Monday, April 21, 2014

Reviewers

If you’re with a traditional publisher, they usually send out the review copies to pre-publication reviewers such as Publisher’s Weekly, Foreword Magazine, Kirkus, Library Journal, New York Times, LA Times, ALA Booklist, Bookpage, Horn Books, etc. You can also coordinate with your publisher to find more review options.

Self-published authors often don’t have access to pre-pub reviewers, but there are many options out there:

Do a Google search for websites and book bloggers who review your genre.

Look for trade magazines and contact other authors in your genre.

Midwest Book Reviews is a major reviewer who accepts self-published books.

Sites that list reviewers -
EBook Crossroads - database of reviewers, includign those for audio books.
FSB Media - very large database of book bloggers, search by genre.
Book Blogger List - database of book bloggers, search by genre.
Book Review Blogs - database of book bloggers, search by genre.
Step by Step Self Publishing - list of reviewers for self-published books.
The Indie View - list of reviewers for self-published books.

Some tips when sending out review copies:

Send out books before the publication date if at all possible.

Include a review slip on the inside of the cover flap that lists title, author, ISBN, publisher information, genre, formats, page count, and distributors/wholesalers.

Query first before submitting an E-book as an attachment.

Budget! How many print review copies can you afford to send?

Set up a Google Alert for your name and book title to catch online reviews.

Avoid paying for a review.

Any questions?

28 comments:

stu said...

These sound like useful tips, and ones I might pursue. Although I suppose the question I've never seen answered is just how much these reviews contribute to sales.

Bish Denham said...

Nice bunch of links to explore, Diane. Thanks!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Excellent tips! I've helped my publisher find book blog reviewers.

Unknown said...

Hi Diane,

This is a great list. I've yet to venture into self-publishing but the idea is there. I've been weighting the good/bad between self and trad publishing and I really appreciate all these marvelous how-tos in regards to going the self-publishing route.

Cheers,
Jen

Unknown said...

This is excellent information. Thank you so much!

Mason Canyon said...

Interesting list of sites for reviewers. As a reviewer, I am not familiar with a couple of these. Must check them out, thanks.

Bob/Sally said...

Great post. I'd also recommend doing your research into what a reviewer is interested in (most of us have some sort of guidelines posted) and to personalize your queries.

I get a half dozen "Dear sir/madam" or "Dear reviewer" emails a week, usually for genres that are so very clearly not a fit for my blog. Those immediately get flagged as Spam.

My Mailbox

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

That is a handy list to have. Many book reviewers are really busy now and it helps to get those requests out early.

Birgit said...

Great list and I will send this to my brother who is wanting to write a book

Anonymous said...

These are great tips, Diane. First, I have to get some thick skin. Then, I'll be ready for a review. Oh, it would help to be finished with my edits too. =P

Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

randi lee said...

(bookmarking this one right....now!)

Pat Hatt said...

A great list indeed and sending out review copies is a lot cheaper than paying for some of those so called big reviews

Michael Di Gesu said...

Terrific advice and excellent links!

Thanks, L. Diane!

cleemckenzie said...

Always great to find helpful tips about how to get your book out there as an Indie. Thanks.

Chrys Fey said...

Great tips! I'll definitely be using this sites. :)

Crystal Collier said...

What a great list and set of guidelines. Reviews are certainly the lifeblood of a book.

True Heroes from A to Z

J.L. Campbell said...

Good buzz about a book helps get the word out. Getting reviews is very important.

Lisa said...

Thanks so much for all this information. Very handy to have all this now that I'll soon be looking to use it! Thanks so much for all that you do for us on this blog!

Karen Lange said...

Great stuff! Thank you, Diane! :)

Melissa said...

Thanks for the links! :)

Christine Rains said...

Wonderful guidelines and links. It's so difficult to find reviewers. I make sure I review every book I read, even if it's just a few lines.

SK Anthony said...

Oooh links, link, links! Thanks, I could sure use these. :D

Anonymous said...

Tweeted this invaluable list. Wish I had this first time stumbling through the jungle. Many thanks

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. this has to help all authors - wonderful lists and ideas of how to handle the approach.

Cheers Hilary

Michelle Wallace said...

Diane, you always share such great links!
Thanks!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Bob, I imagine the impersonal ones are annoying.

Pat, paying is never worth it.

I'm happy everyone found the links useful!

Julie Flanders said...

Thank you SO much for sharing these links! So helpful.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Great list and perfect timing, Diane. I have a collaborative anthology coming out next month. I'll need this list! Thanks.