On July 28th, 2025, ALLi asked: Have you ever paid for a review, interview, or promo?  How did it compare to free options?

For me, the answer is simple: no, I haven’t paid for any kind of review or exposure.  A big part of that is hesitation—it’s hard to know what’s legitimate, what actually makes an impact, and what’s just smoke and mirrors.  As an indie author working within a low-income household, I have to be careful where money goes.  Every dollar has to matter.

Right now, I only have one review for my book, and it wasn’t from a professional source.  It was a Facebook post from my mom.  She’s not someone who gushes or gets carried away, so the fact that she read it, loved it, and then shared it publicly?  That means more to me than any paid review ever could.  Sometimes the most meaningful feedback doesn’t come with a price tag attached.

As a member of ALLi, I love being part of these weekly discussions.  They’re a chance to step back, reflect, and connect with other indie authors around the world.