I read the other day through one of my online discussion groups that Amazon was running a paid review program. Color me gullible, but I was ready to believe it—but I couldn’t actually believe it. I mean, things are changing so fast and furious in publishing and companies are reaching out and trying new things… But Amazon? Naw, they wouldn’t sanction paid reviews.
Turns out, this was not an Amazon program at all—the company offering reviews for a fee was using a word in their company name that makes you automatically think it is Amazon.
Sure some book reviewers charge. But there are hundreds of book reviewers who do not charge, except, maybe, to accept a copy of your book to review, which is now frowned upon by Amazon.
Over the years, it was acceptable—even common practice—to send out review copies of your book. It’s a good way to make reviewers aware of your book. They love receiving free books—they read and review a lot of them and it could get costly. And I have to tell you that those reviewers to whom I’ve gifted my Kindle books generally make it clear that no matter how they acquire a book, they will give an honest review.
Have you been approaching reviewers for your book? Don’t know how to locate them? Not sure how to proceed with them?
Start by doing an Internet search using keywords, “Book Reviewer” or “Book Reviews” or “Reviewer+Mysteries,” “Children’s Book+Reviewer,” etc.
There are also review directories. “Directories of Book Reviewers.”
Visit blogs related to the theme of your book—cats, wild life, autism, business management, cooking, jewelry-making and so forth. Study the blog sites—often, the blogger will review your book, feature it at their site or conduct an interview with you.
For more about book reviews and hundreds of other book promotion ideas, read “Promote Your Book,” by Patricia Fry. It’s at Amazon in print, Kindle and audio.