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| Picture of Athena. Taken by yours truly, Melissa. |
**This article is pure speculation on my behalf. I'm asking questions because I don't know the answers and I'd like to think out loud on the ramifications of what's happening with Amazon, for readers and authors. I like to get people thinking and see what thoughts are in the world. Some of this could be extreme, but something to talk and speculate about. I'm not looking for nasty responses, but a friendly discussion.
Does not reviewing on Amazon affect bloggers getting review copies of books?
I know Amazon has taken on many different hats to help authors in many ways. They do publishing where several authors only publish on Amazon, Kindle Scout, Kindle Unlimited, and probably other ways of helping authors publish. Kindle Unlimited is becoming a big avenue lately as people buy in and get all the free books they can read.
But with all the review stink going around with amazon, is it affecting the faithful bloggers and fans? Are bloggers discontinuing with posting reviews on Amazon? I've heard of a few that have. Is it going to affect authors in the long run? And bloggers?
I think it's possible. It may not now, but it will be a slow process coming in the distant future.
If we know we like books (or an author) and continue with the series and Amazon finds we're deemed biased, that they think we are creating fake reviews (IF this is what is happening as we don't have a definite answer from Amazon yet to this), because we follow the same authors and read their books and post them with high ratings. It could cause to a slow trickle that bloggers are going to be kicked off amazon in the way of posting reviews.
Then there are the authors that are only publishing on amazon. Will they be able to create the fan base that well known authors have? They may not have anybody to post reviews or create a community in the blogging world. This goes back to the Indie world were it makes a big difference and impact for the authors. The self published authors are going to be affected in the long run.
Amazon is one of the highest traffic sites for books for authors. I've heard from authors that they need 40 reviews (good or bad) before they start appearing in recommendation lists to other book lovers. This helps them get seen and hopefully produce revenue along with new fans. I understand why authors would like to see reviews posted on Amazon, they need to make their paycheck too.
The big publishing companies don't seem to be affected as much. They are seen my many because of their own advertising and there are other places to post reviews as they aren't only publishing through Amazon. Now the authors who only publish through Amazon, they have to wait 3 months before posting the book on another book selling site. I'm not sure if this has changed or not. It may still be the same, may not.
Could it be that the blogging community is starting to lose ground and not be an impact for authors? If so, I'd still blog because I love the community I've become a part of and... well... if you saw my shelves, I have enough books to keep me reading for more years than I probably will live. lol.
My question today is, is that going to affect us as bloggers? Or authors? Do we mind if we get review books or not?
Note: I do think authors are trying to make a shift and add venues in where their books are available. I have noticed that more of them are starting to post their books on iBooks with iTunes and Apple. I know many authors have shifted to ebooks. Have authors started to post buy links on their own sites so people can buy ebooks in formats they'd like from the author and not have to go through Amazon? Authors are aware of many issues with Amazon and trying to earn money but that seems to be the most prominent avenue to find people.
So, is there a way we can help fix it and bring authors together in a new way or new site other than buying all books from Amazon?
**My thinking on this matter is all over the board. I can see both sides of the coin. I'm curious what your thoughts are.
**I reserve the right to delete any comments that are cruel, mean, and derogatory toward bloggers, reviewers, authors, or even myself.
As an author I would love to see books reviewed elsewhere other than Amazon, especially somewhere like Kobo that are book exclusive rather than Amazon that has become a Walmart where books definitely aren't the focus. As a reviewer, I take the effort to post the reviews on all retailers where the book is because of Amazon's policy of randomly deleting reviews because their algorithms think the reviewer knows the author. Generally this is Goodreads, Kobo and B&N for me (ARe and Smashwords won't let you review unless you buy the book from them and frankly I can't make head or tail of iTunes even though my books are listed there via a third party). Amazon has some sucky policies regarding books, authors, KU etc after being such a boom for authors, and I know many authors are now going wide instead. And if those authors have any sense then yes, they will have links to those other sites on their blog/website. As for not reviewing on Amazon affecting bloggers - well, there are other places you can do it, and frankly should. Some healthy competition for the big Zon might poke them into doing something about things like their stupid random deletion of reviews for one thing. If a reviewer posts elsewhere other than Amazon, I'd be just as happy as if they only posted on Amazon, happier in fact. I'd love to see more reviews on other platforms, and most authors can offer digital formats other than Kindle for reviews. Personally I'm shifting my book buying to Kobo because it's easier to find titles there.
ReplyDeleteSorry, bit of a ramble!
No apologies, Pippa! I'm so glad you commented! This really helps. I think you might like the post I'm going to do next week about where everyone posts reviews. I'm one that tries to post my reviews on as many book venues as possible, but I know I have to be missing some.
DeleteFrom what I've started to see of authors it seemed like they are going to other avenues other than Amazon. Glad to see you see it too. I'm glad authors are trying to do what they can in all the craziness.
I'm curious where they are going and what will help them from us, the bloggers. I'm willing to post I just want to know where. :)
It'd be great if we can draw it all together, authors and bloggers, so we are all on the same page. :D
Kobo... I think that's one site I don't post reviews on. I think I tried looking a while ago but struggled with getting on to post. I'm going to have to see about getting on there again and how to post reviews there too.
I'll be interesting to see what happens regarding Amazon. I still leave my reviews there when I remember. I have noticed more authors doing iBooks! I was wondering about that.
ReplyDeleteLilyElement, I'm curious too. This post was mostly my mind running wild with possible, extreme, results.
DeleteI've started, just started, posting reviews on iBooks. But you have to have an account with iTunes to do it.
I'm going to post next week about where I'm posting reviews and asking where others are posting. I'm curious what are the hot book venues these days. :)
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!!
I am curious to see where this conversation would go too. I mostly post on the blog, Goodreads and Amazon, but I usually don't have a chance to post on other platforms. Tried LibraryThing and one I don't even remember anymore. To me it's all about ease of use and they were overly complicated.
ReplyDeleteKara-Karina, Thank you for commenting! I agree, some of the book sites are not easy to use. They are hard to find friends and follow up with books and thoughts. It seems Goodreads and Amazon are the biggest sites other than our blogs that people use. :)
DeleteI don't know a lot about this but it's an interesting conversation, and nice to see Pippa's perspective too as an author. I used to crosspost to Goodreads but never have posted at amazon, for whatever reason. I'll have to look into some of these other sites and start crossposting again. Anything that's good for authors I'm all for, as I know we all are.
ReplyDeleteHi Greg. Thank you for commenting! I was thrilled to see Pippa's comment as an author perspective too. I also found a new site to post on thanks to her. :)
DeleteIt's cool to hear you are wanting to help authors too. :) You'll have to friend me if you join the other sites. :)
I only post review books on Amazon, cos I just do not like the place. The only time I get comments are when I get mean ones. Also Amazon are asses, trying to monopolize. I do not have a kindle, so if I do get Amazon books I have to convert anyway
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd, I will say the only comments I get on Amazon are not nice ones too. Or people that think they are perfect and pick my review apart. I'm not a fan of Amazon either, I hate the way they've tried to take control, but I do post for the author's benefit. But I don't look at reviews there for any sway on a book, unless I see a name I recognize. I look to Goodreads for that.
DeleteI confess that I don't post on amazon
ReplyDelete:) Melliane, it's okay. I'm starting to see many people don't. :)
DeleteI used to post reviews of all the books I bought from Amazon or got free from an author for review but to be honest, I'm not doing it any longer. If they are going to decide a blogger is biased because they continue to love a series & post good reviews of it & it might stop them from reviewing on the site, what is next? Are they then going to block bloggers from even using the site to buy? Is this only about review books received from authors or ALL books? Is it just bloggers who link their site to Amazon or all of us? Too many unanswered questions for me. Best answer for me is to stop reviewing and avoid the hassle and post my reviews on my blog and Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteChuckles, I was hoping with this series of discussions someone would come out and say what they learned with Amazon and reviews. Though, I'm starting to think no one has a definite feel for why Amazon does what they do. It's crazy how they just do what they want and get away with it. But, I've tried to take my thoughts on books to the pavement and share about them everywhere I can. So others can find amazing books. :) Until Amazon deems me unfit for their site, I'll post there, but they may kick me out one day. I'm okay with that though. They can play the playground bully, but I'll spread the word in other ways. ;D Lol. Thank you for commenting!
DeleteI only post on Amazon if requested by the author. Personally, I don't read the book reviews there but get my recs at blogs and Goodreads. I know I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteMelissa (B&T) I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who doesn't take the reviews at Amazon as solid ground. Those are the same places I get my recs from too. :) Thank you!
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