Successful Cold Requests

Since I'm still excited over my first successful "cold" request, I'm starting a new thread.

as I said in ARCs received in the mail, I got a copy of Daphne by Justine Picardie yesterday as a result of a directly contacting the publisher.

Congratulations "love...". A couple of questions:

1. What publisher was that (I'm too lazy to look it up)?

2. Did you send them a letter, an e-mail or a phone call?

3. Did they respond to you or just send the book without notice?

I e-mailed a fairly small publisher two days ago and haven't heard anything from them. It was a specific i-mail address set up for requesting "review copies" so I don't think it's a matter of things they need to do. But, what I don't know is whether the e-mail actually got to them or if it may have gotten thrown into Spam.

Bloomsbury, email, they just sent the book without telling me.

Very cool! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

By the way, my request was to Counterpoint, if anyone is interested. I just took a chance and typed in ".com" behind the name and there was all the needed info.

I got 20 Fragments of A Ravenous Youth by emailing an email address I found through the publisher's site. It just showed up one day. On the other had I emailed the publisher (i think) of Schooled and they emailed back like a hour later saying they would send me one. It can go either way. Very fun!

I personally requested Monique and the Mango Rains from the author, who forwarded it to her agent, who sent out a copy =)

Just waiting for it to show up any day now!

I got Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott in the mail yesterday from a cold request. I emailed the author via her website and got a response a short time later that she'd put the request through to her publisher. I then didn't hear anything back and thought that I wasn't getting it. Then yesterday and ARC of the book showed up in the mail.

I started to glance through it when I got home last night and before you know it I was at the end of the book. It was good. But disturbing...and I think that its way too graphic for its target audience. Teens.

Hi Everyone, I wanted to point out I have been sucessful with almost all of my cold requests but the authors and publishers specifically want me to hold off on my review until around the time of the books street date. I know here at LibraryThing they want us to post right away, but for tips to start having publishers want to send you books, that would be one that I have:) Tracy

That's a good one. I would add that doesn't mean you can 't read the book the moment it gets into your hot little hands! Just write your review and save it to post later.

If you save the book to read for later, remember that you will also probably receiveing other requests of a more immediate nature. so you might get overwhelmed. (speaking from experience...)

http://www.lindaformichelli.com/reviewcopy/

Just thought I'd bring this over from the other group as I found it very useful.

Additionally, I was asked to post my review on Amazon.com once the book was post for sale.

Donura1, have you ever refused that request? It seems at that point you're not only helping out the publisher, which is fair they've sent you a free book, but also Amazon which hasn't compensated you for your work in any way. In effect, giving a large company free advertising. Just a question (for, hopefully, future reference), no judgement.

This isn't exactly a cold request but I belong to Paperbackswap.com and I wanted a copy of Surviving Ben's Suicide after I read a review of the book by someone here. I posted it on my wishlist and woke up this morning with my wish granted. I love it when it happens that quickly. BTW, there were none posted in the system when I added it to my wishlist.

I just received my second successful cold request of Somebody Else's Daughter I need to hold off for awhile now, b/c I'm overwhelmed.

Donura - I'm sending that to you :)

When Cherise the Niece started appearing in the in the Shelf Awareness emails, I emailed the author, Jim Benton begging for a copy to review. I hadn't heard back, so I gave up on getting one. When I logged onto the comuter this morning I had an email from Jim Brenton, Cherise's author, saying one was on it's way to me!

Yay!!

Even though it's supposedly a "children's/ young adult" book, Maggie told me she would be far away when I read it though... I bet she'll sneak peeks at it, no matter what she says :-)

Thanks so much. I can't wait.

Just received Lottery by Patricia Wood. I googled her & made a request, which she forwarded to her publisher. The book looks like one I'll enjoy.

Unfortunately, I have not been lucky with my three cold requests. Maybe because the authors were somewhat popular?

After my previous message, I decided to write to 4 authors about getting copies of their books to review. I did that yesterday morning and by this morning, 3 had answered back and said they would be happy to send them to me.

They were all extremely nice!

I have a theory (just my theory) that cold requests to authors who are fairly popular (I am not talking John Grisham) has not gotten me even an answer to my email - whereas authors who are less well known (for now) seem very willing to send out copies.

I guess it's logical, but its kind of sad also :( or maybe i should not be generalizing.

I'm starting to feel bad - the last two books I've gotten from cold requests ended up being books I wasn't crazy about. I'm sorry to send unfavorable reviews to authors who were nice enough to respond to my e-mails. I'm going to stick with requesting only those that are offered for awhile...

This was sort of a semi-cold request, I guess. I got an email offering me a copy of First Daughter by Eric Van Lustbader. When I responded, I mentioned that I often hold book giveaways (okay, I had one) on my blog, so if they wanted to send a book to giveaway, I would be happy to host it. Got an email back that they are sending 2 copies out today!

>22 LisaLynne:

That was a great idea. I got the same email, and I was just thrilled because I had been hoping to get that book via Shelf Awareness but hadn't been able to.

#21, JGoto,

Agree with you. That's why I tell authors that in case the book and I don't click that I won't write a review. (They usually appreciate that)

I also sometimes pass the book along to someone that I think will love it. I write the author/publisher/whoever of course and let them know what's going on.

Maybe you could do that...

Although I don't always love each book I have gotten, I would say I have been lucky to date. However, I also try to keep in mind that these authors have put their hearts into the book - and usually there are some good things to point out, even if you did not like the book. I try to balance the good points v. the bad points and it seems to be working well.

I try to steer clear of books I don't think I'll like. I only request books it seems there is a good possibility I"ll enjoy.

Always a good idea, but sometimes....well, they sound great, but the execution is just not there.

27..you are absolutely right. :) I meant the cold requests. I feel less um, bad about giving a negative review to a book that was offered.

#26 - That's my philosophy too. However, I do post "negative" reviews, because if the marketing made it look like something I would like and I didn't, then there are others out there who might buy the book and end up not liking it. I always give reasons so that someone can decide whether what bugged me will bug them about the book--at least, I try to do that.

Thanks for the advice ThePam. I did write reviews for the last couple and tried to write what I DID like about the books as well as what I felt were weaknesses. But I like your idea of stating I won't write anything if the book isn't a good match for me.

If it's not a cold request, I don't feel bad about writing a negative review, as long as I state what it is I dislike about the book. After all, that's the purpose of a review.

>I had been hoping to get that book via Shelf Awareness but hadn't been able to.

You know, I wonder if they were screening the requests? I also tried via Shelf Awareness, and it's going to be really funny if I end up with 3 copies.

I posted earlier about some cold requests I did. Of the 4 that I emailed, 3 answered back and are sending me their books.

That is great, but there is more - one of the authors was so nice, we have been exchanging emails and as it turns out, she is coming on vacation to Montreal with her family and we are hoping to get together for coffee.

She sounds so nice! I will give details of our visit along with my review of her book. I loved her first book - so I have high hopes.

Since I have been doing my blog, etc. I have met some great people and some of the authors I have contacted have been wonderful.

Nitestar, that's so cool! Isn't blogging good fun?

Stupid as this sounds, but.... It's always nice to know author's are real people too. ;-)

I requested The Questory of Root Karbunculus from the author - I will be posting the review shortly and she will be appearing on my blog July 31st to answer questions. There will also be a book giveaway for your very own copy.

I made a cold request for Hurry Down Sunshine after reading the review on Shelf Awareness. I received it three days later. Very Impressive. It covers a subject I am very interested in.

I'm getting Hurry Down Sunshine from here this month, and am really looking forward to it.

I made a cold request for Sinner by Ted Dekker. I can't remember if I saw the book in Shelf Awareness or stumbled across it in the upcoming novels section on Amazon. I liked Ted Dekker's Black, Red and White series, as well as Adam, so I gave it a shot. I never got an answer from my request, but the book showed up one day from the book fairy in the big brown truck. (Yay!)

Cool Klmnca I like those books too.

Is Sinner a new novel?

lovemybooks,
Yep, its coming out in a couple of months. The only downside for me is that it has a prequel called Showdown. The author's note in the front of the ARC for Sinner, though suggests you read them in opposite order, with Sinner first, followed by a book called Saint and lastly Showdown. Since I haven't read any of those, and I have Sinner, I'll probably do just that!

(Can't seem to get the touchstone for Sinner to load...sorry)

hmmmm...is it just me...but if he wanted them to be read in that order, shouldn't he have written them in that order.
i went and looked at Showdown on Amazon and it looks interesting but if i should read Sinner first, why bother to buy it yet?

Caitemaire...that's what I thought!! He has a sort of interesting logic though, he says that Showdown is the prequel to Sinner, much as Exodus is a prequel to John. He says these books are more circular than lineal. However he does say that the Circle Trilogy should be read in order, as should the Lost Books. (I haven't read the Lost Books) Then he goes on to say that the Paradise novels, of which Showdown, etc. are part of can be read in any order, but that it might be more fun to read them last to first, sort of like reading the New Testament before the Old.

Mostly the authors note pointed out to me that A. You can drive yourself nuts trying to figure this stuff out. and B. even though I don't usually like theologically based fiction, Dekker is the exception!

You should snatch up Saint while they're getting rid of the hardcovers.

I enjoyed Showdown, but haven't read Saint yet.

Nope, wasn't a hardcover I received. I should have been more specific, I got the ARC of Sinner.

If I like Sinner enough to review it well, I'll probably send a copy of the review to the author and publisher, maybe they'll send me the others. I really liked Tana French's In the Woods and when I sent the link to my blog's review to the publicist, I had her second book, (in hardcover!) in about two days from the fed ex guy. I still haven't got around to reading it, *gulp...*guilty sigh.....

BTW--lovemybooks...I really like your blog, its very nice!

Thanks klmnca!

#44 - could you PM me Tara French's publicist's e-mail? I just bought In the Woods and would like to send her my review if it meant getting The Likeness - that book looks awesome!!

lenoreva--okey dokey

I sent a cold request to Tara French's publicist after seeing a banner ad for The Likeness. I mentioned that I would be interested in reviewing it, but hadn't had a chance to read In the Woods yet. A few days later, both books arrived!

49- That's so nice!

I emailed Penelope Przekop the beginning of this week inquiring about review copies of her book Aberrations she forwarded it onto someone for me but in the meantime we had a nice little chat! It came in the mail today!

Thanks, jenlaw. I liked In the Woods very much and have been wanting to read The Likeness. I decided to go ahead & ask the publisher for that, too. (I feel a little guilty, especially since they were so nice & sent In the Woods to my house address in Japan via foreign airmail.) Anyway, we'll see what happens.

I did a cold request to Siri Mitchell because I was really disappointed that I did not get a copy of A Constant Heart from ER and I liked Chateau of Echoes by her. I got no response at all :(

Belladonna, try cold requesting the publisher for that book, especially if you have a blog they are very very blog friendly.

I will try that. Thanks!

I am reading In the Woods by Tana French right now & requested The Likeness...guess what showed up today??? A beautiful, hardback edition of The Likeness!!! I can't believe publishers just send out books just for asking-awesome:)

Julyso,

You know I too am beginning to believe that the reason publishers are so blog friendly is in part because of the demise of all the Book Review sections of the country's major newspaper. Compared to what they used to be, they are practically non existent now and people are looking for information and opinions online instead.

I've been just blown away by the response I get when I ask for books. My blog is still a baby compared to most of the bloggers here on LT, and yet publishers just seem more than happy to send me a book when I ask. It's been sort of like my own lil chunk o' heaven. Ask nicely and like manna from heaven, books just rain down upon me....who'd a thunk it??!

Plus, we're free. In fact, we will hold contests and mail out books at our own expense just to keep the party going.

I know that I get a lot more of my political news and commentary from blogs than I get from newspapers. Same goes for book news. I count on blogs for restaurant recommendations and recipes. Publishers are being smart cultivating the blogs and developing a network.

Newspapers? What are newspapers...oh wait, I think I remember them...paper, right? With smudgy articles about stuff we all read about the day before on the internet? ;o)

Newspapers iz doomed like dinosaurs that author guy wrote about.

Not doomed. After all, everyone said that the movies were doomed when the vcr became popular, books are doomed because of the internet, etc, etc, etc. They won't disappear, but they will have to change.

LisaLynne> I'm worried because I don't want books to change. Maybe I missed the whole generational cutoff where everything electronic is automatically cool and desirable, but so much of the pleasure of reading for me is the tactile experience: the feel of the paper or cover, physically turning pages, and the fact reading books is one of the only leisure activities where I don't have to sit in front of some flickering screen for hours.

I'd be very sad if non-electronic books became obsolete or an "elitist" retro-cool possession like vinyl records are nowadays. That said, I'm perfectly fine with publishers marketing in non-standard ways. After all, most of the YA audience (for instance) does not read NYT book reviews, but they sure read their friends' blogs.

62 - I imagine that printing of books will change first, like with the Espresso machine (ATM-like print-a-book machines for bookstores and non-bookstore locations to make more titles more available).

#62 i am with you on the whole tactile experience of books. and the beauty of books as well. a nice binding, nice paper, a beautiful leather cover or even an attractive dustcover or paperback cover...no, i really can not see giving those up. and i think for the relative future they will continue to be wanted by many buyers and therefore will be available.

but... i can certainly see the whole publishing industry changing in the near future too. present and future technology will make many other possibilities available. the Espresso machine is an example. i mean, why should a publisher guess the demand and print out a certain number of copies which might sit unbought or sell out at once and leave no copies to meet the number of buyers.

but what would that mean for the future of book stores, certainly small independent book stores?

I actually think that this is an opportunity for small bookstores to increase their inventory. Maybe not in the immediate term because these machines are still very expensive, but in the future when the price comes down it may allow small bookstores to compete with the bigger chains.

The bigger chains suck at customer service, which many smaller stores excel at. But the big chains can negotiate huge discounts with publishers and can stock a wide variety of books, which small bookstores can't do or afford. With an Espresso machine (when prices come down), smaller bookstores have a better chance to compete.

Of course, it could go a different way. We'll see.

#65 true...true...

all i know is, I am NOT giving up my books! :-)

There are already bookstores that are going to print-on-demand, which is probably a big part of the future of the industry. As much as I love the tactile experience of holding a book, I also love listening to an audiobook. I would also love watching a digibook that came with sounds and pictures and who knows what else. I can also see the immense value of a Kindle to someone with a long subway commute.

I look at it this way: we all still love to sit next to a nice, crackling fire on a cool winter's night, we just don't depend on it to heat our home and cook our food anymore.

Yesterday, I requested a copy of Hide & Seek by Wendy Aron. I just got an email from her letting me know she'd be happy to send it to me. :-D

btw, klmnca after you mentioned getting the Ted Dekker book, I requested another Thomas Nelson (the TD book is TN right?) book I'm dying to read and they publicist emailed back right away and said she'd send it. :)

I have mentioned this before, but I have been extremely successful with my cold requests. I usually email the author directly (not the publisher). So far, about 50% of the authors have immediately agreed to send me the book and 50% have said that they were forwarding my request to their publisher. I think there is no way to know if its better to send the request to the author or the publisher, but I find I usually get better results when I email the author.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I've been emailing the publisher because I'd rather them pay for it. A lot of times, the authors will have to use one of their author copies, but I think the publisher also has books set aside for review. Does that make sense? I've been 100 percent successful so far.

If the author contacts me, then obviously that's not even a condsideration.

After hearing such wonderful things about Joshuan Henkin's Matrimony, I realized it was set to come out in paperback in late August and contacted him directly to request a review copy....he generously agree and offered an additional copy as a giveaway...and to top it off, he'll be signing books in Richmond in September, so I'll get to meet him as well!

Woot! Pretty excited, as this was my first cold request.

After hearing such wonderful things about Joshuan Henkin's Matrimony, I realized it was set to come out in paperback in late August and contacted him directly to request a review copy....he generously agree and offered an additional copy as a giveaway...and to top it off, he'll be signing books in Richmond in September, so I'll get to meet him as well!

Woot! Pretty excited, as this was my first cold request.

I emailed the author of "Freezing Point" for an ARC and she sent me back a personal note with a little card and a chapstick, saying that the publisher was out of ARC's but that she wanted to send me something for my "trouble". Oh well. My first cold request to an author. Maybe better luck next time! The book does look good.....

I've requested from authors, publicists, publishers, agents --- and I've only been turned down or ignored a couple of times. I really ONLY ask for books I really want because I really feel the pressure to get these read and reviewed and I don't want to drown in books or have this feel like too much of an obligation.

Hum! good point about the financial cost of mailing Lovemybooks!!!! I did not think of that.

I must admit that I love emailing the authors. Its amazing how many of them actually write back for one thing (although as previously said I have a theory that, in many cases, as soon as they get a little known - they won't necessarily write back anymore (not always, but in some cases). Anyway, I love writing to authors because quite a few of them actually email me back with questions and comments of their own. Its such fun.

I emailed James Reese about The Dracula Dossier - he got back to me the same day saying he unfortunately didn't have any review copies left, but he was really sorry and hopes I can get the book elsewhere. I'm just happy he replied, I sent my first two cold requests yesterday.

Successful "cold"request--The Book of Lies, I sent a cold request a few weeks ago, never got a reply, but was thrilled to receive it. Also should note, I reset my spam filter to dump spam into my "bulk" file yesterday, I didn't think I was receiving many answers about ARC requests, and not getting any author requests. I'm shocked, my spam filter was filtering out tons of book related email!

Congrats!

Today I received The Fire by Katherine Neville. I tried for it in ER and wasn't chosen, so I took a shot and emailed the publisher. I think I may have got it before any of the ER winners this month! I've never received an ARC with a few typwritten pages tucked into it before. It contains three such pages, all with corrections I assume. The top of each page has "insert page 406", etc. on it.

wow, that's interesting. Huh.

#83--Yep, when they call it an "advance uncorrected proof", they're aren't kidding!

I requested an ARC of Shifty after reading the review on SA. It really appealed to me as a YA reader. I got a response that I will be receiving an ARC but it also turns out that the author and I share the same neighborhood. Don't you love how small this world is.

Today I received a copy of None of the Above: Why 2008 Is the Year to Cast the Ultimate Protest Vote. I saw an ad for it, can't remember where, maybe Amazon, maybe DrudgeReport? Anyway, since I'm a terribly disenchanted voter, I thought it might be interesting. I sure didn't expect to receive it in 2 days! Heck, I didn't expect to get it at all.

(Touchstone is taking forever to load, I think it might not work. Possibly because this book is only in 2 libraries here on LT)

I got a nice, hard-cover edition of The Likeness in under a week!

#87--so did I! I sent a thank you to the publicist and the author with a link to my blog when I had finished In the Woods, and the publicist sent me a reply thanking me for the "kind" words (I liked the book) and telling me she would send The Likeness. I rec'd it just a couple of days later. A plethora of riches, I'm tellin' ya'!

Today, The Triumph of Deborah arrived, a mere 2 days after I emailed the author! She also replied to my email, asking that I let her know when the book arrived (she sent it through Amazon) and send her a copy of my review. Yay!

Wow, she sent it through Amazon?!?

I know! Here's what she said: "I have just sent you a copy through Amazon.com and it should reach you within a few days."

I'm assuming she had some kind of author hook-up, but still! I definitely feel a little bit of pressure both to read it right away and to like it. Hopefully both will happen naturally.

>85 Donura1: Very cool!

Finally got an unbound galley of The Forbidden Daughter. I contacted the author through her website awhile back, but never heard anything until last week. But yay, better late than never!

Yeah!! Kathleen! I'm happy you got it, I haven't read mine yet since it doesn't come out till Sept, and it isn't very long either but it sounds good!

#91: That's how I got the book as well. She must have an agreement with Amazon....it came faster than any other book *I've* ever ordered from Amazon! As far as pressure to like the book - I try to not feel that kind of pressure. I have a note for authors and publishers on my blog which reads (in part): I have a loyal readership who has come to expect honest book reviews. If I don’t like a book, I say so. But, I try to balance my reviews to reflect both the strengths and weaknesses of a particular book. I don’t believe that one person’s opinion should be the last word, and often books I haven’t been thrilled about, show up on other review sites with accolades. Likewise, books I’m thrilled about sometimes see negative reviews by other readers. And thus the world becomes a more interesting place in which to reside!

Writestuff> I like that, I may have to steal it:) he he

I sent a request through the publisher's website for My Name is Will: A Novel of Sex, Drugs, and Shakespeare probably in the middle of last week. I never heard back from them, but it showed up today. It must have been sent the day after I requested it. It came with their press clippings as well.

M 95: That's a smart idea- maybe I'll add something like that at some point. I think you're right, in that if I'm not honest, I'm doing everyone a disservice, so I'm trying to fight down that pressure. Still, it's fighting back.

M 97: That sounds really interesting- I'll be eager to read your review.

I received The Foreigner from a cold request yesterday. The publicist sent it by two day UPS! Also got Field of Blood by Eric Wilson (an actual ARC) which I'm really excited about.

Both of these were cold requests.

My May ER book was from Algonquin Press. I sent in my review to the email address listed with the information, then emailed her again when I picked that book as the best book I read in June.

When I saw an piece by the author of one of their new books, American Savior, I emailed her again and here it is, less than a week later!

Devourerofbooks -
There is a new group - Algonquin Readers Round Table - which I just sent you an invite to join if you're interested - or anyone is interested - Jayne the author of "Tomato Girl" - alerted me of the new goup.

Thanks!

Wow!
I got 'Dali & I' by Stan Lauryssens today. I cold-requested it last month but never expected to get it because it was one of the "big" publishers. I'm so excited now. I thought it sounded so cool on LT but didn't get it for the ER program.

I simply couldn't wait until Oct. 1 to read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins so I contacted Scholastic and the publicist wrote today that she's sending me an ARC - YAY! I just know it is going to rock my socks off.

I made a cold request of a chick lit book that is only scheduled out later this year. The author immediately answered me back and so did her publicist. The book is not in ARC form yet, but they were so nice, they photocopied the pages for me and sent it that way! Now, I am reading the book on regular 8.5 X11 inches sheets of paper (I bound it myself at work). Its great! I can put my notes in the margins, etc.

I think they were so nice to send it so quickly. I am loving the book also! which is great.

After failing to receive The Whiskey Rebels from LTER, I emailed Random House, not actually expecting them to send it to me. Lo and behold, it was sitting on my desk when I got into work this morning (I was out of the office yesterday). They never emailed back or anything, so it was a pleasant surprise!

I got Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen yesterday which I was emboldened to ask for since klmnca was successful.

I can't wait to read it!

Phooey. I asked right after klmnca posted and Tess said she was out of ARCs. I suspect we're not the only two who asked after klmnca posted.

no kidding. I think there only a handful of us who post in this group but a ton who read. Chris Blevins said she got a lot more than six requests when she offered ARCS.

LURKERS...speak up and share your secrets. ;)

It's interesting; I make cold requests every time I see an ARC that I want to read. 99% of the time I don't even receive a reply. About 50% of the time I receive the ARC; no reply. And if I send thank you's for the ARCs, I have received unsolicited ARCs from that publisher. The rest I snag from contests, First Look, etc. When I requested The Lace Reader, I received two copies. Once I received 12 copies of a book for my book group!

I've tried 1 cold request and got a reply. It said if I was a professional reviewer, I could submit my request in writing.

if you make a penny profit on your blog, say from an Amazon link, does that make you a professional?
a terribly paid professional but still...

Wow Bermudaonion! That sounds like a horrible answer. I have done a few cold requests and have been extremely successful. Of course, there are some requests - where I never hear back at all - but for the most part everybody has been so nice (even if they have to say no) :) Don't get discouraged.

My experience is that its best to contact either the author or the publicist directly - I have had NO success when I just email the publishing house directly at their generic email addy.

Bermudaonion, I've gotten a similar reply: "I've never heard of your organization; what exactly is it you do?" So I had to justify my request for a book. I suppose there are people around who just try to get free books for some nefarious reasons, but I can't imagine there are many. And I would think that recommendations by other readers sell a lot of books, whether you are just a person with friends or a big Barnes & Noble. I think a good publisher would want to send books to such wonderful people, avid readers, and frequent talkers as are LT people!

I've had pretty good success with contacting the publishers, don't give up! :)
It does help to check their review request policy and maybe provide some traffic information in your request.

#114--I belong to a blog tour group....and people were joining and requesting books without a blog! I don't know what they were thinking b/c it's clearly a blog tour group! So I think people will do anything.

As far behind as I am in The Battle of Mt. TBarc, I'm beginning to feel like one of those nefarious requesters, myself. I'm beginning to think the only way I'm gonna get caught up is if the USPS stops running... but you know how likely that is, "neither rain, nor snow nor fire-breathing gigantic robot lizards will keep us from our rounds"... or something like that.

ThePam, I'm pm'ing you right now with the one I used, although I think I've used others in the past.

Wow, you're quick :o)

And thanks...

I contacted Tess Gerritsen about obtaining an ARC of her latest, The Keepsake and told her I was interested in doing a giveaway on my blog as a lead in to the release of Keepsake in early September. Within a few minutes I received a response--she stated she didn't have any review copies left, but gave me the contact info for her publicist. I forwarded the message to her publicist and just received a response stating that an ARC of The Keepsake is on it's way, along with some of Tess's backlisted titles!!

Lucky you! I'll be watching for your contest!

I'll post about it once I've received the books and I'm ready to start the contest. Probably the first week of September. Tess is also sending a load of bookmarks. I love bookmarks!

Jenlaw, I love bookmarks too. Can you believe my husband, before I married him, was actually bending pages of books to mark them? And yet I married him anyway!

GASP!! What a strong woman....to marry a page bender!!

#123 and #124 too funny.

Jenlaw...are you giving away a whole set of books. I wanted to do that too. I really like supporting my favorite authors. I blog in part for them. ;)

125-
I hope to..it all depends on what books the publisher sends to me.

I love bookmarks; I have a number of them. I color-coordinate them with the covers of the books I am reading. Hey, we all have our eccentricities.

Whoo-hoo! I just sent out my first real cold request yesterday to Amy Cohen, who wrote The Late Bloomer's Revolution and I just heard back from her publicist that a copy of the book is on its way to me!

128-
I've found, in my history of cold requests, that you are oftentimes more likely to receive a book if you contact the author directly. Granted, they do ultimately send the request to their publicist for fulfillment, but authors love to hear directly from their readers!

>129 jennsbookshelves:

Actually, that's exactly what I did. I emailed Amy Cohen, who replied almost immediately that she was forwarding my request to her publicist. I then heard from the publicist this morning. (But thanks for the tip. I actually thought it was better to contact the publicist directly, but in this case had no idea how to do that.)

Yeah avisannchild! Authors love it when you contact them:)

avisannschild, you inspired me. I just sent a cold request to an author this afternoon. I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Yeah, I guess from what I've noticed, it's easier to find author contact info than publicist contact info, how do you find out who an author's publicist is? In some cases if an author has a nice website it will say right there, but besides that I have no idea how to find that information out.

133-
You can look up the book on amazon, B&N or similar and find out the publisher from there. It's included in the book details.

sometimes they have an independent publicist, though.

Aren't there many publicists at one publisher/agency? How do you know which has which author?

If I'm asking for a review copy from the publisher, I just send it to the appropriate address. It usually gets forwarded to the publicist working on that book.
I usually try the publisher first.

BUT authors often have independent publicists as well and that info is not so readily available ;)

Ahh good to know, thanks! Sometimes I'll look on a Publisher's contact page and my brain just wants to explode, so many different contacts. I'm sure if I find something I really want to read and review I'll make a great effort!

Or maybe it's best I don't ...*looks at room full of books of my own to be read *

>132 bermudaonion: I hope your request is successful! I was surprised at how soon I heard back both from the author and the publicist. Especially since my blog is very new and still a bit wobbly...

I should follow up on my conversation with James Reese - he didn't have any ARCs of The Dracula Dossier to give me when I emailed him, but he emailed me again a couple of weeks later giving me the name and email of the guy at Harper Collins who could find me an ARC. This kind man has promised me a copy! I am thrilled, I really wanted to read this.

It often goes like that for me when I contact the publisher. First they say they can't find any and then a week later they'll say they found one and it's on its way.

>140 littlebookworm: - Ohhh that is on my list - will look for your review....

I just got an email from Adriana Trigiani telling me that she's going to send me an ARC of Very Valentine. I'm very excited, because this is my first successful cold request!

I posted a message on Pete Earley website and he emailed back and said if I would like he would forward my request for Comrade J and Crazy: A Father's Search to his publsiher. I am so excited for those!

Congrats #143 and not a no name author either!

143- That's really exciting! I like her books :)

I just made my first cold request yesterday, and I found out today I'm going to be getting it! The book is In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hinnefeld. It was an August Early Reviewers book, and I didn't get it. But when I saw the ad in Shelf Awareness that the book was coming out soon, I emailed the publicist, who was very nice.

I'm really excited!

I made my first two cold requests today, for books in LTER that I hadn't been chosen to receive but really wanted to read and review. I haven't heard back yet (a little early yet), but I'm hoping that something comes of this. We'll see.

I know a lot of you cold requested In the Woods - anyone have a review up? I'd like to read them. I bought my copy and my review is up today here:

http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2008/08/book-review-in-woods-by-tana-french...

#149--I also bought this book but haven't had a chance to dig in yet.

I cold requested a book that comes out in January...they emailed to tell me they'll put me on the list but won't send it out until a month before. I have other ARCs of books coming out in January so I thought it was worth a shot! :)

Somehow I missed the Guernica request, so I sent a cold request and got a response today that said a copy will be mailed to me shortly.

I've gained a lot of confidence now that I've done a few cold requests. Tess Gerritsen and her publicist sent me a copy of her last three books for a giveaway on my blog (and sent me a copy of her latest book as well) and now Lori Andrews and her publicist have agreed to do the same. I'm agreement with those that stated blogs are really key in promoting books since book reviews in newspapers are slowly becoming extinct.

A question to those of you who have had successful cold requests: does your request ever get acknowledged (by e-mail, etc), or do they just send the ARC to you without contacting you first? What's your experience been?

I found when I contact the author directly, I am more likely to get a response stating that a book will be sent. I'd say the majority of the times I request directly from the publicist or publisher, I don't receive a response and the book just arrives in my mailbox :)

I'd say 50/50 with getting a response from a publicist.

I get an email called Very Short List that featured a book called Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table by Sara Roahen. Since I just reviewed another book about New Orleans, I decided to drop her a line. I got a very quick reponse saying they would be happy to send me a copy.

>156 LisaLynne: I love VSL! Having been reading it recently though (too busy reading book blogs!), so I missed the email you're talking about.

Well I started last night doing cold requests. I sent about 5 letters to authors and one told me about a book signing he is going to be in about two weeks here (no book) and another two said for me to send my address and they would get me a copy of their book in the mail next week. So far so good. Love the site...i am addicted

All these years, I thought I had to buy books. Turns out, I just had to ask for them.

>159 LisaLynne:,

I know, isn't it crazy?? I've been thinking about that lately myself.

Case in point...
I just received Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millennium due to a cold request *happy dance*.

Oooh, cold request books received two days in a row...I'm on fire!

Today's is Standing Still by Kelly Simmon.

Kelly actually commented on my blog about Joshua Henkin's book Matrimony, about how much she enjoyed it, over the weekend. I clicked through to her blog, discovered she was an author, read a portion of her book online, then emailed her. She emailed me right back, and the nice FedEx man brought it to me today!

So far I haven't gotten any books..Fingers crossed that they will be in soon.

I'm terribly shy, so sending a cold request was so hard for me, but I sent out 2 in August for LT ER books that weren't available to Canada. For both I received emails back right away, that sounded especially happy/friendly and said they would be happy to send the books out.

Cold requests still make me super-nervous, because I feel like a beggar, but like most things it becomes easier with practice.

I recently received The Fire and the Light: A Novel of the Cathers and the Lost Teachings of Christ by Glen Craney after it was recommended to me in a review originally written about The Treasure of Montsegur.

I think the fact that I'm doing the cold requests over email and not on the phone or in person has allowed me to become fairly comfortable with them. I just finished my July ER book, Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur and I just cold requested not only a copy to give away on my blog, but first and foremost support from Random House (in the form of money and/or books) for Natasha's Reading and Blogging for Darfur campaign over at Maw Books. I feel incredibly bold/cheeky at the moment. We shall see what comes of it. I guess it was a little easier to ask for the support since it wasn't for my own blog, but I'm still a bit surprised at myself (I had the idea and just wrote the email and sent it before I could rethink and chicken out).

Congrats, DoB, for being bold! I hope they reply with a favourable response!

That's awesome DofB I generally have had good experiences with Random House.

I sent in a email request on Friday night. The author emailed me back looking for my blog. Sent her the link wiht my mailing address and got an email this morning saying she liked my blog and would send a book tomorrow in the mail. Plus she mentioned wanting to do a contest with me for my blog in Febuary.

Whoo-hoo, montrealgirl, congratulations! I've been wondering how folks get publishers/authors to participate in book giveaways...

170-
I'm currently having a Tess Gerritsen contest. Next week will be a Lori Andrews contest. In both cases, I just mentioned my willingness to do a giveaway when I requested the book. In both cases, they sent several copies the authors books.

I'll (hopefully) be doing a giveaway sometime soon. I had asked Doug Dorst to do a guest post for me over the summer and stuff came up and he wasn't able to get to it. He asked how to make it up to me, I said he could just still write me a guest post and maybe we could do a giveaway for Alive in Necropolis... He said he'd give away two copies.

Avis---i just happened to be on this author's site and was reading an a portion of her book and I sent her a comment about it and was telling her about my love of reading and always looking for new authors and books to read. Told her about the blog. She was the one to offer the contest. Can't wait to see what we will come up with...

Devourer--how do you get an author to do a guest post?

You just email and ask!

devourer--Thanks I will have to keep that in mind in my next email for cold requests.

xombie - did you say anything to the publishers about not being able to get this from Early Reviewers? Maybe they just don't know how much buzz they could generate here. I can't think of any other reason they wouldn't want to be in there!

LisaLynne - the message I sent to them basically said that I was a member of the LT ER program and about how interesting their books looked. I then told them I was disappointed that they were unavailable to Canada, but if they had any extra ARCs I would love to review them, if not I would be looking forward to seeing them in stores soon.

From what I can tell some publishers only have so much money to spare towards publicity so extra costs for sending to other countries does need to be considered. One publisher was UK based and I know that for me to send stuff there costs quite a bit more, so perhaps thats a big factor.

I figured it was worth a shot, and this time it worked out well for me. Also I can see that receiving a direct request from a reviewer does seem to be a higher guarantee that their book will be reviewed/promoted.

I just sent out my first two cold requests... *fingers crossed*

It makes me antsy because I dislike self-promotion... being all "I'm so great, my blog's so great, you should totally send me a free book because I'm so great" makes me really uncomfortable, even if I try to couch it in "here's what I can do for you"-type terms.

The reason I asked, xombie, is because I wonder sometimes how coordinated their efforts are. Maybe they figured sending it out to US members was enough and the mention would encourage them to include Canada next time. Can't hurt, after all.

I'm just recovering from my very first successful cold request--The Sealed Letter, by Emma Donoghue. Requested on Thursday and received today. Wow, was that fast.

Congratulations, Kasthu! Isn't it a wonderful feeling!?

>180 Kasthu: Ooh I wanted to read that one! Did you request it from the author or the publisher?

Well, I heard back from Random House. They've been in touch with Natasha for copies for her big event, and they are supposed to be sending me another copy of Tears of the Desert this week to give away on my blog.

>183 DevourerOfBooks:,
That's fantastic that you thought to do that and they were willing to respond and participate.

182: I asked the author if she knew where I could get a copy, and she passed my e-mail on to her publicist. It all happened very fast. I actually ended up getting a hardback copy. I'm very excited, since I love Donoghue's novels.

>180 Kasthu: If you love historical fiction, you will love The Sealed Letter! I've been lucky enough to hear Donoghue read from a few of her books.

(edited for typos)

>185 Kasthu:, 186 Thanks for the info! I don't know if I dare request another book at the moment; I've got so many already waiting to be read...

Update: I have an ARC of Devil's Brood coming in the mail through a cold request!

187 - Yes, I always feel like I need to get to the cold requests in a timely manner and I really won't be able to do that for a while, so I am going to lay off...probably for at least a month until I catch up.

Okay, I was just rejected for a First Look book from Harper Collins (the outrage!) :--) so I steeled up my fragile ego and sent an email directly to the author. At least being rejected for a book is impersonal, as opposed to say, not being picked until last for the softball team!

Today I got three books in the mail from cold requests. They are:

~Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek
~Matrimony by Joshua Henkin
~somebody Elses daughter by Elizabeth Brundage

Can't wait to start reading them.

Wow, congrats! I'm looking forward to reading your reviews--they all sound like interesting books!

That's quite a haul montrealgirl, you're really on your way now. Good for you.

Thanks Avis...I wasn't sure I would get them all but so happy that i did..Look for my reviews in the next little while...

Hi!

I'm new to this whole ARC cold request thing. So far I've cold requested 3 books, and received answers back on all 3. The author of "Genius and Heroin" very kindly agreed to send me a copy of his book, as did the publicist for William Wheeler's "Alive In Africa". The third request, to scholastic for a copy of Suzanne Collin's "Hunger Games" was denied because I am not either a teacher or a home schooler. Okay, so never mind I am a marine biologist with 6 kids who would poke out their eyes if I couldnt send them off to school just for a bit of breathing room and can hardly take them out on research boats, BUT, if I want to email Suzanne Collins directly how do i go about it? I cannot even find a link on scholastic to be able to have them forward an email?

Cool group BTW :-D

Welcome SpongeBobFishpants!

LOL! You post is so funny. And I think it's weird that they wanted you to be a homeschooler. Like regular mom's don't educate their kids or have an interest in books?!? Go figure.

Btw, who did you email about Wheeler's book. I sent off a request to a generic publisher email because I couldn't find any better address. (Perhaps more coffee would help)

Pam

Ooh ooh, I'm a homeschooler, and I love Suzanne Collins (we're big Gregor the Overlander fans). I'm sure they'd find another reason to turn me down, though....

Yes... they mail everywhere but Virginia.

#196 - A generic publisher-customer service email. I've had too much benadryl this morning to be lucid enough for anything more taxing. I wonder if it's possible to actually sneeze to death? Anyway, his publicist very politely wrote back immediately. On the other hand, I THOUGHT I had found an email for Suzanne Collins but that bounced back faster than a bowl of liver surprise, so I'm out of ideas on contacting her.

Lol, #199.

I've had publicists ask me for homeschooling bloggers too...hmm....

198 - Dang. :-)

199 - She seems to be a hard author to reach. Her website doesn't give any contact information (I find that strange). I don't understand why an author, especially an author who writes children's books, wouldn't have a straightforward way to get mail.

I read about See You in a Hundred Years by Logan Ward in Sunday's Roanoke Times and did a cold request. I just got an email saying they've sent it out!

RE: The Hunger Games

When I contacted Scholastic about this title they said they had run out of ARCs though a couple of days later they said they would send me one and did. That's been over a month ago now so it could be just that they've exhausted their promotional copy supply.

Even if you don't get it from them, it's totally worth buying.

bermudaonion that book sounds really good. Can't wait to see yoru review on it.

I got Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet which I was really surprised about since they said they wouldn't send it until four weeks before publication (in January) Only problem is...I want to read it NOW!

I've found a pretty surefire way to get a favorable response to cold requests. Check out the Author Buzz section of Shelf Awareness. In that section, four books are highlighted each week. Generally, the "buzz" does not offer ARCs, but if you send an e-mail to the contact address and mention that you saw the Shelf Awareness Author Buzz and would really like to review the book for your blog, you're almost certain to have success. And you don't have to feel like you're begging because the authors are already putting themselves out there via Author Buzz. If they say no, they are the ones that should feel guilty!

Gwen

Thanks for the tip, Gwen. I just tried it - we'll see what happens.

#206 - Yeah, I tried that and got an immediate response from the author of "Genius and Heroin" that he would be happy to send me one. I was pretty impressed.

>206 gwendolyndawson:

My only experience with Author Buzz from SA garnered a 'no' response. The thing is it was a fictional book surrounding quilting, and I not only gave her my review blog address, but I also gave her the web address quilt shop website that I run, and mentioned that I have two quilting books published myself - so I thought I'd be a decent reviewer for her, and if I'd liked the book, I'd have sold them in my shop. So, it's not a certainty, but I think you just have to hit the right people (or avoid the wrong ones).

Hi lovemybooks - how did you contact the author or publisher for the Hotel on the corner of Bitter and Sweet. I went to his website and filled in the contact, wrote an e mail and when I hit submit I got the website cannot display page same msg when I tried his agent. Are you willing to share the inside scoop? :)
Thanks for any help you are willing to give me.
Kaye

Where is the Author buzz on SA?

It's at the bottom of the newsletter. I'm not sure it's in every issue. It's easy to spot because the background changes to teal/blueish and the text to white.

I had my first successful cold request come today in the mail.

It's We bought a zoo by Benjamin Mee. I had emailed the publisher from an add on shelf awareness and then didn't hear anything back but it came today I am so happy!!!!!

I just requested Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and got an immediate reply that they're sending the book.

#214--I think they're expecting it to be big, since they're sending it to some bloggers unsolicited.

I also requested direct from the author's website Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and sweet. At first it seemed like the e mail did not go through but I just got a reply from Jamie Ford saying he will send one out. Great!
Thanks to lovemybooks who posted about it here.
Kaye

Oh yes, thanks to lovemybooks for sure! I got a very nice, personal email from Jamie Ford.

I requested Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet this morning and I forgot to even include my blog address. Jamie already emailed back that his publicist would send me an ARC or, if they're out, a hardback in November. Awesome!

213- I emailed about We Bought a Zoo this morning and got an email back saying it went out in the mail this morning! Woohoo!

We did you email about We Bought a Zoo? I have had much luck with Random House in the past.

#220--with Random House it depends on the imprint, I think.

Looks like I got everyone asking for Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet lol!

You sure did, lovemybooks!

It turns out We Bought a Zoo was published by Weinstein Books - I've sent them an email and I've got my fingers crossed.

223- Yeah I just went to their webpage for the book and there was a publicity contact. It looks like it got forwarded onto another person which is who responded to me.

I got When We Were Romans today from a cold request. I know everyone else has already read it, but I haven't, so I'm excited.

I requested Capote in Kansas and got an email back from Kim Powers saying he'd mail a copy next week. I need to quit asking for a while, but it's so hard not to.

>213 kymmayfield: - Thanks for the tip! I just heard back on We Bought a Zoo and they said they've mailed it.

I just heard that I'll be getting We Bought A Zoo as well, it sounds so awesome!
Also trying to snag Nancy Werlin's Impossible that I saw in Shelf Awareness, it looks pretty neat.

I'm trying for Impossible too. I'm still a little uncomfortable with cold requesting. I've only done it once; while that author sounded happy to send me her book I'm still waiting for it to arrive.

I requested Dating DaVinci by Malena Lott from Shelf Awarness/Author Buzz & it arrived today-very exciting!

I would love to read The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet where did you guys request it at?

I requested it directly from the author - jamie @ jamieford . com and he sent me a very nice, personal reply. (Don't forget to take the spaces out of the email address.)

I sent an email to Jamie Ford this morning and got a lovely reponse with nice comments about my blog and he said he had just attended a lunch event with two other Ballantine authors, so he would ask them to send me their ARCs as well. He certainly scores high on the "authors who have totally charmed me" scale!

Wow! Congrats LisaLynne. He sent me a very nice email (but not an offer of extra books) and he made a comment about my blog that made me know he had read it. I hope that makes sense. I requested 19th Wife today and David Ebershoff emailed back that he's sending me a copy. I've got to stop this!

I loved The 19th Wife - that's quite a score. (The thing is huge so mailing out ARCs has got to cost a fortune!

It's been a good book weekend. Updating one of my challenges, I realized that I have already hit 50 books this year! I knew I read a lot, but I didn't really know how much so I decided to keep track. I'm not quite on track for 100, but it is still a respectable total.

>206 gwendolyndawson: Thanks for the tip gwendolyndawson! I requested Dating daVinci and it came today.

236--> I'm so glad the tip worked for you. It's always worked for me (though I know at least one person has gotten a 'no'). Unfortunately, there's no Author Buzz in today's Shelf Awareness. Maybe tomorrow? Or we might be out of luck this week.

I was bad last week and requested a copy of Crossed: A Tale of the Fourth Crusade by Nicole Galland after watching a video of Galland talking about some of the similarities between the 4th Crusade and the Iraq War. I got notification today that the book would be in the mail to me shortly.

Didn't Crossed come out about six months ago?

I requested Constitution Translated for Kids by Cathy Travis (thanks, Jen, for the info on that) 2 1/2 weeks ago and never heard anything back. Then, today it arrived on my doorstep.

>239 Kasthu:,
Yup, but I hadn't heard of it yet. It was a Harper Collins publicist who sent out the email with the video (I'm not really sure how I got on that list, but that's okay!), I replied and asked if it was available for review, and now there's evidently a book winging its way towards me.

>240 virginiahomeschooler:,
I'm glad you were able to get it! I still haven't looked at mine (I should, it will just require sitting down for a bit), so I hope you think it is good!

Hey everyone, I am pretty new to LT, and VERY new to the whole getting ER books and reviewing them. After reading this thread yesterday, I decided to give the cold requesting a shot. And I am so stoked, I have several books now on their way to me to be reviewed!!!! I am almost jumping up and down right now because one of them is Nicholas Sparks newest book coming out at the end of the month, The Lucky One!!!!! I just got that email from his publicist! OMG, it's like Heaven, getting books without paying the new book price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>234 bermudaonion:

bermudaonion, you inspired me to ask for a copy of The 19th Wife as well (even though I'd told myself I wouldn't request anything else until I write a few more reviews!). I'm dying to read that book! I just hope it's not too late to get a copy...

Can I ask what email you guys used to request The 19th Wife? I believe the writer is an LTer, did you guys just PM him through here? Thanks.

>244 TrishNYC:

Nope, I emailed him at the email that appears on his website (although I've also communicated with him via LT). Felt shy about asking for this book for some reason, maybe because it's already out and it's also because it's a bit of a brick, but what the heck, he can only say no, right?

I just asked for The 19th Wife yesterday and I emailed the author via his website, too.

Yay! I'm getting The 19th Wife as well.. Better not tell the husband, hehe.

>246 bermudaonion:, 247 Oh I hope I get it too!

>247 songbirdz: I know what you mean about not telling...!

Thanks guys. I will try his website.

I have done quite a few cold requests and I have to say that the authors and publicists in at least 98% of the cases have been very kind and receptive. Honestly, I have had only one no and 2 authors who never answered me either way! (and these were bigger name authors).

I can't believe how nice these authors and publicists are. Some publicists even ask me if I am interested in reviewing more books for them and then send me their catalogue list and basically pick the ones you want and I will send them to you.

Is there anything better than going through a catalogue full of new releases and just picking and choosing - like a kid in a candy store.

I have to say that one of the publicists did say to me that the reason he was doing it was because I reviewed all of the books that he had sent me. I made sure to email him a copy of each of the reviews.

So, it really pays to do the reviews and to make sure they know you are doing them.

I heard from David Ebershoff: he's sending me The 19th Wife! I'm super thrilled! (Thanks again, bermudaonion, for inspiring me to stop being shy and just ask!)

I'm glad you're getting it avisannchild. I still get a thrill when I get a book in the mail.

After hearing about Michael Cox's The Glass of Time through ER, I went ahead and e-mailed the publicist for a copy. It's on its way as I write!

Thanks all you lovely folks for sharing your cold requests and inspiring people like me to at least try. I emailed David Ebershoff and he was so nice. A copy of The 19th Wife is on its way to me. Thanks guys.

>232 bermudaonion: Gave it a try a few days ago, looking for Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. E-mailed the author, never heard back but it came in the mail today!

With a five page 'letter'. Includes a letter from the publicist, some blurbs from other authors, a three page interview or 'conversation' with the author...cool.

In regards to the book Hotel on the Corner of bitter and Sweet, Jamie told me he sent my addy on to his publicist and that when he was speaking with her she said that there has been alot of blog request for the book and that she is going to sit on them until it gets closer to the release date which is sometime in Nov.

> 255 Oooh, lucky you, caitemaire - I can't wait to get mine.

LOL! There's been a lot of blog requests from here, I'm sure. ;)

I think the publicist's strategy needs a rethink. I hold off posting my reviews until the book is about to go on sale (unless there is a specific request to do otherwise). But that doesn't mean I finish reading the book right before the post goes up. Sometimes I've finished the book the month before.

Book bloggers have a lot to read and holding back copies until just before the book goes on sale doesn't ensure that there will be buzz right around the sale date. Mail delays, killer TBR piles, and life can delay reviews unless the books are sent out well ahead of time.

Also, I tend to read books based on who was speediest in sending them to me. If it takes someone 2 or 3 months to send me a book, I don't feel pressured to read it in a week or so once I get it no matter what the laydown date is.

$0.02 CDN

I agree, anysia. Besides, the publicist can always request that the reviews are posted the week or so around the book's release date, which several of mine have. I've started reviewing the books I read in advance when I've finished them but scheduling the post when the book is due out. I get through a book, publicist gets the buzz when they want.

#256--Well, when I first requested the book, they said they wouldn't send it until four weeks before the release date. Then I got it and it surprised me.

So maybe she's back to waiting till it's closer...since I've seen some reviews pop up already.

I guess they all have different strategies. I read a book that doesn't come out for a while and emailed the publicist and told her that I loved it but would hold my review until closer to the release date. She emailed me back and asked me to go ahead and post my review.

Unless asked to do otherwise, I generally post my review relatively quickly after I write it, but if the book release is more than a few days after the review goes up, I post a reminder on the day it is released in order to remind people about the book and remind them to read my review and maybe buy the book.

I would be happy to post the review whenever they like, if they say so.
But regardless, it seems to me to make sense to get it out as soon as possible so the reviewer can work it in with other commitments.

but then the publicist is doing it for a living, right?

>257 bermudaonion:...258
yes, I was lucky to sneak my request in....and yes, I imagine a lot of those requests came from here. ;-)

>264 caitemaire: But then she needs to remember that we aren't, so our reading time is limited.

(I'm not up in arms or anything. I'm just ... observing.)

Edit: Sneaky caitemaire double posting. ;-)

not very sneaky...lol

but you are very right anysia...she has to take the unpaid help into consideration.

>263 DevourerOfBooks: DevourerOfBooks - I may just "borrow" your idea.

>268 bermudaonion:,
I think blogging is like teaching, in that you beg, borrow, and steal what works (so long as it is just ideas and not actual content).

I just had a very successful cold request, but I started a new thread for it, because this one is starting to get long and slow.

253

Kasthu, what was the email address you used for the publicist for Michael Cox's Glass of Time? I absolutely adored Meaning of Night and I wanted to get a copy of his second book so badly!

Thanks in advance!