Writing Wednesday is back…
May 6, 2015 | 
Author The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Wednesday is also, Writing Wednesday
April was a crazy busy writing month and personally. I am thrilled to report that I survived another A-to-Z Challenge! Now it’s May and it is time to get back to business, at least for a month before the lazy days of summer…
The Stranger in My Recliner is well into production. Editing is done and the art department promised me several covers to choose from by the end of the month. I am hoping the conceptual editors will be finished then too.
I received two early reviews, they were good, actually great and that was such a relief. I know I am not the only writer that gets stressed out asking for, waiting for and receiving reviews. Talk about neurotic.
I never asked for reviews of my first book, not even from my family. I had no idea you were supposed to ask. This time my publicist said eight weeks before the release date he will ask me for a list of reviewers.
So I am preparing that list. If you are interested in reviewing, The Stranger in My Recliner, doing an interview, cover reveal, blog post or whatever you can think of please e-mail me and let me know if you prefer a paperback or e copy and your address. Thank you so much in advance.
[doreenb8@verizon.net]
Getting Reviews for your Book
If an author has 25 Amazon reviews posted the day their book is released the critics will notice. Once thought to be meaningless, amateur reviews on Amazon are not only credible but relevant.
Look for potential reviewers on Amazon’s Top Reviewers list — which you will find at http://www.amazon.com/review/top-reviewers — and target the people who regularly post reviews of books similar to yours.
With every review copy you send out you should also send a cover letter and a press release.
It is a good idea to keep track of your review requests using a spread sheet or something similar. Ask your reviewers to post their review on your release date. Send a reminder e-mail 30 days and then again a week before the release date.
Did you know that if your book is available for sale in brick and mortar stores you can request a New York Times Review? Chances may be slim but hey, if you don’t try…
New York Times Book Review
620 Eigth Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, New York
The web site for the Midwest Book Review has a ton of great information on how too and where to ask for reviews.
How do you feel about paying for reviews? Personally it does not sound like a good idea to me.
Most of the books I read these days I’ve read about on blogs, and honestly they have all been good. How do you choose the books you read?
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Keep writing,
Doreen
The awesome co-hosts for the the May 6 posting of the IWSG will be Eva Solar, Melanie Schulz, Lisa-Buie Collard, and Stephen Tremp!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
http://www.twitter.com/doreenb8
Posted in "Bristol boyz Stomp", Doreen McGettigan, Homeless Problem, Insecure Writers Support Group, The Stranger in My Recliner, Uncategorized | 
Tags: #IWSG, Amazon, book reviews, books, bristol boyz stomp, doreen mcgettigan, Homeless, Homelessness, How to get reviews for your book, Insecure Writers Support Group, New York Times, The Stranger in My Recliner, true story, Writing Wednesday
I would love to review your book! I’ve missed a few writing Wednesdays, glad to catch this one. Let me know when you’ll be ready.
b
Thank you so much!! You are fabulous! Email me your address so I can give it to my publisher so they can send you an advance copy. doreenb8@verizon.net Thank you again!
I’ve amassed a huge list of reviewers over the years, from pre-publication reviewers to book bloggers to regular people. You’re right, you won’t get any if you don’t ask.
I am learning! Thank you!
I’ve never done a book review but would indeed love to read and blog about your book. You however may do better with people who actually know how to do a review. In either case, I will gladly help promote it via Bridge and Beyond. Let me know your thoughts.
Ran out of time to read more of posts, but will be back hopefully after work today to do a few more.
still visiting, trying to keep the momentum going.
Sandy at Bridge and Beyond Announcing a Contest
Sandy you are fabulous. I will be playing catch up on posts all month (at least.) Thank you so much for your offer to help. Email me your address so they can send you an advance copy of the book. doreenb8@verizon.net Thank you again!
I didn’t know that about Amazon or NY Times. Wouldn’t that be great! I think your non-fiction book has a great chance. I sent you an email to sign up as a supporter. I am so excited for you and your good work.
We can dream and hey you never know:)
Those are some great tips, Doreen. I came pretty close to 25 on Goodreads, but had only 13 on Amazon the last time I checked. Thanks for all the info!
Lately I’m getting my book recommendations from agents, and I’ve got a huge stack of books from writer friends. Having writer friends is wonderful, but also expensive. Especially if you prefer hard copies!
You are so right, I have so many author friends and a huge TBR pile. I wouldn’t change a thing though. I love hard copies too!
All right!!! you are back with it! So glad.
Thank you so much Carol. I am glad to be back with Writing Wednesday!
Very interesting post. Thanks, Doreen.
Thank you Diane!
I’m learning that reviews matter less and less, maybe because they are often purchased or skewed. My book has had a bad review on it for years. Place there by a competitors book. It’s beneath a good writer to slash a fellow writers work just because they compete with theirs. Shame of us. Still….if reviews weren’t noted, we wouldn’t have Yelp!
I have a few bad ones placed by the family members of murderers I wrote about. Writers that trash other writers are just so disgusting.
I am not published, far from it, just at the beginning of my path… but just recently watched a program that was showing how easy it is to buy reviews, “likes”, twits, etc, you name it they do it. But is that what an author would like? 50x 5stars reviews that are fake? hope not 😉
Then again – I’m not the author 🙂 I’m looking from the reader’s point of view, a reader who sometimes is disappointed seeing tons of 5* reviews and cannot see even 4* in the book he/she purchased 😀
As a writer I will never pay for reviews. Everyone will never love everything you write and as a reader I agree with you, too many 5 stars is odd.
Doreen, I’ve heard people can post reviews before the release date and I’ve also heard they cannot. Its great to have reviews posted for the release date. I’ll have to contact Amazon’s customer service about that.
I do not pay for reviews, but I’m not against them as long as the reviewer makes mention in the actual review. Great post and thanks for the Amazon reviewers link. I’ll check that one out this morning.
Stephen Tremp
IWSG Co-host
http://www.stephentremp.com
I’m not sure if they can be posted on Amazon prior to the release date either…