Review: Sharing with Writers Offers Help for Writers

I rarely post reviews on this blog because I have a blog (The New Book Review) dedicated to reviews. I make exceptions for books I know will help writers like this one from reviewer Carolyn Wilhelm. Enjoy! But feel free to find great reading at #TheNewBookReview, too!
CHJ

Title: How Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically

Subtitle: How to get and use book reviews as part of a biable and ongoing campaign for self-published and traditionally published books

Author: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Published: HowToDoItFrugally Publishing

Series: The multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers

ISBN: 9781536948370

Purchase as e-book or paper on Amazon 

Reviewed by Carolyn Wilhelm originally for Amazon

I like the writing style of this book as it has some humor. 

The author asks, “WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REACH REVIEWERS ON YOUR LIST? I’m glad you asked.” There is specific and down to earth advice such as: “Don’t say your book is “entitled.’ That’s the wrong word.”

I appreciate the index which makes the book quickly searchable. Put it in the research section. 

Reviews have no value if they can’t be trusted. This book is not about how to manipulate the system. It’s about how to up your chances of getting reviews. Howard-Johnson suggests not sending you romance book to a highly literary reader of Russian poetry, for instance. 

Terms you have maybe heard but do not understand are covered such ad print-on-demand (POD), sell sheets, industry standard, what metadata includes, how to emulate the process that big publishers use, and what great ratings can do for your book and how to manage them. She explains what Amazon Vine is all about, too. What is a praise page? How to quote with permission, and when is permission necessary? 

Should you allow the look inside feature for your book on Amazon? Perhaps there are worries about plagiarizing—but think about it. In stores, people can open and read books. Should you pay for ads or not? What is a digital footprint on search engines? How should negative reviews be handled? What is the Amazon toolbox and how can it help? Do you know how to register a hashtag? How can you get a press pass? Authors want to know.

What is the right category for your e-book on Kindle? What about voting on Amazon? You have a choice to vote helpful (or not). Actually, voting “helpful” for reviews is Karma. What to do if a book is badly written or not worthwhile? What about catalogs — how-tos advantages and disadvantages? 

The Q and A section is very helpful and is like having a conversation with an expert.

The author says a great cover design is essential, but it will be more effective if you use a three-dimensional one. She gives access to an offer to her readers — a special price to create one.

Remember, honesty is especially important in a business that abounds with scams.

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER 

Carolyn Wilhelm is a writer and blogger and loves Pinterest. Find her at http://thewiseowlfactory.com and tweet with her @wiseowlfactory. 

MORE ABOUT THE SHARING WITH WRITERS BLOGGER

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the award-winning second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter (where she talks more about choosing and the advantages of winning contests and how to use those honors)  and The Frugal Editor. Her latest is in the series is  How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. Learn more on her Amazon profile page, http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers is one of her booklets--perfect for inexpensive gift giving--and, another booklet, The Great First Impression Book Proposal helps writers who want to be traditionally published. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it will help them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. In addition to this blog, she helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com )