How To Get Book Reviews

Do you find self-promotion uncomfortable?

Never fear! Book reviews are here!

Book reviews are a great way to get someone else to spread the word about your work.

Full disclosure, I have yet to read an actual review of my book. Early reviews should appear after next week, as my October 30th launch date approaches. I also plan to send copies of my book to a few reviewers post-launch, expecting those reviews to post within the month.

Which brings me to one unique challenge of POD publishing. I chose print-on-demand because I don’t have the resources to stock hundreds of copies of books in my closet. And because mounds of books aren’t easily on had, it can be tricky to figure a way to send books to reviewers. I decided to send my early reviewers a simple .pdf file of my book (and for those early reviewers, four of them, I offered to mail them a $5 Starbucks gift card as a thank you gift, in lieu of a free hardcopy of my book.) Once my book launches, I do plan to buy a few copies for myself (at print cost) and send a few copies to strategically selected reviewers. I am vetting these third party reviewers by the number of followers they have on social media, how active they are on the Internet, and a few other factors.

It’s really easy to reach out to people for a review. Below I’ve copied an actual email I sent to one of my reviewers:

Hey there,

Thanks for connecting with me on Instagram!

I have been blogging for several years and my blog has grown steadily and I am ready to market my writing. I wrote a YA fantasy novel called Re’and that I am self-publishing through Amazon.com via Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace.

The book summary is below:
A princess turned renegade, Aideen is conscripted in the most unlikely way to save her people. As the newly minted leader of a cobbled together militia, Aideen no longer has the luxury to be self-indulged. All under the orders of an elusive man called Tiergran, who claims he will bring Re’and out of the Dark Age. She survives a kidnapping, endures battle training, and tries her hand at spying before embarking on a journey that will carry her far from home to protect her country’s way of life, all the while threatening to take her own.

I would love to learn more about you and whether or not you would be interested in reviewing my book.

Thanks so much!

I’m still thinking of how I want to thank those who purchase my book and review it. Do you have any ideas for me? Shoutouts? Special mentions? What kind of virtual thanks would you like to receive if you were to review an author’s book?

I hope this post gives you a bit of confidence and direction as you gather reviews for your book! (PS. Let me know I can help!)

Part of 31 Days to Self-Publishing A Book.