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The self published Getting Reviewed Dilemma
Starting out the New Year compiling a list of colleagues to review the galley proof of ‘Prescriptions’, firstly to determine how many copies should be printed. Along the way I am also looking for different folks and institutions that will review a book and disseminate their thoughts to the public. During my research I am confronting a small dilemma. In the words of Christopher J. Jarmick, Co-author of THE GLASS COCOON (with Serena F. Holder) who says:
“Many (probably most... but I know for a fact it is many) major metropolitan newspaper book editors and book reviewers (but not necessarily columnists or feature editors--take note) have a firm policy of not reviewing a self-published book. Period. End of story. Exceptions are very, very few”.
Ouch! Jarmick goes on to say that that what he does is: “I don't tell book editors or book store people the book is self-published. If I am asked directly, I tell them it's a little more complicated than that and the short version of the story is that we own most of the company that publishes the book (We do not own 100 percent of the company ourselves and so that would make us less than 100 self-published---a great justification)”.
Jarmick then ends by saying “Without a doubt, 100 percent honest is NOT always the best business policy. Honesty remains the best moral and ethical policy though. A compromise regarding being 100 percent honest may be justified and the right thing to do from a business stand-point but don't kid yourself into believing that absolutely everyone makes these compromises to be successful-- there are a few who don't”.
Is this information still relevant today? Does anyone have any advice on how to approach this dilemma?
“Many (probably most... but I know for a fact it is many) major metropolitan newspaper book editors and book reviewers (but not necessarily columnists or feature editors--take note) have a firm policy of not reviewing a self-published book. Period. End of story. Exceptions are very, very few”.
Ouch! Jarmick goes on to say that that what he does is: “I don't tell book editors or book store people the book is self-published. If I am asked directly, I tell them it's a little more complicated than that and the short version of the story is that we own most of the company that publishes the book (We do not own 100 percent of the company ourselves and so that would make us less than 100 self-published---a great justification)”.
Jarmick then ends by saying “Without a doubt, 100 percent honest is NOT always the best business policy. Honesty remains the best moral and ethical policy though. A compromise regarding being 100 percent honest may be justified and the right thing to do from a business stand-point but don't kid yourself into believing that absolutely everyone makes these compromises to be successful-- there are a few who don't”.
Is this information still relevant today? Does anyone have any advice on how to approach this dilemma?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Debi Flora on
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I agree with Jarmick that "honesty remains the best moral and ethical policy". And I personally think it is the best business policy. In addition to the ethical reasons for honesty, it is also easiest to remember the truth - and that won't change depending on who you are talking to.
A good question to ask here is "why?" Why would a potential reviewer ask if a title was self-published? What would be the 'tip off' that a title is self-published? Could it be the name of the publishing company? (Is it the same as the author name or the title of the book?) Is it the cover design or copy? The interior design? The editing? The printing? The presentation of the marketing materials? I believe the quality of these services can go a long way in helping a title get the recognition it may deserve - or they may scream "desk-top published".
Another thought, Carols, is that there are many markets out there that are supportive to self-published authors and that may be the best place to put most of the marketing energy. Don't chase the 'big' ones at first; start small and then build on those successes. Check out niche markets and look outside of the bookstores for sales. -
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Permalink Reply by Dr Carlos Manuel Viana on
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Debi, sound advice, thank you. Carlos
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Permalink Reply by Leonid Korogodski on
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A minor nit: Not "desk-top published" but "published by an amateur." Is there any other publishing other than desktop these days? Don't all major publishing houses use InDesign or Quark Express to do book layout? That's desktop publishing.
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Permalink Reply by Elisabeth Bell Carroll on
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Good point, Leo.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Downes on
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You might want to check on Amazon for reviewers. Find a book in a similar genre/category as yours and contact the most prolific reviewers there. I have been contacted many times for reviews. I will usually review the book if it's in a genre I review. Be sure to look over the reviewers previous reviews to see if it's likely he or she will be interested. We get too many to review them all. I hope that helps.
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Cindy, this is a great idea. Thank you. The first 15 copies of the book for review are rolling of the press in three weeks. Do you send an electronic copy to potential Amazon reviewers or hard copies?
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I can't answer for everyone, but I won't read e-books. I'm on the computer too much as it is. I recommend that you ask the reviewer you are planning to send it to and get their preference.
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Permalink Reply by weservetoo on
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I am wondering if there are some reviewers that hold more weight than others, and does it matter, or do you just have to get some reviews under your belt? I have read that it is very hard to get a review, and we are in the beginning phase of getting this done even though we have been selling for two years. We are now interested in the library market . Because we have a niche market (the military) we have not put our books on Amazon, mainly because we do not want to deal with returns, etc..do you think we need to?
I agree that honesty is best, but if you are a small publisher, and have a publishing company (even a tiny one) are you still considered self-published? I am asking because I am wondering about the definition. We did not have anyone else do our graphics or design and we paid a printer to do the books... that's as "self" as it gets, but we did not do a digital or POD. If asked directly I would have to say we are self published, or could I just as honestly say that we are published through Wee The People Publishing? -
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Yes, some reviewers do hold more weight than others and it does matter. The key is to do your research. What genre does the reviewer write about most? Is the reviewer religious? (This matters if your subject matter is considered offensive to them.) Who are his or her readers? Does he or she have a large readership? What is their Amazon Rank? The higher - the more influence. (There are 10,000+ reviewers on Amazon.) Do a Google search and research his or her activity. Look for those in your niche market. They are going to actually read your book and write a decent review.
Congratulations on your self-published book! -
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Cindy, thank you – I have started looking at reviewers of ‘health’ books and notice that not all post their email addresses. Meanwhile, I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of physicians that are willing to review my manuscript. However, since I wrote “Prescriptions From Paradise: Introduction to biocompatible medicine” for the lay public, I would think non- medical reviewers would be pertinent.
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Thank you Cindy that clarifies some things for me!
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Permalink Reply by Dreamtime Press on
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I think unless the review gets printed in an outside publication, the reviews on Amazon don't hold much weight with buyers. Anyone can have their friends write reviews on Amazon.
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