I review books by independent writers and when I like one, I go out of my way to help them promote it. It's been well received and they seem grateful. Many of them I already know via social media, which might help. Some even read my own book in return. I'm sorry your experience has been so disappointing.

I'm a freelance magazine journalist and in my work, I do sometimes find people very reluctant to take me up on free promotional opportunities. I recently had a garden manager write to me and complain that they weren't included in a list of Devon's Best Gardens. I told them I'd include them in the next one if they sent me pics. They didn't send pics. This is why they weren't in the first one. Some people don't learn.