The publishing process: Book reviews

Posted on March 19, 2018 by lmeceo

An important part of the publishing process is the book review. Book reviews can:

  • increase book sales
  • generate free advertising
  • provide feedback on the books content
  • help the book reach a wider audience

There are a few types of book reviews I will address in this blog, pre-publication reviews, peer reviews, and post publication reviews.

Pre-publication reviews are reviews that are requested prior to the books publication date (usually 3 to 4 months in advance). A bound galley or proof may be sent in for review followed up by a finished copy of the book a few weeks later. Request for pre-publication reviews are sent to book trade publications such as, Publishers Weekly, Foreword Magazine, and Kirkus Book Reviews. Also send requests for pre-publication reviews to major news papers like the NY Times, the LA Times, and USA Today. Although there is no guarantee a book will be chosen for review, if it is, the review can have a great impact on sales and marketing of a title.

Peer reviews are reviews by experts in the subject matter of a book or professionals whose review will add credibility to the book such as, a teacher reviewing a children’s book or a nurse reviewing a nutrition or exercise book. One may even ask a peer to provide a foreward in the book. Peer reviews help to bring credibility to a title and people who are asked to do a review are likely to help promote the book by telling their networks about it.

Post publication reviews are reviews done by people who have read the book and post reviews on book sites like Amazon or Goodreads. Online book reviewers or small press reviewers that review books in a specific genre, and may request a review copy of a title. Post publication reviews are not always solicited like pre-publication and peer reviews, this makes them more valuable because the reviews are coming directly from the consumer.

Either way, book reviews are a very important part of marketing a title, and which ever type of review is solicited, it is a good investment in a books success.

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About lmeceo

My name is Lisa M Evans MA, CDP.  I am an author, blogger, introvert and vegan.  I earned a Masters degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University and a certification in Diversity Management. I created this blog to come out of my shell and share my perspective on a variety of topics. I want to use this blog as a sounding board, gathering place and learning opportunity. I plan on sharing a little bit of everything that interests me, natural hair, being vegan, and anything else that moves me. I have three titles that are available on Amazon,  I Know How to Lose Weight, So Why Haven't I,  a self-help book that was written as a way to work through my issues with weight and dig deeper than just diet and exercise, This is my brain on emotion, a collection of poems that I have written over the years to express my innermost thoughts and feelings, Rich Man's Song, a children's book that teaches a valuable lesson about love and money.
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