Strange Horizons Seeking Reviewers
In a move that is basically the opposite of what I was complaining about, another SFF venue is actively and openly seeking a broad range of reviewers.
Please share this link.
I am a voracious reader, and this is my blog dedicated to my book pursuits. Due to working full-time and studying, I do not have as much time as I'd like to spend on reading and blogging, but I try!
My favourite genres include: science fiction and fantasy, paranormal, romance, distopia, certain non-fictions, horrors and all inclusive sub-genres.
In a move that is basically the opposite of what I was complaining about, another SFF venue is actively and openly seeking a broad range of reviewers.
Please share this link.
This is such great news! If a business tries to fine you over a negative review, California will give them a $10,000 fine right back.
If you’re a business owner with a thin skin in California, you’re about to have a bad time.
The state has had problems with businesses requiring customers to agree not to say anything negative about them online. But this week, California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a state bill that cracks down on the controversial practice.
“No consumer should ever face penalties for voicing their opinions on the services or products they have purchased, and California law is now clear that no company has the ability to silence consumers,” Assemblyman John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles), a sponsor of the bill, said in a statement.
Read full article: Negative online reviews are now protected by law in California
Found this one on a friend's Journal and want to spread the word.
Mab wrote:
Chibitoaster's being a hero and rescuing a poor sweet injured kitty cat because that's what you do. But the baby needs surgery to have her hip pinned and leg amputated if she's going to have any sort of life and working overseas on a teacher's salary is hard to cover an emergency surgery like this.
If you can pitch in ten bucks, (or more) or even if you can't, please visit the gofundme page and signal boost the hell out of it to your social media sites. That will help a lot!
Give Jikji a Happy LIFE
Thanks all!
I haz a sad. And a rage.
I recently opened my email.
Hey look! An email blast from an author I like and admire!
*click*
Oh. Noes.
I don't need to tell the Booklikes community how much this email blast saddened and, yes, angered me.
Let's look at the ways this email blast is oh, so wrong:
1) Misuse of the phrase "beta readers."
Beta readers are just that - they read the book in beta stage, i.e. before it is ready to be released to the public. Beta readers give criticism that is used to - hopefully - improve the book in its final draft stage.
SENDING A BOOK TO READERS IN ADVANCE OF PUBLICATION IN ORDER TO GENERATE REVIEWS IS NOT A BETA READ. IT IS AN ADVANCE READER COPY.
2) Asking for ONLY five-star reviews to be posted publicly.
Anything less - a glowing four star review, a "I liked it but" three star review - no, you are supposed to email the author directly.
I CAN'T EVEN...I JUST...I..... *sputters in incoherent rage*
3) NO mention whatsoever that the reviews must disclose that the reviewer received the book for free per the FCC rules. Plus, the author is offering a "gift"if the review meets her criteria, making this in essence a "paid" review - and thus a no-no.
This author is a successful professional in a high-powered, competitive industry and has at least one advanced degree. She is also formerly traditionally published, and belongs to professional writers' organizations.
THIS IS NOT A NAIVE BABY SPA. THIS IS SOMEONE WHO SHOULD - AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE DOES - KNOW BETTER.
And Hugh ("I'm not a misogynist, I just play one on the internet") Howey claims that self-pubbed books are higher rated on Amazon because they are intrinsically of higher quality and value (see my previous post entitled "Announcing..." for more info).
Shyeah, right, Howey. Authors are gaming the system. Period.