How to Get a Book Reviewed

What is a book reviewer? Someone who receives free books, reads them and writes a review. That's about all I thought I knew when I became a reviewer-quite by accident.

Bill Ballou, the owner of The Solid Rock, the largest Christian book store in outstate Nebraska, has always been a supporter and encourager of authors. He lends books, advice and even networks with editors and authors he knows personally. Over ten years ago, when I entered the store, Bill handed me a galley (a pre-publish copy) of a book soon to be released. He suggested I read it and send my critique (basically a review) to the publisher. Though my review wasn't entirely positive, I got on the company's book review list. From there Bill and I conceived the idea of doing a monthly review newsletter for the store. I did this for a couple of years until the number of books outgrew the simple one-sheet print newsletter.

With Bill's blessing, I discontinued the print newsletter and began Author's Choice Reviews online. There have been ups and downs and several moves to better sites as well as some experimentation and continual updating. In time other reviewers came on board. ACR has been in operation since 2000. We have four print book reviewers besides myself and three audiobook reviewers as well as a couple of reviewers who review movies.

Considering I had no clue what I was doing, I've had to learn how to be a book reviewer as I wrote each review. What I've learned as a book reviewer makes me grit my teeth when someone talks about "free" books. For those "free" books I am in contact with my reviewers (sending them books regularly by mail at my cost), in contact with publishers, editors, publicists and authors. I keep the web site updated-almost daily now, read books and write my own reviews, format and edit all reviews from my reviewers and put them online. I also put out a monthly e-zine of the month's reviews and I seek and publish author interviews. I also spend time marketing Author's Choice Reviews. In fact, Author's Choice Reviews could easily become a full time job-if I let it.

Things I've learned along the way can help those who want their books reviewed at Author's Choice Reviews or at other book review sites. Book review sites often have strict guidelines as to what type of books they accept. At Author's Choice Reviews, we don't tear apart authors or books. If a book really doesn't fit our review guidelines, it simply doesn't get reviewed. If there are some cautions or concerns, but the book fits over all, the book reviewer will note those. Many other review sites carry negative as well as positive reviews.

Every review site has guidelines. If an author wants a book reviewed, the author needs to read and heed those guidelines. At times, I am contacted by authors, even publicists about books that do not begin to fit our guidelines. I now send them the link to the guidelines and ask them if their book is a "fit." If not, I send them elsewhere. Almost any book can find a home at one or another review site.

It is important for anyone who sends books to contact the review site ahead of time. Do not send books, especially ebooks, without first making contact with the book reviewer unless, of course, all this is clearly stated on the web site.

When sending a print book in the mail to the book reviewer, be sure to include information on the sender-name, address, telephone number and email as well as basic information about the book such as author, publication date, etc.

Sometimes the author (usually editors/publicists don't do this, though there are exceptions) sends a book without the information included with the author's name and at least an email. Authors often assume a reviewer will remember their contact email. But, by the time I or any other reviewer receives the book, that email may be long buried someplace and if the email address isn't easily identifiable, the author may never know his/her book has been reviewed. This also goes for changing addresses. As book reviewers, we will try to do what we can to contact the sender of a book, but we can do only so much.

Don't expect a reviewer to return a book, whether or not it gets reviewed. This takes extra time, energy and effort, not to mention a trip to the post office. Don't get angry if the review isn't quite what you expected. Reviews, by their nature, are opinions, usually, hopefully, educated opinions, but still opinions. A review isn't going to change because an author responds in anger.

Reviewers don't get paid. A "free" book is a small compensation for having to read not just books you want to read, but also books that may not really "float your boat." It is putting oneself in the mindset of a reader who would like the book. Quite often, reviewers find it difficult to then read just for fun. (On the other side, it is an opportunity to be stretched as an author/reviewer as we read books we otherwise would not purchase.)

My "free" books come at a price, but I've discovered I have a knack for discovering the core of the message and for writing a review that gives a potential reader a positive reading choice and a blurb editors/publicists/authors can use to promote their work.

When looking for reviews for your book, check out the book review guidelines. Are you a reader? Check out review sites such as Author's Choice Reviews for positive reading choices for the entire family.

A book reviewer is someone who loves books so much that reading isn't just a habit, it is a necessary part of life. A book reviewer will read books not on his/her list of top ten, because it means reading books that are. Finally, a book reviewer can write a concise synopsis of a book to entice others into reading the book as well. A book reviewer should also be able to "get" the core message/theme of the book and and how well the author conveys that core, through content, images, word choices, etc, to the audience.

Book reviewing for me is far more than "free" books. It is sharing my love and joy of words and hoping others will find that same joy. For me, it is also an opportunity to encourage others to read those books that share a clear message of inspiration/faith.

Book reviewers have numerous reasons for doing what they do, but while their reviews often help authors and publishers, they primarily help readers choose books that they'd like to read.