Graham Downs reviewed Book Launch Gladiator by Jordan Ring
Review of 'Book Launch Gladiator' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I've read quite a few books on marketing since becoming an author, so I'm going to review this one in the context of those.
There are a couple of things I liked, and a few I didn't.
First off, I really liked the author's candour. From the get-go, he's upfront about the fact that this book is for beginners, launching their first book. He's no expert, he tells the reader, but he's learnt a thing or two after publishing five books, and he's here to share them with us. He's honest enough, too, to share with us that, as of February 2018, he has fewer than 1000 subscribers on his mailing list.
He admits that he works for a publishing company, Archangel Ink, and tells us that he runs a course there, which you can sign up for if you want. But don't worry, because if there's one thing he …
I've read quite a few books on marketing since becoming an author, so I'm going to review this one in the context of those.
There are a couple of things I liked, and a few I didn't.
First off, I really liked the author's candour. From the get-go, he's upfront about the fact that this book is for beginners, launching their first book. He's no expert, he tells the reader, but he's learnt a thing or two after publishing five books, and he's here to share them with us. He's honest enough, too, to share with us that, as of February 2018, he has fewer than 1000 subscribers on his mailing list.
He admits that he works for a publishing company, Archangel Ink, and tells us that he runs a course there, which you can sign up for if you want. But don't worry, because if there's one thing he can't stand, it's a marketing book where the author plugs his business every chapter. He's not going to do that....
And then he proceeds to do EXACTLY that. Everything he recommends you do, Archangel Ink can help you with. They're a one-stop shop. Need help with a cover? Archangel Ink. Need help finding reviewers? Archangel Ink. Need help with promo sites? Archangel Ink.
The other thing that I didn't particularly like is that the book is VERY Amazon-centric. There's no mention of any other retailers. What's more, he recommends (except under really specific circumstances) that new authors always go with KDP Select.
Jaw. Dropped.
The decision about whether to go Select or Wide is the single most contraversial in publishing today. Without a doubt. Personally, I have a massive philosophical issue with the whole idea of KDP Select and how much it's damaging the industry and putting other retailers out of business left, right, and centre. I believe that every book that's available exclusively at Amazon is another nail in the coffin of every other retailer out there, and I'm old enough to have seen them come and go. Literally stomped out of business by the behemoth that is Amazon. And all those employees at those companies. And their families!
No, no, no. Amazon has way too much power already. Do you really want to give them more?
The Amazon-centricity of this book also alienates plenty of readers and authors who live in countries where Amazon has no native presence. Like South Africa. Personally, I tend to focus on the Kobos and Google Plays of the world, where my fellow South Africans can actually buy books in their native currency.
Another bone of contention I had was the book's treatment of Amazon's policy against friend and family reviews, and review swaps. The author understands that it's against Amazons terms of service, and doesn't recommend you do it too much, for fear of getting caught.
Really? That's the only reason? In case you get caught?
I happen to think the aforementioned policy is a GOOD one. First off, if you're a good friend or relative of an author, would you ever leave a negative review? Well, you might, if only to make a point that you're not just leaving a positive review because you're close to the author. But that's a dead giveaway, too.
Review swaps are a bad idea too, not because Amazon might catch you and delete both of your reviews, but because it's damn near impossible to be unbiased when writing them. Suppose I read your book first and give it a one-star review. Are you going to be able to keep that little fact out of your mind when you read mine?
Or, how about I give you a five-star review, but then you read my book and legitimately don't enjoy it. Are you going to be able to, in good conscience, give me a two- or three-star one? And if you did, how do you think that'd make me feel?
No. Stay away from asking close friends and family to review your book, and stay away from deals with other authors, where you agree to review each others' books.
There are some decent ideas in this book, like building a mailing list, and reaching out to potential reviewers in general. But there are also some downright dangerous ones.