Rarely do I hold contests because (a) I'm a poor writer and (b) I spend a lot on books. So here's the question:
What would you prefer to see on my blog:
(a) contests for amazon gift certificates or other prizes
or
(b) would you prefer I spend my money buying books written by fellow bloggers and giving reviews on them?
fellow bloggers and their publishers should send you their books for reviews, you shouldn't have to buy them, Clarissa.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Dez. I really believed that's how it was done.
ReplyDeleteHaha.
ReplyDeleteB, definitely b :D
I guess my question is, can you offer non-tangible prizes like a critique?
ReplyDeleteAnd to play devil's advocate to Dezz's comment. It's asking for trouble to open yourself to unsolicited books for review. You'll be bombarded with genres and stories you won't like and then you'll be forced to turn them down or feel obligated to write a review.
If you have to do prizes, gift certificates are safer. You won't feel like you have to review something and people won't win books in genres they might not read.
I agree with Dez! I've never asked anyone to buy and review my book outside of normal general promotional activities. I give away copies and free downloads and in the process I get reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've been following you for a while, so I have certain expectations.
ReplyDeleteIf you had a contest once in a while, no problem and nice surprise, but I'm used to seeing your reviews from time to time and they're interesting. Also, it's lovely that you're supporting the work of fellow writers. Soooo, I'd say reviews for me.
Clarissa, I don't really expect contests on your blog. But DEZMOND was right, you're a major blog, bloggers and publishers should send their books to you for review.
ReplyDeleteJust to make things clear; I have never asked anyone to buy MY books - if I want a specific blogger to review my book, I´d send it to them.
ReplyDeleteBut I also review books, and the review copies I am offered are not always the books I am dying to read. Besides, I want to encourage budding writers I believe in by paying for their books.
Hi Clarissa .. I do B.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult isn't it .. wonderful to receive copies of books .. but also good to buy and review others.
The occasional give-away .. perhaps .. cheers Hilary
Well, one reason I buy the books is because I want to support the author. I really don't mind doing that and it allows me to choose the books I read. Also, there have been writers who have sent me their books for free. I just review because I know it's a good way to publicize fellow bloggers/writers.
ReplyDeleteI think the content you've had on your site has been great. You have interesting reviews, offer valuable tips and advice, and help promote/support writers and bloggers alike. I'd say just go with what you feel like.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
Freelance Editing By Mason
B. Hands down. I've never held a contest either. I don't read blogs for contests either. Sometimes I stumble on one, but that is not what draws me to a blog.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely B! That's a much better way to support other writers (and maybe even help the economy, LoL.)
ReplyDeleteB for SURE!!!! :o)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh!! whatever you do it's bound to be fab!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Clarissa, I don't think you need to spend money at all to keep writers coming back to your excellent blog.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend, friend.
Maybe I'm not understanding something but hey - that happens all the time! I have read your question a few times and always come up with B. I don't like contests on blogs. I read your blog because it's good. And I think opening yourself up to being bombarded with free books to be reviewed -well it would make me nuts.
ReplyDeleteSo - B.
I don't think you're a poor writer at all.
ReplyDeleteThe important question is what do you prefer? If you enjoy reading & reviewing books, then go w/ that. If you enjoy hosting contests & giving out gift certificates & prizes, you'll also attract blog readers.
This may be a little off the wall but do you keep every book you review? Unless you're really hard on your books as you read, perhaps you can give away that gently used copy as a contest prize, possibly tied to the review. Then your expense is down to postage.
ReplyDeleteB! I love the idea of a gift certificate, but how can I pick that over the prospect of hearing about what great books I should read? No contest!
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions LD.
ReplyDeleteClarissa, we all LOVE your blog, and I respect and agree with your choice of supporting fellow authors.
But as for reviews, in some cases I agree with Dez and the author should send the book for your review. However if there is a book you love and want to review that you had bought GREAT!
Have a great weekend.
Would just like to hear about you.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with the others. However, they should send you their books!
ReplyDeleteI always turn down offers of free books because I would rather support my blogger buddies by buying their books. I know publishers send books to review sites, but I'm not a review site.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I'm one of the people keeping Amazon in business with how much money I give them all the time, so I can always appreciate more drugs to feed my addiction--however, if you were going to hold a contest, I would rather the prize be something like something you have written. Winning a signed copy of a book from the author herself is a pretty sweet prize, for example. Just sayin', that would be wonderful and hopefully much cheaper for you. And you could still share your reviews of other work in regular blog form.
ReplyDeleteNumber two. I'm all for supporting fellow writers!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see more reviews on your blog. You do an excellent job of reviewing books.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't know enough to make an informed decision. I agree with Dez's comment, but I don't know at what expense authors obtain copies of their own books. So, from me, you get a non-commital shrug and a smile. :) I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine. You have plenty of support either way.
ReplyDeleteB, though I agree with Dezmond and others that the author should send you the book to review.
ReplyDeleteBoth ideas sound great, just depends what you're more comfortable with. Cool blog:)
ReplyDeleteI think the review is prize enough. You always give a great review and never spoil the tale. Besides many people are writing for the money, so I applaud you.
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
buy books from felloew bloggers
ReplyDelete"Well, one reason I buy the books is because I want to support the author. I really don't mind doing that and it allows me to choose the books I read"
ReplyDeleteyep, that's fine if you want to support a friend, you can buy your own copy, but even then they should give you a free copy for, lets say, a giveaway contest or something.
We've seen a few writers and bloggers who've used the whole blogosphere to promote their books and earn money by doing that without giving a single copy to anyone of without organizing giveaways, or if they did it, it was with less than five books given away around the whole blogosphere. That's not nice, because we should cherish and love people who help us promote our work or books.
I'm a translator, not a writer,and so far I've given away tens and tens and tens of books I've translated to my friends and supporters, so I think a writer won't go broke if he or she puts at least 20 copies of their books for giveaways and blogtours, and their publishers should send books for reviews.
@Dez - You make some really great points. Writers who want to sell books need to make the effort in giving some away. It's really good too because I have a book coming out in a bit and now I know I should be giving copies away. THanks for the reminder, Dez.
ReplyDeleteDo only what you can afford, Clarissa, but I say #2.
ReplyDeleteAnd authors sometimes don't have books to give away! It's up to the publisher unless the author is self-published. As for promoting online, I think only twice have I featured an author who had a giveaway on my blog. It's all about supporting our fellow authors. Giveaways are more for book blogger sites who have thousands of followers.
The second one. :P
ReplyDeleteDezmond: but to be fair, you´ll have to see the difference between translated books (which publishers ask you to translate because they assume they can sell them) and new books which may be paid for by the writer her/himself. Some new authors don´t even sell as many books as they give away in the first months.
ReplyDeleteSo please, folks, remember that our situations in life are VERY different so you don´t judge anyone else, thinking they could do the same as you can.
I like B better, BUT you should blog about what you want to to blog about.
ReplyDeleteThe Write Soil
Good question. I guess a bit of both LOL! ;O)
ReplyDeleteBuying other bloggers' books and doing reviews on them would be pretty cool :>
ReplyDeleteB - I like buying fellow bloggers books when they come out too, gives you a feeling of community :)
ReplyDeletePS I LOVED your posts on book covers it was really helpful.
<a href="http://clancytales.blogspot.com>Wagging Tales - Blog for Writers</a>
I like your blog. Do what's best for you.
ReplyDeleteFrom personal experience, I'd recommend the gift card. Unless you have signed books or are going to send directly from Book Depository, you're going to spend a lot on shipping. Now I try to only make an exception for signed books.
Id like to invite you folks to come to Amish Stories for a recipe for "Famous Pennsylvania Dutch Sticky Cinnamon Buns" along with a book signing schedule for Amish fiction writer Wanda Brunstetter for Pennsylvania and Ohio as well as a contest to meet her. I hope everyone so far is having a great weekend. Thanks everyone. Richard from Amish Stories.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou're not a poor writer as I could tell from early versions of what you called The Sholes Key (I think that was the title).
ReplyDeleteIf one has the means to offer contests with monetary prizes, I say that's up to to them.
Don't all of us who have written a book hope others will want to read it; i.e. hope someone will BUY it AND review it? I know *I* do! (BTW, I personally know what great reviews YOU write.)
I would say go with whatever feels good for you, Clarissa. (Sorry about the deletion above; it's mine. I should have proofread read it before I clicked the send button!)
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
I would go with buy books for reviews. We authors need to support each other! :-)
ReplyDeleteReviews, please.
ReplyDeleteGo for reviews. I'm not interested in give-away stuff. I've got everything I need and a lot of crap I don't need already >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
Aren't there some sweet bloggers imagining we actually get most of the books we review free. Ha ha. But writers need to get paid so I don't mind paying. I'd hate to read and review books I didn't like.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, Clarissa reviews for me. I wish I could keep mine so short and succinct as you do.
Denise
Can I jump in here and be a bit contentious, possibly?
ReplyDeletePublishing is a business and people (like me, for example) do it for a living. That means it's my livelihood, and while I can give away a certain number of books for review for free, I'm also constrained by what's in my contract with my publisher -- they need to make a living, too. If I ask someone to review my book, I do send them a free copy. But if everyone who chose to review my book had it for free, both me and my publisher would lose out on some profits. I don't even make enough to support myself in the first place!
An author's job is not to give away free books. An author's job is to write books to SELL. Without any profits, the publisher would go bankrupt.
On a personal note, I am always extremely grateful and thankful for all the support I receive from people in the blogosphere, and I try to do everything I can to reciprocate buy buying others' books and reviewing -- but I would never expect authors to send me copies for free to do so. I help because I want to, not because it's a trade.
Let's not forget publishing is a business.
Rant over! :)
You can put your name in for arcs (ask Deb @ Just Deb how--link below) and with publishers as a reviewer with no need to purchase books, tho.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.debamarshall.com/
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
I'm having a hard time digesting everything I've read here. I had no idea so many people expect to receive free books!
ReplyDeleteI don't do many reviews, and the ones I do post are for books I chose, purchased, and (generally) loved. If someone GAVE me a free copy, I would feel pressure to give them a favorable review.
I think if you want SuperStar Reviewer Joe Schmoe to review your book, then by all means send him a copy. But I don't think authors should feel obligated to send out free copies to anyone and everyone who says they want to do a review.
Does any other business work like that? If so, I'm going to start posting reviews for MERCEDES-BENZ and then I'll have some very nice things to say about some JEWELERS and high-end fashion DESIGNERS.
You'll find me waiting on the front porch for the mailman....
that's a hard one. I'm personally an amazon addict but I can totally agree with you supporting fellow writers.
ReplyDeleteInteresting question! I do a mix on my blog - I've given away two gift certificates, and just recently did a giveaway for all the new releases I've bought and reviewed. Interesting to see everyone's responses!
ReplyDelete