Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Writers in the group who are interested in reviewing their peers might want to check out the following new group:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...?

Thanks to Jacci Turner for the tip.

Do you know, is the idea to review books that are already out there (for the sake of getting more solid reviews), or reviewing books that are not already out (more of a critique/beta group)?

Ben, that's a great question. I think this group is just getting started. I'm not sure what its main purpose is, but I think it would be fun to find a group for beta- reading/critiquing and improving craft. I'm very fortunate to have been part of a real world group of really great writers. Quality feedback is golden.

I'm part of a terrific writer group in real life, but we are more of a support group. We share what we are doing and talk about general ideas of where to go and all, but while I'll never quit that (too much fun), I'm interested in a beta/critique group for at least semi-serious MG authors.

I certainly hope this is for 'beta' reviews, aka pre-publication critiques, and is not a (bad-word) (view spoiler)[circle-jerk (hide spoiler)].

Nothing turns off a savvy GR reader-member more than seeing a bunch of rave reviews from other amateur authors on a book's page. Please don't contribute to the corruption of GoodReads by participating in that kind of behavior.

If the group seems likely to help you write a better book, though, please do join it. :)

(Since posting above, I followed the link. The group seems to have good intentions, but violates *my* sense of ethics. The books that are being offered for review are *not* pre-publication, and the aim of the group is stated to be to publicize indie authors. Every author-member there is now on my 'avoid' list.)

It is sadly easy for new authors to get misled into inappropriate things like that (I made a few mistakes when I first got onto GR, which I hope I have adequately rectified. I did know enough to draw the line well short of rave reviews in exchange for rave reviews!).

I don't think we can presume that these authors are looking for "rave reviews in exchange for rave reviews", but that is how these tend to play out even when people have the best intentions. In general, reviews should probably be a little more organic than this.