New Feature Tip-Toe: "Early Reviewers"
We're introducing something new, called LibraryThing Early Reviewers. It's coming out officially on Tuesday, but assiduous blog readers get to start early.The text at the top of the page sums it up:
"Random House has given us some advance copies of books soon to be published. We're sharing these with you to read and review. You get free books, and share your opinions with a wide audience. LibraryThing makes everyone happy and keeps everything free and fair."So far, like much of what we do around here, this is something of a test. Kudos to Random House for being up to that.
Random has signed up for two batches of book. The first batch includes:
- The River Wife by Jonis Agee (LibraryThing | Random House)
- Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward (LibraryThing | Random House)
- Peony in Love by Lisa See (LibraryThing | Random House)
- Keeping the House by Ellen Baker (LibraryThing | Ellen Baker's site)
- Away by Amy Bloom (LibraryThing | Random House)
Members should understand what this is, and what it isn't. We're going to talk about LibraryThing Early Reviewers, but won't be pushing Random House's or anyone else's books at you. Similarly, getting a free advanced readers copy comes with NO obligation. Under no circumstances will a bad review change your chance of getting another.
If more people want the books than we have copies, we'll have to ration them. The basic algorithm is randomness, but other factors come into play. We're going to try to spread the wealth around. And if you complete a review—good or bad!—you're more likely to get another. Finally, LibraryThing's matching algorithm will try to match up books with readers, based on the rest of your LibraryThing catalog. For publishers, that's the interesting part; we're anxious to see how it turns out.
I've set up a Early Reviewers group, to talk about Early Reviewers and Early Reviewer books. Let us know what you think!
Labels: early reviewers, features, new feature, random house
posted by Tim at 1:57 PM
17 Comments:
Hi, are you being US-centric or is it open to those of us who lives in foreign parts?
http://blueidol-notesofabookdreamer.blogspot.com/
I've signed up, and tried to request a book, but the "request it" link just takes me back to the sign-up page.
John: Nope, those of us not in the US can not parttake:
You have to have a LibraryThing membership--which is free--to apply for LTER books. No purchase is necessary. LTER is open only to residents of the United States 13 years and older*
* We would love to open this up to LibraryThing members the world over. We are, however, a small company, and have not investigated the legal ramifications of doing so. In Canada, for example, there are special rules about "games of chance" we haven't investigated, and we have no idea what the rules are in Britain or Germany. Thank you for understanding.
*sigh* It's not often I think I live on the wrong side of the world, this is one of them.
I hope you'll at least consider looking into the laws in other countries. Even a glance at the first google hit for "canada "games of chance"" (http://www.gaminglawmasters.com/jurisdictions/canada/SkillvsChanceOct2004.htm) suggests that what you're doing wouldn't be at all a problem:
"Canadian courts are likely to take a common sense approach when dealing with contests and games that are part of commercial promotional activities. The gaming provisions of the Criminal Code were mainly drafted to curb illegal gambling and protect against “loss”, not to burden modern commercial marketing activities. In most cases, the provision of a free entry alternative should satisfy the basic purpose of the statute in eliminating the factor of contestants being forced to make a purchase or otherwise pay consideration as a condition of entry."
Tim - do let us all know about the practical parts of getting additional publishers involved in this - I can think of a few folks I've talked to who would find this interesting.
I think this is a great idea. Out of curiosity, was it LibraryThing's idea or did Random House approach you? Either way, I hope this sets a trend more publishing houses decide to follow!
Drat! I started the signup process and dutifully read the T&C only to discover that this excellent scheme is not available to UK members. Dabs eyes, and treads sadly up to bed a very despondent boy . . .
Neat! I think I'll try to keep an eye for any books that intersect my interests (and I'm betting your algorithms shouldn't have too hard a time at doing that for me, knowing the recommendations system sometimes startling accuracy).
I've got an early review copy of a book through a listserv once, and I know publishers try this sort of thing from time to time, but it's neat having such a central "smart" place to do it. Any idea on what the potential uptake might be?
Tangent question: Will I get to see my name on the jacket cover of later copies? Free book + small ego boost makes this even better. It actually might not be a bad idea to have LibraryThing itself mentioned on jacket covers. How cool would it be to see on a book something like "...This book even sliced my bread..."* --Max Battcher (WorldMaker), LibraryThing Reviewer. Free publicity for LibraryThing bonus there too, huh?
Tangent thought: These sort of reviews are often huge for book pick-up on Amazon. I see there is no compelling people to cross-post these reviews to Amazon, which is good, but it might be neat to see some sort of bonus from publishers for cross-posting to the Amazon...
* Not a real quote from any review I've made yet...
As another non-us (Irish) reviewer of books I'd be interested in expansion of this scheme beyond the US
"If more people want the books than we have copies, we'll have to ration them. The basic algorithm is randomness"
Ah ha, I see. A random based algorithm for a Random House book.
Far more important than games-of-chance laws in opening such features up to areas outside the USA is the fact that to have this feature active in, say, the UK, then a UK publisher would have to participate and provide the books.
This is down to copyright laws, and the fact that a publisher may hold the rights for a book in one territory and not another. Looking at my own books, for example, many of those say "For copyright reasons this book cannot be sold in North America", or words to that effect.
Not trying to rain on any parades or anything, just trying to make sure that people have realistic expectations for the future of this feature.
Well, I think, ultimately, the goal would be to get international publishers involved. LT has had some good contacts with UK publishers, although not about this topic.
hurm. I was part of the Random House preview program when I worked for Crown Books back in '89. After getting a few bad books in a row, and writing reviews stating my opinion, I was the only one in the store not getting books....maybe it was a fluke, but I'm just sayin'...
Some employees had decided to err on the safe side and write good reviews. And they kept getting books.
I can't comment on that. Might have been real; might have been a fluke. But it won't happen with the LT reviews. We're going to pick who gets the books, based on factors not including the content of previous reviews.
we'd be interested in learning more about how other publishers can be participants. this seems like a neat opportunity for all! thanks!
I would love to sign up!
Will these all be fiction books in the future?
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