I teach and preach about the process of landing book reviews for your new (and even older) fiction or nonfiction book. But does anyone listen to me? Apparently not! Even long time members of SPAWN, who have access to years of my articles and posts featuring how to get your book reviewed, have been brainwashed about the process. <\/p>\n
Authors, today, think that the only book review game in town is the book review site. The truth is, these sites may or may not review your book and they may or may not charge you a fee. If accepted, your book is featured along with hundreds of others. There are often so many titles listed that yours is quickly lost and forgotten among them.<\/p>\n
Tell me, have you ever gone to a book review site in order to find a book to read? On the other hand, have you ever been swayed by a book reviewed by an editor you know and trust, in a magazine or newsletter that you enjoy reading? Most of you are nodding about now.<\/p>\n
I have sold many copies of my books based on book reviews in appropriate magazines and newsletters. And you have probably bought books you\u2019ve seen reviewed in your favorite publications. To my knowledge, however, I have never known one of my books to sell after being reviewed on a general book review site.<\/p>\n
Recently, one SPAWN member said, \u201cI\u2019m tried to sending out a steady stream of my books to reviewers and never having the satisfaction of a review. It\u2019s like the books just go into a black hole. Or maybe they get sold on eBay.\u201d<\/p>\n
I said to him, \u201cThen don\u2019t send books out randomly.\u201d Here\u2019s my recommendation: <\/p>\n
\u2022\tResearch and locate appropriate magazines and newsletters.
\n\u2022\tContact the reviewer with information about your book.
\n\u2022\tInvite the reviewer to request your book for review.
\n\u2022\tWhen they request it, send it with the highest of hopes and your contact information.
\n\u2022\tIf you haven\u2019t heard from the reviewer within a few weeks, follow up with her. <\/p>\n
I tell authors that if they\u2019re afraid their review copies will be sold, stamp \u201cReview Copy\u201d on the cover or, better yet, on edges of the pages. <\/p>\n
Whether your book is a mystery, young adult fantasy, a book of inspirational stories or a how-to\/self-help\/informational book for pilots, homeowners, public speakers, horseback riders, gourmet cooks, businessmen\/women, cat owners, artists or snowboarders, there are review opportunities in magazines and newsletters in practically every category.<\/p>\n
Examine the magazines and newsletters you typically read. If you don\u2019t see book reviews, contact the editor and ask if they do book reviews. I write most of the book reviews of books related to writing, publishing and book promotion for SPAWNews, but we might not have a review in every issue. Look on the magazine or newsletter masthead to see if they list a book review editor. If not, contact the editor. <\/p>\n
Study Writer\u2019s Market <\/em>(available at most bookstores for around $30). Look for magazines in your genre\/topic and see if their listing includes book reviews. Don\u2019t forget to also check out appropriate regional magazines and other publications related to various hooks in your book.<\/p>\n Do a Google search to find out what magazines\/newsletters are publishing book reviews.<\/p>\n There\u2019s certainly nothing wrong with having your book reviewed at some of the online book review sites\u2014but I recommend being discriminating. Choose a mystery review site for a review of your mystery; a site that reviews science fiction for your sci fi book, etc.<\/p>\n Some publications will post your reviews\u2014reviews that you submit. So you might have colleagues write reviews of your book to use for this purpose.<\/p>\n Here are a few publications that use book reviews: Quarterly West, The Prairie Journal, North Carolina Literary Review, Horror Hound, Romantic Times, Black Issues, Civil War Book Review, America Magazine, Spirituality and Health Magazine, WE Magazine <\/em>(for women), Women Writers A Zine <\/em>and Business Week<\/em>.<\/p>\n Teachers and Writers Magazine, Cottage Life, Saturday Evening Post, African Voices <\/em>use book excerpts\u2014they may agree to review appropriate books. <\/p>\n I hope that you will do your search to find appropriate publications (both print and online) that might review your particular book. Reviews to the right audience can certainly give a good book a kick in the pants.<\/p>\n Good luck. For more about getting book reviews as well as numerous other book promotion ideas, read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em><\/strong>. By the way, I am starting my 6-week, online Article Writing Course <\/strong>February 8, 2010. Sign up now and learn how to earn some money from your joy of writing. I teach and preach about the process of landing book reviews for your new (and even older) fiction or nonfiction book. But does anyone listen to me? Apparently not! Even long time members of SPAWN, who have access to years of my articles and posts featuring how to get your book reviewed, have been brainwashed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a><\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_magarticles.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"