Monday, December 16, 2013

The Aftermath of the Most Recent Giveaway

First of all, I wish to congratulate both bn100 and Elizabeth Haney for each winning a copy of the amazing new paranormal romance by Tori L. Ridgewood, WIND AND SHADOW.

bn100 is the winner of a signed print copy of this fabulous story courtesy of Tori but I've decided to award Elizabeth a digital copy just because she played as well. These two wonderful and loyal readers of Unwrapping Romance were the only ones, among everyone who visited, to enter and I do so appreciate them. 


I feel I need to apologize to Tori for the low turnout. I truly do not understand the lack of interest. Folks, it was a chance at a FREE book. Not only a free book but one signed by the author, in print and in hand, and I truly don't understand the apathy.

I have made a decision based on the lack of interest in Giveaways I have offered in the past few months. Unless I hear from you, my readers, that you still desire me to run Giveaways, I will no longer be offering them whether the author offers them or not. 

It takes a lot of time and effort to not only prepare for a giveaway but to promote it over the days following the post leading up to the time the giveaway ends. Not to mention follow up with the winner. With the lack of interest, I feel like I'm not only wasting my time promoting the giveaway but also feel it's discouraging for an author to see such a lack of interest. 

Personally, I have better things to do. It takes time away from my reading and reviewing, and most importantly, away from my own writing. It's certainly making me think twice about promoting my book on Unwrapping Romance. I hoped to publish by Spring and was certainly willing to give away copies but if you're not interested in other authors' works, I don't know why you would be mine. 

I'd like some feedback on this because the final word will be with you, my readers. 

Giveaways or no Giveaways - you decide. Thank you.

Happy Reading Everyone! 

13 comments:

kipha said...

Oh Amy, I'm truly sadden by this too. I have the same problem and I don't now why or how the turn out has been dropping. I know I've been helping in promoting giveaways, yours and others, on my page but it's just not working for some reason and not reaching the right folks. Or they just don't care. What is going on?!

I do hope you don't give it all up but if you have too, it just have too.

Us bloggers know how time consuming it is to set these things up and for authors to be generous enough to offer up their books for free and signed for that matter, is just sad when people don't join in on it. It makes us guilty and want to shrivel up and hid. We are Bloggers whom authors needs to help promote and share their books to the community of readers and when we fail at it, we also failed the author in our commitment as reviewers and book bloggers.

I do hope more readers respond to this and help make this decision with you.

Best of luck Amy. <3

Amy Valentini said...

Thanks Ki!
I remember sometime last year someone wrote an article saying that blogging was going to go away. I couldn't believe that it could be true at least in the book world, but maybe it is. Perhaps I should only run the giveaways on FB and keep the reviews for the blog. My reviews are still getting plenty of views so I really don't want to quit that but I just feel I'm doing justice to my authors and blog tours if no one is playing.

Readers, what do you think?

Unknown said...

It could be something as simple as your readers are totally unaware of anything that doesn't concern them. Seriously, I have had this HUGE head in the sand mentality lately that I forget there is an entire world out there.

I am so very sorry that I missed your contents. I promise to be a better reader and support your efforts from now on.

You have such a lovely blog..and remember me when Spring comes around..because I would be h a pot to help promote your book.

Shauni

Tasty Book Tours said...

I think much has to do with the holidays, I have even noticed a drop off of hosts signing up for Tours in the last month, so don't give up, it's just the time of year. I think things will pick up again after January.

Even when just a few people enter for the giveaway, it's still important to those few people to win something, always makes people feel special!

Up to you, but I think you shouldn't give up!! XOXO

Anita Yancey said...

I love your giveaways! I know it is a lot of hard work for you and I really appreciate it. I think it is more people are busy with the holidays coming, and not a lack of interest in your giveaways. Thanks for all you do.

Amy Valentini said...

Thank you, Anita, if everyone is as enthusiastic as you, I'll gladly keep them coming. I hope it's just the holidays because I see a lot of fun stuff coming in 2014 and really don't want my readers to miss out. Thanks for your kind words. xoxo

Amy Valentini said...

Shauni, I'll be looking to my lovely blogger friends for help promoting for sure and would love to do some giveaways. I enjoy giving gifts to say thank you and that's the way I see giveaways.
Lisa, you're right about it being a way to make our readers feel special and I would love to continue but it's not just about me in the end, it's about the authors as well.

We are all teetering on the edge of our egos and so when we put something out there and it doesn't get any notice, it can be painful.
Just a thought. xoxo

Leah Weller (leahluvsmedieval) said...

I help do reviews for Melanie on Bookworm2bookworm and know how this can be, I do feel like the others in it being so close to a holiday people just aren't slowing down to take the time. From a reader opinion, my TBR pile seems to be growing instead of shrinking and I've worked so hard on it this past year. I haven't been entering any contests unless they are for a book in Historical romance/ Fiction that I desperately want. I think after December, see how things go then before you make your decision. I have noticed a lot of bloggers offering the contests on FB recently. Maybe if things continue in the way they have recently, try that?

Amy Valentini said...

Thanks Leah, I was thinking the same thing about switching the giveaways to FB. I appreciate your support and your feedback. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. :-)

bn100 said...

Thanks for all your hard work. You have a great blog and reviews. Like your giveaways and finding new authors. Don't use FB or Twitter, but understand if you decide to switch to them. Can't wait until your book comes out.

Amy Valentini said...

Thanks bn100, I do so appreciate your loyal following. I'm going to wait until after the New Year to decide what I'm going to do. I'd rather not eliminate giveaways if I don't have to and would certainly like to keep some of them here on the blog. We'll see what happens. Thanks for the feedback though. You're a gem. xoxo

erin said...

Best of luck to you :) I really appreciate all of the great posts and author spotlights you host. I'm sorry that you're not feeling "the love". I don't always enter every contest b/c I didn't want you to think that I visit the blog just for the giveaways. And like others have said, I'm feeling lazy this time of year and so commenting has fallen by the wayside. Sooo sorry :(

Amy Valentini said...

erin, you are always welcome to enter any and all giveaways. You're another of my loyal readers and I love hearing from you. Thanks for the support and I think I am beginning to see it might be the holidays. Hey, you stopped by today and I appreciate that so very much. xoxo