Why Shouldn't Writers Be Able to Pay For Reviews?

The purpose of this article is to discuss the consequences of prohibiting the practice and the effect it has on our literature.

If you're an author, you already know the value of an honest book review. Even if it's bad, it means your book is getting read.

It used to be simple to protect authors by saying that people should pay THEM, they shouldn't pay people. This was back in the vanity press days ...

Traditional publishers pay the fee to Kirkus, for example, not the author. Some self-published authors will do if it if they have the money to.

I come down on the side of it being not that big a deal: so long as the reviews are honest and thorough and writers understand that payment is ...

Paying for reviews is stupid from a marketing perspective. As an author the only feedback you should care about is honest feedback. And you'll ...

Sometimes. Many, even most, publications charge a “reading” fee for a review. The reviews are supposed to be honest and the writer sometimes ...

That's how to build an audience. You do not gain readers, or recognition, by swindling readers into buying your books with fake praise. It's ...

A review is generally done by a consumer of the product or service and they tell their friends about it. PAYING for a review … especially a ...

My answer to both questions is no. As an author, I have never paid for a review. My blog reviews family-friendly books and I have never charged ...

If anyone is able to be paid for book reviews – that's great! It's not bribery as long as there is an understanding that the reviews are honest.

(An author shouldn't use the comment thread even to thank the reviewer. ... possible for Amazon to take down the paid reviews. To be ...

Authors shouldn't have to pay for reviews, but book review writers should absolutely get paid by the publication running the review.

Paying for music reviews undermines any objectivity about the review. However, compensating a writer for time, expertise and effort expended on ...

Critics have long been accused of accepting money from companies in exchange for a review of their gadget, book, or movie. Most writers ...

... allowed to give out review copies. Therefore it's not a TOS violation ... Paid reviews are considered unethical by indie writers but ...

However, paying for reviews is considered unethical, nor is it without risk. We all know good reviews help authors sell more books. However, ...

These epiphanies are golden opportunities to grow your skills quickly! Critiquing shouldn't cost you, although there are services who do charge, ...

“I fail to see why writers would subject themselves to reading reviews,” she said. “If a reviewer complains about the book, it's not like we can ...

The backlash can be insurmountable and recovering from being caught in the scandal of writing fake reviews or threatening people for good ...