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Managing Your Goodreads Author Settings
Posted by Cynthia on June 8, 2018
You’ve claimed your author profile on Goodreads, updated your bio and uploaded a flattering picture, enabled Ask the Author and fielded some questions. You’re eager to engage with readers on Goodreads, but before embarking on a massive book reviewing spree or setting up your first book giveaway, it’s important to review some of your fundamental account settings as a Goodreads Author.
Your personal profile preferences stay as they were before you claimed your author profile, which means that your newsfeed updates might only show your first name. Considering how much your full name becomes a brand when you publish, you want to make sure your settings show both you first and last name – after all, “Jonathan” or “Jennifer” could be anyone of your friends; “Jonathan Franzen” or “Jennifer Weiner” on the other hand are very particular people!
To check these settings, click on your picture in the top right corner to show the dropdown menu, then click on “account settings.” From there, make sure your Display Name shows your full name; if it doesn’t, add your last name in the corresponding field.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/misc/1526068565-1526068565_goodreads_misc.png)
While you’re on your profile tab, you might want to think about customizing your Goodreads URL. This allows you to share a readable link, which looks better on your business card or your book jacket than the standard URL and can feed into your author branding. A great custom link is one that is consistent with your other social media accounts and instantly recognizable, for example: goodreads.com/rgay is consistent with Roxane Gay’s Twitter handle (@rgay)
Under the ‘profile’ tab under settings, type in your preferred User Name. Assuming it isn’t already taken, start sharing that URL and invite readers to follow you on Goodreads.
Letting people know they can find you on Goodreads is one of the fundamental ways to get more followers. Goodreads makes it easy to show off what you’re reading—whether it’s in your email signature or on your website. Widgets will automatically update the information when you make edits to the shelf, which allows you to amplify your activity.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/misc/1526067842-1526067842_goodreads_misc.png)
Find customizable widgets under the ‘Widgets’ tab under account settings, then copy and paste the one you want to use to your website or email signature (you’ll find more directions on the Widget page).
While readers are most interested in seeing what books an author has read and recommends, there’s a ton of activity that you can do on Goodreads that will populate your profile and your friends’ update feeds. Go to the “Feeds” tab to review what activity you're sharing – at minimum, make sure you’ve checked “Add a book to your shelves.”
The Goodreads Author Newsletter is a monthly newsletter that includes links to news, interviews, and marketing advice exclusively for Goodreads Authors. You can make sure you’re subscribed by checking the “Emails” tab and scrolling to “Newsletters and Other Mail.” While you’re there, subscribe or unsubscribe from any other updates you wish to receive from events, discussions, or groups that you’re in.
While you’re in your Settings, explore the other tabs to review your other preferences: you’ll find everything from your preferred book vendors and Deals notifications to other apps you might have linked to your account.
Questions about your settings? Leave it in the comments below or contact our customer support team at support@goodreads.com
Next: Your Goodreads Marketing Checklist
You might also like: Optimizing Your Goodreads Author Profile Picture
Goodreads Authors can subscribe to the Monthly Author Newsletter by editing their account settings.
Adjust your settings so your first and last name shows up in readers' feeds.
Your personal profile preferences stay as they were before you claimed your author profile, which means that your newsfeed updates might only show your first name. Considering how much your full name becomes a brand when you publish, you want to make sure your settings show both you first and last name – after all, “Jonathan” or “Jennifer” could be anyone of your friends; “Jonathan Franzen” or “Jennifer Weiner” on the other hand are very particular people!
To check these settings, click on your picture in the top right corner to show the dropdown menu, then click on “account settings.” From there, make sure your Display Name shows your full name; if it doesn’t, add your last name in the corresponding field.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/misc/1526068565-1526068565_goodreads_misc.png)
Customize your URL.
While you’re on your profile tab, you might want to think about customizing your Goodreads URL. This allows you to share a readable link, which looks better on your business card or your book jacket than the standard URL and can feed into your author branding. A great custom link is one that is consistent with your other social media accounts and instantly recognizable, for example: goodreads.com/rgay is consistent with Roxane Gay’s Twitter handle (@rgay)
Under the ‘profile’ tab under settings, type in your preferred User Name. Assuming it isn’t already taken, start sharing that URL and invite readers to follow you on Goodreads.
Use a Goodreads widget on your website.
Letting people know they can find you on Goodreads is one of the fundamental ways to get more followers. Goodreads makes it easy to show off what you’re reading—whether it’s in your email signature or on your website. Widgets will automatically update the information when you make edits to the shelf, which allows you to amplify your activity.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/misc/1526067842-1526067842_goodreads_misc.png)
Find customizable widgets under the ‘Widgets’ tab under account settings, then copy and paste the one you want to use to your website or email signature (you’ll find more directions on the Widget page).
Make every activity count.
While readers are most interested in seeing what books an author has read and recommends, there’s a ton of activity that you can do on Goodreads that will populate your profile and your friends’ update feeds. Go to the “Feeds” tab to review what activity you're sharing – at minimum, make sure you’ve checked “Add a book to your shelves.”
Sign up for the Author Newsletter.
The Goodreads Author Newsletter is a monthly newsletter that includes links to news, interviews, and marketing advice exclusively for Goodreads Authors. You can make sure you’re subscribed by checking the “Emails” tab and scrolling to “Newsletters and Other Mail.” While you’re there, subscribe or unsubscribe from any other updates you wish to receive from events, discussions, or groups that you’re in.
While you’re in your Settings, explore the other tabs to review your other preferences: you’ll find everything from your preferred book vendors and Deals notifications to other apps you might have linked to your account.
Questions about your settings? Leave it in the comments below or contact our customer support team at support@goodreads.com
Next: Your Goodreads Marketing Checklist
You might also like: Optimizing Your Goodreads Author Profile Picture
Goodreads Authors can subscribe to the Monthly Author Newsletter by editing their account settings.
Comments Showing 1-50 of 87 (87 new)
message 1:
by
Mary
(new)
Jul 16, 2018 07:52AM
![Mary Tisdale](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1437695846p1/10941144.jpg)
reply
|
flag
![Marlene Bierworth](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1430175316p1/42569963.jpg)
![Judith Thomson](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1416416556p1/36117603.jpg)
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
That said, I have recently been posting quite frequently to my blog here, and I will keep that up or a while, at least until I decide that it simply is not worth my time.
My best to any other writer who happens to read this.
![Patricia Harman](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1442489917p1/1749967.jpg)
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
I am writing nonfiction, right now dealing with people and events during the Progressive Era in U.S. history. Follow me at https://www.facebook.com/WuxtraWuxtra.... Meanwhile I'll friend you here on GoodReads !
![Vanessa Evetts](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1541667014p1/79758558.jpg)
Me too - It doesn't seem to be user-friendly at all.
![Judith Thomson](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1416416556p1/36117603.jpg)
![Rick](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1542643664p1/1545259.jpg)
![ProsperityJoy ProsperityJoy](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1545656292p1/90641560.jpg)
![Victor Grauer](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1453266054p1/5888893.jpg)
![Karen Menuhin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1546116822p1/91304600.jpg)
Hi George,
I just stumbled across this site and I'm not sure how to use it. I haven't had any problems getting my author profile uploaded. Thought I may try its advertising as I'm self published, will let you know if it worth while.
Book is here (I didn't even know it was on Goodreads, then I discovered this was owned by Amazon)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
cheers,
Karen Menuhin
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
Hi, Karen. Yes, I think this place is full of writers trying to sell, but not many readers willing to buy. My daughter, on the other hand, (she handles my promotion) insists that it's a good way for readers to find my books. I go along, as fathers do with daughters.
— George
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
Keep us posted. I find this thread to be valuable because I am talking with authors about their problems.
— George
![Robin Hawdon](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1442944252p1/23151826.jpg)
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
Replying to myself: I was posting two or three times a week, but I decided that I would rather spend my time on writing my books, promoting them, researching for my blog, etc.
That said, I did make contact through this GoodReads site with a writer whose book I used as a reference, and we are now linked here. So for that alone, I find that GoodReads has been valuable, although my blogging has not been.
![Sara Creasy](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1713403513p1/4554645.jpg)
It would be helpful to assume I know nothing and give a step-by-step instructions on exactly what to click to get to these areas.
Thanks.
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
On the left-hand side of this page, there is a "Help" link. I think you can safely start there and get the answers to some of your questions. Good luck.
![Sara Creasy](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1713403513p1/4554645.jpg)
So I'm looking for the very first thing: how to change email preferences. The HELP link says go to "Edit profile" - I don't have that link from either the Goodreads homepage or my profile page. All I have is "edit author profile" which has no "email tab" or anything about email preferences.
I can see the problem is that as an author, I don't know how to get to my user account settings, as opposed to my author account settings. I can get there via this direct link: https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit - but where is the button or link or menu item that takes me there? Because when I view Goodreads while logged on, all I see is my author account, author dashboard, etc. (which does not have the Email tab or any other tab).
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
So I'm looking for the ver..."
Good day.
The problem is, you are in the wrong place to get your answers. The people who read this might be just as confused as you are, most of us being readers or writers and not knowledgeable about really USING GoodReads. It would be best to communicate directly with the folks who run this place.
g
![Sara Creasy](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1713403513p1/4554645.jpg)
![James Roberts](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1555976005p1/95243606.jpg)
So I'm lookin..."
Good luck with that. They started to help me, but none of their fixes satisfied my issues. Now, they won't answer me at all. I cannot add more of my books; I cannot edit my profile (says I do not have permissions); My page shows followers for another author with the same name as my name from the UK and I am in the US. It shows his picture as well on the page. I am about to delete my account and go elsewhere.
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
![Sylvie](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1442475510p1/6747376.jpg)
![Marilynne Adams](https://cdn.statically.io/img/s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_25x33-ccd24e68f4773d33a41ce08c3a34892e.png)
I agree. Mine is on the "back pages" where no one can find it. I think I just wasted 5 months grocery money on this site. It is listed on the back pages of all the other book sites for free.
![Marilynne Adams](https://cdn.statically.io/img/s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_25x33-ccd24e68f4773d33a41ce08c3a34892e.png)
I can't figure it out either.
![Marilynne Adams](https://cdn.statically.io/img/s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_25x33-ccd24e68f4773d33a41ce08c3a34892e.png)
They should never have computer whizzes set these things up. They should have ordinary, computer ignoramus's write the directions, in our language.
![Robin Hawdon](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1442944252p1/23151826.jpg)
![Vinod Kumar](https://cdn.statically.io/img/s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_25x33-ccd24e68f4773d33a41ce08c3a34892e.png)
PRAYOGDHARMI UPANYAS 'because it tells story of Ram,Sita and their twin sons Lave and Kush.I have ignored every imaginory thinking of Hindu society. I wish to have the historical version of ramayan prooved by me geologically and graphs published by oceanography .Alongwith the reference list I have also dealt with caste system of era of Ram . Hope this will attract NRIs readers .-Vinod Kumar Shrivastav ,the author .
![Jacqueline](https://cdn.statically.io/img/s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Abilene Gray](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1451243470p1/3362980.jpg)
![Laura Cameron](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1596311182p1/98244900.jpg)
I seem to have the opposite problem: I see my personal profile but can't seem to get back to my author profile. I claimed my book as the author, got a 'page' and then it disappeared.
Which reminds me: my book's cover isn't showing up in the listing. Is there a way to add a JPG manually? I'll ask on the help ticket too, but thought someone might have figured this out on this thread!
Thanks!
![Frederick Burg](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1558032143p1/96934585.jpg)
![Virginia Anderson](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1441397142p1/46184148.jpg)
![Grace Zambardi](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1618861624p1/100822904.jpg)
![Abilene Gray](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1451243470p1/3362980.jpg)
![Abilene Gray](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1451243470p1/3362980.jpg)
![Jaclyn](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1681316616p1/18131631.jpg)
Hi Abilene. Please can you email us at support (at) goodreads (dot) com? One of our Experts will be happy to help further.
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
![Mary Elizabeth Hughes](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1525759271p1/67276956.jpg)
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
I think you can get there by clicking https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/?langu...√
![George Garrigues](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1445825134p1/48278248.jpg)
I also have a page here where I was posting quite regularly, but I gave that up inasmuch as it just took too much time for very little reward.
So if you say in this thread what you expect or what you want, perhaps somebody can point you in the right direction.
George G.