One way for authors to help create some buzz for their upcoming or newly released books is through the Goodreads giveaway program.

It’s also an opportunity for readers to potentially receive free books that interest them.

http://www.goodreads.com/

You have to have a physical book in order to enter it into the giveaway program. You can make a paperback through CreateSpace, for example. You must supply both the books and pay the shipping and handling. Package your books carefully and spring for delivery confirmation (so you can show, if needed, that you did fulfill your end of the bargain).

If you elect to enter the program, be sure to read the terms and conditions (you can find them from your author dashboard at Goodreads).

You can give just one copy away, but if you’re hoping to receive some reviews, it’s probably worth giving away 5 to 10 copies. Let your giveaway run for about a month to help generate some interest in your book.

Winners are encouraged to leave reviews, but reviews aren’t guaranteed. Reviews may be good, bad, or neutral. Authors may hope that reviewers will be in a good mood because they received a free book, and most will probably appreciate winning the contest, but of course all reviews won’t always be good. They may be more likely to post the review on Goodreads than Amazon, but some people are likely to do both. Keep in mind that if they do post the review on Amazon, it won’t show as a verified purchase (although, with Amazon owning Goodreads now, it seems like they could do this if they wanted – it sure would be a nice feature).

I’m presently trying this out. I entered volume 2 of my self-publishing book into the giveaway. There are 10 copies available (and so far, only 43 people have entered the giveaway – thus, presently the odds are very good). If you enter the giveaway, but don’t win one of the free books, contact me after the giveaway ends if you’d still like a free book (assuming I don’t receive hundreds of requests – I wish I had that kind of popularity, but I don’t – I’ll be happy to oblige).

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17863881-a-detailed-guide-to-self-publishing-with-amazon-and-other-online-booksel

Check out other books that are enrolled in the giveaway program.

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway

Click on a tag to narrow the search results, or use the search field (just above the list of tags) to enter a tag that interests you.

Here is a short sample of giveaways:

Amaze Every Customer Every Time

Shep Hyken

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17723505-amaze-every-customer-every-time

Cursive Handwriting Workbook for Girls

Julie Harper

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18233806-cursive-handwriting-workbook-for-girls

The Magdalene Mystery

Christine Sunderland

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18128152-the-magdalene-mystery

I Was a Teenage Mad Scientist

Derek J. Goodman

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18196669-i-was-a-teenage-mad-scientist

Bankrupting Physics

Alexander Unzicker and Sheilla Jones

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16059515-bankrupting-physics

One thing I noticed as I searched through the giveaways was that some of the descriptions state that they are for Advance Review Copies, Autographed Copies, or Signed Copies, for example. In my giveaway, I’m just giving away an ordinary copy.

Chris McMullen, self-published author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers