How to Use Excerpts to Get Book Reviewed: Tips for Authors

September 16, 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 Using Excerpts Can Help You Get Your Book Reviewed

Hey, so you’re an author trying to get some buzz around your book, right? Maybe you’ve spent countless hours writing, editing, and polishing, but now you’re at the stage where you want real readers—or better yet, reviewers—to check out your work and share their thoughts. Here’s a little insider tip: using excerpts is a game changer when it comes to getting your book reviewed. Let me explain why.

First off, think about the typical book reviewer. Book review sites, book review blogs, and even some book review services get a ton of requests every day. Many reviewers don’t have time to read entire novels or non-fiction tomes up front—that’s a big ask. But if you send them a well-chosen excerpt, a captivating scene, or even a handful of pages that truly represent your style and story, you’re giving them an easy way to decide if your book is worth their time.

Here’s why excerpts work so well:

  • They give a snapshot: A well-crafted excerpt shows your voice, pacing, and tone without the reviewer having to commit hours.
  • They build curiosity: If the excerpt ends on a cliffhanger or leaves questions in the reviewer’s mind, they’re more likely to want to read more—and then review.
  • They make your book easier to handle for review blogs: Many book review blogs look for something digestible; an excerpt fits the bill.

Now, how do you pick the right excerpt? Obviously, it’s got to be strong material—something that hooks the reader immediately. For fiction, I like to suggest a scene with compelling dialogue or action early in the story. For non-fiction, maybe a chapter that packs a punch in terms of insight or storytelling. Avoid giving away spoilers or the climax. You want to tease, not reveal everything.

Once you have your excerpt ready, the next step is getting it to the right eyeballs. This is where Feedback Frontier comes in super handy. These folks offer great book review submission options and connect authors with reviewers who are actively looking for books to evaluate. Plus, some book review services specialize in handling excerpts, which can be a huge time saver.

It’s also worth mentioning that many book review sites and blogs accept free book reviews if you approach them the right way—with a professional, respectful message and a tidy excerpt that makes their job easier. Pro tip: always personalize your outreach. Don’t send a generic blast email. Show that you know the reviewer’s interests, mention a post or review they wrote that you liked, and explain why your book fits their audience.

Another neat benefit of using excerpts is that you can leverage them for social media, newsletters, or even your author website as a teaser. This builds anticipation, which can encourage your readers to leave reviews themselves, helping you get book reviewed organically.

So, to wrap it up, using excerpts strategically is one of the smartest ways you can boost your chances of landing reviews. It makes the process less intimidating for reviewers and easier for you to pitch your book.

If you want to get started with a trusted platform that can help you submit your excerpts to eager reviewers, I highly recommend checking out Feedback Frontier. With their book review submission tools, you can streamline the whole process and actually get those much-needed reviews done.

Get your book reviewed today by sharing the best pieces of your manuscript with people hungry for new stories!

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