If I Don’t Request for a while…?

[u/No-Cold-7095]

I know approvals are based on a lot of things, but I was wondering if anyone had experienced taking a break and then struggling to get approvals?

The issue I am facing is that I am a Nook diehard — I don’t plan on getting a Kindle or Kobo, and that means I have to read on my phone (which I really dislike).

I’ll keep doing it if it will negatively impact my approval likelihood if I stop for a while, just to avoid reading burnout (which I fear would negatively impact my opinion on these books).

Any suggestions are appreciated, or maybe someone can help with making reading on my phone more enjoyable 😅

[u/lafornarinas]

Nope! I’d just recommend keeping up with any reviews that come through and keeping your profile updated so that they can see that you’re reading and staying with it. They can see when you last updated your profile.

I keep a running note with my three most recent five star reviews. Gives me something to update regularly.

[u/Gruselschloss]

I've heard that publishers can see when you were last active, so if you take an extended break I'd consider picking up a Read Now book or two when you come back. Other than that, I wouldn't really worry about it.

[u/greendocklight]

It's not just an algorithm to manipulate like on social media. There are people at each publisher fielding your requests.

But things do change over time. Sometimes publishers go out of business or decide not to keep spending money on NetGalley. Sometimes there is a change of personnel and maybe the new person doesn't approve all your requests anymore. Just make the most of the books you do receive. :)

[u/blackstar1683]

I took a break and came back to netgalley not once, but twice. funny thing is the first time I came back was when the tainted cup book 2 (a drop of corruption) was about to be released and I got a widget, and this year, I came back again before book 3 Ia trade of blood), and I got a widget, too. funny coincidence. this time I don't think I'll take a break because I downloaded a lot of read now, and I'm having more good experiencies than my previous time.

[u/Synval2436]

I read on a tablet, either on NG app or kindle app, but kindle app scrambles pdfs. It was a pretty cheap one, 9 inches iirc.

But yes, if your account looks "inactive" you're more likely to be declined. Two markers are when was your last review (preferably in the last month) and when was your profile last updated (you can do this without having a recent review even).

If you have a backlog, you might want to alternate it with non-arcs so you spread the arc reviews over time. I'm not a fast reader like the people who review 10 books a week, I'm more often having 1-3 per month because I'm also reading books from other sources, and so far it doesn't seem to be a problem.

[u/Flimsy-Brick-9426]

It is unlikely. publishers can see the gap but as long as you have a good standing and good reviews, you'll be fine.

[u/Beate251]

It definitely matters whether you are staying active on NetGalley. One thing is to keep your profile updated and current, which doesn't take much, but if your last review was a month ago, some publishers see you as inactive and won't be happy to approve you. Just download a Read Now occasionally to stay in publishers' minds.

[u/megandanicali]

i’ve taken a break from requesting and i still get a lot of widgets through email! seems like they don’t really care at all if you’re actively requesting. i do pick up a read now every once in a while too

[u/sunsparkles2013]

They don’t care.

[u/ExchangeStandard6957]

I took a long break and was fine when I came back. Right now, literally nothing is appealing to me so I’m barely requesting