OK, I’m tentatively reopening myself to review requests…sort of.
Here’s the thing. I don’t have consistent reading time. Some months I might read 35 books and then only 6 the next, which means that I feel bad trying to commit to a timeline that I may have to miss. That just seems irresponsible and possibly even cruel. So, I’ve come up with a sudo-solution. I’m going to limit this to ebooks (since they generally don’t cost authors anything to send) and open the flood gates to everyone. If you would like me to consider reading your story please follow the directions below.
Sending me a book does not guarantee that I will read or review it, but I will read several from this pile every month. Heck, if enough interest me I’ll read solely from this list. No promises though. I know this provides a lot less certainty than most would consider ideal, but I spend a lot of time fielding requests so the only other alternative is to not accept ebooks at all. I suppose this qualifies as an all or nothing scenario. Limiting reviews to physical books has a limiting effect all by itself, but I would like to avoid that.
I apologise that it has become less personalised (possibly even personable), but I feel accountable to the people I accept book from and I won’t be able to keep up otherwise. I don’t like the thought of someone waiting expectantly for a review it might take me months to write.
Directions:
If you have an ebook you would like me to review please forward a mobi or pdf copy (preferably mobi), synopsis, page length and cover image to ereviews (at) sadieforsythe.com. Put the name of the book in the subject line. If you decide to send me a Smashwords coupon, which is absolutely acceptable, please include Smashwords in the subject with the title. This is to ensure I know that I need to redeem it within a limited timeframe.
My preferred genre is fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal but with the exception of self-help and short stories there isn’t much that I’m unwilling to read at some point, including children’s books, manga/graphic art, and nonfiction. I try to alternate pulp (my term for books I read for sheer enjoyment) and titles that also edify.
I am particularly interested in Indie and Self-published authors (not that I won’t also read traditional pubs), but I would ask that the books be properly edited. The fact that such authors are able to break the commercial mold really appeals to me, and I look forward to reading stories told in ways traditional publishers would not be interested in (books from odd POVs or that regularly tell instead of show – the dogma being to never tell, always show). But I don’t want to be tripping over spelling, grammar, and homophonous mistakes. Believe me you can’t catch them all yourself, no one can.
As an aside, if you send an official Kindle copy and have lending enabled I will likely add it to my Goodreads lendable list. This may or may not appeal to you, so I just wanted to mention it. Full disclosure and all.
Thank you for thinking of me for your precious text. I always appreciate it.
You can go here to see examples of my reviews. I also regularly post on Goodreads and Amazon.com & .co.uk. I occasionally post on B & N, Shelfari, Library Thing and Smashwords. (On a side note, if I’ve picked your book up somewhere else and you see I’ve written a review that you would also like posted on Smashwords feel free to send me a coupon for ‘purchase’ and I’d be happy to put it there too. I’d, obviously, have no reason to download the book again but Smashwords only lets you review books that are free or have been ‘bought’ on the site. Though now that I think on it, I don’t know why you’d be reading my policies if I’d already reviewed your book. Oh well)
Addendum, a note on physical books: I’ve had a number of authors contact me to ask if I accept physical books. I do. I even prefer them, especially if they are signed. But the point of limiting this to ebooks was to keep it cost free for authors and pressure free for me. If you understand and are comfortable with the may or may not be read nature of submitting a book to me feel free to contact me about your physical book. We can discuss whether it would be a good fit or not.
