Let's Discuss: What to do when you have too many review requests?

I feel the need to right this post because author review requests and ARC's have become a struggle for me lately. Are you suffering from the same burden? Well, you've come to the right place! Today I'm going to discuss a commonplace issue in the blogging world: managing ARC and review requests. 

So it's a normal day and you suddenly have a craving to check your email. Then you see a dozen of these unopened emails with urgent subjects, such as Review Request or Please Read for (name of book and author). At first you feel honored to be chosen for such reviews, but then you feel somewhat distressed and overwhelmed with the amount! What do you do? 

1. Produce a list (Blueprinting dates)
For me, laying out everything I need done is the most helpful thing for me to do. Creating a list with all the dates of the reviews can help you efficiently plan when each review needs to be up by. I like to call it my "blueprint". This is just a screenshot of my planned out schedule. I also mentioned which copies were ebook and those that I needed to interview or be previewed by the author. 


2. Close off Your Review Request Inbox
Make it clear to all those authors and publishers out there that you won't be taking review requests for a certain amount of time! Don't be afraid to reject (I do it all the time). Don't accept too many requests because believe me, it's going to be a lot of work! 


3. Get a Part Time Contributor 

I see blogs doing this all the time. I'm even considering this option! If you can't handle the load, let someone ease your burden. Just start an application to find a co-blogger or a person who will contribute to the blog on a weekly basis. I find that this option will only work well with some people. For others, this may seem too serious or immediate. Until I know for sure that I'm not able to handle the work anymore, I won't be in any rush to find a co-blogger! 

4. Ask the Author for An Interview of Promo Instead

If you feel bad abotu rejecting authors for reviews, just ask them if you can either post a promo or interview post. Don't stress yourself out with reading too many books! You'll feel obligated to finish them, and you won't have any time to read what you want to read. 

I really hope these tips have helped you! There was a time when I felt overwhelmed and stressed with the workload. I had to reject some authors (sadly) but it all ended up okay! If you have any more tips, just write them in the comments below. I'll be happy to here about what you do to minimize stress in review requests :D Happy Reading everyone! 

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18 comments

  1. This is an awesome post. Personally, I've never really experienced this because I mostly request books. I have had a few situations where I've had to decline. If you have any tips on that, I would love to here them!

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    1. Thanks Erika for reading ma post! I don't have any tips just yet, but when i come up with some I"ll be sure to come to write something!

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  2. Holy moly! I can honestly say that if I had that many reviews to post I would probably die due to extreme stress... But I do respect those book blogger who post reviews quite often. I can't do that. And I don't even review every book that I read. My head would explode.

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    1. Yes I knew this post wouldn't apply to all bloggers. But that's great! Bloggers shouldn't just post book reviews all the time!

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  3. Have you read the discussion about "For Review Consideration" that was going around the blogosphere a few months ago? I don't request a lot of books but I do receive a lot for review so I found the discussion liberating.
    http://www.therewerebooksinvolved.com/in-exchange-for-an-honest-review/

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    1. Yes I feel like some people don't stay true to this disclaimer. I'm glad I only accept books I know I'll be somewhat interested in! I think the link you sent was really thought provoking as well!

      Thanks :D

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  4. I'm definitely struggling with this! I decided to start looking for a co blogger. I want to keep my blog design for the most park, but would be willing to change the name. I think it's a great idea! All the other options U listed are stuff I definitely am currently using! Great post!
    Diamond @ Dee's Reads

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    1. yeah especially with the workload everyone's got on their backs! Just imagine living that double life of a blogger and regular teenage girl... EXHAUSTING :D

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  5. Wow, it looks like you've managed to get a lot of attention from writers/publishers in a very short time. What's your secret? ;) (I'm not trying to steal it LOL - just curious).

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    1. I think some of the authors that emailed me mentioned something about seeing my blog on a blogging network list. I'm guessing it's this one bec I don't know of any others I've signed up for: http://bookbloggerlist.com/

      I wish u the best of luck with your blog tho. It takes some time tho LOL

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    2. Nice place! I didn't know of it. Thank you for sharing - I'm considering joining it myself...err, I AM stealing your secret, I guess ;).

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  6. Hi Alexandria! I just nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers award! Come check it out! :) http://sassyanddangerous.blogspot.mx/

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    1. I'll get started as soon as I finish this "review request" holiday

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  7. Whenever I first started blogging, I jumped right into the fray and accepted way too many read and review requests. It took me eight months to sort through all that mess. Now that I'm caught up, I am so weary of that happening again. I think I'm going to take your advice and completely close review requests for awhile. After eight months of reading only review copies, I need some me time to catch up on books that *I* want to read!

    Kristen @ Pretty Little Pages

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    1. Wait.. I think I'm going through the same thing.. Oh no!! I should have followed my own advice! D:

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  8. Fab post, Alex! As much as I'm honored to review a book for an author, lately I haven't answered any author's request (aka, declining). I just say that I'm accepting limited books for review instead of always turn it on and off.

    I do use Windows Calendar to set myself a deadline, which has helped A LOT in organizing myself. Oh, and I use a spreadsheet as well. Very similar to what you have there, only it's keeping track of ratings and when I plan to post it, etc.

    ~Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts

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    1. Aww so brave. I usually don't have the guts to tell an author no so I just accept them all. And when that happens, I end up getting more than I'm able to read. But I guess that's whats motivating me to read more books in the time span of one month. And that's a great idea! Checking out Windows Calendar :D

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