A Letter: Dear Newbie

Dear Newbie Blogger,

Welcome to the wild world of book blogging! I'm sure you're looking around wondering what you've gotten yourself into. If you haven't deleted all traces of a fledgling blog over the last 10 days, then you're a champ, in my opinion.

No one would blame you for walking (running) away. Twitter has exploded with hashtags ranging from #HaleNo to #AuthorYes to now #BloggerBlackout. I get it - book bloggers are an overwhelming group, especially when you whip us into a frenzy. And lately, there's been a lot of frenzy happening that's shone a big ole spotlight on our community. For better or for worse, we are a community and now you're part of it. Of us. 

Again, welcome.

Maybe you're just considering blogging and haven't made the plunge. Maybe you're halfway into a blog design and about you launch yourself into the interwebs. Maybe you've been blogging for a day. Maybe a month. Maybe you've been blogging for a few months and this latest online disaster is making you consider throwing in the towel.

Drama aside, I get it. Bloggers are a tough nut to crack. I spent a long time on the fringes of the blogging community, not really feeling accepted. I would make attempts to interact with better know bloggers and would be met with silence or quick, dismissive comments. Even now, after 3 years of this, I still sometimes walk into a conference or an event or a twitter conversation and wonder what I'm doing here. 

Book blogging seems like such a simple thing: I love to read, so why not share that love? But there is a never ending TBR, and posts to schedule, tours to sign up for, promo posts to tweak, rafflecopters taking off and landing everywhere you look ... There's trying to build a rapport with publicists and readers and other bloggers. It's exhausting and for every mountain climbed, there's another one right behind it; another blow up on the horizon.

So why do it? Why throw yourself into this chaotic fray of html and social media?

Because, every now and then, you find those moments that make it all worth it.

You find that book that you never would have discovered without blogging. 

You find your best friend in a goodreads forum. 

You meet an author who is even more awesome in person than online and actually knows you.

You connect with a group of bloggers living less than a mile from your home that you can laugh with and go to movies with and bring you cupcakes when you have a sick day.

You find a whole group of friends willing to entertain your crazy ideas and let you be you.

So yes, this community is big. It can be scary and overwhelming and flawed, sometimes with more drama than an episode of Days of Our Lives. But it's ours and you're part of it. So go out there and do your thing. 

We've been waiting for you and your voice to arrive.

All my love,
Hannah

BEA 2014: 10 Rookie Mistakes

So I wasn't going to make a BEA tips & tricks post this year. I made seven last year and pretty much said everything I wanted to say. But lately I've seen some people making big rookie mistakes that can be easily avoided. 

1. Know What You're Getting:
BEA registration is a confusing mess. I know. This was my third year registering and I still had to backtrack and fix mistakes. But I keep seeing people mixing up passes and buying more than they need. Let's clarify this, OK?
       -Blogger Con: This comes with not only a pass to blogger con on Wednesday, but also a 4 day pass to BEA (Wed-Sat).
       -BEA Badge: This is a pass that covers all 4 days of BEA (Wed-Sat). It does NOT include the Blogger Con. You can watch people set up on Wednesday I guess...?
       -Single Day Pass: Only covers (can you guess?) one day.
       -BookCon (formerly known as Power Reader): This pass is only valid on Sat. and gives you limited access to the show floor.
      -Press Pass: The elusive "free" pass. Yes, this covers all 4 days of BEA in addition to some seminars on Wednesday. You also have access to the press room. But while this pass is free of charge, please understand it is given with the idea that you are not only reviewing the books you get at BEA, but also BookExpo America as an event. Tweet, facebook, and instagram while there and/or make a recap post when you get home. 

*People who have a BEA pass for all 3 days are automatically included in BookCon. No additional pass is necessary. BookCon attendees, however, will not have access to all of BEA.*

**The BEA site says they have 4 day passes (thanks, Julie!) but I don't know why. Nothing happens on Wednesday if you aren't going to blogger con or meetings. I guess you can ... stand there? But not on the floor.**

2. Think Before You Post:
Most of us are adults, but that doesn't mean you throw out the stranger-danger talks your mommy gave you as a kid. When planning meetings, talking about hotels, and days/times of plans, be aware that you are blasting your location for the world to see. Save the specifics for DMs, emails and texts.

3. When In Doubt - ASK:
My first BEA I had no clue what to expect. Little newbie me actually emailed random bloggers I found who had attended BEA and asked for advice. And you know what? They helped me. Graciously, kindly, and wonderfully. One of those people is a dear friend of mine to this day (3 years later). 

The point is, people want to help you. If you're worried about inconveniencing people, then here you go. I am freely offering myself up for questions. Email me, message me, tweet at me ... heck I'll even Skype with you. But don't be afraid to ask questions that can save you time and money.

4. No One Likes a Braggy-Pants:
Get invited to a super awesome, super exclusive party? That's seriously awesome for you. Not so awesome for the 100+ people that didn't get invited. When celebrating about party invites, keep it classy. Don't rub it in other people's faces.

5. You Can't Do It All:
You cannot hit every single signing you want to attend. You can't. There are lines. Some lines have lines. Prioritize your signings. I cannot stress this enough. Yes, everyone giggles when I mention my color coded schedule and laminated floor plans (I have issues, OK?), but my plan keeps me sane. I know what I can't miss and what I can live without.

6. If You Want to Be Hercules, Have Your Chiropractor on Speed-Dial:
Inevitably this happens every single year despite warnings all over the place. You are convinced you don't need to check a bag (suitcase, cart, pack mule, etc.) and you can just carry tote bags all day. Yeah, OK. Forgive me as I wheel my suitcase by your broken body on my way out.

All kidding aside, BEA is intense. You are carrying a lot of extra weight with books. I don't care if they're in a tote or a backpack. All that weight is not good for your body for days on end. You will have blisters, you will have muscle cramps and you will be exhausted (and not in the fun, BEA-brain kind of way).

7. Protect Yourself:
I love NYC. I adore the city to pieces. If I could afford it, I would probably move there. That being said, be safe. Be aware of your surroundings, especially if you aren't familiar with big city settings. Make sure you have the phone numbers for your roommates programmed into your phone. Not staying with roomies? Have your friends' numbers saved that will be around. Make sure you have a portable battery not just so you can tweet/text/facebook all of BEA, but so you never get stranded in the dark with no cell phone. Use the buddy system when you can.

8. Don't Be An Ass:
Every year - every year - this happens: I'm sitting in line waiting to get into BEA, in my spot that I have been in since 7 am, and at 8:45 someone walks up to the front of the line and tries to nonchalantly stand there to get in before everyone else. Or will flat out try to bypass the Guardian of the Entrance by saying, "Oh, no, it's cool. I have a pass that lets me in there."

Cue the entire line laughing and the guardian telling you, "So do all those people behind you." If you want to be first inside at BEA, you need to get to the Javits at 6:30 or 7. Want to be first in line for a big signing? Get there at least an hour ahead of time. Don't think you're the one person who can bypass the lines. This isn't DisneyWorld. There is no express pass - unless you bought the Avid Reader Pass. But even then, you get one line jump. ONE. Don't get cocky. 

9. Do Not Get Overwhelmed:
Easier said than done, I know. I've been there. But when you hit that point at BEA where you're all turned around and being pounced around like a pinball, step back (preferably out of the aisle so you don't get mowed down) and take a breath. Calm down. Missing one or twelve books isn't the end of the world. You can always buy it when it is released or get it from the library.

10. Have Fun:
BEA is a fantastic whirlwind, but my biggest regret of the first year is not taking the time to just wander and see who I could meet, what I could discover. I was so focused on getting the most out of my BEA experience that I almost missed out on the fun. This year? Yeah, the books are cool. But more than anything I can't wait to be in the city and hanging out with some of my absolute favorite people.

Gabrielle's 5 BEA Tips for 2014

BEA is so exciting! When I was invited to go by Hannah I could not stop thinking about it. All the books and people I might meet. I asked a ton if questions and tried to prepare myself. Well, I was pretty prepared but I was still a little overwhelmed.

This is my second year going and I am already freaking out a little bit. I know there are a lot of veterans to BEA but I thought I would give a little helpful advice to the newcomers. There are a lot of important things to prepare and I think they are all equally important so please don't take the order as such.

1.  Shoes and clothes - You want to be presentable. You are going to be meeting lots of professionals. I found that a lot of people wore jeans and nice tops. If you wouldn't wear it out to a casual dinner, don't wear it. No one wants to see undergarments or all your skin. This is something to be proud of and I think you should convey your seriousness about books and blogging by looking the part. Just don't be frumpy. Shoes are another huge thing I found were a life saver. I brought a couple pairs and was extremely thankful for my tennis shoes.  You will be doing a lot of walking and standing. Good support is key!

2. Snacks/water - I think I would have died if Hannah didn't tell me to do this. We went and bought a few things including water bottles to hold us through the day. There are venders inside and down in the small cafeteria. But I didn't want to spend the money or get out of line. Snack bars, goldfish, and water will be your stomachs saver. I wouldn't want to faint in the front line of a signing due to lack of food and water. You will get hungry! (Hannah here: I did not take my own advice and Gabrielle had to catch me on Thursday before I faceplanted on the Penguin booth carpet because I hadn’t eaten and was dehydrated. I literally stumbled and would’ve gone down if she hadn’t grabbed me.)

3. Bags - These are super important. What are you going to carry all the books and swag you get?  I would suggest a few decent size ones. You  don't want to break your back either. Something with wide straps will be better on your shoulders. And bring a suitcase that you can check in the luggage area to take them back to your hotel with. Also keep in mind how your traveling home. I DO NOT suggest packing them all if you’re riding a train. Trying to lug a suitcase full of books in a train terminal is ridiculous. Trust me, I know. Mailing books is also a good idea so make sure you get the times of the post offices around you.

4.  Layout - If you have never been the Javits Center it's kind of hard to get an idea of everything. But try your best to remember where everything is in accordance to what entry you will go in. Take the map with you. You can look at it while you’re sitting in line. There are a lot of booths so it's easy to get turned around. I just followed Hannah, lol. But I eventually got the hang of where everything was and knew what I was looking for.

5. Time management - This is also important if there is a lot you want to do. They have schedules of galley drops, sometimes, and for signings and the other events for each day. It was very helpful to have the itinerary Hannah made for us. It let me get what I wanted but also allowed me down time to just meander or even get in line for something else.

The biggest help for me was Hannah. Having someone who knows their way around and how to go about everything was essential in my not freaking out when I walked in, or in the planning stages. If you can find someone who can help you through this it would be a lot easier. Be polite! There are people who will not be very nice if you are trying to get something they want. Just relax and go with the flow. Obviously, if there is something you want don't walk uphill through molasses during winter, but you get the idea. I don't want to be the pic on twitter of flying elbows over a book. Doesn't look very professional to the venders. If you don't know something or want some help getting it together, there are a lot of people who have attended and would be willing to share their knowledge with you! Have fun, get excited, and train for a triathlon beforehand.

10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Blogging

10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Blogging

1. Who Am I?

I’ve said this frequently, but it bears repeated repeating: One of the best decisions I made before I started blogging was to figure out my blog name and not just that, but research it extensively. I went through dozens of possible names before I hit The Irish Banana Review.

Go for original – I still get people who message, tweet, email me about how much they love the originality of my blog name. It stands out in a sea of Readings, Shelves, Books, etc. I've seen a lot of people decide later on to change their blog name, but by then they've picked a site name and gone with it for so long that it's like starting over and rebranding yourself. I knew I didn't want to do that, so I planned and plotted my blog for a month before I actually went live.

The one thing I didn’t do was figure out my style. The way I wanted the blog to look, the colors I wanted people to associate with me. I wish I had taken as much time to plan all of that as I did my name. I adore my current layout, and this is what I want people to associate me with. I even have business cards to match. Originally I had a couple cheap boxes of Vistaprint cards that kinda sorta matched my old layout.

This is much cleaner and more professional.

2. Social Media Isn’t Optional

So before I started blogging I had a personal Facebook account, MySpace page with 2 entries and a LiveJournal I lived at like it was going out of style. Which, OK, it was. I didn’t have a Pinterest or Twitter or Instagram ... None of it. I knew the first thing I needed was a Twitter account and I quickly made one.

Where I dropped the ball was making a Facebook page. I didn't do this until I had been blogging for well over a year and I feel like those stats never quite matched the ones on my blog and twitter feed because those two had almost a twenty month jump on the Facebook page.

3. It’s More Work Than a Full Time Job

Yes, blogging is my hobby, but it's so much more than that. Factor in the hours spent reading, the time writing a review that doesn't make you sound like a five year old who can't use their words, trying to come up with some original content, signing up for blog tours, tweeting about new posts, commenting on other blogger's posts, emailing publicists, going to signings and events...

And let's not forget scheduling and creating these posts. I would like to say it's smooth sailing, but I swear Blogger has a time of the month where it gets all PMS-y and refuses to do anything. I wish I would have known the time commitment going in. I love what I do, but it does suck up a lot of time.

I was talking to someone a few weeks ago about ways to improve stats and followers and she said something to the effect of I "make it look easy."

It's not easy. I've earned every follower. Every comment, every like. I have worked my butt off to get to where I am and I'm still working.

4. Find Your Voice

Go look at some of my reviews from when I first started blogging. Go on. I can wait a second.

Are you cringing yet?

I read those and wonder, "Who is that girl?!" Because that girl isn't me. For some reason I thought I had to write these brilliant, objective, insightful posts that made me a "serious" blogger.

I finally got sick of trying to sound mature and responsible when sometimes I girl just needs to flail about over an awesome book. So I started changing the tone of my reviews. I made them sound like me. My reviews are written as if I was sitting in front of you, verbally telling you what I thought. That works best for me. It made everything feel more natural and flow better.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong or bad about an objective, well-written review. I'm just saying that this is my blog and I'm going to write how I want. And you should, too.

5. ARC = Another Reading Commitment

Oh, the ARC. That magical, beautiful book that makes bloggers feel so validated. And so overwhelmed.

I used to just request book after book, both digital and physical. Most of the time I didn't get them, but then, after a few years and working with the same publicists and publishers, I actually started getting more and more books. And then this fantabulous thing called "BEA" happened and I got more. And then publishers sent me more. Sometimes I didn't even have to request a book--it just showed up! My mailbox was getting more action than Ana Steele.

And then I realized, "Holy crap ... I actually have to read and review 150 books in 6
months."

There's no way. There isn't. Unless I quit my job, forget my family and friends. And showering and sleeping. I worked myself into a hole because I forgot that ARCs weren't pretty little jewels I could show off on twitter and facebook ... these were actually books that had actual people expecting actual reviews.

I've become much more selective now, but I still get a little click happy on NetGalley and Edelweiss. Which I still pay for. Bottom line is, I wish I had been more realistic about what I could read and review instead of being so greedy.

6. Hoarders: Extreme Book Edition

I re-read books. Yes, I'm one of those people. I love reliving my favorite romances, fights, drama, worlds ... All of it.

So obviously I keep a lot of books. Which is cool ... If you own a library. But when you have 6 under the bed boxes of books, two massive book shelves, the top of shelf of your closet and even your dresser full of book (let's not even mention those 3 boxes chillin' in the basement), it goes from being fun to a hassle.

I wish I had been more diligent about the books I was bringing in and buying and saving. Because now I'm faced with a Herculean task of clearing out a good amount of books. And these things weigh a lot.

7. Exhaustion Guaranteed

I just got done a 10 hour work day, have been up since before 6 am and have been sitting here writing this post for over an hour when all I want to do is curl up in bed and watch TV on my DVR. And this is a good day for me.

Blogging is fun, but it is also one of the most tiring endeavors.

8. Green-Eyed Monsters Abound

I guarantee that when I mentioned getting ARCs above, someone gritted their teeth and hissed. Was it you? It's cool.

Blogger jealousy is a very real thing. It's why I stopped doing the In My Mailbox/Stacking the Shelves posts. I had to avoid blogs on Sunday because I would see bloggers who got books I craved like oxygen (and I'm an asthmatic, so I know all about craving air, mmmkay?) and it would make me so bitter and jealous. It still happens when a friend gets a book I wanted, or gets to hang out with an author I want to meet.

We all go through it. Every single blogger is jealous of someone else and those who say they aren't are flat out lying. It may not be the same level of intensity as my jealous--we all know I have issues--but the jealousy is there and I have seen it erode and destroy a lot of bloggers. I got caught up in that for years, constantly seeing these posts that made me constantly wonder what I was doing wrong and how could I always be better.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be better, but it's wrong when you get angry about it. And I was fast hitting bitter shrew territory, so I cut myself off.

9. More Drama Than High School & Middle School Combined

I really just don't even know if I need to expound on that any more. But I will.

I've been blogging for nearly 3 years now and I have seen to ridiculous, knock-down, drag out fights on twitter that would make Muhammed Ali step out of the ring. I have seen author on reviewer fights that exploded Goodreads, insults hurled, people ripped to shreds and more stones thrown than I can count. Sometimes it's amusing, but more often than not it's frustrating and childish. And needs to stop.

When I started blogging I was told that bloggers were an open, accepting community and those of us who have been blogging for more than a week know the total BS of the statement.

Yeah. I totally just admitted that blogging makes Mean Girls look like The Sound of Music. There are a ridiculous amount of cliques and groups in blogging. Inner circles and groups of friends that are not accepting new members, so don't even apply or you'll be met with blank stares. I truly thought if I was me--happy, bubbly, energetic me--that people would like me.

But this isn't kindergarten. There isn't a teacher that will make us give out Valentine's to everyone like we're all besties. I spent the better part of a year trying to find my niche in this world. And then ... I did.

10. The Truth About BFFs (Book Friends Forever)

A lot of what I've said sounds like so much gloom and doom. Like blogging is a bitch, so why bother?

Because aside from the books and the authors and the amazing conferences and signings I've been able to go to, I have truly met some of my best friends. People that I would not know had I never put up that first post nearly 3 long years ago.

Blogging is a crazy, often time hellish roller coaster without a safety strap, but then one day you look around and realize that all your friends are right there with you, keeping you going when you just want to curl up and go to sleep watching the DVR, believing in you when you can't.

All the heartache and heartburn I've suffered from blogging is completely worth it every time my phone lights up with a text or phone call from these people. You guys know who you are, and I hope you know how much I love each of you.

Tweetiquette for Book Bloggers 101

All right, guys, let's talk about Tweetiquette, better known as Twitter Etiquette. I may not be the most active twitter person (tweeter? What's the proper word here?), nor do I boast huge amounts of followers, but I am shocked, disappointed, and floored routinely at the total lack of respect and manners that are all over Twitter anymore.

I think that the anonymity of the internet has bled over into this fun social media site, but you need to stop and think that there is a real person on tacked on to the end of that @ symbol. It can be an author, and agent, another blogger, a publisher ... the list goes on. Being snarky and sassy may seem cute and witty in your head, but real feelings can get hurt and it can also affect your blog and your credibility.

1. Don't Beg

Possibly the #1 faux paus of Twitter is following someone and then immediately messaging them and saying something like: "Hey! I just followed you! Follow me back!"

Just, no. Slow your roll, Skippy, and take a breath. There is no tit-for-tat when it comes to followers and no obligations to follow anyone. Blowing up someone's feed to follow you is just silly. This is especially true of authors and publishers.

SCREAMING IN ALL CAPS THAT YOU ARE THEIR #1 FAN 4EVA is not gonna win you any brownie points. Constantly harassing, bugging and begging for them to follow you generally makes them want to do the opposite. Getting offended when someone doesn't follow you back also makes you seem like a sore loser. And possibly psychotic. Maybe both.

2. The All-Important Pic

I get not wanting to put your pretty face out there on the internet. Truly, I do. You're talking to the girl who came up with a fake name as a teen to match a user name she used all across the internet for over a decade because I heard all those horror stories of people being stalked, kidnapped and turned into wind chimes online.

That, and I didn't want my family and friends knowing I wrote some smutty fan fiction. But that's a story for another day.

Whatever your reasons I understand it, but please know that if you meet some authors, bloggers, etc. in real life at signings or book events (BEA, ALA, or another conference), you cannot get offended if we need to you pull up your twitter account so we can see that icon pic you've been using to place you. Same thing if you keep your name off the online world or use a different name.

I associate people I talk to on Twitter by their handle, this is especially true if their name is only listed as their blog name and they have a picture of their favorite book as their profile picture.

3. Fun with # and RT

Congratulations on those fifty-three giveaways you entered in the last hour! But did you really need to clog up my feed tweeting about them all?

The same is also true of retweeting (RTs). While I know some things just begged to be retweeted--funny quotes, puppy pictures, and things that sum up exactly how I feel--it's still good to come up with your own tweets. If I follow you, I want to know more about you. I'm assuming you're following me for the same reason.

Or you just need someone who does routinely ridiculous and idiotic things that make you feel better about yourself. I'm totally OK with either reason.

But you can't expect people to want to follow you if all you're doing is regurgitating already posted info.

4. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme More

This is possibly the biggest no-no I can think of when it comes to twitter (or emailing/messaging someone), and I cannot believe it even needs to be addressed, but it is happening all the time, not just to me, but also to other bloggers and authors I'm friends with.

It is not OK to tweet at someone and ask for something unless you know them and have that kind of relationship. Let me explain:

I've been blogging for nearly three years. While I don't consider myself even close to one of the best blogs/bloggers, I do all right. I have a solid number of followers and page views and I've worked on establishing and maintaining relationships with authors and publishers. I went through the steps and the paces every newbie bloggers goes through of being shot down repeatedly for ARC requests and blog tours, of being ignored and passed over when mailing lists and invites went out. But I have been to conferences and signings and spent countless hours emailing, posting, tweeting, and creating unique features on my blog that helped me get to where I am.

So when I get an emailed from someone who has had a blog for all of three weeks with a whopping post count of four, begging me for publicists' email addresses so they can request books, I get a little annoyed. More than a little. I am all for helping people, but I'm not going to hand you blogging on a silver platter.

I also have a friend who, in order to protect the innocent, I'll call Brownie Batter Betty. Now B3 is an awesome friend of mine and a phenomenal baker, who bestows baked goods on a lot of authors she meets. In fact, she's kinda infamous for it. Even has her own business. She's been a blogger about as long as I have and has consequently become a darling in the blogging world with bloggers and authors alike - rightfully so, I may add. That being said, she's also become friends with a few big name authors which is very cool and very enviable, but I was left utterly astonished when she told me she regularly gets messages on Twitter asking her for these author's personal info. Apparently it's just assumed she has it since she's been in a picture or twenty with them.

How in the world is this OK? And did you really think Betty would say yes?

5. Snark, Slams, and Stupidity

Wanna know a secret? I love snark. I love the sass and the sarcasm and the smirks that go along with it. But there's also a time and place for it, and Twitter ain't always that place, folks.

You will inevitably come across a book that you just hate. Yes, hate. It will rub you like a bar of sandpaper in an acid shower and leave you feeling gross, repulsed, and chaffed. It's the reality of book blogging. Sadly you won't love every book.

That being said, blasting the author and their work publicly on Twitter might sound funny in your head, but remember that there is still a real person on the other end of your attack. A person who has feelings that can get trampled and crushed all so you could illicit a couple of smiles and giggles from people you've never met on the other side of a computer screen.

Bravo. Way to improve the world.

You wrote a scathing review on your blog about a book that you didn't like at all. That's fine. I'm not saying you can't write that review, but do you really need to tweet the author in your link? Do you really need to hold them down, cut them open and pour lemon juice on them? Does that really make you feel like a legit blogger?

It makes you sound like a legit tool.

6. You Get What You Give

Sometimes I wonder if there's any reason to write a post like this other than to make myself feel better. I think some people will read this and maybe do some internal flinching and realize maybe they should have been a little kinder. Some will realize they've acted like a fool and strive to better themselves.

But most will shrug it off and say whatever because at the end of the day, this is a generic social media site that really holds no user accountable. You can spew your venom and hate and retweets until your heart's content and no one can really do anything to stop you.

But as book bloggers, that's not entirely true. You have an entire blogging community watching you. You will have publishers who won't want to work with you and authors who will learn to ignore you. And you have no one to blame but yourself when people call you on your BS.

If there's one thing I've learned about the internet it's that people love a good cat fight and have no problem throwing back what you dish out.

ARC Essentials with Random House

ARC Essentials is a new feature here on the blog where I have interviewed several publishers about the process for requesting review copies and then what to do once your review is written and posted. Each publisher has their own way of handling things, so what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

Today we have:

1. What should I include when asking for a review copy (Page view stats? Follower count? All social media accounts)?

UVM stats are VERY helpful, as well as social media accounts. It’s also nice if you note one or two that you’ve heard something about or why you’re requesting them, instead of a just a big list.

2. How long should I be blogging before I ask for a review copy?

Depends! We certainly wouldn’t turn down a new blog that has an impressive following.

3. Who should I contact about receiving review copies?

Feel free to contact individual publicists if you know they are working on the title, but if you’re not sure, we check our rhkidspublicity@randomhouse.com inbox daily, and those emails get forwarded to the appropriate person.

4. Should I email an author about obtaining a review copy and have them forward my request onto their publicist?

If you have a relationship with the author already (via Twitter, etc), this is fine to do. In most cases, it’s just easier to go straight to the publicist, though!

5. Do you expect me to review books I never requested, such as an ARC or finished copy I was sent but never asked for?

We never feel like we are OWED a review. If you receive ARCs that you didn’t ask for, it’s probably because we think you’ll really love it!

6. Where can I send in review links?

Usually, best to send them to the publicist working on the title. Again, if you’re not sure, the general inbox is best! rhkidspublicity@randomhouse.com

7. Do you want to see all reviews I’ve done—positive and negative?

I appreciate seeing them all, with a heads up that maybe you didn’t love the book. It’s good for us to see that you still took the time to read and review.

8. Am I more likely to get approved if I request an eARC of a book instead of a physical copy?

Definitely. It’s just a numbers game—we only print a limited quantity of galleys, but e-galleys are infinite.

9. When is the best time to request a book or be asked to be put on a list to receive a review copy?

I would say 3-4 months before publication.

10. Do you have a catalog mailing list for bloggers that I can request to be a part of?

We actually don’t make a printed catalog anymore! All info can be found on Edelweiss.

11. If I want to interview an author or ask them to write a guest post for my blog, is it best to contact the author directly?

See question #4!

12. Anything else you would like to add that you think bloggers should/need to know?

We appreciate the work you do! Bloggers are such a crucial part of building buzz for our books and introducing/recommending them to new readers. Thanks for writing!

Giveaway:

Random House is giving away a fabulous prize pack of ARCs and finished copies this week! Fill out the rafflecopter to enter!

AND WE STAY by Jenny Hubbard

BEING SLOANE JACOBS by Lauren Morrill

GATED by Amy Christine Parker

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT by Sarah Mlynowski

LOVE ME by Rachel Shukert

THE MIRK AND MIDNIGHT HOUR by Jane Nickerson

TOXIC HEART by Theo Lawrence

THE TRAGEDY PAPER (paperback) by Elizabeth LaBan

THE TYRANT’S DAUGHTER by J.C. Carleson

WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Essentials with Bloomsbury

ARC Essentials is a new feature here on the blog where I have interviewed several publishers about the process for requesting review copies and then what to do once your review is written and posted. Each publisher has their own way of handling things, so what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

Today we have:

1. What should I include when asking for a review copy (Page view stats? Follower count? All social media accounts)?

Yes to all of the above! It never hurts to include as much info as possible.

2. How long should I be blogging before I ask for a review copy?

That depends on how many reviews, interviews, etc. you post. Basically, the more content you have, the better. But if you’re new to blogging and don’t have impressive stats to share, tell us what inspired you to start.

3. Who should I contact about receiving review copies?

At Bloomsbury, both marketing and publicity work with bloggers, so we recommend you send your request to TeensUSA@bloomsbury.com, which reaches all of us. We’ll take note of your request, even if we don’t respond, and do our best to get you what you’re looking for.  Also, let us know if you’d like to be included on our blog tour outreach. And please please please include your address. Even if you know we have it, always put it at the bottom of your email. It saves us so much time!

4. Should I email an author about obtaining a review copy and have them forward my request onto their publicist?

You can try that if you and the author have a relationship. But authors get a lot of emails, so you might find it’s not often fruitful. In general, we would prefer review copy requests come directly to us.

5. Do you expect me to review books I never requested, such as an ARC or finished copy I was sent but never asked for?

Not at all. We hope you’ll read—and love!—the books we send, but there is no expectation.

6. When is the best time to post a review?

No more than one month before on-sale, ideally the week it comes out. While pre-ordering is easy enough to do these days, it’s always better when your readers can get their hands on a book you’re excited about right away and share that joy with you. 

7. Where can I send in review links?

TeensUSA@bloomsbury.com. But also be sure to tweet it to us (@bwkids) so we can retweet!

8. Do you want to see all reviews I’ve done—positive and negative?

Yep! We want to know what you think. And if there’s something in your review you didn’t want to say publicly, feel free to include it in the email. We want to hear it all. 

9. Am I more likely to get approved if I request an eARC of a book instead of a physical copy?

Yes, if you can accept eARCs, that works in your favor because we don’t make as many physical ARCs as some of the bigger publishing houses. But if you prefer physical ARCs for any reason (you plan to use it for an ARC tour, for instance), let us know.

10. When is the best time to request a book or be asked to be put on a list to receive a review copy?

4-6 months before publication. Our mailings (for physical ARCs) will be sent 2-4 months in advance, which is about the same time as we post on Netgalley, so be patient if you don’t receive it or get approved on Netgalley right away.

11. Do you have a catalog mailing list for bloggers that I can request to be a part of?

No, but you can find our catalogs here: http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/company/catalogs.  Then send your requests in an email to TeensUSA@bloomsbury.com.

12. If I want to interview an author or ask them to write a guest post for my blog, is it best to contact the author directly?

You can do that, but bear in mind that we might be planning a blog tour and, therefore, you’d have a better chance of getting the author to do this by going through us. Also, in general, an author is going to be more likely to do it if the request comes through his/her publicist. But plenty of authors are open to being contacted directly, particularly debuts. So consider what you think is going to be the best route for that book and author.

13. Anything else you would like to add that you think bloggers should/need to know?

Sure!

1)      We respond to enthusiasm. Did you love an author’s earlier book and give it five stars (or whatever)? Include that in your email! Is this the book you’re more looking forward to this season? Or did you meet the author at an event or see them speak at a conference? Tell us!

2)      We sometimes like to do blogger meet-and-greets with authors before events, so if an author is coming to your city and you’re excited about it, tell us that! Or, if you want to hear about it when we have authors coming to your city, let us know and we’ll make a note.

3)      Finally, if a book is already on sale, consider buying it instead of asking us to send it. Just like galleys, we have limited copies of finished books available to send out. Plus, it’ll win our hearts. And also, it’ll probably be faster.  

Giveaway:

So this week I have another giant prize pack of Winter 2014 ARCs to giveaway from Bloomsbury! Here's what you could win:

A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey

Going Rogue by Robin Benway

Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt

Insanity by Susan Vaught

Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen

Cured by Bethany Wiggins

Dangerous by Shannon Hale

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

a Rafflecopter giveaway