Author SPAM: Urban Legend?

Honestly?  Was the idea that, as a blogger, I might some day actually have authors wanting me to review their books a motivation for starting a blog?  Sure.  But I was enough of a realist to understand that I would have to put a lot of time (as in years) and effort into making my blog something worthwhile both to authors and readers.  Even then, did I actually think it would happen? No, not really. But that didn’t both me.  I’m a book lover and that’s enough for me (plus, blogging =super fun) . So did it shock the hell out of me when it actually happened?  You bet.  It was thrilling!  I had read so many bloggers (rightly) encouraging new bloggers not to expect authors and publishers to descend upon them after a week of blogging (and trust me, it was many, many, many weeks of blogging before anyone asked me to review a book.  By all rights it should have been longer, but I think my blog’s focus on a particular genre sped things up a little-targeted audience and all).

But you know what I didn’t expect?  The requests from authors gushing about my blog, reviews etc. and claiming that my blog was one of their favorites (really?  Talk about flattered) before asking me to review their complete-opposite-of-urban-fantasy book (I guess my biggest fan hasn’t read anything on my site…or the title of my blog).   Even if the book appealed to me, it wouldn’t belong on All Things Urban Fantasy.    So, am I the victim of author spam? Does such a thing even exist?  I’ll let you be the judge.  Here is the email I got today (edited to preserve the anonymity of the author).  I laughed and responded politely by saying that I didn’t think my blog was the best place for their book. What do you think? Author Spam?  Has it ever happened to you, and how did you respond? 

Hi,

May I please start by telling you I adore all things urban fantasy, and your reviews. It is one of my favourite blogs to visit.

My Name is X, and I recently released my first book called "Y" a [not-even-remotely-paranormal], released by Z Publications. I am a huge fan of all things urban fantasy, and I would love to be able to do a guest blog and have my book reviewed on your site. My book was released a whole X ago, so it is so new and exciting for me. I would love to do a guest blog spot or be a featured author on your website. I would also LOVE to be reviewed by your website. If you would send me the information on what I need to do in order to schedule a guest blogging/featured author spot hopefully sometime in X, or Y, I would really appreciate it. If you are fully booked for those slots please keep me in mind for future blog’s or a future review as I would love to have my book reviewed by one of my favourite blog’s.

Thank you so much,

X