I only recently started using beta readers - I have also had people read the book once released for some feedback and for them to do a possible review for me on Amazon. Beta readers get their hands on your work before it goes too far, they give their honest opinion on your writing, and they help with any plot holes, grammar issues or tell you if the story is interesting or not.
So, are beta readers important?
.. They're more like ALPHA READERS, am I right? - The response I've had from people interested in my writing projects before they are available for the world to see, is incredible. It's very scary letting someone see your work before you even feel it's nearly finished - but it is productive, especially since beta readers will be critical of your work and not just sugar coat things - they want you to have good quality work out there.
I will be contacting more beta readers in the future when I finally finish my novel - I will hopefully do this for my children's books too - obviously limiting how many you need, as if you let anyone read your work, you won't get any sold. I will also be continuing to send out a PDF copy of my books to select people in order to gain more reviews online. Get yourself some betas!
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Saturday, 11 May 2019
Monday, 1 April 2019
Finding Feedback - The Struggle
It's fairly difficult to source your own book bloggers for feedback, and being an indie only makes it worse. Here's how I went about finding people willing.
I had to contact people on several different social media sites to find people willing to fit my work in to their busy To Be Read list.
You can't expect people to drop what they're doing to deal with you.
The people I spoke to were writers, bloggers, book reviewers, parents and carers, and people who enjoy children's literature, and fortunately, I managed to get some feedback.
Some of the feedback I received were posted on the social media that I had contacted them on, so I had featured on their Instagram stories, was retweeted on Twitter, and the cover of my book reposted on Tumblr. Not all feedback comes to Amazon - that's why you have to share their feedback on your own, as others may not see it. It's always good to request that they share their comments on Amazon, if they can, bonus, if they can't, it doesn't matter, they've spent time giving your work feedback, so you should take the time thanking them, sharing their words, and returning the favour if possible.
Don't go into thinking that people owe you anything. Yes, you have a new book. Yes, it's super exciting. Yes, the people you contact do this for a living. It doesn't mean they read your genre, or they prefer books that aren't indie, or they just don't have time - some people make a living from reviews, and therefore would expect a payment for their time. If you cannot pay them - don't ask them. I don't pay for reviews, as I feel you'd want more bang for your buck, and expect a glowing review as your hard earned money went towards it - which may not be completely honest or reflective of your work.
Top tip: Do not expect the review to be perfect and sparkly, they see your work in a different light and will point out the flaws, imperfections, and will inform you of their opinion - it's honest work, and it's better to hear the truth from someone who has built a career on book reviews, than to be told it's amazing and that feedback being useless to you.
I had to contact people on several different social media sites to find people willing to fit my work in to their busy To Be Read list.
You can't expect people to drop what they're doing to deal with you.
The people I spoke to were writers, bloggers, book reviewers, parents and carers, and people who enjoy children's literature, and fortunately, I managed to get some feedback.
Some of the feedback I received were posted on the social media that I had contacted them on, so I had featured on their Instagram stories, was retweeted on Twitter, and the cover of my book reposted on Tumblr. Not all feedback comes to Amazon - that's why you have to share their feedback on your own, as others may not see it. It's always good to request that they share their comments on Amazon, if they can, bonus, if they can't, it doesn't matter, they've spent time giving your work feedback, so you should take the time thanking them, sharing their words, and returning the favour if possible.
Don't go into thinking that people owe you anything. Yes, you have a new book. Yes, it's super exciting. Yes, the people you contact do this for a living. It doesn't mean they read your genre, or they prefer books that aren't indie, or they just don't have time - some people make a living from reviews, and therefore would expect a payment for their time. If you cannot pay them - don't ask them. I don't pay for reviews, as I feel you'd want more bang for your buck, and expect a glowing review as your hard earned money went towards it - which may not be completely honest or reflective of your work.
Top tip: Do not expect the review to be perfect and sparkly, they see your work in a different light and will point out the flaws, imperfections, and will inform you of their opinion - it's honest work, and it's better to hear the truth from someone who has built a career on book reviews, than to be told it's amazing and that feedback being useless to you.
Wednesday, 20 March 2019
The Macroodelzig - Feedback
The Macroodelzig has been out for one whole week! Argh!
Before the book launch on March 13th, I had been in contact with a few writers, reviewers and bloggers to request some feedback on The Macroodelzig. Luckily, those people are amazing and have helped me promote the book - even if they didn't have time to write something up before the launch, or had a to-be-read list longer than their arms - they shared the book cover on their Instagram stories, retweeted about the book, or wrote a little opinion piece on the story. Thank you so much!
Here's some quotes:
"It’s an uplifting tale that reminds us how being different or quirky doesn’t mean we’re no good, and how there is always someone out there on your wavelength who will ‘get you’ and who will show you their love." - Fran Grant |
"Y'all, this children's book has to be one of the most adorable and creative stories I've read! ... It was really cute and I enjoyed how different it was from anything I had read" - Nataliesbooktalk |
"I think for older readers they will get the message about acceptance , that you don't always have to fit in with the norm ... Beautiful little story will read more from this author" - Amazon Review |
"This is exactly the kind of book that needs to be distributed in primary schools ... It cleverly covers everything from body image, individuality, acceptance, breaking convention and normalising same sex parents whilst keeping it fun.." - Debbie's Bookshelf |
"My four year old loved this book. It is Julia Donaldsonesque but funnier and with a nice moral undertone." - Amazon Review |
Grab the book and see for yourself! HERE or HERE
Before the book launch on March 13th, I had been in contact with a few writers, reviewers and bloggers to request some feedback on The Macroodelzig. Luckily, those people are amazing and have helped me promote the book - even if they didn't have time to write something up before the launch, or had a to-be-read list longer than their arms - they shared the book cover on their Instagram stories, retweeted about the book, or wrote a little opinion piece on the story. Thank you so much!
Here's some quotes:
"It’s an uplifting tale that reminds us how being different or quirky doesn’t mean we’re no good, and how there is always someone out there on your wavelength who will ‘get you’ and who will show you their love." - Fran Grant |
"Y'all, this children's book has to be one of the most adorable and creative stories I've read! ... It was really cute and I enjoyed how different it was from anything I had read" - Nataliesbooktalk |
"I think for older readers they will get the message about acceptance , that you don't always have to fit in with the norm ... Beautiful little story will read more from this author" - Amazon Review |
"This is exactly the kind of book that needs to be distributed in primary schools ... It cleverly covers everything from body image, individuality, acceptance, breaking convention and normalising same sex parents whilst keeping it fun.." - Debbie's Bookshelf |
"My four year old loved this book. It is Julia Donaldsonesque but funnier and with a nice moral undertone." - Amazon Review |
Grab the book and see for yourself! HERE or HERE
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