheers!
Your Moderator

Michael J. Scharen

Thirty members now to Authors' Review Exchange! This is really great!

I see many of you are reading books to review at present. To the newer members, don't be afraid to message others, either privately or in the discussion. Find out what books they would like you to review and arrange your exchanges. Don't be shy! :)

Slowly, but surely your reviews will build up. I struggle, myself, in making time to read and keep up, but I figure that is part of the job. I feel confident that my writing will improve along with others by just reading critically.

Take care,

Michael