Monday, April 16, 2012

Book Blogger Confessions-Monday April 16, 2012





Book Blogger Confessions is a meme hosted by Tiger from All Consuming Media and Karen from For What It's Worth Reviews to discuss issues unique to book bloggers. To find out details, click HERE.

Question for Monday April 16th: Review/Guest post requests: Do you have a review request policy? Has it changed over time? How do you handle requests that don’t meet your criteria?In the past, what types of "pitches" have caught your attention? Are there any (non-specific) examples of requests that are off-putting to you as a blogger?


A: I do have a review policy and it really hasn't changed over time, but I should probably change it.  To be honest, I don't ask for review copies because I just don't have time to read all the books in my TBR pile as it is!  Plus, I feel pressure when doing a review for an author/publisher.  I much prefer to read what I want on my own terms. 

Maybe I should reply to all the review requests I receive, but I don't because most seem to just be mass form letters and not personal at all.  It's obvious that they don't read my blog or know what kind of books I like.  I think I'm included in an e-mail blast and it's as if there's not a real person behind it so I don't really assume that the sender is expecting an answer from me personally.  It's kind of like phishing. 

The only type of "pitches" that have caught my attention is if they are truly about a subject that I enjoy, but really not a lot has caught my eye.  The pitches that are off-putting to me are the ones where they state untrue facts about their contact with me or my blog.  Also, if they use someone else's name.  I don't really get offended -- I understand that they are just trying to get the word out there about their books.  


10 comments:

Bonnie said...

I know what you mean it is difficult to reply to mass form emails when you know they haven't a) read your review policy or b) looked at your blog to see if their book will be a fit.

Bonnie @ wordsathome.ca

Nicola said...

I find the mass-emails awkward because I don't feel they actually want ME to review it or even know who I am or what my blog is like.

I find it odd when authors lie about my blog etc. I had one author compliment me on a feature that my blog don't even have. And I had another author say they had contacted me last August even though my blog or that email address didn't even exist then. Weird.

Kat said...

I've never had anyone lie to me, but do they really think that you don't know your own features? Geez....

Kristin said...

I just created my review policy and am really hoping that it gets read. I even went so far as to include a statement that says I may not respond to all requests, but I will get back to you if I am interested. I did this specifically for all those requests I get that clearly show they never even looked at my blog.

Julie@My5monkeys said...

Nods head in agreement about the mass emails sent out to bloggers to review a book. Yes I need to update the policy better.

Kate @Midnight Book Girl said...

I really have to create a review policy, but I don't know that it would matter. A lot of the requests that I get makes it clear they haven't taken even a cursory glance at my blog, so like you, I just don't respond. I do the ARC tours, and then I've requested a few books that I wanted to read from Wunderkind PR, but again, it's books I choose to read and review so I don't feel that much pressure. And I'm pretty good at picking out books I'll like, so I've only had to review a few books that I ended up disliking.

Karen said...

I never respond to the mass request. I agree that they feel like their phishing.
I get that it takes time to touch base with that many bloggers but taking the time to connect with the right blogger for your book is feel worth any effort.
I barely ever request books and I've scaled way back from accepting review requests. I took on too many at first and it was overwhelming.

Felicia the Geeky Blogger said...

I have a policy but since I really only accept requests for Audiobook I know that most requests do not even bother to read my policy. I request books from netgalley and edelwiess but those are usually few and far between. :)

Though I do have one escape clause in my review policy that I am glad is in there: life comes first and I can't guarantee a time :)

Smash Attack Ash said...

I am so with you on the phishing business. So annoying.

Midnyte Reader said...

I agree with all of you! LOL. I really need to update my policy. I like what some of you said that you will only get back to people if interested. The pretending that they know you and have a connection is weird.

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...