Funny the Little Things You Learn

Have you ever noticed a book review that says something like, “This book was received in exchange for an honest review”.

OK, neither had I…until recently.  Now, it seems like I see them everywhere.

As I mentioned in my last post, I thought I learn a bit more about marketing a book – you know, part of the overall experience.  So, as I am pursuing some of the marketing sites mentioned on AnaSpoke.com (http://anaspoke.com/2015/10/08/the-most-super-duper-exhaustive-comprehensive-and-current-listing-of-free-and-paid-book-advertising-websites-and-ideas/) I found one that asked, “Need a Reviewer?” 

I am thinking, ah, someone to read, check spelling, give plot suggestions, and the like.  I actually checked into a service like that, before I twisted the arms of a couple of friends for proofing.  Something about the $1500+ price tag scared me off.

So, anyway, I clicked the Need-a-Reviewer link.  And it’s not for someone to read your book for typos – I should have known better.  It was a listing of people (pages and pages of them by genre) who would read your book and write a review for you.  And it’s not their living, because at least for the few I checked, there is no charge.  Rather, it seems to feed their habit.  They like reading, so to keep an endless supply of books without going broke, they trade a book for a review.  Amazing.  Where do people come up with these ideas?

Happy Writing,

BmP