Re: Review copies

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Is there a protocol for getting review copies?
Do we just ask the publisher to send us a copy, and they do it? (My
experience so far has been yes, but is this the norm?)
If a book shows up, unsolicited but with the request that you write a
review, is there any obligation? (I assume not but I am also very leering of
"assuming" anything in this business.) I have a few of these sitting on my
desk.

Not sure about a protocol, Dan, but I let the publishers know that I do book reviews, and always make a point of sending them the link to the published review (that is publisher and author).  I also let them know that the book is donated to the local library.  Many rural libraries are under massive budget crunches, so new books are few and far between, any that are donated are very welcome.

 

Down side is that the only place I can put reviews printed requires that they are the current yr, or <12months - sometimes editors, or whomever sends them out, don't realize that.  The best I can do in these circumstances is on the online places - amazon, bn, midwest book review online etc.  The other problem is that once you are on a publishers list - they send buckets of the darn books!!! One month I got 7 to review - way more than I can do in a month!.

 

Bottom line I think is 'be honest' - if you have an avenue to place a review then fine, if its tentative - tell them, if its online only but you are willing to do that - let them know - everyone needs promotion. I know that some people get review copies and sell them on ebay without doing a darn thing - I personally think that is dubious business, and will not entertain making a profit from a book that I did not purchase (personal foible).

 

Case in  point - I told a lady online that I did garden stuff including reviews, and Christmas stuff was just being prepared.  She had a problem with a music Christmas album that had been released late, past when they could advertise it in most music magazines.  I contacted the editor of the section I write for in one newspaper, and she said would try to include it - books and music, whatever.  As it happens I was not able to get it published but I did do the online bits and the lady was very happy - I had been upfront with it - its a maybe.  And I got a copy of a great CD to boot - Jethro Tull- Christmas Album.

 

This has probably made the whole scene as clear as mud - but my conscience is clear!!!