With At The Walls Of Galbrieth published, the next important step is to garner reviews.
I would like to find 10 followers of this blog and send them a kindle ebook in return for a commitment from the reader to post a review on the book’s amazon.com page. I understand that, from an ethical perspective you can write at the end of the review – copy provided by author for review – or words to that effect.
If you are willing to do this, please send me an email to anelfwriter at gmail dot com.
Also, if you know of any good forums or book clubs that do epic fantasy reviews, please let me know in the comments. I appreciate your support and all who follow the elfwriter blog.
Alon – elfwriter
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Alon Shalev is the author of At The Walls of Galbrieth, Book 1 of The Wyccan Master series, which reached the Quarter Finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2012, released by Tourmaline Books. The First Decree, the sequel is due out in early 2013. Shalev is also the author of three social justice-themed novels: Unwanted Heroes, The Accidental Activist and A Gardener’s Tale. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter).
Elfwriter 
I haven’t found any good sites for reviews that were not overwhelmed with reading already and refused all new requests until they had slogged through some already in the queue…
I will be watching this thread with interest to see if anyone else has found some good ‘uns!
Hi,
This is not really my department but I appreciate what you’re trying to achieve and I do understand how difficult it can be! The only thing I’ve come up with so far is a book promo site (with which I have no affiliation financial or otherwise) called ‘Whizz Buzz’ which you could maybe try?
I do know from friends in the industry that getting reviews is no easy business unless you have the credibility of a major publishing house or a strong track record of sales.
However, I don’t think that the situation is bleak. If you keep promoting the book – and it is not only good but in tune with the zeitgeist then it will get reviews and the readership will grow.
Since the whole ‘cash for reviews’ scandal was exposed, there are not that many folk who put much store by Amazon reviews these days – especially for a self-published eBook. In that sense, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Over time, the book should sell itself.
That said, and wanting to help a fellow writer, if you send me your book I’d happily review it on my writing blog as well as on Amazon. Bear in mind that I’m offering you a real and balanced review – whatever I honestly think – and I’ve got some other stuff to read first so it wouldn’t be instant – but it is something I could do. I understand also, that you might look at the blog and think, ‘Hell no, I don’t want this guy reviewing me!’ which is fine, so no worries!
If you want a review and you like it maybe we could link swap between the blogs, too? Just a thought, not a condition. 🙂
Email me anyway if Ican help.
Thank you for your words of support, Austin. I really appreciate it. It is a huge challenge but I still believe people check out the reviews – I still do. I will check out Whizz buzz as you suggest.
Appreciate your advice and your honesty.
Alon
http://www.elfwriter.com
I don’t follow your blog, I just follow you on Twitter, but I’d be happy to read & review your book. That is, if you want a regular epic fantasy fan in addition to the people with blogs/websites, etc. I love epic fantasy and I’m known to gush about authors I love to everyone I know. Hope your book does well!
Thank you so much, Jo. I would love you to review my book and, if you enjoy it, tell everyone you know! In this world of social media, word-of-mouth remains the best marketing possible.
I just sent you an email to confirm your address. If you do not receive anything please shoot me an email to anelfwriter at gmail dot com.
Thank you, again,
Alon
http://www.alonshalev.com
[…] While I have already given you homework, I do have another request: If you have read one, two or four of my epic fantasy novels (and it can’t only have been my mother who bought all those books), please take a few minutes and leave an honest review on Amazon. It is really important to me. […]