Friday, January 18, 2013

Aspiring Advice: Get Thyself On Goodreads, Posthaste!


Be sure you're not drinking anything before you scroll down, kay?

For those in the know or have been in the writing community for a while probably won't get much out of this post - maybe you will, but it just goes to show that sometimes it takes a while to get into the groove. Well, I'm here now, so let's get groovy - Goodreads style!

What is Goodreads? Is it reads that are good? Reads that are better than bad or not as good as great? It is but another social media outlet, but this one's geared to all things books. Up until now, I thought it was like Facebook, but for readers and book lovers. It is exactly like Facebook for readers and book lovers! There is a plus, however - no political memes or other images I'd rather not see, which I like to call Pinterest Puke. To be honest, it reminds me of a movie website I used to be really into - has all the same features. You rate books, review books, tell people what books you want to read, are reading, and exactly what page number you're on at the moment. In short, Goodreads is another way for folks to pry your personal life.

Just the thing us writers like, right?

Even though I haven't been a member for a full 24 hours, I can see what I've been missing out on. My good friend Marian Vere messaged me seconds after I joined, saying, "you're just now joining??? Where have you been?" Oh, you know - trying to make my way back to earth, like the crew of Voyager (dang you, Netflix instant cue) ...

Turns out, there are great benefits to being on Goodreads. If you're an author, it's another venue to market your books. It's another way for readers to connect to you. I found some cool blogs because I browsed the place. And you can, too. Be there, be semi-square.

Are you on Goodreads? What's keeping you from joining it or any other social media site? You'll be my friend there, right?

I'm David, and this happens when you skip out on CP group ...

Thanks, Peggy ;)

44 comments:

  1. That photo is... scary.
    Been on Goodreads a while now and found a lot of blogger buddies and new fans there.

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    1. I was raised by older sisters. I'm used to it. :)

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  2. Glad to see you there, David. I'm on it but could probably use it better. BTW I'd burn that photo.

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  3. Eww. Nope, you don't fill my profile for a dragon snack, hahaha.

    I have heard about Goodreads but I'm really reluctant to sign in yet another social site. I am in both Twitter and FB and I check them only once or twice a week; rather lured by Blog sites.

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  4. That photo has made my week, haha. And I friended you on Goodreads yesterday. Welcome!

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  5. Funny photo!

    I am not on goodreads yet! I feel like I am missing out...

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  6. I'm on Goodreads but I often forget to update or check it.

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  7. Ha! Awesome photo :) I've signed up for Goodreads, but haven't done anything with it. It's just won't fit into my time budget right now. Hopefully I'll be using it later this year.

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  8. I love Goodreads. It's a great way to find out about books you're friends are reading and a great tool for when you have a book published. I just friended you. Yay!

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  9. I'm a little frightened by that photo... Anyhow, yeah, goodreads is awesome. Totally helps me keep my TBR list under control, too!

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  10. Hahaha! That's right, David. Let that be a lesson to you about missing. ;)

    I LOVE Goodreads. I think I've been on it for six or seven years. I love being able to keep track of what books I've read and what books I want to read.

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  11. That photo is the bomb! I'll consider goodreads... I've already lost so much of my life to social media, so no promises.

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  12. Yup, on Goodreads. Still holding out on Pinterest. That photo is inspirational. Really. Reminds me of a stalker I once had. Long story (but sadly true).

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  13. I'm on goodreads (thanks for finding me by the way) I know I don't make as much use of it as I should, I'm still learning.

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  14. Cute dress, David! I love Goodreads. It's a great way to keep track of my books, read reviews of ones I'm interested in and finding out what my friends are reading. I'm Suzie F. if you'd like to be friends :)

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  15. Beautiful girl... *ehm* maybe not. I'm just starting to get use to Goodreads. Yep, things like that take me a little bit longer ;)

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  16. There's a link to my goodreads profile on my blog at the top right. I'd just click your link if, you know, you had one. :P

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  17. haha! Peggy, you've outdone yourself. Goodreads is great! I'm on it. It is really handy for me to keep track of the books on my to-read pile. And I SUPPOSE we could be friends ;)

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  18. You look so good as a red head!
    I'm on gr too, but I don't use it to it's full potential. I just haven't spent the time to learn the ins and outs. I'll hunt you down on there though. I've got 8 awesome friends on my list, wouldn't mind a few more. (:

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  19. LOL at the picture. Oh photoshop...

    I really like goodreads. It's kind of strange to get the hang of it, but once I did, it's been quite a positive experience.

    I'm wondering what the difference in that and Shelfari is.

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  20. I love Goodreads. It's a great way to connect with other authors, and readers, and to find great books (it should really be Greatreads). Thanks for doing a post on it!

    Oh, and I love the photoshop. Nicely done. LOL

    Alexandra~

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  21. I love goodreads too! Helps me keep everything organized. I love to see what I read and when people ask for a recommendation its easy.

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  22. Ooh, love the dress. Keeping it?

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  23. I just discovered Goodreads last month and it's awesome!!
    I'm off to find you now---------

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  24. Your on my 'to do list' for the weekend. I'll go find you on goodreads.

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  25. I accepted your friend request! (Cute dress, btw!)

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  26. HAHAHAHA! Oh, I need to join another crazy writing group. I haven't been a member of one since we moved 6 months ago, and I miss my nutty friends. We'd do insane stuff like that all the time.

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  27. Thank you for the warning about not drinking anything . . . because I would have ruined my keyboard. LOL. That picture.

    I'm on Shelfari, but haven't taken the plunge into Goodreads. I don't really want to get into more social networking--though an awful lot of writers have joined the site.

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  28. Yay! I'm glad to see you on Goodreads! I love it.

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  29. Goodreads is the reason I started writing again. Seriously. I love it. I think I joined in 2007 as an avid reader, then discovered the groups and was hooked. It's the way I keep track of what I've read and want to read and I've made sooo many friends through that site. I would've never stared blogging if it weren't for encouragement from folks I met on Goodreads, so yeah, I'm a fan! Friended you, of course :)

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  30. I'm a member, but haven't been on it much. I'm still trying to just keep up with a blog :)

    ......dhole

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  31. I'm on Goodreads...add me as a friend. :o)

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  32. HI, David,

    WOW... it did take you a while. I have been on GR forever. It is a wonderful networking tool.

    I'll friend you the first chance I get.

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  33. I just joined Goodreads last week and I'm really liking it! I'd been hesitant for a while, not knowing much about it. But I saw someone was using the reading challenge button from there and I wanted it as a way to help me keep up my goal for this year. The rest is history, I really like it! :) It's a great way to connect!

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    1. Also.... I almost forgot... that picture... you look great in a dress! And the hair, mine never looks so perfect! :D

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  34. I have so little free time that Goodreads is little explored by me. I have read some pretty vicious, mean-spirited reviews of books on that site. Since those were books written by my blogging friends, I cringed for them since often the reviews were truly off-base. It hardly made me want to put myself in the stocks to be pelted!

    I hope Goodreads proves to be all that you hope it to be. That photo left me without words! :-)

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  35. That photo is still so disturbing. HA! Welcome to the world of Goodreads, David. I decided a while back to add what books I read, but not to star or review them. You never know when a rating/review will burn a bridge with a future editor or agent (who loved/worked on the book you hated). For the most part, I don't think writers should be public reviewers for this reason.

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  36. I'm not on Goodreads yet, maybe I should take the plunge.

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  37. How fashionable! ;)

    Goodreads is a blast. I've been on it for a while - feel free to connect.

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  38. Goodreads in fun- but I don't use it enough...I've gotten hooked on Pinterest. Oh so much to do...

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