tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6020895429582470918.post4841741334014563495..comments2010-04-23T09:46:15.456-05:00Tony Eldridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470843635257926070noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6020895429582470918.post-81347323867472810082010-04-23T09:46:15.452-05:002010-04-23T09:46:15.452-05:00I am a reviewer and I do think that you make some important points in your article. Over the years I have heard many horror stories from authors. One author I was talking to recently had used a press release service to announce his book. I will not name it, but it is not a targeted service, the net result was he that received over 200 requests for &#39;free&#39; copies. <br /><br />The author was not about to get a second mortgage to satisfy this demand. He took the wise path of contacting these people. One lady ran a &#39;coupon clipping&#39; web site, she openly admitted that she hasn&#39;t read a book since high school and just wanted to give the copy away on her site! Other people were well meaning but ran personal blogs with a daily readership that could be measured in single digits!<br /><br />I was laughing so hard that my ribs hurt!<br /><br />Todays publishing world is not a pretty one, by the time an author has his book in his hand, all shiney and pristine, he has spent a considerable amount of time and money on the project, probably much more of both than he had intended. Marketing is vital, but spend your money wisely.<br /><br />Finding 3 or 4 well targeted reviewers is much more productive than 50 &#39;shot in the dark&#39; reviews.<br /><br />Ask questions such as how much traffic a web site gets, ask for samples, all reputable reviewers that I know are happy to supply that information.Simon Barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00375109820563334086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6020895429582470918.post-1701323938218964392010-04-23T05:00:21.867-05:002010-04-23T05:00:21.867-05:00Great article Tony and Lillian! <br />Norm, Publisher &amp; Editor Bookpleasures.comNorm Goldmanhttp://www.bookpleasures.comnoreply@blogger.com