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Books for Thought is where I post a discussion topic related to books, reading, writing, or something related to one of the three. I hope you’ll join in, and discuss today’s topic of

should you be told your review was quoted?

This one has been on my mind for a while now, especially since I’ve seen book bloggers I know quoted in paperbacks. I know one of the most exciting things that has happened to me since my birth into the blogosphere was being quoted on the paperback of Karen Amanda Hooper’s Dangerous Depths.

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I mean, just look at that! A quote from my blog, with my NAME ON IT.

cute merlin

I bought two copies of this book, and I stare at them in awe every now and again. I am proud of myself, and I am not ashamed to admit it. But I am also super thankful to Karen. She liked my review enough that she was willing to quote me in order to promote her book. Is there a greater compliment to me as a book blogger? No. But the wonderful thing about this circumstance is that Karen contacted me, and asked me a few questions about the quote and how I wanted my name to be presented etc etc. The point being: I knew my quote was being used.

But what about those times when you aren’t told that your quote has been used. Personally, I have found several book pages and websites quoting my reviews – and it was never made known to me. I don’t know if there is an etiquette regarding quoting book reviews. I mean, if they’re giving your name or your blog name, maybe they don’t have to tell you. But I, for one, would love to be told. There are few things that make me happier than an author or publisher liking my review of their book enough to quote it for publicity purposes. It’s fantastic! And complimentary! And exciting!

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So why don’t they tell me? I understand that the life of an author and publisher is busy. But they took the time to find my review and quote it, so shouldn’t the just drop me a line and say: hey, you, we used your quote – thanks. I would definitely appreciate that. I mean, when I find a quote from my review/s on a website, I just sit there, awed and excited, but then I also think: why didn’t you tell me? Why don’t you tell me? I’m not upset or angry; quite the contrary. I am so freaking excited and I wish that I knew. But then I also think about how many other pages there are out there using quotes from me that I have no idea exist and ohmygosh I need to know these things I need to know so why don’t you just:

tell me

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What about you – have you ever stumbled across a quote from your review? Has someone ever told you that they have used your quote? Do you think that authors/publishers who use quotes from bloggers should have to tell them? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Posted on: February 6, 2014 • By: Chiara

42 Responses to Things They Should Have Told You

  1. Briana says:

    I don’t think my reviews have ever been quoted (or at least I’ve never seen it happen!). I can see how it would be polite if those who quote bloggers’ reviews would send them a quick line letting them know, since the bloggers would definitely be excited about it. But they don’t have to, in any sense. I would equate it to quoting someone on your blog, or even in an academic paper. As long as it’s cited properly, so it’s not plagiarism, there really isn’t any sort of obligation to tell people you’re quoting them–unless it’s just to be nice and let them know how much you like their work.

    • You never know! I never thought I had, either, and then I found a few websites. :)
      Yes, I think it would be polite, as well. An author tweeted me the other day letting me know that she quoted my review on Amazon. I was very excited :D
      I see what you mean. They probably don’t have to, but I think it would be awesome if they just told the blogger. I know that a lot of people would be excited to know they’d been quoted. But when numerous quotes are used, I can see why they might not contact bloggers.

  2. bookbetch says:

    I would love to know if I was quoted. Hello bucket list! I would also love to know if I’m listed in acknowledgements for a book. Sometimes as a Beta reader it’s a possibility but I never know…sigh.

  3. Aimee says:

    Awesome, Chiara! I don’t think I’ve ever been quoted (maybe because most of my ARC reviews aren’t all that positive, sadly), but I do think they should tell you, just to give you a heads up. It’ll be nice to know, so that you can go ahead and fangirl about it with your friends, lol!

    • Only my very positive ARC reviews have been quotes, which is completely understandable.
      Exactly! I was so excited about being quoted on Dangerous Depths; I tweeted about it a lot, haha XD And then I saw fellow blogging friends add it on Goodreads, so I was boosting the book because of my excitement.

  4. I haven’t reviewed enough books for this to happen, but I think it’s amazing. :)

  5. Lisa says:

    I don’t think I’ve ever been quoted, but I would like to know if I ever am. I don’t feel like it’s mandatory, but it’s cool to be told. In turn I could gush about it and help spread the book even more. So yeah, I don’t know. I don’t feel like there is an obligation to tell a reviewer if they’re being quoted, but it would definitely be nice if they’d drop a line.

  6. I totally agree with you. They are using your words to promote their product, so the least they could do is give you a heads up. Love the Loki gif! :)

  7. Ruth Silver says:

    As an author, I always let the bloggers know if I quote them on my paperback edition. This has more to do with the fact people can’t click a link to their website from the back cover of a physical book. I always feel like print is more complicated and so I ask permission and what name they want used, since some book bloggers prefer to stay anonymous.

    When it comes to my website, I gather a lot of reviews that I want to share with readers and I grab a sentence, along with the direct link. Honestly, I never really thought to tell the blog. However, when I come across a review on a book bloggers website, I try and leave feedback so they know I appreciate that they’ve taken the time to read my book. That’s usually when I update my website to include their link.

    • I definitely think it’s a good idea to notify bloggers about paperback quotes. I don’t think there are many more amazing things that can happen to a book blogger!

      I always appreciated that you let me know when you read my reviews of the Aberrant series. It’s nice to know when authors are taking the time to read my thoughts! I think letting bloggers know is a nice courtesy, but I can understand that it might be a big job if you’re using numerous quotes.

      Thank you for stopping by and giving your thoughts, Ruth!

  8. Oh my god…a quote from one of your reviews ended up on a legit paperback?! That’s so freaking exciting!!! Good job, Chiara :) I would so totally be proud of that, too. I feel like it’s definitely in good form, appropriate, and considerate to notify somebody if they’re using a quote from their review as a way to promote their book…but I don’t feel like it’s necessary. Book reviews are all about talking up books and sharing opinions. Especially if it was a book given to you for review, authors and publishers totally have fair game to use quotes from your reviews without notification, as long as they properly cite you. Of course, I would still probably be slightly annoyed if they didn’t. It’s obviously preferred that they would contact you first! But mostly I think I’d just be flattered!

    • I KNOW! I could not stop smiling the day I found out. It feels kind of surreal, actually! :D
      I can see why a review copy wouldn’t necessarily feel the need to tell the blogger they were quoting them. I mean, isn’t part of reviewing ARCs to publicise them? So I can definitely understand that.
      It is definitely flattering when they quote you! There are few things that make me happier as a blogger. But it’s because it makes me so happy that I would want them to tell me, you know? Then I could share my love for the book even more. :D

  9. I don’t think I’ve been quoted before. The few times I know ppl reference my book reviews I see a request to approve a link on wordpress but that’s only if they have WordPress. I honestly think publishers should let the book blog know because they are using our words and putting our name on their. The courtesy would be to tell us they will be quoting our review.

  10. lipsyy says:

    As far as I know I’ve only been quoted once which was on a youtube video of the book launch. That was pretty exciting. I’ve seen my reviews on quite a few author’s websites/blogs but I kind of expected that. If I was quoted on an actual book and didn’t know I’d be gutted! I’d definitely want to know because it really is flattering.

  11. I know of one instance where one of my reviews was quoted and this is only because I saw the referrals in my blog stats. It was quite a well known author so it felt pretty awesome. I would’ve liked to know in advance just so that I could tell everyone I knew. It also left me wondering how many other times that had happened.

    It’s great that you got quoted on an actual print copy. I hope if I ever do that the author is nice enough to let me know.

    • That’s an interesting way of discovering that! I have had a few referrals from my quoted reviews, but I already knew of them being on the referrer website. That is awesome! And yes, it’s even better when you know, because then you can give a shout out to the book/author.
      I know! I was so excited and very honoured. I’d like to think that most authors/publishers would let a blogger know if they were quoted in print, but I don’t know for sure.

  12. LillianHarp says:

    Merlin GIF!! *.*
    Yeah, if anyone quotes me, I’d love to be told! Just a heads up at least. I love it when bloggers mention me as well. It motivates me! :D

  13. acps927 says:

    That’s really awesome they quoted you on a paperback AND told you about it! I would feel really funny if I had been quoted in print and not told about it, but I don’t think I would mind as much on the Internet. I suppose it would depend on the circumstance… it’s hard to say since I haven’t run across this yet. The closest I’ve gotten was when one of my posts made it on somebody’s e-newsletter like the same day I posted it and I was mentioned on Twitter for it. I would have appreciated a comment on my blog about it first, because it felt a little weird finding out on Twitter for some reason.

    • I know! I was so uber excited :D
      I definitely think that a blogger should be notified for an in-print quotation, because that’s a pretty big deal.
      As for the internet, I think it would be a nice courtesy to let the blogger know. But not necessarily mandatory. Its just nice to know.
      I have been tweeted about being quoted for review, but I had had previous contact with the author through Twitter, so it wasn’t odd at all!

  14. Wow omg congrats! One of my reviews have been quoted in an author’s site before and the author did tell me that she’s going to quote me but I don’t think my reviews have been quoted in print books. I don’t mind my reviews being quoted but like you, I want to know if they ever use a part of my review. I think it’s a nice courtesy and I don’t think that’s really hard to tweet me or email me, right? :D

  15. flipthatpage says:

    WOAH your review was on a paperback?! CONGRATULATIONS CHIARA! <3 One proud soul sister right here :D I don't think I've ever been aware of anyone quoting any of my reviews, so I can't say I relate, but if I think about it, it would suck to miss out on your own awesomeness. Because see how happy that quote made you? I would be devastated to think that the same is happening outside of my knowledge D: So yeah! They should definitely be telling us XD

    • I KNOW – I KNOW! I was so excited. I felt like buying everyone I know a copy before I realised that I am not rich enough to do that, haha XD
      You never know – I had never thought I was, until I stumbled across them on the internet!
      Exactly! They have such easy happiness at their hands; they should use it! :D

  16. Ciara_H says:

    Wow, that’s amazing that they quoted you on the book! :D Congratulations, Chiara!

    I think that bloggers should be told if this is going to happen- after sitting down and writing and editing a review that takes time and effort, it’s nice to know that an author/publisher has read it, appreciates it and is willing to use parts of a blogger’s review as part of their promo materials. Heck, it’s better than nice, it’s all kinds of awesome!

  17. This is so cool! I didn’t know bloggers get quoted on books too. Congrats to you for that! :D

  18. I love the gifs for this post. XD I sometimes only get tagged for quotes and whatnot. I’m not sure if there are any others floating around. I think that it would be a courtesy for authors or publishers to tell you that you have been included in their books or promotional material. But I also think it’s not always possible. And we could only hope they are citing their sources correctly.

    • ^.^
      I think it would be more important to tell a blogger if they were quoted in print, rather than on the internet. I mean, being quoted in a paperback or hardback is such a big deal. I would definitely want to be notified if it happened again!
      And yes, I hope everything would be correct. I sometimes worry that people might quote me only as ‘Delicate Eternity’, and I’m just like: nooooo, haha :P

  19. Ashley says:

    I really wish publishers would notify us! It would be so cool to be quoted in a book (ARC or finished copy). Sometimes I go check finished copies of books just to see (sad, I know), but I’ve never seen anything yet LOL. The closest I’ve come is being quoted on an Amazon description listing, and then in the Edelweiss listing for the second book.. but both under my old blog name, sadly.

    But if publishers did notify us, at least I wouldn’t have to manually go searching for places I may have been quoted.

    • Me, too, Ashley. Me, too! Checking is not sad at all – I admit I browse the blogger quotes if it’s a book I reviewed early. :D Aw, no! D: Hopefully readers can somehow find your new blog name, though?

      Exactly. I have come to believe that they simply DON’T notify bloggers when they quote. So we will have to keep searching!

  20. First of, congrats on being quoted! And second, I would love if there was more publicity to this. Who knows, my name might be quotes somewhere on websites or books and I might not even know about it.. Being quoted is such a great achievement and it’s something we all want to know, I think!

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