A place for readers?

[marti]

Do you plan to open a place for readers to make suggestions and discuss books? Or am I missing something.

Maybe someday you can talk Mark into putting a link on the smashwords site to help readers and authors find this place. They have twitter and facebooks links, why not a "favorite forum" link or something similar.

[Ted]

I've added a poll for members to vote on whether they want a place for readers to discuss things (something like goodreads?).

[lastade]

If you do, how about separating it into fiction and nonfiction?

[dkg]

Separating into fiction and nonfiction is a good idea. Possibly dividing into children or adult fiction and nonfiction might be beneficial, as well.

[tamiparrington]

You definitely should. That and like said above, a link to the forum from the Smashwords site itself. I know the forum is 'unofficial' but they NEED it, and it would be a good thing. I don't think enough people know about this forum. More active discussion between writers on what to do, how to market and even about Smashwords processes itself would only help.

[bodypro8]

What about spamming? Blatant spamming? Is that allowed? I couldn't be bothered to read the terms of agreement.

www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JesseKaellis

[bodypro8]

www.smashwords.com/books/view/144112

[bryanalaspa]

As an author, I love this idea. I think it's an important thing to have to really interact with readers.

[ahpellett]

I like the idea of a SW dedicated place to discuss books. It definitely would encourage me to consider SW titles more than I do at present.

[bodypro8]

I can't seem to upload an image. Is that because I'm stupid? I tried and tried with various URL's.

[bobesherman]

Readers can post a review of your book

[Ted]

Jun 5, 2012 8:24:57 GMT -8 bodypro8 said:

I can't seem to upload an image. Is that because I'm stupid? I tried and tried with various URL's.

An image needs to be on the Internet at a site that allows linking to that image.

My cable internet service provider offers free personal web hosting and ftp uploading. I create a personal web site, upload an image to it, then use the URL for that image to post the image here.

You could try photobucket or some other web site for uploading images if your service provider doesn't offer a free personal web site.

All this will probably change when proboards updates their forum software some time this year.

[codylmartin]

I think a place to recommend and discuss books, from Smashwords and others, is a great idea. I'd like to hear about what others are reading, which new authors they've discovered, etc. But we would need to be careful to not have shameless self-promotion spamming the thread. We don't need "Read my book! Read my book!" posts overrunning the thread. As long as the thread would be somewhat moderated, I think it's great.

[Ted]

Jun 5, 2012 16:42:14 GMT -8 codylmartin said:

(1)I think a place to recommend and discuss books, from Smashwords and others, is a great idea. I'd like to hear about what others are reading, which new authors they've discovered, etc. (2)But we would need to be careful to not have shameless self-promotion spamming the thread. We don't need "Read my book! Read my book!" posts overrunning the thread. As long as the thread would be somewhat moderated, I think it's great.

1) We should stick with Smashwords authors only, as this isn't a Goodreads or similar book reading site.

2) Authors have forum sections here for promoting their fiction and non-fiction works. Perhaps a warning or a smite from members who see an author spamming the 'reader section' would be enough to discourage spamming.

3) Any suggestions as to a name for the 'reader section'?

[codylmartin]

I'm fine with the readers section being only Smashwords authors.
As for a name how about:
SmashReads
Read If You Got'em
Read'em and Weep

That's all I have for now.