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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 683
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 02:29 pm: | 
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Hello Troy - I have been a long time lurker to your forums, and maybe even posted a time or two over the years. I mainly use the boards to pick up on new and interesting literature from AAs to read. Lately, though, I have been dissappointed with the selection of books by african americans. But, my question has to do with your reviews of books. I often wonder, if an author is requesting a review from you (or any reviewer, for that matter), are you not obligated to give a positive, if not a rave review? I guess, I would like to know if you were paid to review a book and it was not a good book, would you give it the review it deserved? Or would you give it the 'impartial' review, not really saying nothing? I am not trying to offend you or your business. But I am honestly interested in understanding how the industry works. For example, if NY Times was given money to review a book, can consumers of the paper be confident that there is no conflict of interest?
Anyway, I would greatly appreciate you educating me on they ins/outs of this industry. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 684
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 02:38 pm: |
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This is a common question so I thought I'd post a response on the boards.
Paid or otherwise, we write impartial book reviews period. You simply have to trust that this is the case.
But I think our history helps support this: There are many authors not pleased by the book reviews that we have published over the years -- especially when the criticism is particularly harsh as can be seen in reviews written by certain reviewers.
Also we are beholden to no one author or publisher.
As mentioned before on this web site. The NY Times does not review books by self published authors. Indeed the NY Times does not review MOST books that are published. As a result people we historically received a large number of self published books for reviews.
AALBC.com pay reviews for the book reviews we publish. From my inquires we may more than may of the other entities that publish books.
Now consider getting 100 self published book in a month. Experience these me that a large percentage of these books are not very good. If I reviewed every single book I would spend at least $15,000. This does not include my postage and time required to post the review. The only risk to the author is the price of the book 50% of retail and a stamp.
Overtime I found I was publishing a bunch of unfavorable reviews for poorly written books. Meanwhile the author risked NOTHING but I spent time and money. I don’t even have a good book I can recommend to visitors to the site.
Charging for reviews corrects this problem very nicely. First self published authors do not mass mail me books. That $249 fee is quite effective in preventing authors from sending me a ton of book. Shucks, if the author themselves are not interested in investing an a book review why for God sake should I?
If an author chooses to commission a review; they reap a tremendous benefit that exceeds their $249 investment. First the fee guarantees that the review will be written and published in a known and timely fashion. Second, if the review if favorable, it will be read by a LOT of people and promoted on a very popular site.
If the review is unfavorable the author has the option of not having the review published.
There are a few things I do not like about this fee our based reviews;
- Overtime published review are overwhelming favorable; because the authors with unfavorable reviews opt out of having them published. As a result, we continue to publish “free” book reviews but the selection of those titles is at our discretion.
- We get people that feel the reviews would be biased. I can not control how people feel, but I think your history speaks for itself
- A major publishing houses refuse to pay for AALBC.com book reviews. But major houses refuse to pay for a lot of things. However the authors of books published by major houses have paid for book reviews I think that speaks for itself.
Lurker, I hope this helps. My ultimate goal is to not charge self published author for anything other than advertising. Free author profiles, free book reviews, etc. Technology and more financial resources will make this possible but until then; I’ll need authors to share in the expense of promoting their own work.
Read our book review guidelines at http://reviews.aalbc.com/reviewer_guidlines.htm
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9157
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 06:30 pm: |
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I don't think any author has a right to expect a favorable review just because they paid a reviewer to critique it. And when an author puts their book out there for public consumption and a reviewer selects this book to review on his own, said reviewer likewise has no obligation to give a favorable review. And I think most authors can live with the idea that if more than one reviewer pans a book, then a clear message is sent. But there are soo many cases where one reviewer loves a book and another one hates it. Reviewers have really been embued with a false sense of power. Especially in the movie business where time and time again a blockbuster movie has been panned by reviewers. Personally, I can't see why anybody would pay money to solicit another person's opinion. Bottom line, the consensus of the consumer is what determines success, and the "word-of-mouth" promotion doesn't cost a thang. IMO. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 686
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 09:06 pm: |
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Hi Cynique, people are not paying for the reviewers opinion they are paying for the the attention and sales that the reviewer's opinion might generate.
Of course the consensus of the consumer defines a "successful" book and sure that is driven by word of mouth. However a favorable review in a widely read and respected publication is what often ignites that word of mouth.
Sure the author can pound the pavement and generate their own word of mouth, but a favorable review helps tremendously.
By the way, those book blurbs that you find on the back of the book are useless. Most people don't believe them. In fact I have good reason to believe most of the people who wrote the blurbs did not even read the book. Even if they are excepted from an actual review they are virtually always out of context.
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Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 306
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 10:17 am: |
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Regarding paid-for book reviews, I do them as well. I warn authors that the fee they're paying me is not for a positive review. Instead, they are paying me for the time it takes to read the book, write a review, and send it to the various places my review is published and the publicity it may bring them. One very excellent reason to pay for a review by a well-established publication is for library sales. Most libraries require a book be reviewed by at least one known publication (which is why Kirkus in getting rich from their new review service).
Paid-for reviews can turn ugly though. I had an author ask me to change a paid-for review but I declined several times. I reminded the author what was being paid for and that my opinion is not for sale. Finally, I got to the point where I offered a full refund with fair notice that the review would not be published. The author chose to let the review stand as I had written it. It's moments like this when you wonder if it's even worth to take on freelance projects like this one. Considering the small fee I charge, I usually end up making near minimum wage on each book review I write based on the time it takes to read and review the books.
Should an author pay for a book review? Well, the marketplace is getting so oversaturated with new authors thanks to self-publishing and subsidy-publishing that there is no way to really stand out. And we know the major publications are not usually reviewing these books. Many people base purchasing decisions on a review. Sometimes paid-for reviews are much cheaper than buying an ad in traditional or online media.
Would I pay for a review? Sure, if I knew for certain I could get a return on my investment, and it was cheaper than buying an ad where I could control the message. Would a $350.00 commissioned review bring me more sales than using that money for a batch of full-color postcards or a banner ad? Who knows?
Word-of-mouth is okay but when I make a purchasing decision, I base it on subject matter first, if it's from an author whose work I like, then a consensus of reviews (including customer reviews) and how the book is selling. Free word-of-mouth won't get you very far, especially if you're an unknown author. Just ask any author without a marketing budget who only sent e-mails and posted on messageboards for advertising how many books he or she sold. Regarding direct selling (aka hustlin') how many authors really have the type of personaliy that will allow them to go out there and just hustle books? How many even have the time if they have day jobs and a family? |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 477
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 11:33 am: |
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A side note about Kirkus commissioned reviews called Kirkus Discoveries, launched in 2004 - they carry little to no weight in the industry. For the most part, these are self-published books or books that were sent in for review AFTER publication by clueless startup small presses. So UNLESS they paid for the review, Kirkus would have NEVER given these books the time of day.
Kirkus saw a way to make money off self-publishers and inept small presses and launced Kirkus Discoveries - commissioned reviews at $350 a pop. Right from its inception, the industry snubbed its nose at these Kirkus Discovery reviews. So guess what, self-pubbed authors/startup small presses that paid for a Kirkus Discoveries review "conveniently" left off the word Discoveries when they quoted the blurb.
But the industry soon became hip to this and forced Kirkus to distinguish on its website and in its semi-monthly print journal which reviews are Kirkus and which are Kirkus Discoveries. When someone submits a Kirkus-reviewed book for possible library or bookstore placement, it's looked into to see if the word "Discoveries" was deceptively omitted. If that's found to be the case, the book doesn't stand a chance in hell of being shelved or stocked.
Meanwhile, Kirkus, founded in 1933, is none too happy about this as it is ruining their reputation as a high faluting review venue. As such, there's talk that the KD program may soon be discontinued. Kirkus is being forced to weigh the benefits of having a side commissioned review business against risking their prestigious, influential reputation and being looked upon by the industry as a second or third rate review journal.
The industry doesn't like to pay for commissioned reviews simply because, as the old saying goes, why pay for something you can get for free? Why should I/my publisher pay Emanuel Carpenter (I'm not picking on you, sir) his VERY REASONABLE rate of $75 to review and advertise my book when Sam Tanenhaus, the NYT Book Review Editor, will assign it to one of his staff who'll spend the same time and energy reviewing my book and, if s/he likes it, will put the word out about my book, interview me, will discuss my book with his/her colleagues (who also are high up on the food chain as far as review venues are concerned), and s/he'll advertise my book in one of the most respected trade journals in the WORLD - all at no cost to me or my publisher? (Except the cost of submitting the ARC, followed with a complimentary copy of the finished book, a thank you note, and postage).
Last I checked, it costs $25,000 (you didn't read that wrong) to take out a full-page ad in the NYT. So even a FREE UNFAVORABLE review printed in the NYT carries more weight than a favorable commissioned review appearing in a lesser/lesser known review journal. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 307
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 11:54 am: |
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Urban_Scribe,
I know you're not picking on me, and your post makes perfect sense.
I heard the same thing about Kirkus, and back in the early days I surely would have left out the "Discoveries" when I contacted libraries to purchase my book. I wonder how the "Discoveries" affects readers when they read a positive review about a new book.
I think it's all about trying to get some exposure. Will Sam Tanenhaus actually take the time to assing a review to a book published by IUniverse, AuthorHouse, or a small press with less than five titles published? Or are we speaking about books published by the larger publishers?
I think folks have paid for my reviews mainly because they believe where my reviews are posted are high-traffic websites, which will give them exposure. I'm definitely no Roger Ebert but if I reviewed every book in which authors requested a review, I wouldn't have time for anything else, including doing things that make money. Like Troy, I only charge because I don't want to be flooded with books. I'm grateful that some authors value my opinion enough to the point that they would pay for it. And with less than 10 commissioned reviews per year, I certainly won't get rich from the endeavor. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9158
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 01:20 pm: |
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So, - can it be deduced that paying for a review is a way of ensuring exposure and generating interest even though, with the reviewer not being obligated to give a favorable critique, there is a possibility that what will be publicized about the book will be negative???? Could it also be concluded that to some authors seeking attention for their books, the fee paid to a reviewer is equivalent to a "bribe". I would concede that the problem with relying on "word-of-mouth" is that it sometimes takes the form of a recommended book being passed around among friends, a practice which does not increase sales. But this informal type of communication may help in establishing a future reputation for an author. IMO |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 690
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 01:39 pm: |
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Urban_scribe, plainly put the NYT is going to review virtually none of the books that I get in the mail for review. So does it mean that unless the New York Times reviews your book it does not deserve a review?
I also submit to you that over time more people will read an AALBC.com book review than would read any given book review published in the New York Times. But lets say, for arguments sake, that an AALBC.com book review had 1/1,000th the reach of the NY Times. That would still be an excellent deal for a self-published author.
Dominic recently (May ’07) published a book called No Momma's Boy: How I Let Go of My Past and Embraced the Future http://aalbc.com/cgi/aalbcamazonproductsfeed.cgi?locale=us&input_string=dominic+carter&mode=books
"Journalist Dominic Carter works for the biggest media conglomerate in the United States, Time Warner, NY1 News, and has interviewed some of the most influential politicians in the nation."
I just Googled this book. I can not find a single review. Does this book deserve to be reviewed? Why should a book by a well known Journalist be unable to get a book review “free” book review by a major publication?
Your own post tells me that virtually none of our book are being reviewed by the likes of the NYT: http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/1/28007.html?#POST102403
I’m not trying to change this for purely monetary reasons I’m trying to let people know (as I have from day one) that there are good books by black writers available.
Now do you think Dominic’s book would do better with an AALBC.com and Emmanuel Carpenter reviewer or without one?
Cynique, yes a review published some place where people will read it is a way of ensuring exposure. Of course the problem of the fee being construed as a bride is an issue. However the author needs to consider the entity writing the review, how long have they been around, do they publish reviews that are critical, etc.
AALBC.com has been accused of being harsh on book, but never, ever biased in favor of the author/ |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2120
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 02:23 pm: |
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There was a piece about this book recently on NPR. (It is an interview with the author and not a review, however.) |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9163
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 02:25 pm: |
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I am in no way questioning the integrity of AALBC, Troy. I have great faith in your business ethics. But the very frenetic nature of generating hype for a book can spur overzealous authors to adopt the old "payola" mind-set. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 479
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 02:37 pm: |
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Well, yes, I think it's accurate to say, commissioned or no, that AALBC provides a niche review market.
I know if I want to check out the latest in Black/AA Literature, my first stop is AALBC because I know the NYT Book Review, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly et al, do not focus on Black/AA Lit the way AALBC does.
But, in my mind, this also begs the question: Why does AALBC charge for reviews? I understand the whole part about not wanting to be flooded with books by everyone and his brother who's written a book. I understand that the fee acts as a deterrent. And I understand that AALBC's fee goes more toward advertising, and the fee does not guarantee a review will be favorable. But, again in my mind, that argument doesn't hold water because all the non-commissioned review journals are also advertising the book - free of charge - and do not guarantee that a glowing review will be forthcoming. While AALBC won't "get rich" charging a review fee, it does turn a profit charging for reviews. AALBC also extends the privilege to those who paid for a review the option of not having an unfavorable review published. All of this flies in the face of conventional industry review practices.
Why not offer free reviews, which focus on books by Black/AA authors, small press, and self-published authors, as you currently do, with OPTIONAL paid advertising packages? Those who want the advertising are going to pay for it regardless. This is proven over and over again with all the paid (VERY EXPENSIVE, I might add) print ad campaigns for books in the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, NYT, Village Voice, etc. It would be a simple matter of tightening up AALBC's review submission criteria. This will certainly be more in keeping with standard industry review practices, and within the matter of a few short years, will unquestionably bolster AALBC's reputation as THE place to go for Black/AA book reviews.
From my perspective, AALBC is in an enviable position with loads and loads of untapped potential. If I were you, brother, I'd assemble a tight, knowledgable team willing to work on a profit-sharing basis, and run with it! |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 308
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 02:56 pm: |
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I don't think we can say stopping the flood or receiving books is the only motivation. Profit has to be a motivation as well, even if it's a small profit. (Didn't Kirkus say they weren't making enough money on subscriptions, so they started the review service?) We should also be talking about supply, demand, and capitalism in this post as well.
Because there are so many authors and small publishers who want and need publicity more than ever before and are willing to pay for what was once free, why shouldn't AALBC.com be willing to make a profit from this new demand? Don't authors and small publishers have the good sense to determine if paying for a review is cost-effective versus, let's say, an ad in Bookpage or Publishers Weekly. Why should AALBC.com only be limited as to how they make a profit? They don't force anyone to pay for a review. It's all about choice.
I can't speak for the reviewers at AALBC.com or Troy but I know writers want to be paid for writing and not just settle for a byline. I'm sure the reviewers at Publishers Weekly or NYT Book Review are on payroll so the writers already make their money and the publications already make their profits on advertisements and subscriptions. Does AALBC.com have a similar business model?
I think subsidy publishing and the growth of self publishing has opened up the floodgates for selling all kinds of services to the newfound author, which includes guaranteed book reviews. It's basic supply and demand. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9168
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 03:12 pm: |
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I'm not actually condemning enterprising people for taking advantage of opportunities presented by the boom in self-publishing, Emanuel. Nobody is forcing people to seek the services of reviewers and printers and proof readers and ISBN issuers. Becoming a player in the publishing game is not a crime. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 309
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 03:25 pm: |
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At the same time, I can see how someone would be suspicious of a review that was commissioned by the author. Who wouldn't be tempted if someone said, "Here's $75.00 for my review, and an extra $500.00 for a GOOD review."? I guess you just have to trust your review source. After all, do we really know what goes on behind closed doors at some publications regarding payola. I could see a publication writing up positive reviews for a publishing company in exchange for a guaranteed purchase of x amount of advertsing. I've read reviews by well-known reviewers and wondered if they'd read the same book I read or watched the same movie I watched and still gave it a positive review without somehow geting paid for it. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 310
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 03:30 pm: |
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Sorry for the typos. |
A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1670
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 03:47 pm: |
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By the way, those book blurbs that you find on the back of the book are useless. Most people don't believe them. In fact I have good reason to believe most of the people who wrote the blurbs did not even read the book. Even if they are excepted from an actual review they are virtually always out of context
Troy,
While this might be true some of the time, I can't agree that it is true 100% of the time. All of the authors whom I have asked for a blurb insisted that they read the ms first. Those who don't have time to read the entire ms said that they couldn't consider giving me an endorsement/blurb because they didn't have time to read the entire ms and didn't feel comfortable commenting publicly without doing so.
Maybe because authors may have read a few chapters in the past and given their endorsement and later found that the rest of the book didn't live up to the chapters they'd previously read. So they discontinued the practice? Who knows? |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 692
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 09:42 pm: |
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A_woman I did not mean to give the impress all or “100%” were bogus. Shucks I've given blurbs for book that I have actually read myself. I'm mean that enough of them are bogus or clearly biased to render the whole lot of them useless as a factor for weighing a book when compared to a review or a friends recommendation.
Emanuel you raise a very good point regarding paying the writers of reviews. Most are not compensated adequately for their time and expertise. I've always said this lack of compensation depresses the quality and quantity of our book reviews. No one is immune to this not QBR, BIBR, AALBC.com, rawsistaz or any number of publications that publish book reviews in a meaningful way.
Cynique my comment about integrity was not directed at you specifically. I know you know me will enough and have witnessed enough situations to know I don't pay that. I'm not saying I'm above being duped or that people don't try to get slick. For example, a paid review client (actually this was a large publisher) asked me to reword some text in a review, I declined and explained why that could not be done.
Urban_scribe I hear you. As you know I'm not particularly tied to doing things they way they have always been done -- especially when that means our books are not being reviewed. But again I hear you. As I mention somewhere else on these boards my ultimate goal is do free profiles for all published authors and free book reviews too.
Assembling that “tight, knowledgeable team willing to work on a profit-sharing basis” is a much more easily said than done. I reach out to folks all the time with very little success. By the way, Urban_scribe, what are you doing in your spare time…?
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Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 480
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 11:09 am: |
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TJ, I'm a firm believer in putting my money where my big mouth is. You have my email addy. Hit me up and we'll powwow. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 695
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 11:57 am: |
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I'm looking forward to it Urban_scribe
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9173
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 12:15 pm: |
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I'm still waitin on my book, Urban_Scribe. You must've sent it book rate. LOL. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 481
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 12:36 pm: |
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You'll have it by/before the end of this month. And for you, my beloved Madame Cynique - priority mail! Can I send priority mail to a POB? They raised the postage and changed a few mailing rules. I can't keep up. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9175
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 12:57 pm: |
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Yes, I frequently get Priority mail at my PO Box, Urban-Scribe, but parcel post is cheaper and it just takes a few more days longer to reach its destination. Since time is not a factor I'd go with that. Thanks again, babe. |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2122
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 12:58 pm: |
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Wow. Somehow I have missed both the free book line and the popcorn 'n wine line. I gotta get to TC more often! LOL |
Msprissy
Regular Poster
Username: Msprissy
Post Number: 68
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 05:15 pm: |
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Cynique said: Personally, I can't see why anybody would pay money to solicit another person's opinion. Bottom line, the consensus of the consumer is what determines success, and the "word-of-mouth" promotion doesn't cost a thang. IMO."
Opinions make you a smarter writer, IMHO. There are so many postings to this subject that I have to stop in the middle so as not to forget what I want to respond to. That said, understand that I will go back to where Cynique left off and pick up the thread again.
My feeling about paying for a review has been, okay, I don't mind; however, the reviewer has to have a good following as well as select followers. Selling books by word of mouth is a iffy situation. First, you can't track it. Usually people tell me where they heard about my book and it's usually not from another reader. I don't believe, at least I hope, reviewers lie about the quality of the work.
And if I put my work out there, I try to accept all that comes back to me--good, moderate (mild in quality), or bad. Had to put moderate in there because it has happened to me. I must say it was true of that particular book. It was my first and I believe I've learned from it. When you decide to ride the book market train, you take what you get. |
Msprissy
Regular Poster
Username: Msprissy
Post Number: 69
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 05:48 pm: |
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Cynique, again: "I am in no way questioning the integrity of AALBC, Troy. I have great faith in your business ethics. But the very frenetic nature of generating hype for a book can spur overzealous authors to adopt the old "payola" mind-set."
Sometimes, so-called payola is the way to go for neophytes to receive recognition in the book market. I learned the reviewers and their reputation from various writing groups and researched each one. The word "free" bothers me. Everyone is screaming free this free that, when in truth, when you read the find print, it's not free. As the saying goes there is no free lunch.
I've got no problem with overzealous authors adopting the old "payola" mind-set." What they received from that is their business. If it works for them, fine. I decide what works for me. Don't you? None of this bothers me. I don't write for money. I won't get on the fad-du-jour. Yet, I will write out the box sometimes, but not to follow the crowd. |
Msprissy
Regular Poster
Username: Msprissy
Post Number: 70
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:01 pm: |
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Emanuel: "all, do we really know what goes on behind closed doors at some publications regarding payola. I could see a publication writing up positive reviews for a publishing company in exchange for a guaranteed purchase of x amount of advertsing."
AMEN! 'Nough said.
I even gaze upon Oprah's book club mentions with a jaundice eye. Look at the profits to the various publishing houses when folks run to their bookstore to purchase her recommended books. Now, that's big business, no doubt.
I would love to see this subject put on the board again in say 2 years. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 696
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 07:36 pm: |
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Msprissy, this subject was discussed here almost three years ago: http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/5049/1749.html
The issues and arguments have not changed. What has changed however is that we get a steady flow of fee based reviews -- even from publishers.
The number of books published continues to increase year over year, and the competition for recognition increase as a direct consequence. All indications are that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future and the demand fee based reviews will continue to grow.
As newspapers and other publications continue to have difficulty publishing “free” book reviews this trend will probably accelerate.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9179
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 08:01 pm: |
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With all of that good insighful stuff being contributed by people who are more into the publishing world than I, Missprissy, I wonder why you would only respond to the observations of a "retired" author like me?? People are obviously free to publicize their books any way they choose. With the self-publishing phenomenon in full sway, it's a whole new ball game out there. But, IMO, longevity is what counts in the publishing world, and hype be damned. LOL. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 314
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 11:01 pm: |
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Troy, I remember that discussion you linked to like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe that was almost three years ago. I completely forgot about those authors who sent gifts with their books. It happens less often now. The last gift I got from an author was a small pack of M & Ms. |
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