Arts >> Books >> Authors

How to Request a Book Review

Book review blogs and websites are plentiful, but every one of them has hundreds of authors trying to get their attention. A newspaper can get as much as 100 books in a day to review, and most of them are ignored. If you have not had a great response, you may need to reevaluate your introductory email or press release.

Instructions

    • 1

      Review the rules for that website or publication. In some cases, you may have submitted the wrong material. Some places require two copies of a book, while others may accept unfinished galleys and others will not. Some places may be aimed at a market your book does not fit. If the site focuses on fiction, it may not be a good fit for a history book.

    • 2

      Address your reviewer by name when possible. Let the reviewer know you have read his material and like what you see.

    • 3

      Explain the title and premise of the book in a precise way. Some writers are so excited about their own work they try to sum up the whole story in the release. However, the reviewer has perhaps a minute or two to read this note and the other 100 notes she will get that day. There is a good chance the reviewer won't even bother to read a long request. A good writer should be able to sum up the book in less than two paragraphs.

    • 4

      Mention any prior honors and positive reviews. Provide links to those reviews if possible. Thank the reviewer in advance for any consideration. Include a link to a photo of yourself or the book cover in the email, or a glossy photo in a mailing. This will save the reviewer some time should she want to illustrate the article. It will also put a face on the release, which can be helpful.

Authors

Related Categories