How do you plan to disclose your relationships?
I just read a Tweet from Melville House Publishing that linked to an article, which said every time I receive a book and blog about it I have to disclose where it came from. I researched a bit more and after going through the Washington Post, found the FTC guidelines for the change. Apparently we could start a used book store with our swag, and we take in upwards of 20 to 50 books a week…? Not I, I usually accept 20 books a freaking year, and then they are normally ARC and those cannot be sold. So no FTC I cannot start an effing bookstore, and by the publishers sending me a freaking galley that does NOT in any way mean I am endorsed by them and that I will give them a good review.
I am thinking about closing up shop here. I am kinda lazy and remembering to write where I get each book is kinda bogus. It’s going to take some thinking, and when does this start? I know I do not have to back log but when do I have to start writing I got this book from so and so effin eat it FTC…?
When and how are you going to deal with this?
Related reading:
By: Jen - Devourer of Books
It is supposed to go into effect December 1st. I wonder how many other bloggers are thinking about closing shop like you are?
By: WordLily
The new regs go into effect December 1, 2009.
By: Chris
The entirety of the way that I plan on disclosing where my materials came from is right in the body of the article a la my famed positive attitude and friendly writing style:
Footnote: This book/cd/dvd/whatever came from [enter provider here]. Payment was made in the form of this article. This review was written at their behest and this note is to ensure I don’t get a $11,000 fine from the bureaucrats at the FTC that have nothing better to do that run bloggers into bankruptcy. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
By: Amy
Like you, most of the books I get are ARCs. Like you, it would take me years to have enough freebies to open a store. Like you, it doesn’t matter to me if it’s free–if it’s bad, I’m not giving it a good review. Period.
It annoys me to pieces too, but I’m not going to stop reviewing. My freebies nearly always come directly from the publisher, so it’s pretty easy to disclose that. I guess I might look somewhat suspect, since many of my reviews are at least partly positive, but that stems more from my hard-and-fast rule of “if I don’t like it at 50-75 pages, off the reading list it goes” accompanied by “If I didn’t finish the book, I don’t review it.” Meaning that I had to at least sort of like it to review it. Maybe I should set up a sidebar of books I got for free that I didn’t like well enough to finish? Nah, that’s too tedious.
By: Natasha @ Maw Books
Oh, don’t close up shop!! BUT depending upon how this plays out I may stop accepting review copies completely. I don’t depend on them to blog (that may change with the Cybils though), but it’s a shame for publishers.
By: Pam
Jen : I would expect a lot. Especially the uber left wing like myself.
Wordlily: Thanks for the date.
Amy: I usually don’t accept anything I do not think I would like, sometimes there is minor criticisms but mostly the books I receive I do like so speculation is a problem here too.
Natasha: Not accepting review copies is a great idea! I usually do not accept many anyway, I buy a lot and recently joined the library here.
By: Carrie
You know I don’t usually receive anything when I blog. I don’t get these regulations and what they have to do with me, but seriously don’t close up shop!
By: MelissaW
I made a disclaimer that pretty much says I give my own opinion, I don’t lie, and I dispose of said “free” things at my own discretion (don’t get many freebies anyway). FTC can go take a powder if they don’t like it because they really ought to have put more thought into this.
Please don’t stop blogging!
By: J.T. Oldfield
Next thing you know they’ll be considering ARCs taxable income.
My plan is to tell the FTC to STFU.
By: Jessica Kennedy
Great idea J.T.! :)
By: Natasha @ Maw Books
J.T. – Well, from how I understand it, when they use the word “compensation” they are telling us it’s taxable income. That’s what I’m worried about right now and which is why I wouldn’t want to take review copies if that’s the case.
By: heidenkind
It would be a shame to stop blogging just because of this! :( I have yet to accept review copies, so for me it’s not much of an issue. I think Natasha is right about not accepting review copies any more–just cut that hassle out of your life.
By: Tif
If I have to consider my review copies as taxable income, then I will seriously consider no longer accepting review copies. Lord knows that my physical TBR pile is large enough to last me a few years at least and I have no intention of going to an “anonymous” meeting for my book buying addiction!! I started my blog a couple of years ago because I enjoyed writing my reviews. I survived without the review copies until just recently. I can definitely do it again!! :)
By: Laura/BookingIt
I’m not planning on making any changes. I already say “Thank you to … for the opportunity to read and review this book”. I may change that to more specifically state “for providing me this book”.
I keep any paperwork with the book until I read it, then I file it. Most review copies have an e-mail record as well, so I can track down where they came from.
I already state that where a book comes from doesn’t affect my review. A look at my reviews and ratings confirms this!
I’m willing to make the bet that if they decide to go after book bloggers, that there will be warnings before the large fines. I really doubt we’ll be a target.
By: Michelle
I accept review copies and ARCs and I’ll continue to do so. Though, as most who read my blog know, I purchase FAR more books than I’m offered so if at some point it’s more costly to accept them then I’ll stop. I doubt that is going to happen though and here is the reason why. I’m paying tax on books I purchase in store anyway and if I’m accepting a review copy it’s a safe assumption I’m interested enough in it that I would likely purchase the book in store if it wasn’t offered. So in the end, for me, it’s about WHEN I pay tax on it as compared to the fact that I *do* pay tax on it.
How am I disclosing? I’m simply putting a tagline at the bottom of my review that states where I’ve gotten the book.
By: Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)
I’m wondering why the publishers haven’t discussed this with the FTC. They have larger voices, more clout, and bigger wallets to fight these ridiculous regulations. Seriously, are people that dumb that they think a positive review is biased simply because the book was given to the reviewer? Newspaper journalists have been doing this for years and years and getting free books. I have seen scathing reviews and glowing reviews regardless.
By: Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)
I hope you don’t close up shop!
By: Amy S.
I haven’t received any direct notification. Am on several e-mail lists from agencies where I receive DVDs from and for books, I agree with what everyone has said, I don’t get enough books per year. I spend more time writing a silly review that maybe 5 people read which is equal or greater than that of the DVD or book I have reviewed.
By: Carrie K.
Please don’t quit blogging! I would miss it. :) I started disclosing the source of a book in my review a couple months ago. I also give my review copies/ARCs away when I’m done with them, so I think that exempts me from them being considered income, at least as I think I’m reading it.
By: Kelly
Had a crazy couple of weeks at work & home, so I totally hadn’t seen this yet. DANG.
I haven’t accepted ARCs yet, and I think to be on the safe side, I’ll stick with that.
By: Rebecca
Don’t close up shop, Pam! I’d miss you too much. :)
I agree that just not accepting review copies is the best way to go. On the review I did this morning I started it off by putting in I had bought the book in where I put publisher info and genre info. So it is there but no one has to look at it if they don’t care. I like Chris’ idea though I have to say. :)