Extending Life of Authors' Fave Reviews - Free Resource



Sometimes a review so good comes along that authors are loathe to let it die. They might include it in their media kit or add it to their websites. But then they run out of ideas for it.

But wait! Its life can be extended with new Nonfiction Authors Association’s member Carolyn Howard-Johnson's blog.

The New Book Review is a review blog that doesn't judge a book by its cover or by the press used to print it. If one reviewer loved a book, that qualifies it for more coverage. If a book is so new the author may submit a synopsis. Authors, publicists, and reviewers are asked to follow the guidelines given in the left column of the blog and, in return, are asked only to let their fans and the media know it is there through their networking channels. That helps expose every review on the blog (a cross-promotion of sorts) and gives authors an opportunity to reach the reading public.

Many authors who submit include author bios and information on their reviewers. In turn, authors use information in each review as a resource—the names of reviewers, review sites, publicists and more. A search engine helps visitors to find past reviews using keywords.

The blogger, Carolyn Howard-Johnson brings her experience as a publicist, journalist, marketer, and retailer to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program. She is dedicated to helping other writers with free services like The New Book Review as well as the the books in her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers which have won multiple awards.

Check out the author's  Back to Literature column for www.MyShelf.com.

4 comments:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

I hope everyone who reads this has a favorite review to share with my #TheNewBookReview, Karen. I consider reviews the best forever promotion there is (thanks to the Internet!) and, if #WritersontheMove readers need help getting reviews (and not paying for them!! Gasp!) they'll find my whole book on reviews, from getting them to managing them to making them work as hard as they can for a book at http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews.

Linda Wilson said...

Carolyn, I am using your review book (I have all your Frugal books and make sure the writers in my local SCBWI chapter know about them), and your book is the Bible of Obtaining Reviews, in my book. Publication of my first book, Secret in the Stars, has been delayed due to a review. A Kirkus review was 50/50 good and negative. I've chosen to keep the review private and do another revision to improve the book. My publisher said if the review is kept private, than no part can be used in marketing. I can always opt for another review when the revision is done. I admit, having to work on a project I had put to bed was painful at first. But I think the book will only be better when I'm done.

Karen Cioffi said...

Carolyn, your New Book Review is such a wonderful opportunity for authors to bring new attention to their book. I highly recommend they take advantage of it!

Karen Cioffi said...

Linda, sorry to hear about the review, but it is a great tool if used to improve the story. Best wishes for the next review to be all positive!

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