Tell Me Something Tuesday, a meme started by CambriaHebert, but now hosted on Rainy Day Ramblings. It is a chance to get to know your fellow bloggers by sharing fun stuff, discussions and more. Grab the question and post your answer on your blog and link up at Rainy Day Ramblings! Have fun!
This weeks question:
So You Want to Be a Blogger Edition: What are your tips for contacting authors and publishers for interviews, ARCS, etc.?
I'm guessing this is mostly for the newbies... so for those of us doing it for a while, do add your tidbits in the comments.
So...
Best way to get ARCs?
and
Just go and sign up for those services and start asking for ARCs. You should have a place or places in which you review and let them know as much about you as you feel comfortable. Having a blog is the easiest way since then you can also let them know how many followers you have to entice them for acceptance of your request.
This is another place where I hear about a lot of ARCs. You often fill out a form or just ask for the book and if you get chosen, you get the book. Sort of like a giveaway but with more chances at books.
You can also just go to the publisher's website where your coveted ARC is being produced. Just look at the contact page (sometimes you need to go to the main publishing house page to find the smaller houses e-mail) and find the area for reviewers. Then just send off a request. You may get it or not. You'll never know unless you try.
The other way I get them is being asked by the author, publisher, or tour host. Pretty easy to get on the tour hosts list. Just go to the website (check out the links on the side bar to the left) and sign up.
Not much of a science and I start to not mind getting rejected even for those I really want. Why? Because I have SO many to read. Seriously, I can always pick up a book later at the library if the funds get low. :)
As for the interviews for the authors that are hard to get, often you can contact them through the publisher and be specific as to what you want. They often go as a go between so the author doesn't have to give up privacy if it is a hard to reach person.
So any tidbits to add?
I agree it's the same for me even if I don't do self awareness, but otherwise it's that. And well sometimes you got lucky and you have many books lol.
ReplyDelete...and sometimes too many. :)
DeleteI actually haven't heard of Shelf Awareness, so despite blogging for nearly two years, you still taught me something new, Melissa! Although, let's be honest, I don't need any more ARCs, haha. Great post, dear!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I know what you mean. :)
DeleteGreat tips. Approaching publishers like this can reap benefits. I've only ever done it once and had a positive result in that not only did I get the book but I'm still reviewing for them on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Although I don't get on as many lists as many do here. I don't go to the big publishing conventions. :)
DeleteYeah, that's pretty much how I do it, too. I'm not overly aggressive about it so if they say no, I don't usually pursue it. I've wound up on PR lists I didn't expect and can't, for the life of me, get on others (Harper, I'm looking at you).
ReplyDeleteHarper is one of the hard ones! Don't be so mean, Harper! LOL
DeleteI actually have never heard of Shelf Awareness! I'll have to check it out just to see what I'm missing:) I love NetGalley and Edelweiss, it's so having access to so many books, though it's sometimes at test of self-control for me to visit either site. I've been really good lately about not requesting too many though:) Requesting books has always been hit or miss with me. Sometimes it's super easy and the books show right up, and other times I just get radio silence. Oh well. Like you said, I can always wait until the book actually comes out and read it then. I think we as bloggers sometimes forget that part and think our only chance to read a book is with an early copy:)
ReplyDeleteOh Jenny... I know what you mean. I think I asked for too many on NetGalley and edelweiss lately. :) I do love the library! :D
DeleteThese are all awesome resources! I am on several mailing lists for hard ARCs and use Netgalley and Edelweiss, but I have a serious self-control problem, and have to limit myself to visiting those sites once a week now, or else I download everything under the sun. :-) Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Often I don't even go there unless I hear of a good book. Then, I'm usually in trouble. :)
Deletei must see if the audiobook site that Felicia mentioned would be open for me, I would love more audio
ReplyDeleteI know! I'm going to check it out too. :)
DeleteI avoid NG and Edelweiss. I just end up with way too many books and that's without even requesting any! I get some from Amazon Vine each month (4, though I sometimes get other stuff instead) and I get quite a few unsolicited. I also get lots of requests from authors and publishers. I think those are good resources though for new bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI never got on the vine, but then I don't like posting there much. Although I wouldn't mind being on the vine for other things. :D
DeleteI'll have to check out audio jukebox! Thx.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Shelf Awareness.
ReplyDeleteI use Netgalley (but rarely) and I tried Edelweiss but I have no idea if I even did it right. I requested but I still haven't gotten a response. lol
I get most of my ARC's from friends or BEA. I have one or two contacts but I don't really like requesting books. I have too many already and I just feel weird - like I'm not worthy to request I guess.
I get unsolicited emails but they often aren't genres I'm interested in although I've found a few of my favorite authors that way.
Occasionally I'll tweet about a book I'm reading (not at the author) and they will see it and offer the next.
I agree with Jenny - I'm ok with buying the book. That's what I did before blogging and didn't even know what an ARC was.
Shelf Awereness is excellent, but it doesn't help much to us outside the US. Most of the ARCS you can sign up for there are US/Can only.
ReplyDeleteBut great info about Audiobook Jukebox, I'm checking that out now.
I pretty much stick to NG and Edelweiss, since I prefer e-copies. I know I signed up at Shelf Awereness, but never really went back. Maybe I should go check it out now ...
ReplyDeleteShelf Awareness spams me all the time and had no idea what it was..so thank you..LOL
ReplyDeleteI mainly use NetGalley and Shelf Awareness to request ARCs, and I try to limit myself to one Amazon Vine request a month as they've become strict and won't let you request a new item unless you're current with your reviews. As I'm usually horribly behind with my reviews, I want to err on the side of caution in case something awesome is offered!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas and resources! I have requested a few too many from NetGalley this month. I try to just stick with them. But I wish I could have actual books instead of the e-arcs, I love to give them to the libraries and shelters around here.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas!
I've never done Shelf Awareness, but my Netgalley is overflowing with book requests :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips My suggestions is to always be courteous and never nagging.
ReplyDelete