Goodreads for Authors Paperback – May 8, 2013

I snagged this one because Amazon recommended it, based on a previous purchase of Writing for Dummies. (Does that qualify me as a dummy? I don't know... and I'm not sure I want to.) It seemed potentially useful in my current situation, that being "Okay, I wrote a bunch of books... now what?"The book proved to literally be a hand-holding experience, starting with finding your way to the site and working through to the more advanced topics of how the advertising engine works, what Listopia does and how you can make it work for you, and perhaps the most important item to be found: What not to do, if one wants to remain well-regarded (and with an active account.) All the information was presented clearly, with plenty of links to the requisite pages for the folks who don't already know where they're hiding - and let's face it, everyone on Goodreads knows some of those spots can be tricky to find, at times. It also goes fairly in-depth into how the ranking system works, precisely what you're paying for in CPC advertising, and the near-viral functionality that begins just by clicking "Want to read" or voting on a poll or two.The book, overall, hassome great info inside, and I do recommend it to any fellow authors hoping to join the community on Goodreads and be considered as fine upstanding citizens instead of one step above spambots. For those folks who have a little less technical savvy or who are just starting to get a handle on social media and how it influences your advertising, I'd say it's a straight up must. For those who are already members and have been experimenting, the author's suggestions and tips - including pointing you to parts of the site you might not have even been aware of - are still incredibly helpful.The best part? The author talks like a real person. She talks to the reader as though they're a real person. She's not afraid to make something a little humorous, and doesn't ever have a "tone" of talking down to the reader, regardless of the subject. That puts it head and shoulders above most of the similar books/sites I've seen, which all too often seem to have a "Well, if you have to ask...*sniff*" sort of motif. Having the right tone, and delivering information that is as useful to veterans as it is to someone visiting the site for the first time, is a gift.

I have been in sales for the past 30 years, trained 1,000's of sales people and written several best selling books (the back room variety!) Knowing my platform was solid and confident in my content, 3 years ago I decided to launch a more formal and expansive author/speaker platform.I did this right as the publishing world was see-sawing between print/digital (yes, still ongoing!) and self-publishing/traditional.In spite of my highly successful sales background, the marketing of a book (even a great one!) was not easy. One day, I had a conversation with my sister and she asked me if I new about Goodreads...of course, the answer was "no". Since she is a seasoned review and reader of over 600 books on the Goodreads platform, it is incredulous that it had never come up.I followed up on her prompting and was overwhelmed by the vastness of the Goodreads environment. I have my audience and an industry that I am well known and have been very successful...but here...I was the proverbial "fish out of water".As I had just downloaded a free book learning how to work with Amazon KDP publishing this book by Michelle Campbell-Scott came up as a suggested purchase. My reticular glands were salivating so I quickly read the sample, and then purchased the book.In less than an hour, I had created an author profile, identified and tied my books to that profile, connected my blog and uploaded videos.While there are parts of the book that could be improved (very minor!), Michelle Campbell-Scott does a good job of being linear, progressive in the use of Goodreads, and provides valuable screenshots to help you get up and running. I am fairly technology adept, so I could move quick, but if that is not you, she holds your hand sufficiently.If you are an author and not on Goodreads...buy this book. If you are on Goodreads and not maximizing it...spend the $2.99 to get this book and follow through!!!

Anyone who knows me will tell you that when it comes to social networking I am completely inept. My hope is that someday the FDA will approve a drug that will cure this terrible condition, but in the meantime I have folks like Michelle Campbell-Scott to turn to.I've been a member of Goodreads for a couple of years now, but as it turns out, I've barely used any of its many features. "Goodreads for Authors" covers pretty much everything you could ever wish to do with this amazing book lover's site. From the very basics of signing up for a member account (I can at least say I tackled that bit without help!) to setting up DIY ads and adding widgets to your Wordpress web site. Even those who aren't interested in foisting their books on the world can learn better how to get involved with groups, or even how to become a librarian and assist with the maintenance of the site.Since I read the majority of the book on an old 2nd generation Kindle, I did run into some frustration over being unable to click on the many embedded links in the text. A good many full web addresses are included, but there are several book and blog links that you can't get at without bringing the book up on either a touch screen tablet or a full blown computer. This is only a trivial matter overall, so don't let it put you off picking it up.For anyone looking to get the most out of using Goodreads, this is an easy to understand, detailed read. It even has quick versions of each chapter in case you don't want to get bogged down with the minutia.Lee Dunning Author of:  Exile's Redemption: Book One of the Chronicles of Shadow (Volume 1)

I must admit when I first got this book, I was completely new to goodreads and I found this book rather confusing. But I knew that the power of good reads is amazing and I wanted to keep trying.Once I started to get a better understanding of goodreads, this book started to make a bit more sense to me.So I started again right from the start and literally followed it step by step and now it has really helped me to set up goodreads and use it to full effect.So glad I came across this :)

I've been on Goodreads as a reader for several years and love to add book reviews there. But I had never really explored the different aspects as there are so many possibilities on GR. This book helps navigate the key things you need to know as an author, as well as emphasizing that GR is a community for readers, and not a place to spam anyone about your book! I learned specifically about shelves which I had never taken advantage of before as well as some best practices. Useful.

I love this book because it has proved so helpful for me as an author. Michelle's helpfulness and desire for others to succeed shines out of this book and her YouTube video. A lot of work went into making this an easy-to-follow guide for new authors who want to use Goodreads to promote their work. Wish more "how to" books were as clear and easy to follow.David Ferrers, author of SWAP, The Best Way to Make Your Dreams Come True.

If you are an author like me then this is a very useful guide for those of you who do not fully understand Goodreads and how it works. I am a little wet behind the ears when it comes to Goodreads but this book helped me familiarize myself with the site. I’m not there yet but this book can be used as a reference guide for those who are eager to accelerate their writing career. Be warned however, don’t expect this book to change your life, at that end of the day that taks lies with you and you only.

This was the best investment I made in the marketing of my book. Michelle takes a subject that appears complex on first sight and converts it into a straightforward process. I read the whole book in a couple of hours, then went back and used the bits I needed to set up and operate my Goodreads account. Highly recommended for any Goodreads beginners, and also as a refresher for the more experienced user.