Book reviews are an important tool for authors to promote their books. Getting reviews should be a part of any author’s marketing plan. Including an “Ask” can be as simple as a personal conversation, an email, a release announcement on social media, or after a book signing, interview, or speech an author gives. There is always the Internet. A search for “How to get a book review” may show drop down search subjects that include “…By the Guardian, On Goodreads, By Publishers Weekly, On Amazon, From the New York Times” etc. It’s worth spending the time to learn what works best for you. How do BWW members get their books reviewed? Here are some answers from our authors.
Lance Erlick, author of the Android Chronicles series, with Emergent released in 2019, said: “This book (and series) was traditionally published through Kensington. They hit their own channels and paid for NetGalley, which provided a number of the reviews. I also reached out to people who had reviewed my prior books and some of them reviewed for me.” Here are two of the reviews he received for Emergent:
“Near future sci-fi writing at its very best.” —Jon Land, USA Today–bestselling author
“Erlick ramps up the tension and action.” —Publishers Weekly
Note: NetGalley is described on its website as helping “publishers and authors promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals.”
Dorothy Windsor’s books are traditionally published as well but she also does some of her own leg work to get reviews: “I told everyone I knew about the book, and posted about it on twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.” Her publisher sent eBooks to lots of book bloggers. Here are two reviews she received on Amazon for her most recent book The Trickster published in 2021.
“The medieval setting with a touch of magic provides a great place for Dilly and Fitch to work out what it means to fit in and belong when family doesn’t provide the love they need.” – Windy City Reviews
“A less intense Game of Thrones meets Pirates of the Caribbean.” — Goodreads Reviewer
When asked what she does with the reviews Dorothy said: “Once I receive reviews, I quote from them on social media with a sell link for the book.”
Sharon Shea Bossard, author of Finding My Irish and Finding Your Chicago Irish, says: “I just ask. I go to all the Irish authors. It’s a community.” She interacts with this community through conversations, emails, and Facebook. When she receives reviews, she may add select quotes on the front and back cover of the book. Her most recent book, Veil of Silence: An Irish Memoir was published in 2020 with a review quote by Emmy Award winning journalist and NBC-TV correspondent Mike Leonard on the front cover.
“A fearless, splendidly written account of a flawed, Chicago-based family, rich in true-life observational detail and redemptive inspiration,” he wrote.
Toni Louise Diol adheres to the just ask idea as well. She said, “An online poetry magazine published several poems and had very nice comments to make when she accepted them. I asked her if she would write a review for my first poetry book. She was kind and did.”
Being strategic can work. One member said: “Those who plan to publish should consider building goodwill by reviewing other authors long before their book is published. Folks will be more inclined to review a book for a colleague who’s previously reviewed his/her book.” BWW members are colleagues who can reach out to each other for reviews. “We have a few terrific members who write reviews. I’m grateful for any support,” said one BWW member. But that same person went on to say it’s frustrating when colleagues don’t follow through. In other words, don’t lead an author on. If you can write a review, do it. If you can’t, just tell him or her so. In addition to writing reviews there are many ways members can support each other including liking and sharing posts on social media platforms and showing up at events.
As our authors have shown, they’ve developed multiple ways for getting reviews and using those reviews to promote their books.
