Friday, March 22, 2013

Celebrate the Small Things and Discovering Book Lists at Goodreads

Celebrate the Small Things


I've been discovering book lists at Goodreads. I think I'm a bit slow to pick up on this phenomenon and start adding my book to them, but I'm finally getting the hang of book marketing (maybe). So I went a little crazy the other day and added my book to all these lists and a few more:

First in Series (2013)

Amazon Breakthrough Novels of 2013

Best YA Books

Favorite Fantasy

Christian Fantasy

Best Christian Adventure Fantasy

Top New Christian Fiction of 2013


Some of these lists have some amazing contenders, and I know I don't have a hope of breaking the top 10 positions, but I got excited adding my book to them anyway. Is that selfish, or arrogant, or just good business sense? This marketing thing is tough for me, because I don't want to be pushy or full of myself.

I can tell you that all of these lists have authors that I love on them . . .authors that I would vote for that aren't me . . .so I feel really odd about putting my book on lists with their books.

What do you think, have you added books to Goodreads lists? Is it a good idea? A bad one?

17 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I haven't added mine, but they've shown up on four different lists. You can vote for more than one! I've voted for several of my author buddies who have books on the same list as mine.

Angela Brown said...

I haven't added mine either but Neverlove showed up on a couple of lists unexpectedly. I voted for mine and for several others :-)

It could be a great idea since it could get more reader eyes on your book the higher up it moves.

This marketing things is still a very tenuous thing for me since, like you, I don't want to come off as pushy, but I'm trying, kinda lol!!

SK Anthony said...

I have to go check out these lists, I haven't spent enough time on Goodreads yet to come across them. I agree with the above comment, its good exposure so yes, I think its a great idea to have added your own, good luck!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I hadn't discovered the lists and don't have anything to add. I am wondering about joining some of the groups on Goodreads to connect with other readers. But I haven't done anything with it yet.

Tara Tyler said...

wow, i need to hear the responses on this too! i know nothing! yet...

M Pax said...

I don't add mine. You have to be careful on GRs. The readers don't really like the writers butting in too much.

Chancelet said...

You feel yours belongs there, so why not? I've added mine to one or two lists, and could think of a couple more to add it to. Thanks for the idea!

BTW, I'm having a giveaway to celebrate 100 followers on my blog.

VikLit said...

I don't know how to admit this but... i'm not on Goodreads! I have zero clue how it works! Sounds good to add your name to lists if you can!

Al Diaz said...

I am still ignorant about how Goodreads works in spite of having an account there. I am not sure how did I do that either. However, I think adding your book is ok, it's exposure, I guess.

Michelle said...

Nothing wrong with that. I think it's a good marketing strategy!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Alex - I've done that too, and I've voted for you on a few of them!

Angela - Marketing is a strange beast, and there are moments when I feel over the top, and moments when I don't feel like I'm doing enough.

S.K. - Goodreads is an interesting place, and I hope the exposure helps . . .

Natalie - the groups and lists are different. I'm in one group that I don't participate enough in, and then the lists are just lists that people vote on - if they want to.

M Pax - ooh, I should have asked your advice personally first, hopefully I haven't ticked off too many readers.

Nancy - you're welcome! I'll be buy this morning - Saturday late.

Viklit - it's an interesting site . . . more of a reader based place then a writer based place.

Al - I hope you're right.

Michelle - Thanks for the encouragement!

Mark Means said...

I don't do -nearly- enough on Goodreads....it's a great resource though! :)

Annalisa Crawford said...

Like Mary says, I'm not sure the readers on Goodreads like it if the author is too pushy, but there are a couple of books I'd love to add for other authors. I'm not sure I've actually looked into the lists too much though. I only get there if someone links to the, on their blog.

Anonymous said...

I had never heard of these lists before either, Tyrean. But when your book is new, I suggest using all the marketing resources available to you. :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Mark - it is a great resource!

Annalisa - that's good to know . . .

Linda - I'm trying to figure out the marketing resources, and it's a long learning curve for me.

Misha Gerrick said...

Didn't even know about the lists. Will check them out first thing. :-D

Carol Riggs said...

I didn't know about those lists either! But if I ever have a book, I probably will let others add them to these lists. Not sure how it's "supposed" to work; are there instructions?! ;o)