Advanced copy reads?
To read or not to read, that is the question?
So, here’s my thing with ARCs… Publishing companies and authors are expecting too much for no pay or too little pay. They want bloggers and reviewers to spend hours reading their books and hours reviewing their books as well. Plus, they want you to post about it on your social media pages.
WTF!
I ain’t got time for that.
You see, I have this thing called a job. I also have two little people who need my time and attention. There is also a husband around here somewhere too.
Oh, I see. I get a free copy of your book. Why didn’t you open with that? I didn’t realize I was going to get a free $3.99 book for my troubles. Well, of course I will read your book now. I mean, who am I to turn down such a great offer.
Get the fuck out of here!
I see, I see… You’re going to tell other authors and publishers not to work with me?
Let’s be honest here… What do people really get from ARC besides a book? Not a damn thing. So, what if you receive a copy before everyone else? All you’re doing is helping line the pockets of someone who couldn’t give a fuck about you.
This might sound a little fucked up but it’s the truth and the truth fucking hurts sometimes.
If I have time to read and blog all day everyday without being paid for it, then I need to get a job. If I can’t afford a $3.99 book and am always looking for a free book to read, then I need to get a job. – Again, I am talking about me. I’ve got bills to pay, children to feed, clothes and shoes I need to buy. Let’s not forget I’m saving up for a Chanel bag 🙂
If an author or publishing company wants to buy me a $5,000 Chanel bag I will consider reading your books more often. Otherwise…
I’m not saying I won’t read and/or review ARC, I will just do it when I feel like it. I will also ask an author if I can read and/or review their book. I’ve done it plenty of times and will continue to do so. I have no shame in asking.
I used to welcome the emails and DM’s from those asking me to review their books but now I just find it annoying. Companies that send out emails with pictures, summaries, Facebook and Twitter messages and more for me to post made me happy. That was until I realized they were just using me for my social platform. It was a lot to keep up with.
When to post, where to post, what time of day to post, links to post, etc. It was stressing me out.
In 2017 I will only be doing ARC with full review and social media posts for certain type of authors.
- Authors who I like and have developed cool relationship with.
- Books that have drawn my attention.
- New authors, as I believe in supporting small business.
- Authors I have previously reviewed for and enjoyed their books or style of writing.
- Bloggers turned authors.
Everyone else, not so much. I am so sick of being used for my platform and reading shitty books.
I refuse to give my time and attention to books that only distract me from the things that I enjoy. I read for fun, not for someone else.
With that being said, I hope authors and reviewers don’t lump me in that category of those reviewers on Goodreads, my blog, social media sites and more who just give 4 or 5 stars all the time. Those bloggers and reviews get no respect from me and I have stopped reading their reviews because I know they are getting “paid for play” and can’t be trusted. Plus, they get on my damn nerves with that shit.
My friends and readers know what they can expect from me, the truth whether they agree with it or not.
If you are a new author, I welcome your books because I’m here to support!
Thanks for letting me get a little messy but it’s time to get pretty again. TTYL!
Great post! I hate it when an author I’ve never heard of friends me on Goodreads…….I know what’s coming next! Hahaha
So, so true!!!! I really dislike the companies who send out all 20 emails for you to post or read stuff. It’s like they think they are doing us favor instead of us doing one for them.
Ugghhhhh…….reading is supposed to be fun! It’s not a job and I hate the pressure. I’ve learned to ignore authors requests unless it’s an author that I love……..
Happy New Year!! Here’s to less stress in reading! Haha
Happy New Year to you too!!!! I’m with you…Here’s to less stress and more fun reading <3
Fantastic post Danielle!! And unfortunately so very true. Like you, I’m at the point where I’m going to be extremely picky about my ARCs. I’m going to pick ARCs I know from the very beginning I’ll enjoy reading and reviewing.
I’m rolling! This is a colorful critique of the process, D!
Instead of Chanel though, I’m saving for another Louis Vuitton. LMAO
There’s definitely good and bad with the process and like you, I have a lot going on at home.
You definitely have to be selective to prevent stressful situations.
It was just getting to me and I just had to blog about it! Hahahahaha LOL! 🙂
Great post!
TRUTH!!!
That post was fire!
Let me add that they tell you, NOT to post your review if its less than a 3.5 star because they don’t want the bad press. DEAR Publisher, I spend time reading your book, I will speak my truth about MY experience with it.
Are you serious?!?!?! They have some nerves saying that mess. It’s stuff like that that makes my blood boil 😵
Love this post.
Thanks love! ❤
You’re totally right. I started getting books from Netgalley this month and I’m so stressed no one actually is telling me to read it or review it right away or anything but I feel I should read it and review it as fast as I could.
I completely get it. It starts to take the fun out of reading after a while.
OMG! I think I love you! This whole last year has been so trying! I have had two rotator cuff surgeries and then fell and broke the same arm three weeks after the second surgery.
I have felt sooo guilty for not being able to keep up with ARC’s or even feeling like reading. I’m sure I’ll get back into the swing of things for those I like and love, but I still have 9 weeks of physical therapy left and it’s not easy some days.
I do appreciate the authors that I consider friends and will continue to support them however I can!
Thank you so much! I hope you feel better soon! That is a long and painful process. I’ve had patients with torn rotator cuffs and they are alway in pain.
It’s easy to feel guilty by not keeping up and hard for us bloggers. I wish more authors were understanding that we have lives too.