As indie authors, we are being encouraged in many quarters to engage more with Goodreads, especially since Amazon ended its forums for CS, KDP, etc. Many of us, including me, have used the GR platform for Goodreads giveaways
This is one author who will not be engaging in any more Goodreads giveaways. They are a waste of time and money. I know many of you say the same as I do.
It’s not just that they do not produce any reviews or sales (well, they didn’t in my case), it’s the scam that operates using the Goodreads giveaways as cover.
What scam?
The scam operated by some Goodreads members who clearly do not read or review the books they win in giveaways but sell them on to third party sellers on Amazon.
How else do you think these sellers get hold of paperbacks within days of them being published? It’s not through CreateSpace expanded distribution channels. If it was, I would have seen a measly few cents for expanded distribution royalties.
How else do you explain this?
That is the book list of one of my giveaway winners. Nearly 19,000 books he wants to read! I noted my book isn’t even listed though he won it.
From nearly 19,000 books he has read 36. There are about 5 reviews and the same number of books rated.
Let me put that screenshot into context so you may fully understand. The following is part of a “conversation” I took part in on Goodreads:
John (an author) wrote –
I have had the same experience of so-called reviewers winning books. Of 89 given away last September, I have had 4 reviews. When I checked the profiles of some of the recipients I found that one had over 11,000 and another 4,000 books to read. It is disturbing to hear that some on-sell them! I have often wondered in the past why 2nd hand copies of my book are reflected as for sale when my original sales haven’t reflected such sales.
My reply –
I does beg the question as to why Goodreads permits this? If you can discover that, surely GR can weed them out.
Not only is this practice despicable, it is also fraud as they clearly have no intention of reading/reviewing those books but solely to resell them.Yikes! Just checked my last print giveaway. One winner with almost 19k books to read and another with 4k. Not good!
And another author commented –
Same point from John. Must say these huge numbers of books that would take most a lifetime, or two if they are normal, to read ought to be a red flag for GR – Of course maybe they are all world champion speed readers!!
Having run one paid giveaway I can only report that I see no difference in the result or any effort by GR to improve the position. I guess the truth is that as a sub of Amazon it’s grist to their corporate mill. I enjoy GR and the interactions on forums, but seriously doubt its value in marketing.
It’s a shame if Goodreads becomes tarred with the same brush of distrust as its parent, Amazon. I say that for a number of reasons. One being the unsatisfactory ‘Customer Review’ system existing on Amazon. Two, I would like Goodreads to become THE place to leave reviews along with BookBub and leaving Amazon to the trolls who inhabit its pages.
But it will become less trusted if they don’t clean up their act. A good place to start would be to weed out some of these dubious profiles such as the one in my screenshot.
On a lighter note, and thanks to my newest subscriber, this is an interesting read about a genuine Goodreads reviewer.
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Just want to give a different perspective here. I am one of those avid readers that have thousands of books on my TBR pile.
Here are a few reasons..
1) I absolutely love to read. I enter the giveaways for books that I would be interested in reading.
2) I am disabled and books are pretty much my life. In fact, I am in the hospital right now. And I brought books with me. They allow me to travel to places I will never physically be able to go.
3) I love supporting the authors by reviewing each book I receive.
4) I love when an author personalizes a book for me. It makes it extra special that they took the time out to do that.
5) I would never sell a book from a giveaway. I have donated some to my church library.
6) The ARC books specifically say “not for sale” and I respect that.
7) I do not work, so i do not have money to buy new books. I would never be able to hold a new book in my hands if it weren’t for the giveaways
8) I know many people sell books online that they have one, even ARCS I see for sale. This is very disrespectful to the author.
Although there are many that do what you mentioned, I am sure there may be a few like me 🙂
Hi Lisa! First off, I wish you better health and a much improved quality of life. I appreciate it appears from what you say, you suffer from a longstanding disability. I admire your stoicism and appreciate just why reading is so important to you.
All the points you make are valid. Thankfully, there are more than a few like you. My ire was, and still is, aimed at the freeloaders; and those who abuse the giveaway system.
I am not a fan of Goodreads anyway. Best Regards, Stephen
I just finished a giveaway–wish I had read these comments and the article first. Total waste. I looked at winners and virtually ALL of them have THOUSANDS of books on their to-read list. Only one person two days later has actually listed the book as reading. Even there, most of the folks reading have dozens or hundreds of books they’re “reading.” Total complete waste of time and money. Very disappointing. I would never suggest a goodreads giveaway to any author.
Jane, I am so sorry to hear of your experiences with the Goodreads Giveaway. Sadly, they reflect the same experiences suffered by me and no doubt many others. Like you, it’s a case of never again for me.
The sheer greed of many readers does P me off at times. I’m talking about the hoarders not genuine readers. The hoarders are suffering from a form of addiction – really, they are!
I have stopped using Goodreads as a platform for authors. I maintain a presence there but I feel there are too many things wrong with it. There are too many folks there scouring the place for freebies and too many trolls for my liking.
May I suggest you subscribe to my newsletter and download the free ultimate guide to book reviews. It’s more effective and cheaper than a Goodreads Giveaway 🙂
Regards,
Stephen
An excellent blog, @Steve, it’s drawing attention to the fact that things have gotten worse.
Personally, I had high hopes GR/Amazon’s new system but so far it looks to me as things are worse. The winners of my give away were drawn on 2/26. That’s about 8 weeks ago. I shipped the 5 copies asap. So far – not one review. That’s worse than before. I used to average 50%+ reviews after give-aways.
The “excellent blog” comment coming from you, Gisela, is an accolade. Thank you. GR really should take more notice of what authors have to say on this topic (and others).
However, I get the impression they know they are sitting on a cash cow and really don’t care.
Fwiw, my last GR giveaway was September 2017. 10 copies shipped to the US and the UK. No reviews.