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Friday, March 4, 2011

Book Blogging 411


"How do I write a formal letter/email requesting ARC's?"

Not only is it nerve racking trying to sike yourself up for asking for an ARC's, but what to write! What do you include in it? What do you say? I am going to give you a step by step on what to write. I will show you my letter that I write to publishers. If you want, you may use the same format, just change the information.

1. When requesting a ARC make sure you email to the right email. In the Subject box, I have learn to write the name of the book and by what author.

For Example:

Subject: ARC request for Wither by Lauren DeStefano

2. When starting the letter, be formal. I always start with Dear, but you can use something else

For Ex: Dear Publisher,

3. Tell the publisher who you are.

For Ex:  My name is Savannah and I run a book blog called Books With Bite. Visit here (enter link)

4. Publishers like to know the stats of your blog, so include that. But don't lie! They will check your site and know. Be honest. Its doesn't matter what you stats are.

For Ex: I have over 750 followers and growing with hundreds of hits a day.

5. Request the book. Do not demand nor beg!

For Ex: I would like to see if it is possible that I may read and review:

6. Include book info. Publishers are busy people. They don't have time to look for the book you want. You make their job easier by putting it in. Include book name, author, publisher and book release date. Remember, some publishers had different branches of publishing. They need to make sure they forward your email to the right person.

For Ex: Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Simon and Schuster March 2011

7.  Now include your information. You also make their job easier if you include it in your email.

For Ex: If you have this book available for read and review, please send it to me at:
Your Name
Your Address

8. Since you are requesting a book and if they send it to you, they want to make sure you will review, so include what will you do with the book.

For ex: I do post all my reviews on Borders, Barnes and Noble, Face Book, Twitter, Good Reads and Library Thing. I will send you all the links when I have posted the review.

9. Close with a Thank You and include your blog link below.

For Ex: 

All the best,
Savannah


10. Before you send it off make sure you spell check. I can't express how much authors and publishers get upset over having their names spelled wrong, or the titles of books spelled wrong. Also, make sure you request the right book from the right publisher or author. It really upsets them if you get it wrong.

Final product:

Dear Simon and Schuster,


My name is Savannah and I run a book blog called Books with Bite. Visit here: http://www.bookswithbite.net I have over 750 followers and growing with hundreds of hits a day. I would like to see if it is possible that I may read and review:

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Simon and Schuster/ March 2011

If you have this book available for read and review please send it to me at:

Savannah
Address
City, Zip Code

I do post all of my reviews rather quickly on Borders, Barnes and Noble, Good Reads, Face Book, Twitter and Library Thing, etc.

All the best,
Savannah

http://www.bookwithbite.net/

11. Once you send the request, you wait. You do not nag them, hound them or continue to ask if they will  send the book to you. I assure you, if you emailed them, it went through and they most likely got it. Usually when I send off a request within a few days I get this:

"Thank you Savannah for your interest. I will make note of your request."

Then I will receive the book within a few weeks or sometimes I won't. Other times, I get no response and then get a nice surprise in the mail. You never know. But if you do receive the book, make sure you read and review. Make sure you do what you said you will do. There are many other formats you can use mine is just an example.

Good luck with requesting!!

If you have any questions about book blogging ask HERE!

Happy Reading!









15 comments:

  1. This is such a great little "how-to"! Thanks so much for it!

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  2. Good advince Savannah!


    Stephanie G
    Paranormal Haven

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  3. Wonderfully detailed post, Savy. I do have a question, though. How do you know whom to write to? I always see general emails on publishers' websites, but are should we seek out someone specific? Thanks for the insight!

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  4. @bibliophile Usually their is contact page on the pubs website where it tells you who to email for requested ARC's.

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  5. wow, thanks for the helpful post!

    www.reflectionsofabookaholic.com

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  6. I really want Disney/Hyperion to send me books! NetGalley is taking so very long to approve lately. I usually only ever e-mail authors for interview/giveaway requests, but this was helpful.

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  7. So so so so so so so HELPFUL! Thank you!!

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  8. Very Helpful. I have been requesting differently, but I see a few things in your format that I could add to make it more professional. Thanks again for the post XD

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  9. Did you heard what Rob Matts said about that?

    clomid

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  10. Thanks for the great tutorial. I just sent out my first publisher ARC request and followed your awesome suggestions!! :)

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  11. Thanks for posting this - it was very helpful!

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  12. nice and simple = perfect! thanks!

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  13. Thanks for this helpful post. I might use this in the near future but I'm still new to book blogging so I should first establish my blog before I'll try to request for an ARC.

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