Category: Site Announcements

I Really Am Closed to Book Review Requests

I’m sure you guys are as tired of reading this as I am of typing it but here it is again: I am closed to book review requests.  It says so in bold at the top of my ‘Review Policy’ tab.  It also says that any author sending me a book review request anyway will be banned for life from my blog.  Yes, it’s harsh but I feel it’s necessary at this point.  Things are getting absolutely ridiculous.

In the past two weeks I have had over 5 review requests from inconsiderate authors and publicists who clearly don’t know basic courtesy, let alone how to read.  Basic courtesy dictates that you check a reviewer’s review policy before submitting your book to them and knowing how to read helps you not send that request when the reviewer states they are not open to requests.

This really shouldn’t be that difficult but it is.

Unless I have specifically told you in the past to send your books whenever you like, stop sending me review requests!

Reminder: I am CLOSED to Review Requests

Before my surgery on July 6 I closed down my review requests on June 26 after having them open for several months.  This is in line with what a lot of reviewers do so I’m sure it didn’t come as a shock to anyone, really.  I just announced it on my blog and put up my usual notice on my Review Policy page so that anyone checking for my review guidelines would see it immediately.

But of course this is dependent on people actually checking my review policy.  Which of course a lot of authors don’t.

So please, please, please, check review policies.  I don’t want your review requests right now unless I have specifically told you in the past to contact me the instant one of your books is available for review (i.e. the next book in a series I really loved).

This may sound a little passive-aggressive if you have submitted a review request to me and were reminded that I am closed to requests but I’m trying not to be.  Why?  Because, per my policy, any author that contacts me while my requests are closed will be banned in perpetuity from my blog.  That’s right.  If you contact me while my requests are closed, you don’t get a re-do.  You won’t have an opportunity for me to review your book ever if you break this rule.

I’ve already blacklisted a dozen authors because they’ve contacted me in the past week so please stop contacting me.  This really is your final warning because after this I’m not replying to those rude requests; I’m just going to write your name down on my banned list.  Seriously, this can be prevented by actually reading my review policy.  It’s not like my statement saying I’m closed is hard to find either.  It’s at the very top of the page in bold!

TL;DR?  Stop sending me review requests.

I’m Looking for Guest Posters!

Do you love books?  Do you want a little more publicity and exposure for your blog?  If so, read on!

In July I will be taking a little bit of a break from blogging and commenting regularly because of my surgery recovery time.  During this time I’ve scheduled several reviews and other posts that will ensure I keep up my daily posting schedule.  But to alleviate some of the stress around this, I would like to get a couple of guest posters in.

So what’s in it for you if you decide to guest post?

1.  A guest post in return.

That’s right, I don’t expect you to write just for exposure!  If you write me a guest post, when I get better I’ll write a guest post for you.  That way, your net output on your blog stays the same; you’re not losing any posting days.  You’re just getting something a little different.  And even if your blog isn’t about books, I can write on almost any topic I find interesting.

2.  Exposure.

This is, of course, the obvious one.  When you write a guest post for me I promote it extra-hard on Twitter and write you up a cool little blurb with your picture or blog logo as well as all of your relevant social media and blog links.  It’s really the least I can do.

 

Am I looking for any kinds of posts in particular?  Not really.  If it’s book-related in any way, shape or form I’d be more than happy to host it here on my blog.  Here is just a basic list of things I’d love to have guest posts about:

  • Interesting historical figures (you can but don’t have to relate this to books they feature in)
  • Anything about the publishing industry
  • Blogging pet peeves
  • Your book or a topic related to your book (such as this post about the rise of LGBT fiction)
  • Any sort of blogging how-to guides (i.e. improve your views, get more comments, choosing a blogging platform)
  • Any other idea you want to pitch to me!

If you’re interested in guest posting for me in early to mid July, drop me an email or contact me via the Contact Page here on my blog.  Then we can discuss details about when the post will be live, what topic your post is about and when I’ll be returning the favour.

The Mad Reviewer is Now Closed to Review Requests

In light of my recent announcement as well as the fact that I have a lot of books on my to be read list from my open submissions, I will now be closing my review requests until further notice.  I’m sorry if you wanted to get your book reviewed but didn’t this time around.  As always, feel free to submit your book once I open requests again, which is not likely to happen until next spring (around May).

If you submit a request while I am closed, you will be blacklisted from my blog starting on June 26, 2015.

Thank you for your understanding.