SIDEBAR: Hello Creatives–full disclosure! Included here is an affiliate link to NetGalley where you can access the services for one month for approximately $60. I personally used this same co-op group and will definitely do so again.
As most authors know, one of the most difficult things to get is a stranger review on your product.
Heck, even to get friends and family to go in and complete a review can be painful.
When I purchase a book I like to read reviews. I always read them with a grain of salt and ultimately make my own decision, but I do find it interesting to read about what stood out to other readers.
Some of the stuff is so ridiculous and have zero to do with the writing or story.
It blows me away when a reader goes on and on about how good the book is and then gives it a three.
Heck, I think an author deserves a three just for frikken writing the dang thing.
Which brings me to NetGalley.
If you’ve never heard of it, it’s a book review service provided through Goodreads–which of course is part of Amazon.
All of the large publishers use NetGalley for their ARCs (Advanced Reader Copy).
Have you ever wondered how a book has so many reviews even though it hasn’t been released yet? Well, that would be via NetGalley.
Here’s how it works:
- You write and publish a book
- Your publisher submits your work to NetGalley
- If self pubbed, you can do this via GoodReads, but it is over $500+usd (or it was at the time I asked them)
- The author provides an ebook
- There are vetted readers who specifically read the ARCs with the agreement that they’ll provide an unbiased review
- The readers list their interests etc.
- If they’re approved to read your book, they get a copy and you await the review
- Reviews can be listed anywhere from a personal blog to Amazon…but most times make their way to Goodreads
- Some people are pretty harsh. Others are more generous with their reviews… It’s hit and miss. No way to control it.
- ARCs can sometimes be available for three months… I did a co-op and chose 1 month.
The process is fairly seamless.
The readers who are requesting to read your book are genuinely interested in the theme/bio/notes you provided in your write up.
Over the one month, I had sixty readers request my book. At this time,(less than a month after closure), I believe I’ve received seven or eight reviews and I’m told they’ll trickle in.
PROS:
- my book was not an ARC. It had been self pubbed six months before. No one cared.
- readers may also critique your cover
- many of the readers are professionals like librarians, book store owners etc.
- great exposure
- I got to use this ‘professional’ gateway to readers for a reduced price
- I didn’t need a publisher to submit for me
- I didn’t need to set anything up because it was already done for me.
- I had quick and easy access to the coordinators of the co-op who were fantastic. They answered my questions and concerns very quickly and throughly.
- I didn’t have to get NetGalley tech savvy to do this
- the cost is reasonable and imo worth it
- I now have several stranger reviews on my Goodreads/Amazon pages
- Reviews move the algorithm which in turn stirs up the pages… yeah, like that 😉… you know.
- It was fun watching the numbers of interested parties request your book
- It was good to be in control of who was allowed to read it (if their profile said they were triggered by trauma etc…then I moved to the next one… not only do I not want to trigger anyone, but it was clear my book was not a good fit for them)
- Readers actually cared. Very cool.
CONS:
- $60 usd is still a lot of money to many
- Many don’t want the Amazon factor involved (Personally, I view NetGalley as a professional venture and not one of supporting a particular entity except myself. Make the decision that works for you and do not judge others for making a decision that works for them and their business plan)
- Reviews could be harsh… that is a possibility you’d need to face.
- Reviews will not be taken down, changed, altered, or explained. One reader gave me a one star because she couldn’t download the book 🤦🏻♀️… people will see it for what it is.
- you may not get any reviews
- there are no guarantees…period… in life or anything else. 🤷🏻♀️
So, in order to be on NetGalley, you have to have space.
The big publishers have permanent spots that they purchase and rotate their books through there.
I found Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and they are fantastic.
What Victory did, was purchase a ‘chunk’ of NetGalley (just like the big publishers) and then “rents” out spots by the month. This allows you to get your book in front of all the professionals on NetGalley without having to pay full price.
Here is the affiliate link to Victory editing Net Galley Co-Op. I may receive a stipend if you sign up from that link, but do you. All good.
https://44brb3927_arc–victoryediting.thrivecart.com/netgalley-rental
Best of Luck. Think of this as another handy lil thing in your marketing tool box!!
You can do one month or two… or whatever you want.
Come follow me on GoodReads It would be awesome to have you there and see what you’re reading.
Let me know how it goes!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my post. I hope it helps you with your work. I like having you here so make sure you follow the blog and subscribe to my some-times newsletter.