Mini rant about review sites

[markprobst]

I’m not going to name names here, but what’s with review sites of late? Is it just me or are other publishers and authors feeling like it’s easier to squeeze blood from a turnip than get a review site to review a book? With our latest release, we sent out review requests to dozens of review sites. The majority of them completely ignored the request

Comments

[mylodon]

Ooh, that's naughty!

Yes, I've noticed reviews are thinner on the ground. More books (particularly e-books) flooding the sites?

[markprobst]

Ah, those rascally little eBooks, their spoiling all the fun! :D

[elisa_rolle]

Mark, I'm very slowing working my back log, but Normal Miguel by Erik Orrantia is now third from the top, meaning that I have 2 other books, 1 in reading and 1 to read and then I will start that one. When Leslie sent me the book I warned her I had a very long reading list, and I'm trying to be fair with everyone, and reading the book in receiving order. I have also Poisoned Ivy by Scot D. Ryerson, but that one unfortunately is even further down on the list. But that doesn't mean I will not read it as soon as I will reach it.

One thing for sure, the reviewer who sold the copy on ebay without even reading it, well, that is not ethic.

Elisa

[markprobst]

Elisa, my dear, I was certainly not referring to you! You didn't ignore our request and we are fully aware of your backlog. You've always been a good and honest reviewer. I realize a lot of sites are so overwhelmed with requests that it is impossible for them to review them all, but couldn't they at least answer back and let us know that?

[elisa_rolle]

Well, yes, a polite email doesn't take much. I for sure reply to all review requests, even the one I don't accept. If I can, I try to redirect them to other website I know maybe more right for them.

[vyrdolak1998]

Yes, I've been running into that a lot, too. No response to queries; or they say to send the book and never review it; or say they're too overwhelmed or backlogged to review the book.

My pet peeve, actually, is book bloggers who ignore new releases and write about old "classics"--not because they've been reissued in some spiffy new edition, but just to write about them because they feel like it. I suppose bloggers can write about whatever they want, but it's humbling to see long dead authors get more reviews than I can. :-(

[markprobst]

It's hard to compete with E. M Forster, and Mary Renault isn't it?

[lee_rowan]

You got it: bloggers can write about whatever they want, just as authors can. And a lot (not alot, which isnotaword) of younger readers don't know about Fire from Heaven or The Front Runner, so I'm glad to see them share these books and show how high the bar is set. I just nominated Ethan of Athos on Goodreads' "Gay Spacemen" poll. It's a superb sci-fi story written in 1997, better than any newer gay spacefic I've seen--in fact, one of the other nominees took "Ethan's" basic premise and did something I think was extremely silly with it

[markprobst]

I have no gripe about reviewers declining to review a book. I just don't like when they ignore the request or say yes please send it and then then don't follow through with a review. If you don't have time to review me or my book isn't your cup of tea, say so. I'll understand.

[markprobst]

I'm glad to know it's not just me, then. I was beginning to get a complex about it.

[blake_fraina]

Although I know this hasn't anything to do with me, I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten that I owe you a review for Hidden Conflict. There's just been a lot of things going on and my first attempt at writing a review became way too long. I need to edit it down to a readable length and for some reason, I haven't been able to focus in the past few months.

Profuse apologies. I promise to get it up in the next couple of weeks!

[markprobst]

Definitely not directed at you. A review of "Hidden Conflict" is not expected, but should one ever materialize would be greatly appreciated. :)