Make sure the book you send is of high quality! Not just the story, but the whole set up of the book. Reviewers can spot
non-professionalism in a blink of the eye. You've written a great story, make sure the whole package is as good as the
story! Don't just use a word-processor and convert the book to a PDF. If you can't afford to purchase publishing software
(QuarkPress or InDesign), either download the free trial version and do it yourself (then convert it to PDF) or pay
someone to format your book. And book covers . . . a stock cover is a dead giveaway. The Guild Review received 2 books
within a couple of months that had exactly the same background, font, and colors. It was a beautiful background, but it
screamed DIY.
Other Reviewers
And last of all, don't forget the post-publication review sites. I have a list of sites that review Christian fiction at Frank
Creed's UNDERGROUND boards. Go check it out and send off those novels for reviews! You'll not find a more cost-efficient
marketing technique than soliciting reviews.
non-professionalism in a blink of the eye. You've written a great story, make sure the whole package is as good as the
story! Don't just use a word-processor and convert the book to a PDF. If you can't afford to purchase publishing software
(QuarkPress or InDesign), either download the free trial version and do it yourself (then convert it to PDF) or pay
someone to format your book. And book covers . . . a stock cover is a dead giveaway. The Guild Review received 2 books
within a couple of months that had exactly the same background, font, and colors. It was a beautiful background, but it
screamed DIY.
Other Reviewers
And last of all, don't forget the post-publication review sites. I have a list of sites that review Christian fiction at Frank
Creed's UNDERGROUND boards. Go check it out and send off those novels for reviews! You'll not find a more cost-efficient
marketing technique than soliciting reviews.
- Send your review package in an ample-sized
well-padded envelope. Make sure it reaches
the reviewer in good condition.
- Don't send it media or book rate. Spend the
extra few dollars and mail it Priority or at least
1st class mail.
- Include a cover letter that is succinct. Other
information such as synopsis, author bio,
previous reviews go on separate pages (unless,
of course, the guidelines state differently).
- Include a press release. Often reviewers will
use information straight out of your press
release for their review! It is a time-saving
mechanism so help them out.
- Ensure you mail the package well before the
"deadline." When the guidelines state 90-120
days before publication, they mean it. Oh, and
don't think you have additional time because
your book will be published at the end of a
month—the time line is 90 days before the
beginning of the month in which the book is
to be published.
- Send the book for review to a variety of
readers before you send it to a journal
reviewer and then you'll have reviews to show
these people that the book is ok.
- This one is a bit touchy. Most journals will not
review self-published books and they certainly
won't review it if the "publisher" is listed as
Lulu or Lightning Source or any known POD or
vanity press. If you're going to strike out on
your own, go all the way. Form a publishing
company. Buy your own block of 10 ISBNs (the
ISBN tells a reviewer, at a glance, if you are a
real publisher or not). Design a website. Make
sure the name of your company is not your
own name! Yes, the book is technically still
self-published, but the journal will rarely ask
this question. Act like a publisher and you'll be
treated as one.
Why Bother to Solicit a Journal Review?
SALES. Increased exposure in journals = increased sales.
These are the journals read by librarians and booksellers.
The buyers for these groups haven't the time to read every
book that comes along—they rely on the recommendations
of the journals. A mention gives your book more publicity
than you can likely afford.
Clout. You've seen the review blurbs on the front or back of
novels—obviously a blurb from Publishers Weekly will hold
more appeal than one from Joe Blow.
So What's the Downside?
Nothing risked, nothing gained.
You go to all the work (and expense) to have review copies
printed, write the promotional materials and cover letter,
package everything up and mail the copies . . . and you
might get a review in one of the big publications. Don't do
any of the above and don't get one. Simple.
Now the bad news. Typically these journals receive
thousands of books each year and obviously they can't all be
read and reviewed. The odds are very small that your book
will make it, in fact, on the Foreword website it is spelt
out: they review about 5% of titles received and 60% of the
reviewed titles are nonfiction.
How to Up Your Odds of a Review?
Follow the steps below. Ignoring any of them gives the
review staff enough reason to dump your book.
SALES. Increased exposure in journals = increased sales.
These are the journals read by librarians and booksellers.
The buyers for these groups haven't the time to read every
book that comes along—they rely on the recommendations
of the journals. A mention gives your book more publicity
than you can likely afford.
Clout. You've seen the review blurbs on the front or back of
novels—obviously a blurb from Publishers Weekly will hold
more appeal than one from Joe Blow.
So What's the Downside?
Nothing risked, nothing gained.
You go to all the work (and expense) to have review copies
printed, write the promotional materials and cover letter,
package everything up and mail the copies . . . and you
might get a review in one of the big publications. Don't do
any of the above and don't get one. Simple.
Now the bad news. Typically these journals receive
thousands of books each year and obviously they can't all be
read and reviewed. The odds are very small that your book
will make it, in fact, on the Foreword website it is spelt
out: they review about 5% of titles received and 60% of the
reviewed titles are nonfiction.
How to Up Your Odds of a Review?
Follow the steps below. Ignoring any of them gives the
review staff enough reason to dump your book.
- Follow the guidelines to the very last detail. I cannot
stress this enough. If they ask for 2 copies of the
novel, make sure you send 2 copies and include all
your material in each copy.
. . . continued
| Make certain that all submission guidelines, down to the smallest detail are followed or your book will find itself in the trash. |
| Back to the newsletter . . . (or hit the back button) |