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While about 80% of my sales are through Amazon (I recently had a couple on Amazon Germany, woohoo!) I do get steady sales on B&N, Smashwords, and a few other sites. I think it's best to be widespread.

What a pudgie! She's adorable Morgan. :)Best luck.

Rose

I'm not much of an animal lover, but I did include a black lab puppy in "Wild Wedding Weekend". The heroine had always dreamed of a house with a white picket fence so the dog could run around in backyard. To prove his love, and that he'd listened when the heroine talked about her dreams, he brought her the puppy and showed her the invoice for the fence he'd ordered.

Funny - they had a Chinese Crested puppy in the movie last night - 10 Ways to Lose a Guy. It peed on the pool table!

Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com

I have a character who loves his horse. It's his best buddy. Even my dad commented on how much it reminded him of his horse when he was a kid.
We writers need to remember the impact we make in our stories.
DL Larson

It's our job to make our readers feel things!

Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com

Too much backstory is a real turn off for me too. I want the details, as a reader, but I prefer that the book start with action. Kind of like James Bond movies. They start with an action scene to hook us, and then they move into the backstory or set up. I'm trying to follow that pattern with my own books.

Oh, and as for sex, I'm with you. I don't need a "blow by blow," so to speak. A passionate kiss followed be a door closing is fine by me. Most authors don't write x-rated scenes well and shouldn't try.

Oh I'm right there with you with too many detailed descriptions/backgrounds. Especially when it takes up CHAPTERS and CHAPTERS before we get to the good part of the story...Sometimes I end up not getting there or I'm frustrated forcing myself through it.

I agree with a lot of these, Morgan. My biggest pet peeve lately have been stories with unhappy endings. I know that not every book I pick up is going to be a romance with a HEA, but when I've invested a couple of hours in a story and the hero winds up drowning in the end (Seriously...it happened in the book I just read.), it kind of irritates me. And with that, there's just no telling until the end.

Hi Morgan,

It's easy to become disenchanted with some author's works. I find I have less and less time to read for pleasure these days. As my writing craft has improved, so has my critical eye, for books, TV shows, and movies.

We rewatched a classic movie the other day - Turner and Hooch, and there were two instances where Tom Hank's character made plans to do stuff with Mare Wittingham and then that was never shown. It wasn't like it happened offscreen, because he was shown doing other things when he said he'd be with her. I didn't turn the movie off, I continued watching it because I loved the dog, but still, if I wrote a story like that for publication today, the plot errors would kill it before it ever got off my computer.

I agree with what you said about books I don't enjoy reading. However, I often find myself in the position of needing to support a local author, buying the book, and being soundly disappointed. In that case, I try to say as little as possible.

Enjoyed the post!
Maggie
www.maggietoussaint.com

Morgan-

Yours are some of the reasons I won't accept a book from a potential client as well.

Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist
www.stephaniebarko.com

HI. Great topic. I remember reading a quote that said, "I try to leave out the parts people won't read." But as you said, that is subjective. I don't like a lot of discription, though I like to write it. In one story, I did research on furniture and described the living room furniture. My editor had me remove it. I was disappointed, but understood why.


I agree, Maggie it's difficult to comment when you didn't enjoy the book (or even finish it). But that's subjective too. It's also hard if they right in a genre you're particularly fond of. Tge story may be great, but it just doesn't 'turn you on.'

Major thumbs up for the too much description. Sorry don't care if you take a right on Jefferson to get to whatever, and flora and fauna bore me to tears.
This seems to be a blog topic this week everywhere.
OMG! My verification word this time is 'kedscula'. Do you think that's a vampire running shoe?
Patg

I agree with all of your reasons for not reading a book, Morgan. Plus I have another one to add to the list.

I will not read an author again who doesn't do her research and gets facts wrong. I read one book by an author I had enjoyed for years. She set the book in Oklahoma (which I know intimately) in the horse and buggy days. She had a wagon ride taking less than a day from Woodward to Red Rock (a four - six hour drive in a car). She had Red Rock an hour horse back ride from Lawton, which is about 250 miles distant, and the Red River right outside Lawton. No way. Therefore I won't read any more of her books. All she had to do was look at a map. Ish.

Vivian Zabel

Hi Morgan,

I am not a picky reader, but that's because I read like a writer when I read a book that doesn't totally grab me (trying to analyze why it isn't). On my writing desk, I have 5 or 6 books that I read like a reader (forget all about the writing and get sucked into the story). I will pull one out sometimes to see how the writer managed that...and then I read from the section I was checking out, all the way to the end again.

I feel absolutely no guilt when I like a writer but don't like his or her books, and I would wish others to feel the same for me and mine.

I just remind myself that reading tastes are subjective, just like food, wine, beer, and fashion. After all, someone thought that Princess Eugenie and Beatrice's hats were all that, even though I blinked twice when I saw them!

Kelly,
I have to admit those hats were very unique, to put it kindly.

Debra mentioned stories with unhappy endings. I know a reader who reads the ending first. Only when she can see it has a happy ending does she go back and read the book.

Sex scenes are so easy to overdo. I'm reading a book where a guy has a couple of drinks with a woman and wakes up the next morning naked and doesn't remember why. That's good enough. Readers can be trusted to fill in all the details they want.

Morgan, the big killer for me is excessive narration. Your list looks good.

Two, four and six can kill my desire to continue. One can be a stumbling block too, but it has to be a real overdose of description for me, since I love historical fiction, which can be description heavy.

One big reason I'll stop reading a book is if the back cover blurb doesn't capture what's inside. The back cover blurb should entice, but it also has to be honest. I once picked up a book supposedly on the 2012 prophesy, thinking I would learn more about it. Instead, I got tortured with the author's spiritual journey and his political manifesto. By the time I was over halfway in, the 2012 prophesy wasn't even mentioned. I finally gave up.

Cheryl
http://ccmalandrinos.com

I AGREE MANDEE, I ONCE REVIEWED A FIRST TIME AUTHOR WHO HAD OVER 400 PAGES AND ONLY NEEDED HALF TO BE A GOOD STORY@

Hi, Morgan--you hit on every one of the imporatant reasons. I agree with all.
About made-up names you can't pronounce..I've seen this in books, usually fantasy or historical--old, old historical. I just finished judgin seven entries for an RWA contest. I got all Regencies, and every one of them had made-up names that made me sit there and try to find some sensible way to pronounce them. I didn't say anything and didn't count off points, but I do not like books with this sort of thing. Thanks for the reminders for us writers, too! Celia

Morgan, 1, 2, and 6 are biggies for me. Too much description is a big turn off, and too many or odd details that don't seem to fit just show me this is an author who needs to work on their skill. Too much backstory too soon makes me yawn.

I just started reading Game of Thrones by George RR Martin and his style is pitch perfect. Engaging, and not too much backstory in your face.

Character names really doesn't matter to me., but I do want the character names to fit the time/place/setting.

Smiles
Steph

I agree with all you say!

Too much description and backstory are my two biggest pet peeves (info dumps).

I agree with you 100%. I have bought books for my ereader that I thought would be good then found to be passive, with too much backstory and poorly developed characters. In the endless sea of ebooks, it may take a while for the cream to rise to the top, but I know I'll never by books from those authors again.

I'd also add pages with hardly any 'white space' - and also short sentence conversations between two characters where you have to count back to work out who's saying what!

Morgan, you have good reasons, but one the turns me off quickly is the introduction of too many characters early on. It's hard to keep them all clear in my mind. Thanks for this topic. It's important as a writer to know what readers don't want to see in your story. Though I write picture books, which can have its own set of does and don'ts.

All good points. As a reader, I like the detail, but as a writer, I try not to bog folks down. When I read your adversion to names I laughed out loud. I can remember being irritated by names I was never sure how to pronounce. Fun blog today with things to keep in mind while writing a story.

http://www.barbaraweitz.com

Good points Morgan. Weird names don't bother me that much. But here are two more things that make me grind my teeth: authors who used foreign language sentences to impress the reader without knowing how to spell them. I read French sentences that were more Creole than French. Authors, please check your foreign language with someone fluent. Also I would stop reading if the pace is too slow and there is so much telling the story puts me to sleep.

Morgan,
Great topic, and these are all good reasons to not read a book. Although as you say, most are subjective. I like enough description to set the tone and fix me in time and place, but no more. The James Michener passages of the seas swelling, the mountains folding, the grass growing drove me nuts.

I have been known to give up on a novel because of bad dialogue. I have wanted to give up violently, to throw the book at a wall, just to teach it a lesson. Bad dialogue! No biscuit!

Specifically, it's dialogue that repeatedly involves names and too much tagging. For example, an exchange between Jim and Sally.

"But Sally, I told you I was going out tonight," said Jim.

"You didn't tell me, Jim," Sally replied.

"I did, Sally. You were making the coffee and you said it was okay," Jim argued.

"You were in the shower when I was making the coffee, Jim," Sally snapped.

aaaaargh! There are TWO people in that exchange. In normal conversation we do NOT use each other's name every single time we address each other and please give the reader some credit for being able to figure out which of the two characters is speaking in such an exchange. A tag every now and then to keep us on track is okay, but stop bogging the show down with them.

The other thing that drives me nutoid is exposition in dialogue. Any time I read the phrase "As you know" I feel as if I should drive around to the writer's house and give a stern lecture. Don't even get me started on why this phrase should be completely banned from movie scripts (unless they are spoofs).

I agree with ALL your reasons Morgan and would like to add one more: If I see PASSIVE VOICE in the first sentence, paragraph or page I drop that book like a white hot pan handle! Nothing turns me OFF like passive voice from an author and or their editor. Most of us go through great pains to use active voice/verbs or already know NOT to USE PASSIVE VOICE!! It irritates me because it brands that author as either an amateur or sloppy. Besides that there is an incredibly vast amount of information out there for writers to learn about passive voice/active voice--there really isn't ANY reason for an author to use passive voice. JMHO!

I think you covered all my pet peeves, and I agree with every one of your reasons. Great post, Morgan!

I agree with the lengthy descriptions and set-ups in a story becoming boring. As one of my writing instructors once said, "Less is more." Give just a single brush-stroke of description that is so cleverly written the reader gets an immediate mental picture.

I was half way through this blog post before I realized that you were talking about books in general. I read the blog title as why you won't read a book written (by) Morgan Mandel.

I like your part about character names. I enjoy sci-fi and fantasy books and there are a lot of names that you cannot pronounce and when you read the book, you skip over the name, but you recognize the spelling of it.

When I wrote my novel, this played a part when I named my characters. Most of the names are common like Angela, Xavier and Vincent. But others are not for that sci-fi fantasy feel like Therion and Bastiana.

Because names can be hard I specifically do not have any characters who's names start with the same letter. Even town names and names of ships follow this rule.

Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books are very hard to read because of the 100k characters whose names all start with the letter A or L that all look alike. If I cant keep the names strait, how would I expect the reader to?

That's funny,SB
Maybe I stirred up some controversy about not reading my own books! lol
Morgan

Your headline threw me for a minute. haa!

To each their own, but I don't like those "literary" books with lots of pretty words and nothing going on. Boring!

Great list, you already know. Cliche' descriptions and metaphors get me cranky. I love to see a comparison I've never met before. Too many commas make me want to get out my comma gun.

Thanks, peace,
Diane

I have a brother in Glendale and a sister in Phoenix! Both grew up in Illinois but prefer the dry hot of Arizona. I would miss the changing seasons, but the warm weather sounds good - another cool day in Illinois!
Good luck with your trip and research.
DL Larson

I tend to make notes at chapter and scene breaks, although I usually start with tracking "Day 1, Day 2," etc. Then, if I need it to be a weekend, or a Monday, I'll go in and adjust.

Unless the day of the week is essential to the plot, I don't pay attention when I'm reading. (Which is probably why I have to force myself to make notes when I'm writing).

I've worked from home for ages--days were tracked by Hubster's schedule. Now that he's retired, our landmarks are "It's Garbage Day" or the like.

Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery

I know what you mean. If I don't have something special going on for a couple of days, I sometimes forget what day it is. Some days sort of feel like Groundhog Day too! I never heard if it was a book before the movie.

Morgan,

For each book, I keep track of the day on a calendar. It helps me avoid messing up my time in the story. Now in real life, it's a different story. Since I stopped working, I often can't remember what day it is. Going to church on Sunday is practically the only thing that helps me differenciate between weekend and weekday.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has days that blur together. Now that I take my son to preschool, when I pull into the parking lot, I check out the other parents and kids to be sure I recognize them. I just know one day, I'll take him to school on the wrong day!

The day of the week may not matter, depending on the story. But the writer should know, and make clear, when time has passed. Terry's idea of making notes for chapters and scenes is good--too bad I usually do it after the fact, when trying to untangle time lines.

From Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”

Marian Allen

In the opening paragraphs of my WIP, I mention what season it is. The readers don't know what exact day until a bit later in the chapter.

I rarely know what day it is either, but I make sure my readers know what month and time of year the story takes place, and early on. After that, I sometimes keep it vague. But for myself, I have it all plotted on a calendar.

keeping track of time throughout the novel and in your head simultaenously HARD for many of us right-brained people. I suspect Time as a concept, even a linear idea, is easier for some to keep track of than others both in life and especially in our fiction. I am always struggling with what time is it in the story -- even an historical tale that relies on being exact about a given time period. As in the launching of Titanic. Even though there are certain moments in time we know this happened, and that happened, we are still filling the the spaces between the known moments, fleshing them out.

As to first paragraph, first page time is an element as important as letting us know WHO we are following, whose story is it anyway? WHERE in time and space we are (unless there be a very good reason to conceal same). These opening moments set the reader's feet on terra firma. These establishing shots (film script term for it) ground the reader in a scene that helps greatly to suspend disbeleaf.

Rob
Dead On Writing

This is something I need to keep track of better while I'm writing. As it is now, I usually have to go back sometime during the editing process and recreate my timeline and that's a pain. Also, then I can't always tell whether the amount of time passing is realistic or not. So good reminder!

My daughter's schedule seems to be my best way of keeping track of days. Since I haven't written any fiction, I can't say anything about timelines in writing. In our non-fiction story, the timing and days were absolutely crucial. Fortunately we had kept a diary and also had emails which we had sent to help us reconstruct the exact dates.

In my writing, I keep track of the seasons better than the actual days.
DL Larson

Hi Morgan,

I have to know what day it is on my outline. In my golfing story, for instance, my lead character plays in a Ladies Nine Hole Golf League on Wednesday, so I better not forget to put her on the golf course on Wednesdays!

Great post!

Maggie
On the Nickel coming March 16
www.maggietoussaint.com

I did a book signing at our local library (actually went to three libraries), before which I did a short presentation to my target age group about writing. I engaged them in writing their own response to a sentence that I started, and we had a great time.

I write a mystery series about an antique print dealer who solves crimes -- so I've done signings at antique shows. (I'm an antique dealer myself, so that helps!) This year my new mystery, Shadows of a Down East Summer, includes the diary of a young woman who posed for Winslow Homer in 1890, so I'm workng on a couple of signings/talks on Homer in art galleries, and in a 19th century inn that is one of the settings in the book. Libraries, for sure. And, of course -- book groups are great!

I held my first book signing at our church bazzar. My friends say that craft fairs are good for them too.

I had a book signing once at our church, but I gave the proceeds to the church. Another time I held a huge party at my place, cooked dinner, and invited all my friends. Instead of bringing a bottle of wine, they bought my books.

As an RVer, I've held a booksigning at a campground, and plan to do more when another book comes out. I've also done a couple at libraries.

I have done a signing at a large, regionally well known independent bookstore, and another at the Tucson Festival of Book which was held on the UofA campus.

I found the campground idea refreshingly original, and I really like the confectionary store for its romantic nuance!

Library talks, writing groups, craft and book fairs, being willing to sub for a speaker who can't make it, coffee shops, art galleries, recreation centers, Inns, I've done all of the above.

Marilyn
http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com

I plan on trying the grocery store. Other writers have had success there.

I've tried a pharmacy - didn't do too good there, a PowWow which went well on several occasions, and book stores that have been iffy and good, depending on the circumstances. Organizations have been a great outlet and so have book clubs. Craft shows are okay and libraries are usually pretty good too, although it's good to remember folks at a library are used to reading great books for free!
DL Larson

The only two afflictions I have when I'm at the computer for a long time is a) I get sleepy and 2) my back starts hurting. I beat two birds with one stone and go to bed. BTW, your new book sounds absolutely wonderful!

I do take breaks, 15 minutes here or there to throw in load of laundry, grab a snack, let the dogs out, that type of thing. It can actually be distracting when I am not in the flow. When I am really writing well, I don't feel the need for a break so much.

Terri
http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com

I always write several hours in the very early morning (5:00 AM - 8:00 AM) as my "scheduled writing time." I also write when I pass the computer and just feel like writing. That is not scheduled nor counted upon but it occurs quite frequently.

When I am writing a first draft, I can write through the day and night. I completed a 100,000 word first draft in six weeks while working 70 hours a week at a "regular" job. I rarely slept more than a few hours but I wasn't tired until after I had completed the project.

When I edit and revise, however, I want to be at my best because that is the writing that will either be publication-ready or destined for Circular File XIII.

I shopped until I found a chair that has great back support and "seat" comfort. Too many writers I know economize on this writing necessity. I no longer get the backaches and by having the proper height adjustment, I no longer am plagued by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, either.

I also got a keyboard that fits my fingers. Too many of them have keys that look like they were designed for mouse paws, not people hands. I applied bright letter appliques on top of the keys which need little light to shine bright. Eye strain from improper light is another hazard of writers and when letter is big and bright it reduces the number of times I will hit double keys and have to spend all that time backspacing.

The physical act of writing will never be fun. But it doesn't have to be torture. I figure I spent an extra $300 - $400 to have the right equipment. But as a colleague of mine said many years ago, "Margerine covers the bread, but I like butter."

Funny, but when I had a day job I didn't get as many sore muscles. I guess I moved around more, or maybe I wasn't typing as intensely.
When I get really into the flow, I tend to type faster and not pay attention to my posture.

Morgan Mandel
http://facebook.com/foreveryoungbook

I get up and stretch. Sometimes I dance in the living room when no one else is around. When the weather gets nicer I'll walk for a bit.

I have the right ergonomic chair and desk setup so it's easy to sit in front of the computer for hours. I usually takes breaks on the hour.

I've never really thought about this, to be honest. I try to write in different places as well as shifting positions when I'm writing in my recliner at night.

I sometimes take my dog Scamp out for 15 or so minutes, and throw the ball and let her chase it. Especially fun in the snow. She loves it. Gets me a little exercise and fresh air too. Then I'm ready to get back to the writing.

Ah, I don't normally have an issue with this. My bladder is my timer and it will make me move whether I am looking for it to make me or not. I guess there are SOME benefits to getting older. lol.

Great posts! I think taking a break is very important for both body and mind!

Nice setup! I always cringe when I see an author with virtually nothing on their table. I'm always looking for new ways to entice people to my table. If I could add flashing lights, I would!

How great! Hope it was a great day!
DL Larson

A full table is essential. Looks great. :)

Hi Morgan!

It's so wrong what they say, don't judge a book by its cover - I'm guilty of it and to be honest, most people I know are. Of course, it's not the "be all and end all", but it certainly helps with an interesting cover page.

Happy New Year!

Sassy
:)

Heading over...

Looks really do count. Your cover looks great - I'm sure many are intrigued with the title as well.
DL Larson

Well, my book hasn't been published yet, so I don't know exactly what I'll do, should that happy moment come. I have however received some very nice blurbs for the book, and you'd better believe those are already up on my site!

Post it on all my sites and use in my promotional material!

I use a part as a signature in my emails. Promote it!!!
Congrats!!!
DL Larson

I tried the new editor feature, but it clashed with the javascript I use so that I can break up a longer post with a clickable "keep reading" link.

I know nothing about HTML, but I could see that it changed all the 'span' codes from the old system to 'div' codes (not that I know what they are or do), and I was afraid to mess with it, since it took forever to get the original system functioning.

I posted my question to the Blogger help forum and got absolutely no responses. All I gleaned was there were still a lot of bugs, judging from other complaints.

So, I'm back to the old system, which isn't quite as fast, but at least I know how to use it.

You are right about customer comfort. I froze at an outdoor Book Fest on Sunday. Sold a few books, 11, but that's pretty sad for all day.

Marilyn

yay! glad you had a successful signing.

You got a good spot there!
Not tried new features - but then again, I've been on the road for the past two weeks!

Glad to hear you had a great book signing! Fall festivals are always fun to do!
DL Larson

Morgan,
I'll be at Book World November 7th signing A Hotel in Paris and the Eagle Ridge Resort is lovely, can't wait.
Margot Justes
www.mjustes.com

I like to use vacation time to do as much reading as possible because that's when I can do it without feeling guilty that I should be doing something else. I usually do very little writing except for making notes when something pops into my head.

Hope you enjoy your vacation (though it sounds like a working one) and that your cold goes away.

Paying for a review, beyond the cost of shipping them a book, IMHO makes the validity of the review suspect. Since I'd be skeptical about believing a review from that sort of review site, I would never pay to have my own book reviewed by them.

(Note: this is a response to the question posted here; I didn't pop over to the link to read the entire article, so take it FWIW)

I agree with Terry, it's hard to provide a totally objective review if you're being paid for it. In addition, as someone who works in book promotion, there are so many talented bloggers/reviewers who don't charge, why would an author incur the additional expense? Word of mouth is a very important aspect of book promotion, and these bloggers have loyal followings and are also tight with each other. Some people discount the smaller blogs, but those bloggers often bust their neck driving traffic to their sites, which is good for them and good for authors.

Cheryl

We are a book review service and provide free and express reviews. We charge for express reviews and give a stipend to the reviewer to put the book above all others and provide a review within two weeks.

Which now brings me to validity. Our reviewers give their honest opinion whether or not they get a stipend. They are serious about reviewing the book and don't fluff a book just because it is an express review. Our reviewers CAN be objective and are.

On the other hand, we limit free reviews because believe it or not, it does cost us to give a free review. I just can't seem to get anyone to work for me for free - they all want to get paid. (In fact, I just got hit up for a raise today!) So, what do they get paid for? Processing the request, sending out the book (oh yes...there is postage and bubble envelope too) to the reviewer, editing and formatting the review after it comes in, finding the cover, being sure the ISBN etc is correct, posting the review on the website (cross linking so it's not only one page) as well as amazon and the blog. And, then the review is sent to the author/publisher. And guess what, the whole process takes at least 1 hour (sometimes more)and at $15.00 per hour plus postage we've already spent $20 - not including running the site, rent, and electricity. I just can't see myself taking this money out of my own pocket just to give a free review because someone in the industry thinks all reviews should be free. Furthermore, we get at least 100 to 150 books per week. Do the math.

This may have worked a long time ago when newspapers/magazines charged for advertising and were able to give free reviews. That's history. Most of the major ones don't even do reviews anymore.

Further more, even Foreword now charges for reviews. And, there is Kirkus Discoveries. And, no they don't fluff the review because they are paid $400 per review. I've seen reviews come from them that are not desirable.

I do agree that bloggers are a good source of reviews and it gives good exposure on the internet for the author. Where credible review services come into play is reviewing manuscripts/galleys for endorsements on the back of the book, as well as for marketing purposes. A credible review goes a long way for the author.
Bloggers...keep reviewing - it's a win/win for everyone. The author gets a placement on the internet and the blogger gets a free book to read.

Before I knew better, I paid $400 to Kirkus Discoveries through iUniverse for a review of When Pigs Fly. It was my first book, and at the time I didn't know if I would get any other reviews. Only later did I learn that free reviews online are not difficult to get (e.g. Reader Views). The K.D. reviewer seemed to go out of her way to be critical and was the only reviewer to call the story line trite and the ending predictable. That's okay, I suppose--you pay your money and you take your chances, and I did lift a couple of beneficial quotes from the review--but the free reviews were at least as useful.

People don't have to know that you paid for a review. That's not the issue. And bought-and-paid-for reviewers can and apparently do bend over backward to prove they are not bought and paid for, by writing an overly critical review.

Also, when I have talked to potential customers at book signings and I show them quotes from various reviews, none of them have said, "Oh, wow. You were reviewed by Kirkus?" The average reader has no idea who Kirkus is, and doesn't care.

The bottom line: I will never pay for a review again. It's just one more way that other people make money off the labor of authors. The issue isn't credibility; paying for a review is simply not worth it.

Bob Sanchez
http://bobsanchez1.blogspot.com

Sadly, most paid reviews are not worth the money. And the industry knows the difference between a free Kirkus review and a paid one.

Although I can understand that the review site/publication process isn't without cost, there's always that doubt on the part of the reader. "If Author A paid, are they giving a better review to her book than they are to Author B's?"

Of course it shouldn't matter. However, if there's room for that kind of doubt, I'd steer away. I recall an on-line review site that began offering faster reviews for a fee, and the response was very negative. I believe they dropped that facet, simply because it created that 'praise for pay' stigma.

I'm not working now, so probably not. ;)

When I put an ad in Romantic Times for Girl of My Dreams, which I would have put in anyway, I was offered a review. I sent in for one and was disappointed in the review. I believe in a reviewer being honest, but I wished the ad hadn't been in the same issue as the review because it didn't help my sales one bit.

When I asked this year at RT for a review right when Killer Career came out, they said one of the criteria was whether or not I had an ad. I decided not to bother with them. I can't afford their expensive ads.

Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com

One thing I neglected to say in my other post is many of us that provide a service of book reviews feel unappreciated when giving free reviews. Because a free review is "expected" in the industry, many authors don't take a minute or two to write a thank you note to the reviewer. I would venture to say that only one out of every ten does and our reviewers are thrilled when they get an acknowledgement for the hours they spend reading the book.

I would never pay for a review...they got their money when they got my book! I am very mixed when it comes to reviews because a review is one person's opinion.

When my first book THE PARTY came out and I received a less than stellar review it felt as if someone had kicked my child to the corner. I sent it to RAWSistaz who gave it a 2 out of 5, calling the story coarse, crass, and vulgar. Yet they gave ZANE a 5 out of 5 who is just as if not more crass than I. However, I then sent it to RT and they gave it 4 out of 5 stars and it also won the 2005 RT Reviewers Choice Award for best AA romance by a 1st time novelist. So go figure...that same book again given 2 out 5 stars on amazon by another review group -siting that I was "losing sight"...so right there it showed me that I am not going to please everyone.

So I take reviews with a grain of salt and try to keep in mind that it is just one person's opinion.

I have a loyal fan base who like what I write and I am happy with that.

Go get 'em, Morgan!

L. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com

This is gonna be big, really big. Wish I could be there but alas...