@Skye on Goodreads I continually add books to my to read shelf. Once a book is on your to read shelf, Goodreads will send you a message when a giveaway for a book is available.
You need to have some reviews out there already; a blog, some decent Goodreads reviews or guest reviews in the media. Once you have a name as a good reviewer, the ARCS will arrive
Follow publishers and netgalley. I have received 4 ARC’s in the last month from following publishers and then signing up when they have them available. Those were physical books. Netgalley is just digital.
The most important advice is to be a reviewer… it only makes business sense that the people giving these things away have to know that they are going to get something in return. Long before Goodreads, I left reviews on the books I bought through Amazon. After a couple years, authors started reaching out to me, saying that they’d seen my review and they would like to offer me a copy of their book. Quite often, if you look at the Goodreads giveaways, they are offering, say, two copies – and then you’ll look further and see that there are 2500 people requesting the giveaway. Your odds aren’t really good on those. The reason so many of us received “How to Walk Away” is that it was a huge quantity being given. My feeling is that you will find fewer and fewer paper copies going out – you have the cost of printing the book, and the cost of mailing them. The advice on how to get started on Net Galley is excellent.
@MaryAnn that’s not correct. The full review guidelines are on Amazon’s website and non-verified purchases of books are allowed. Reviewers should NOT say that they received the book IN EXCHANGE for a review though. There’s lots of rumours flying around, but the guidelines are very clear
Follow more book bloggers or book publishers. They do giveaways. So do authors. There’s always sites like Goodreads, but Goodreads doesn’t give away as many now that they charge the authors to do a giveaway, so your chances of winning aren’t very high unless it’s an ebook now.
It’s a lot of hard work..almost a part-time job for me. Spend a lot of time reading, reviewing, filling out contest forms, and searching for more free books. They don’t just fall in my lap.
@Lou YES! Being consistent is always key too! I stay constant and in touch with authors and publishers. Entering is the easy part – it is staying up and current. I have a few that are backlogged, but not many, and I work through them quickly
What exactly are you wanting to know? A lot of the arcs you hear about in here are from netgalley, goodreads and publishers handing them out. I wish every arc a reader received would be reviewed but that’s not always the case.
I review all the books given to me, and also the ones I purchase. In that order. Because my job is a tough one sometimes, I don’t get them read as fast as I’d like. I do try to get them reviewed before the publishing date. Come Summer, I’m able to read more and review quicker since I’m off Summers! ??
@Linda I would dearly love to be able to review every book that arrives, but I received over 500 last year, not including those that I bought myself. I work two jobs, it’s just impossible
That’s a lot!! I used to work more than one job as well, now just one, I teach in a functional life skills unit, kids K-6. I get home too exhausted to even open a book! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by timelines too! You must be tired! You just gotta do what you can do, right? You need to hire a couple assistants! ? I’d love to follow your blog!
You have a really nice site! I’m gonna spend some time looking around for sure! What a great resource to find out about books, authors, etc. No wonder they send you so many books! ??
@Linda that’s a lovely thing to say. My blog was always meant for readers, I only shout about the books and authors that I’d recommend. I’m not a critic so there’s no negative stuff on there. Enjoy!
…..not to sound mean about this but I think the whole point of us getting free books for review is not to share that we get free books to readers but to promote the book so that other people will BUY them. If we give away how we won the book rather than encouraging people to buy them the less our chances of getting them also. The point is to buy the book not get more people to try and get a free one. I noticed in these past months people posting how to win a book. And I’ve noticed more book blogging free book sites shutting down because they are going the way of e-books. We are actually going to make it harder to get a book for free…just my thought that I have observed. However…authors and publishers do giveaways and they encourage us to share more so to spread the word to support the author..and get the word out but that’s why they spread their giveaways out and not do it continuously. P.S; I love this page…and love all the recommendations from all you readers!!
I started a blog for that reason too. It’s not successful…but that’s totally my lazy fault..and if I am being honest I have entered tons of giveaways and have won many. Still…I tell people that ask me, it takes a little work and dedication. I read and always review. I encourage people to buy the book…that’s the ultimate goal…not to tell people how they can get it free. It’s not supporting authors or publishers to stay in business if we keep giving the scoop on how to win a book. Years ago when I started reviewing there were not hundreds of us doing this…now that’s all you see….
@Michelle Same. I started blogging 8 years ago and it’s really hard work sometimes. Too many people think that blogging is all about free books. I was blogging for at least 2 years before I received a free book
Yes…I was blogging years ago from tumblr and wordpress with not one person subscribed. Not much has changed…ahahaha..a few subscribers…but only because my original site was hacked and wiped clean. Starting over…and it’s slow again…but I still do it for the exposure and the love of sharing what is kindly given to me to review. I buy way more than I get for free. Because of this shift to gain free books by so many people I notice the odds of getting them are less and less. I don’t hate when it’s someone actively trying via youtube vlogging, blogging, and creating their own FB pages which I myself have tried…but am irritated when it’s just someone trying to win a bunch of books and nothing else. To each their own I suppose.
Michelle, a lot of the publishers send instructions with their ARC’s. Some even have very unique publicity stunts to go with them. One of the first things the instructions tell you to do is post on Social media, all platforms, a picture of yourself opening the book and give a first impression. They want that book ‘out there’ getting exposure! The other steps are for while you’re reading and after you’ve read! I, for one, enjoy getting the books to review and by following those instructions, I’m sure that’s one reason I’m asked to receive and review more. Please don’t think we are bragging about our ‘free’ books or encouraging people to just get free books, it’s about getting more reviews for the book, which helps the authors, which helps the publishers! We are doing our job as reviewers, just as the Publishers have asked us to do.
@Linda crikey! No, I’ve never seen anything like it. To be honest, I’d find that a bit of an insult. I always Tweet a picture of my bookpost but I’d certainly not do all of that. It’s my hobby after all!
I try to follow what they suggest, I’m not offended. I could see how some people might be tho. Maybe when they send out a certain number of books, they are finding they don’t get as many reviews and this is a way to encourage some? I read one book/ARC where the publisher sent postcards and letters from one of the characters in the book! It was fun and I thought unique.
@Linda oh yes, publishers here do the little gifts and gimmicks too. I’ve had chocolate, alcohol, pens, teabags, books in a box of soil!! Hats, all sorts of clever stuff
I think my point is just that the more that it becomes a free book thing the less people that do review get the chance to do what they devote their time to do. No hate to anyone trying to win a book…I get it…I love free books too…and I refer to it as book bragging on my page because I am bragging about the book not the win…but I read what i see on here…people irritated that they don’t win a free book. Why? cause they want a free book or because they are making it a thing to be a dedicated reviewer for these authors and publishers. Yes they want the word spread…but like that paper states..about the book not the way to win…unless they do those random promotions. I don’t feel this way about all of it…about those giveaways…cause that’s how I got my start..winning a few to winning hundreds of them..to requesting and receiving. I get it..
@Michelle I totally understand, I don’t review on the level that you do as a blogger. I’m very grateful for the books that are sent my way. As an Educator, I have reviewed children’s and Y/A books for certain publishers and Netgalley is very selective about what they approve for me. I think you’re right, tho, there are lots that just want free books. Goodreads even encourages doing giveaways with the books you win, after you have read them. Maybe if everybody would do that…
See…yeah….that’s it @Linda..that’s what I mean. All good to win…but also do our part too. Kudos to you for being an educator…I wish you many more books because your occupation is what spreads the word and makes a difference. I have success on some sites..not on others. I have tried what is it?? Edelweiss?? Well they never ever approve me..no matter what my book resume is on other sites….ahahaha. There are some others that don’t give me books either no matter how hard I try..and I try my butt off….
I’ve never tried Edelweiss, but Netgalley is tough. Some publishers won’t even consider me but others have granted me preferred status. I automatically get their books.
Beth Alison Schmehl Keep at it. It’s a win win..because if you don’t win…you are reading..and that’s what matters most right? I have to admit..I started this because several years ago my husband lost his job at that time. From making great money to losing it all…being a stay-at-home mommy. I’m one of those people that when I am depressed I eat…when I am depressed I shop. Well how can you shop with no money. So I looked into reviewing and getting books. Kid you not..I won my first win within a week of trying. But they never sent me my win…so I started the blogs..and just kept at it….year goes by…no wins no books. We struggled for many years to get back into financial security. In the meantime I couldn’t ask my husband to allow me to get books when we were sacrificing so much to stay afloat. I kept at the blogging then tried to win some books again..and I started winning..and winning..then some independent authors contacted me and sent me books and swag. It kept going from there. I’m not even one of those successful book bloggers that everyone knows. I’m way too shy and introverted for that. I’m kinda an anonymous one that always promotes what I get by just my name alone…
That’s one reason I kinda stopped telling people I won a book. I do the reviews to promote it, not advertise I got it free. And really I don’t really get it free, I earn it by hard work!!
@Linda that was part of a huge giveaway through The Girlfriend newsletter….they gave away 2,500 copies! The point of these giveaways is to promote promote promote, which is why it came with those instructions. I am always happy to do what a publisher asks in return for a free book.
Oh yes! If I am asked to say I received in the mail I do it! But I win a lot on Goodreads and I no longer say anything about it on the threads…just in my reviews like requested.
So like..moral to my comment: Try….try at everything. But when you win…do your part to help the publishers and authors out…give them your honest reviews on more than one site. Stay consistent about getting the word out….and pssst…don’t always encourage free books…tell people they can buy the book….ahahaha
@Beth on NetGalley there is a “read now”section. Start there. Only get a couple, read and review. You can request books…but do not request too many…just a few. Read and review. As you do this, you will gradually start getting approved for more books.
It takes a few weeks for them to show up.
Been on here forever!
Me too, Beth! I see people getting book mail and multiple ARCs but I have never won a thing! Must be a secret handshake, lol!
Must be
No secret handshake – I promise. A lot of people get arcs from other authors or publishers or netgalley and share it here.
@Steena I don’t get signed up for both
What are arcs?
Advanced reader copies
Me either! Advanced Reader Copies?
Joined Netgalley! Never received one from them either!
Is Netgalley just e copies?
@Skye yes
Oh okay, thought so, thanks! I know I’m old school but I prefer my books printed on paper?
Do you ever write reviews?
I agree with Tammy. That’s how it works.
@Tammy I’ve been on street teams occasionally and received ARCs, but never won on goodreads.
@Skye on Goodreads I continually add books to my to read shelf. Once a book is on your to read shelf, Goodreads will send you a message when a giveaway for a book is available.
I know you can get them on Netgalley but how do you get hard copies?
Follow the publishers on Instagram and FB. Sometimes they ask for reviewers. I received 3 hard copies this week!
http://bookishfirst.com/
You need to have some reviews out there already; a blog, some decent Goodreads reviews or guest reviews in the media. Once you have a name as a good reviewer, the ARCS will arrive
Also enter Goodreads Giveaways, even if you don’t win, the publishers get your address and email. I have received some that way!
Follow publishers and netgalley. I have received 4 ARC’s in the last month from following publishers and then signing up when they have them available. Those were physical books. Netgalley is just digital.
Join http://netgalley.com/
I got that one yesterday ?
The most important advice is to be a reviewer… it only makes business sense that the people giving these things away have to know that they are going to get something in return. Long before Goodreads, I left reviews on the books I bought through Amazon. After a couple years, authors started reaching out to me, saying that they’d seen my review and they would like to offer me a copy of their book. Quite often, if you look at the Goodreads giveaways, they are offering, say, two copies – and then you’ll look further and see that there are 2500 people requesting the giveaway. Your odds aren’t really good on those. The reason so many of us received “How to Walk Away” is that it was a huge quantity being given. My feeling is that you will find fewer and fewer paper copies going out – you have the cost of printing the book, and the cost of mailing them. The advice on how to get started on Net Galley is excellent.
You are right – fewer paper copies are being given out.
I’ve never had a review removed. I review ARCs after publication date.
I was rejected on Amazon for giveaways. Reason – I didn’t buy enough.
@MaryAnn that’s not correct. The full review guidelines are on Amazon’s website and non-verified purchases of books are allowed. Reviewers should NOT say that they received the book IN EXCHANGE for a review though. There’s lots of rumours flying around, but the guidelines are very clear
@MaryAnn Fair enough
Have you signed up for Bookish First? You can get Print copies there. http://bookishfirst.com/
Follow more book bloggers or book publishers. They do giveaways. So do authors. There’s always sites like Goodreads, but Goodreads doesn’t give away as many now that they charge the authors to do a giveaway, so your chances of winning aren’t very high unless it’s an ebook now.
Be careful what you wish for!! (Trying to keep up. #SoManyBooksSoLittleTime)
I hear you. I had over 500 books arrive last year! I wish I had the time to read them all!
500??? I got 0
Amen! I am working through my list as quickly as my little eyes can read! 🙂
@Rebecca, it’s a way of life for me. I’ve been a member of NetGalley for years.
@Janie Netgalley and Edelweiss for me 🙂 I am constantly scouting new books for students to use 🙂
Edelweiss has far fewer books for me.
Do you have a blog? Blog reviews are so important too
@Jeannie Blogging changed my life! I’ve been blogging for over 7 years now and the books just keep arriving. It’s hard work but I love it
I always post reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.
Anne Cater and a blogger/reviewer’s encouragement helped change mine!
Readers sometimes make their book purchase decisions based on reviews.
Authors depend on honest reviews to help sell their books.
Keep it up ?
@Sheila ?
@Sheila I was honored by your review
It’s a lot of hard work..almost a part-time job for me. Spend a lot of time reading, reviewing, filling out contest forms, and searching for more free books. They don’t just fall in my lap.
????????????
I’d do the work if offered
I do The work and not offered. You don’t get them without work! You have to put in a lot of effort before get start comming in.
@Lou YES! Being consistent is always key too! I stay constant and in touch with authors and publishers. Entering is the easy part – it is staying up and current. I have a few that are backlogged, but not many, and I work through them quickly
What exactly are you wanting to know? A lot of the arcs you hear about in here are from netgalley, goodreads and publishers handing them out. I wish every arc a reader received would be reviewed but that’s not always the case.
@Steena I wish I could review every ARC received but it’s impossible. Most of them arrive unsolicited. So I don’t feel obliged to review
@Anne that makes sense.
I review all the books given to me, and also the ones I purchase. In that order. Because my job is a tough one sometimes, I don’t get them read as fast as I’d like. I do try to get them reviewed before the publishing date. Come Summer, I’m able to read more and review quicker since I’m off Summers! ??
@Linda I would dearly love to be able to review every book that arrives, but I received over 500 last year, not including those that I bought myself. I work two jobs, it’s just impossible
I never get ARCS! I love to read and review!!
@Beth I didn’t get ARCS until I’d been blogging for about two years. It’s hard work but worth it
That’s a lot!! I used to work more than one job as well, now just one, I teach in a functional life skills unit, kids K-6. I get home too exhausted to even open a book! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by timelines too! You must be tired! You just gotta do what you can do, right? You need to hire a couple assistants! ? I’d love to follow your blog!
@Anne thanks!
You have a really nice site! I’m gonna spend some time looking around for sure! What a great resource to find out about books, authors, etc. No wonder they send you so many books! ??
@Sheila me also
@Linda that’s a lovely thing to say. My blog was always meant for readers, I only shout about the books and authors that I’d recommend. I’m not a critic so there’s no negative stuff on there. Enjoy!
@Anne 500???
@Beth crazy, I know!
I’m not in the US either ?
@Anne maybe you should reach out to the publishers and ask them not to send them unsolicited? Might help
@Anne it is! I agree.
…..not to sound mean about this but I think the whole point of us getting free books for review is not to share that we get free books to readers but to promote the book so that other people will BUY them. If we give away how we won the book rather than encouraging people to buy them the less our chances of getting them also. The point is to buy the book not get more people to try and get a free one. I noticed in these past months people posting how to win a book. And I’ve noticed more book blogging free book sites shutting down because they are going the way of e-books. We are actually going to make it harder to get a book for free…just my thought that I have observed. However…authors and publishers do giveaways and they encourage us to share more so to spread the word to support the author..and get the word out but that’s why they spread their giveaways out and not do it continuously. P.S; I love this page…and love all the recommendations from all you readers!!
I started my blog for exactly that reason; to encourage readers to buy the book that I’m blogging about. I don’t enter giveaways/competitions
I started a blog for that reason too. It’s not successful…but that’s totally my lazy fault..and if I am being honest I have entered tons of giveaways and have won many. Still…I tell people that ask me, it takes a little work and dedication. I read and always review. I encourage people to buy the book…that’s the ultimate goal…not to tell people how they can get it free. It’s not supporting authors or publishers to stay in business if we keep giving the scoop on how to win a book. Years ago when I started reviewing there were not hundreds of us doing this…now that’s all you see….
@Michelle Same. I started blogging 8 years ago and it’s really hard work sometimes. Too many people think that blogging is all about free books. I was blogging for at least 2 years before I received a free book
Yes…I was blogging years ago from tumblr and wordpress with not one person subscribed. Not much has changed…ahahaha..a few subscribers…but only because my original site was hacked and wiped clean. Starting over…and it’s slow again…but I still do it for the exposure and the love of sharing what is kindly given to me to review. I buy way more than I get for free. Because of this shift to gain free books by so many people I notice the odds of getting them are less and less. I don’t hate when it’s someone actively trying via youtube vlogging, blogging, and creating their own FB pages which I myself have tried…but am irritated when it’s just someone trying to win a bunch of books and nothing else. To each their own I suppose.
@Michelle I agree, but those people won’t last. I’ve seen it time and time again
Michelle, a lot of the publishers send instructions with their ARC’s. Some even have very unique publicity stunts to go with them. One of the first things the instructions tell you to do is post on Social media, all platforms, a picture of yourself opening the book and give a first impression. They want that book ‘out there’ getting exposure! The other steps are for while you’re reading and after you’ve read! I, for one, enjoy getting the books to review and by following those instructions, I’m sure that’s one reason I’m asked to receive and review more. Please don’t think we are bragging about our ‘free’ books or encouraging people to just get free books, it’s about getting more reviews for the book, which helps the authors, which helps the publishers! We are doing our job as reviewers, just as the Publishers have asked us to do.
@Linda I’ve never, ever had ‘instructions’ when I’ve received a book. I’m in the UK, maybe it’s a US thing?
Here is one I got Thursday. Maybe it is US? Not sure!
@Linda crikey! No, I’ve never seen anything like it. To be honest, I’d find that a bit of an insult. I always Tweet a picture of my bookpost but I’d certainly not do all of that. It’s my hobby after all!
This one came Friday. The publisher is in New York, NY. I have received several others as well. Maybe it’s a new thing?
I try to follow what they suggest, I’m not offended. I could see how some people might be tho. Maybe when they send out a certain number of books, they are finding they don’t get as many reviews and this is a way to encourage some? I read one book/ARC where the publisher sent postcards and letters from one of the characters in the book! It was fun and I thought unique.
I use to promote for book clubs! 10 to 12 people have to buy!
But comes from my review
@Linda oh yes, publishers here do the little gifts and gimmicks too. I’ve had chocolate, alcohol, pens, teabags, books in a box of soil!! Hats, all sorts of clever stuff
I think my point is just that the more that it becomes a free book thing the less people that do review get the chance to do what they devote their time to do. No hate to anyone trying to win a book…I get it…I love free books too…and I refer to it as book bragging on my page because I am bragging about the book not the win…but I read what i see on here…people irritated that they don’t win a free book. Why? cause they want a free book or because they are making it a thing to be a dedicated reviewer for these authors and publishers. Yes they want the word spread…but like that paper states..about the book not the way to win…unless they do those random promotions. I don’t feel this way about all of it…about those giveaways…cause that’s how I got my start..winning a few to winning hundreds of them..to requesting and receiving. I get it..
@Michelle I totally understand, I don’t review on the level that you do as a blogger. I’m very grateful for the books that are sent my way. As an Educator, I have reviewed children’s and Y/A books for certain publishers and Netgalley is very selective about what they approve for me. I think you’re right, tho, there are lots that just want free books. Goodreads even encourages doing giveaways with the books you win, after you have read them. Maybe if everybody would do that…
@Anne you don’t have the time!! ?
See…yeah….that’s it @Linda..that’s what I mean. All good to win…but also do our part too. Kudos to you for being an educator…I wish you many more books because your occupation is what spreads the word and makes a difference. I have success on some sites..not on others. I have tried what is it?? Edelweiss?? Well they never ever approve me..no matter what my book resume is on other sites….ahahaha. There are some others that don’t give me books either no matter how hard I try..and I try my butt off….
@Michelle I have gotten none! Hundreds
I’ve never tried Edelweiss, but Netgalley is tough. Some publishers won’t even consider me but others have granted me preferred status. I automatically get their books.
@Michelle I am a stay at home Gramma! Love to read and review! Thanks for the advice ❤
Beth Alison Schmehl Keep at it. It’s a win win..because if you don’t win…you are reading..and that’s what matters most right? I have to admit..I started this because several years ago my husband lost his job at that time. From making great money to losing it all…being a stay-at-home mommy. I’m one of those people that when I am depressed I eat…when I am depressed I shop. Well how can you shop with no money. So I looked into reviewing and getting books. Kid you not..I won my first win within a week of trying. But they never sent me my win…so I started the blogs..and just kept at it….year goes by…no wins no books. We struggled for many years to get back into financial security. In the meantime I couldn’t ask my husband to allow me to get books when we were sacrificing so much to stay afloat. I kept at the blogging then tried to win some books again..and I started winning..and winning..then some independent authors contacted me and sent me books and swag. It kept going from there. I’m not even one of those successful book bloggers that everyone knows. I’m way too shy and introverted for that. I’m kinda an anonymous one that always promotes what I get by just my name alone…
Thank you! Kind of in the same boat! But I will keep at it?Glad things are better❤❤❤
That’s one reason I kinda stopped telling people I won a book. I do the reviews to promote it, not advertise I got it free. And really I don’t really get it free, I earn it by hard work!!
@Linda that was part of a huge giveaway through The Girlfriend newsletter….they gave away 2,500 copies! The point of these giveaways is to promote promote promote, which is why it came with those instructions. I am always happy to do what a publisher asks in return for a free book.
Oh yes! If I am asked to say I received in the mail I do it! But I win a lot on Goodreads and I no longer say anything about it on the threads…just in my reviews like requested.
Me too @Susan!
@Anne I’ve noticed recently that I’ve started to receive information with galleys with suggested hashtag use, etc.
@Amy ahh yes, we get suggested hashtags too
So like..moral to my comment: Try….try at everything. But when you win…do your part to help the publishers and authors out…give them your honest reviews on more than one site. Stay consistent about getting the word out….and pssst…don’t always encourage free books…tell people they can buy the book….ahahaha
As an author, I Thank You!
As a reader, i Thank You too because readers really do choose books based on reviews, at least partially.
I do for sure! And I read reviews
@Michelle absolutely
Most comments I’ve gotten! Wow
It was a good thread! Great subject Beth!
Absolutely
@Beth on NetGalley there is a “read now”section. Start there. Only get a couple, read and review. You can request books…but do not request too many…just a few. Read and review. As you do this, you will gradually start getting approved for more books.
@Skye I have gotten ARCs from everywhere bust Goodreads. Some people get a lot…luck of the draw.
I just filled out several contests that showed up on my feed. You need to like all the publishers then it will show up when they become available.
F
Netgalley: I currently have 6 to read