Indie authors face a lot of hurdles getting their books in front of booksellers and librarians. A positive review from a reputable industry publication can go a long way, but the reality is that the number of books selected for review is extremely limited. In order to help make these reviews more accessible, many publications have started offering fee-for-review services.
We’re often asked whether these paid reviews are taken seriously. Because these publications do not guarantee a positive outcome, their reviews are seen as unbiased by booksellers and librarians. However, this only applies to reviews that come from a trusted industry publication. A paid review from a little-known book blogger, on the other hand, would not be received in the same way. If someone contacts you asking to review your book for a fee, it’s almost always a scam, and it’s almost always best to ignore their request. Reputable book industry publications won’t need to reach out to authors, because they know authors will come to them.
The main downside with paid book reviews is of course the high price tag, which runs from around $300-$500 per review. Due to the cost, we find that most authors only pay for 1-2 reviews, if they decide to go the paid route.
The primary benefit is that a positive editorial review is a versatile, evergreen sales tool that will lend your book credibility. You can add review blurbs to your sales pages (Amazon A+ content), your website, social media accounts, and advertising.
Below are our favorite, trusted, tried-and-true recommendations for paid reviews:
7-9 week turnaround:
Kirkus ($450): https://www.kirkusreviews.com/indie/
4-6 week turnaround:
Foreword Clarion ($549): https://publishers.forewordreviews.com/reviews/
Kirkus is more of a “legacy” name in book reviews–they’ve actually been reviewing books since 1933! However, both Kirkus and Foreword are extremely well respected in the book industry. While neither guarantees a positive review, if you aren’t happy with your review for any reason, you can choose not to publish it.
6 week turnaround:
Publishers Weekly, BookLife ($399): https://booklife.com/
If you approve your review for publication with BookLife, it will run both online and in a print issue of Publishers Weekly via a BookLife insert!
7-9 week turnaround:
IndieReader ($299): http://indiereader.com/
For authors on a budget, IndieView is a more affordable option that still provides quality reviews. Plus, if your book is rated highly (4+ stars), they may offer to share an author Q&A on their website, which is an extra promotional boost!
Across the board, one of the nice things about paid review submissions is there’s no deadline to submit. It does take up to two months to get reviews back, however; so if you are interested in going the paid route, the sooner you submit, the sooner you’ll get your reviews back and can use the blurbs.
Happy submitting!
Jackie Karneth is a publicist with Books Forward is an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.
