Introduction:
Have you ever heard of Onlinebookclub? If not, allow me to enlighten you. Onlinebookclub is a platform that claims to offer opportunities to new and upcoming authors to get their books reviewed by a large audience. The platform offers a free book review service, which they claim to offer to aspiring authors. However, the truth is far from it. In this blog post, we will discuss the Onlinebookclub scam, and everything you need to know about it. Let’s dive in!
1. What is Onlinebookclub?
Onlinebookclub is a platform that claims to offer a platform for new authors to get their books reviewed by a large audience. They claim to offer a book review service to all aspiring authors that sign up for their service, and that their book will be read by thousands of users on their online book forum. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
2. How Does Onlinebookclub Scam People?
Onlinebookclub is a scam because they ask for a fee to be paid by an aspiring author to get their book listed on their platform. They call this fee a ‘one-time setup fee’ of $29, and they claim that it is a mandatory fee for authors to list their books on their platform. This fee is then followed by another scheme, where the platform asks authors to buy their ‘Book of the Day’ package for $147. No self-respecting publishing house or review site charges the author to be reviewed or listed.
3. Why is Onlinebookclub a Scam?
The platform is a scam because it does not offer any real value to the authors. The book review service that they offer is not genuine, and it is not done by professional reviewers. Instead of getting reviews from real readers that could potentially buy the book, authors only get a 250-word review from the platform reviewer on their website. The Onlinebookclub reviewers offering these services didn’t even read the book and just wrote a general review, which is not helpful for the author, the publisher, or the reader.
4. What Should an Author Do If They Have Already Signed up for Onlinebookclub?
If an author has already signed up for Onlinebookclub and has paid their setup fee, they should cancel their registration immediately, and request a full refund. It is essential to note that getting a refund from Onlinebookclub may be a challenge as the platform is known to be unresponsive and does not offer refunds easily. In this case, the author should cancel their credit card or debit card and mark the transaction as fraud.
5. What Are the Alternatives to Onlinebookclub?
There are many legitimate platforms that offer book reviews for new authors that do not charge a fee. Some of the alternatives include NetGalley, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and Goodreads. There are also countless goodreads groups and book bloggers who review books for free by early reviewing copies.
6. Why is it Important to Avoid Scams Like Onlinebookclub?
It is crucial to avoid scams such as Onlinebookclub because they prey on unsuspecting authors that are trying to get their books noticed by readers. Many authors often invest their time, energy, and money into their books, and they deserve to have their work reviewed by professional reviewers that offer them constructive criticism.
7. What Are the Consequences of Falling for Onlinebookclub Scam?
Falling victim to the Onlinebookclub scam can lead to financial loss, disappointment, and discouragement for authors. It can also result in a tarnished reputation, especially if an author’s book is poorly reviewed. The platform can also use an author’s data without their consent, which is not only unethical but could also lead to further financial loss or even identity theft.
FAQ:
Q. Is Onlinebookclub a reliable book review platform?
A. No, Onlinebookclub is not a reliable book review platform and is considered a scam.
Q. Can authors get their money back from Onlinebookclub?
A. It can be challenging to get a refund from Onlinebookclub once paid. An author should cancel the transaction and ask their bank or credit card company to mark it as fraud
Q. Are there any legitimate book review platforms for authors?
A. Yes, many legitimate book review platforms offer their services for free. Some include NetGalley, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and Goodreads.
Q. Are authors expected to pay for book reviews on reputable platforms?
A. No, authors should not be expected to pay for a book review on reputable platforms; the service is often free.
Q. What are the risks of paying for a book review on Onlinebookclub?
A. Paying for a book review on Onlinebookclub is a risk because the review is often poorly written and offers little to no real value to the author. It is also possible to fall victim to an identity theft scam.
Q. Can authors get their books reviewed by professional reviewers for free?
A. Yes, authors can get their books reviewed by professional reviewers for free on many legitimate platforms. There are countless book bloggers, Goodreads groups, and even some professional reviewing sites that will read and review the book for free.
Q. Why is it essential for authors to avoid scams like Onlinebookclub?
A. Avoiding scams like Onlinebookclub is essential to protect the author from financial loss, tarnishing their reputation, and discouragement. It is also critical to prevent data privacy violations and identity theft.
Conclusion:
Avoiding the Onlinebookclub scam is important for aspiring authors and publishers that want to promote their books. Legitimate book review platforms do exist and offer free services to authors. Falling for the Onlinebookclub scam could lead to significant financial loss and even reputational damage. So, if you want your book to reach more readers, avoid Onlinebookclub and try out the many free, legitimate alternatives. Don’t let a scam bring down your hopes and dreams – keep writing, and eventually, your work will be noticed!