Best Practices to Get Your Book Reviewed on Book Review Sites

June 01, 2025Categories: Author Marketing Tips, Podcast Episode

Mastering Book Reviews with Owen Hawthorne
Uncover the strategies to get your book noticed by the right audience. Join us as we delve into insider tips for submitting to book review sites and blogs, and explore free review services that can boost your book's visibility. With expert advice and real-life success stories, our podcast aims to equip authors with the tools needed to successfully navigate the world of book reviews. Don't miss out on learning how to make the most of your book review submissions.

How to Get Your Book Reviewed: Best Practices for Authors

Hey, so imagine you just finished your book—you poured your heart and soul into it. Now, you want people to actually read it and, honestly, get some solid feedback. One of the best ways to do that? Getting your book reviewed. But here’s the thing: it’s not as simple as just emailing a link or hitting “submit” on a random book review site. There are some tried-and-true best practices that can really improve your chances of landing thoughtful, useful reviews. Let me walk you through what works and what doesn’t.

First, think about where you want your book review to actually appear. Not all book review blogs or book review services are created equal. Some focus on specific genres, and some have a loyal following of readers that could be your perfect audience. So step one: do your homework. Make a list of relevant book review blogs or book review sites that fit your genre or niche. If it's romance, find those passionate romance book reviewers. If it's nonfiction, look for reviewers who dig into your field. The more targeted, the better.

Now, here’s a tip a lot of new authors miss: personalize your book review submission. Nobody likes to get a generic pitch that looks like it was sent to a thousand reviewers. Take the time to learn about the reviewer, mention why you think your book fits their style or their audience, and be clear but concise. Reviewers get a lot of requests, so a little effort on your part goes a long way.

  • Identify the right reviewers. Check out their previous reviews and see if your book is a good match.
  • Follow their submission guidelines exactly. Many book review sites have specific rules. Ignoring them often means your request gets ignored.
  • Be polite and professional. Remember, reviewers are doing this as a favor, often for free.

Speaking of free, there are plenty of options for getting free book reviews, but be cautious. Some “free” book review services might not deliver the quality you want or might be slow to respond. That’s why balancing between free book reviews and paid book review services can be smart depending on your budget and goals.

One platform I found really useful for connecting authors with honest feedback and book review services is Feedback Frontier. It’s kind of like an online marketplace where you can get your book reviewed by trusted reviewers who actually care about your work. What’s cool is that you can often specify what type of feedback you’re looking for—whether it’s a detailed critique or a quick star rating. It just makes the whole process smoother and more tailored.

Another thing you want to keep in mind: timing. If you’re submitting your book for review, try to do it a few months before your launch date. This gives reviewers enough time, and it also gives you a chance to use their quotes in your marketing or tweak your book based on constructive criticism. Remember, feedback is your friend.

Also, don’t forget to engage with the reviewers after your book is reviewed! Say thanks publicly if the review is positive, and if it’s critical, keep a cool head. Respond professionally or just absorb the feedback. Being an approachable author can actually help your reputation and lead to more reviews down the road.

In summary, here’s what I’d recommend:

  1. Research and target your submissions.
  2. Customize each book review submission to the reviewer.
  3. Follow all submission guidelines carefully.
  4. Balance between free and paid book review services based on your goals.
  5. Utilize platforms like Feedback Frontier to streamline the review process.
  6. Submit early and give reviewers enough time.
  7. Engage respectfully with reviewers after the fact.

Getting your book reviewed is one of those essential steps if you want your book to make a splash. It’s not just vanity—reviews build social proof, credibility, and most importantly, give you that genuine insight into how your words land with readers. So, if you have a book ready or nearly ready, don’t procrastinate. Get your book reviewed today and open the door to real feedback and valuable exposure. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.

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