Friday, August 2, 2013

Book Blogger Hop #29 (8/2 - 8/8):How do you turn down a review request?




Welcome to the new
Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @
He took over this hop from
Jennifer @ Crazy For Books.
I'm so glad he decided to
continue with this weekly feature!
For more information, click HERE.


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this week's
question:

How do you turn down a review request?

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit Bill's blog!


My Answer


I used to feel so bad about turning down unsolicited review requests from authors.....especially whenever I read an excerpt from a book I knew I couldn't review, because it was absolutely terrible.  So I tried to put off turning down these requests as long as I could.  Unfortunately, sometimes I never got back to these authors at all, and then I felt very guilty.....

All this ended, though, when I started doing blog tours.  I simply listed the tour companies I've signed up with on my Review Policies/FTC Disclosure Page.  I also included a statement that I only review books through these tour companies, because my time is limited.  Since then, I haven't gotten any more individual review requests.  Just in case, I have also included a statement regarding the types of books I will never consider reviewing. 

I have no problem turning down requests made by the tour companies, of course, since I don't have to deal directly with the author.  Although I've always tried to be polite, and never actually put down the book, it's still a rejection!  I know how much rejection can hurt, simply from my high school, college, and even my work experiences!  So I feel entirely comfortable letting a publicist from one of these companies know that I am not interested in a particular book, instead of having to tell the author the same thing.

Here's the link to the page mentioned above:




  


What do you think of my answer?
How do you deal with this
thorny little issue?





8 comments:

  1. That is a good way to do it, Maria. Only review through blog tours....excellent idea. I like it.

    THANKS for stopping by my blog earlier.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's been a very effective solution for me, believe me! Once I published that statement, I stopped receiving any more review requests.

      You've very welcome for my visit! Thanks to you as well, for commenting back!! : )

      Delete
  2. I like getting requests, and I'm on the mailing lists of several publishers and publicists. I don't respond if I don't want the book and I guess it never occurred to me to even say "no thanks". I know I wouldn't want dozens of emails saying "no thanks" in my inbox.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Ann!

      You know, I interpreted this question to mean turning down individual review requests, coming directly from authors. I have received quite a few of them, especially after I had been blogging for about a year. (My third blogoversary will be in September.) I think it's much more uncomfortable for me to have to turn down such a request, coming directly from an author. If it's the publisher or publicist making the request, then I don't feel so bad.

      Of course, since I've been doing blog tours, I get to pick the books I want to review. So, when I receive emails from these tour companies asking me to review certain books, I have no problem at all turning down request for books I don't like.

      Thanks for visiting and commenting!! : )

      Delete
  3. I need to have a "Review Policies" page. So far, I have been telling authors that I'm too busy but if they don't mind waiting for a couple of months, then I'll review. I have never been able to turn them away.

    Btw, sorry to inform you but you didn't win the Catalyst giveaway. I know you wanted it, so I thought I'll let you know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Vonnie!

      Oh, you DEFINITELY need to have such a page! Anyone visiting your blog should be able to know what your reviewing standards are, what types of genres you review, and, last but NOT least, you need to need to include a statement that you are not compensated for reviews, and that they reflect your honest opinion of the books you evaluate. Having such a page is VERY helpful, believe me!

      Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't win.... Well, I'll just have to buy the book, then! I appreciate your letting me know.

      Thanks for the visit and the comment!! : )

      Delete
  4. I actually created my review policies page after receiving a request to review a book that was way outside my comfort zone. And the blog tour idea is great too.

    Thanks for stopping by my BBH!

    Ashling @ Reading, Writing, & Anything but Arithmetic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Ashling!

      I think that creating such a page is an absolutely necessary task for book bloggers! It avoids any problems and/or misunderstandings that might arise in the future.

      I'm glad you like the blog tour idea, too!

      You're very welcome for my visit! Thanks for commenting back!! : )

      Delete

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