I stumbled across a really wonderful website recently, Goodreads. Now clearly I’m behind the curve on this one, as Goodreads already has thousands of members.
The first joy was that Goodreads has been created by people who really understand both readers and authors. It’s wonderfully structured, allowing you to build up a list of books you’ve read, are reading and intend to read very quickly. You can then review and rate books – all of which makes it easy for you then to connect with others who have similar tastes.
The second joy was finding that my novel The Well was already listed as having been read by someone, who had given it four stars.
The third joy was being able to easily set up an author dashboard so that I could promote my own work. One of the things I really do like about being an author today is that technology makes it easy for readers and authors to connect, via Facebook, Twitter – and dedicated websites such as Goodreads. I like the notion that an author is accessible to readers should they wish to comment on a novel.
My Goodreads giveaway
I also found that, since The Well is only recently published, I can promote it on Goodreads with a Goodreads Giveaway. Essentially, I’ve promised five copies of The Well, signed, to anyone who wants to be entered into the giveaway draw. At the time of writing this blog, the giveaway has been running for four days and almost three hundred people have signed up for it. What a great way to reach a massive audience of people who love reading. (The giveaway runs until the end of March, if you’d like to enter. ENTER HERE)
Join in with the fun
If you’re an avid reader, why not give Goodreads a go? It takes something that is essentially a solitary experience but allows you to make it social, by connecting with other people who love the same kind of books you do.
As well as reviewing and rating books, there are forums to discuss books, authors and genres – and of course lots of book giveaways (at the moment, around 150 books are available).
Maybe see you there?
Peter Labrow 
March 15th, 2011 at 4:20 am
I love GoodReads! You should “friend” people who put their names into the drawing for your book and all that good stuff.
March 15th, 2011 at 7:14 am
Thanks Amy – as I said, I’ve come to it a little late, but I think it’s brilliant. Thanks for the advice too, I may well do.