Review Group discussion

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 or check back another time.

The Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this rule, we don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

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 and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This is an '18+' round.

Books that may contain explicit material. Including but by no means limited to horror and erotica. Books in other genres may be submitted. All authors must be comfortable with reading extreme and explicit material.

Please note it is always possible that the books you are assigned may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. If you can't commit to this, please do not sign up.

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 12 weeks of 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 and Amazon.
Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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.

10. 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. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

11. 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.

Please note:
We all want reviews, it’s 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.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. 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.

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

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.

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/...

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:
Jeff

Member Links * Book Links
1. Jeff Chapman * Krampus Comes to Town
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10.

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.
Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

I would like to join this group with my book - Beyond the Fetters
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Thanks.

Please accept my book-Chastised-The United States of Israel
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I would like to add my political thriller" Justice" to be reviewed.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I'd like to add Sinner's Descent

Sinner’s Descent: into the Depths of the Unreal

Can't wait to review all your books! :D

I would like to join with The Other Side (or (The Shamans at the End of Time)

I've reviewed Jeff.
Balroop has reviewed me

Hello! I would like to join this review group with my book, Awaken the Healer Within: Overcome Stress, Anxiety and Illness to Reclaim Your Power.

I would like to join with any of my books. Preferably The Dog Thief, but any of them

People who have reviewed The Dog Thief already can do so again--in fact can use the same review. My publisher went out of business and I lost all of my Amazon reviews, so I'm starting over. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Wow! That was fast. We already have 8 people. I'm figuring out the conflicts.

To help me out and make sure I don't miss something, please post your conflicts as Florian has done.

Who have you reviewed?

Who has reviewed you?

Thanks. Hopefully we can get this group underway shortly.

Unless Gene Kendall or Leam Hall join us, no conflicts here! Those are all I've reviewed and the only review I've gotten was from someone who seems to be outside this group

I would like to join with my book Truth: A Conspiratorium Novel

I have read from you, Jeff, but I think I'm good with everyone else

Florian can review me
TB and I can review each other
David and I can review each other
Lee and I can review each other
Jeff can’t review me but I can review him
Garcia and I can review each other
Balroop can review me because her review of The Dog Thief is gone and she can replace it

I have not reviewed or been reviewed by anyone in the group. David

Here's my first pass at the ordering. This may change so don't take any action based on it.

1. Jeff
2. Balroop
3. Lee
4. David
5. T.B.
6. Florian
7. Laura
8. Marbeth
9. Linda
10. ???

Let's hope the mystery player at #10 has no conflicts.

I don't have any conflicts with the above arrangement.

It looks good to me

Hi Jeff and fellow writers,

Is there a plan for only 9 in the group?

Regards

David

lol, I can't believe 9 spots filled up so fast only for a 10th to not show up

Be patient. The post hasn't been up for a full week yet.

In the meantime, if you have any writer friends who want reviews, you know where to steer them.

Hello Jeff, and everyone! As a reminder, please make sure that links to your reviews in other rounds are posted before joining a new round!

I've redone the order because I discovered that Linda and Laura have a conflict. Linda has reviewed Wild Hare by Laura so Laura cannot review Linda. You will review a book from the 4 BELOW you in the list.

1. Jeff
2. Lee
3. Balroop
4. David
5. T.B.
6. Linda
7. Laura
8. Florian
9. Marbeth
10. ???

Here are the conflicts I have:
Jeff cannot review Florian, Laura, or Linda
Balroop cannot review Jeff
Florian cannot review Balroop
Laura cannot review Balroop or Linda

Thank you for figuring it out.