I generally warn authors against soliciting reviews at book review sites because of the volume of books being reviewed. It is difficult, if not impossible, to have your book showcased effectively at most of these sites. There’s just too much competition. On the other hand, you can never get too much exposure for your book. While I don’t believe that a review on a major book review site will generate many (or any) customers, it does provide exposure. The more times a reader sees your title or hears about it, the more apt he or she is to purchase it. But there is an even more important reason to pursue book review sites.
Some professionals believe that publishers scour book review sites in search of the next bestseller. Some say that multiple reviews at the review sites impress librarians and they’ll be inclined to order your book.
So go ahead and solicit book reviews at some of the online book review sites. It might be worth your while in the long run.
Tip: create your book in ebook form as well as print. Many reviewers will accept the ebook version, thus saving you money on the cost of the book as well as shipping.
Online book review directories:
http://acqweb.org/bookrev.html lists over 100 review opportunities in most genres.
http://dir.yahoo.com/arts/humanities/literature/reviews lists some of the most popular book review sites.
For more about book review sites, how to get book reviews and other book promotion ideas and resources read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Sign up for my book promotion course—I’m offering a discount through the month of June. See the May 24 blog. Check out the course description here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm