We have a treat for our Literacy Musing Monday followers this week. Traci Rhoades has written a post for us detailing resources for free books for bloggers. Have you ever wondered how to get books to review if you blog?  Traci has outlined some great resources in her guest post today.

I’m A Blogger And I Get To Read Books For Free

My Free Book Resources

by Traci Rhoades

 I started blogging so I could share the beautiful faith stories I see happening all around me, personally and in the life of others. Writing online has formed a whole new community for me. More and more stories about how we serve a mighty God and He is good. All the time.

What I didn’t realize is that blogging has all these side perks. One of my absolute favorites feeds this little addiction I have called reading. Since you’ve stopped by Literacy Musing Monday, I’m thinking you might have this condition too!

Well, now as a blogger, I often get to read books for free. I know! I just can’t believe it. Today, I thought I’d share with you a few of the ways bloggers get their hands on free books.

Publishers seek you out – Publishing companies may contact bloggers after reading other reviews on their site (I have a specific category on my page so they’re easy to locate). They usually have a book similar to one that’s been reviewed and would like the blogger to consider reading their book. Often, they’ll offer a book or two to give away as well.

Authors ask for help promoting their latest book – This can happen in several different ways. If a relationship has been established, the author might contact the blogger directly. I’ve also participated in some book launches, where you’re one of many bloggers/reviewers who have an opportunity to read a book before it’s published. In exchange for this privilege, you’re often asked to promote the book on your social media accounts and write a review closer to the book’s release date. It’s all about generating interest!

Websites dedicated to offering books to review – There are specific sites that partner with publishers to make books available to librarians, book reviewers, bloggers, etc. I’ve used Netgalley and Blogging for Books. A blogger receives a book with the understanding that she’ll read it and provide an honest review. These sites house hundreds, if not thousands of books and I can request the particular ones I’d like to read. I review primarily nonfiction Christian books. Publishers can find specific reviewers from the user profiles found on these sites as well.

Bookstores and other companies – I work with Family Christian in particular to promote various events, products and books they offer. I am in a Facebook community where different opportunities are made available to bloggers. If you’re interested in something they mention, perhaps a particular book they are asking for reviews on, you enter your email address on that FB post. Bloggers who have expressed interest are usually randomly selected. It’s a win-win because as a blogger, you promote some great upcoming events and products (often with giveaways) and Family Christian gets lots of online feedback.

I’ve gotten books all of these ways. Now, I have to be careful when considering books because, as I’ve said, I have a little bit of a reading problem! Before I know it, I’ve agreed to review 20 or more books at a time. Usually when you agree to review a book, they expect you to do so in a few weeks or perhaps months. That’s an awful lot of reading in a short amount of time. I’m still learning the ropes, but I have loved this unforeseen benefit of blogging!

More about Traci Rhoades

Book reviewer and writer

Traci writes, from her Michigan countryside kitchen, over at tracesoffaith.com. (A bit of a play on her name). When she first started blogging, she wondered about what unique voice she could bring. She’s landed on this one line description: A Country Girl Goes To Church. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter .  Her husband and she parent one daughter, two dogs, two cat and eleven chickens. That number is always changing, as the farm animal count tends to do. She enjoys watching sports, reading, cooking, all things Bible study, and writing.

Now let’s move on to our weekly linkup and 

Last Week’s Top Clicked Post!

Now, it is time to link up to the Literacy Musing Mondays hop! You will have until Saturdays at 12 p.m. now to link up! So come back often.

Linkup Rules:

1. Include a link back or the blog hop button linked to this hop on your posts.
2. Link up the urls to your posts not to your blog.
3. Please remember this is a family-friendly linkup.  Although we believe in the right for adults to read whatever they want to read, we prefer to read wholesome posts that feature literature that edify and uplift families. We reserve the right to delete any posts that are not family friendly. We love all kinds of literature and genres including family-friendly inspirational romances, fantasy, or science fiction. We do not welcome anything with excessive violence, sexual content, or cursing. These posts will be deleted.
4. We also want to be loving community by supporting one another. Please make a point to do this this week! Visit the post next to yours and at least one other blogger’s post of your choice! I want to see lots of clicks on everyone’s posts. I know as a blogger, you know how it feels not receive comments, right. 🙂 Remember it is also nice to follow them on their social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
5. Follow your hosts and co-hosts on their social media.
6. Tweet about the link up too.

[tweetthis]Come join the fun! Link up your family-friendly, book- or literacy-related posts at #LMMLinkup ![/tweetthis]

Linking up the great linkups listed on my Linkup Parties page. I updated it this week so be sure to check it out!