As a book reviewer for Pop Syndicate – and the virtual book tour host at Book Addict – I am approached by authors every day to review titles.

Earlier this year, I was approached hard and fast by an author desperate to have her true crime book reviewed at our site. She found me from a post at another author's blog. She e-mailed several times and I told her to send along a copy, and I would get to it after I reviewed a few other books.

This author expedited shipping (even though I told her it would be at least a few weeks before I could get to it) and e-mailed a few times to be sure I received it.

I was nearly ready to review it when I received another e-mail from her. She asked if I had reviewed it yet, and I said no, it was next in line. At this point, I was getting a little frustrated. It had only been a few weeks, and this was not a new release; it had been out for nearly eight months. There was no rush for us, and her persistence was becoming annoying.

Then, the author e-mailed back a response that not only angered me, but will forever keep her from being reviewed again at our site. Here is what she said:

I sat back in my chair, reeling from the audacity of this self-published author. She pursued me hard to get her book into our review system, then believed she would tell us not to post a bad review and we would do it?

Out. Rageous!

You can do everything you can to get your book in the hands of reviewers, but never, ever expect to dictate the final outcome of the review. Reviewers who are worth their salt never guarantee a good book review. Unlike the paid writers who expound the virtues of really crappy cinema on movie posters and DVD covers, most book critics take the time to read, compare to other works in the genre and write an honest review.

Needless to say, I did not review this book. I handed it off to someone else because the author's attitude angered me so badly. I politely decline to review anything else from the author, or pass it along to other reviewers.

Now, some might ask how this applies to marketing plans for authors. Quite simply, this author created a PR nightmare for herself. Her dogged pursuit was overkill, and her final statement so outrageous I refuse to review her again. Our site nets thousands of page hits per day. I guarantee there are not a lot of other review sites willing to take on self-published authors for reviews or virtual tours. This is one major virtual pit-stop no longer available to this author.

Do you really want to burn bridges because of your attitude? Think, before you send that next email. It is OK to follow up with reviewers to be certain they received your book, and ask about virtual tour dates, but that is IT. Daily e-mails and arrogance do not endear you to reviewers.

One of my biggest frustrations as a Virtual Book Tour hostess for Pop Syndicate's Book Addict is never knowing exactly how information will be sent.

Authors send documents in multiple e-mails, sometimes just hours before their tour. Some send part of their tour documents; some send none at all. All but a handful use such generic titles for their items, I have to open multiple downloads on my desktop to figure out which one belongs to whom.

Want to save your host some headaches? Follow these tips when sending your Virtual Book Tour items:

• Use your name in the title of every document, photo, book trailer or other item sent. Do not use a generic phrase, like Q&A or the blog's title. (Do you have any idea how many documents I receive titled "Pop Syndicate Questions?")
• Use a checklist to be sure you have all items needed for your tour. Different blogs have different requirements. Get them up front – not hours before your tour. It is easiest to create new folders for each site where you tour.
• Send all items in one e-mail. Resize photographs so you do not have to send them one at a time.
• When you send the documents, ask your host if they need anything else – and be available in case you – or your host – forgot something.
• Get your items to your host at least one week before your tour. Tours are tedious to plan and post. The more time hosts can work with your items, the better.
• If you have to cancel or postpone your tour, tell your host IMMEDIATELY. When possible, give them plenty of notice to find others for that slot. Better yet, find someone who can fill in and see if that is OK with the host. A good host will make exceptions for family emergencies and natural disasters – and they will appreciate your honesty.

These simple steps will have your host valuable time.