All writers agree that reviews are important. The number of reviews independent books and stories receive on vendor websites impacts where those books are seen and advertised. The more reviews, the higher the rank and broader the profile. There are many, many reviewers and sites offering a chance to earn a review. And it can be tough to gain a coveted spot on any of these reading lists. Running one such site, I wade through hundreds of requests looking for something I’ll enjoy reading.
As a reviewer, I am inundated with requests. My inbox currently contains over 400 emails offering books from every genre and dozens of different countries and author backgrounds. My requirements are simple – I want to read indie authors because I want to help them get their books noticed. And I love to give a good review, but I don’t just hand them out. There is more than one book I’ve turned down for purely technical reasons.
Here are a few tips to making sure that you and your work are truly ready for review and easy for the reviewer to pick out when they are ready to pull a book and read.
- Make sure your work is finished. This may seem obvious, but unless you are asking someone to act as a beta reader, your novel should be absolutely reader to hit the “shelves.” This includes formatting, an often overlooked component of sending along an electronic book file. I’ve had several come my way where the formatting laid out for print doesn’t convert to the ereader and leaves me struggling to following broken lines, wide spaces, and page numbers stranded in the middle of the screen. View your ebooks before you send them, in multiple formats if possible.
- Make sure your work has been proofed for errors. Errors are distracting to readers. It’s easy to think that if your spellcheck program isn’t pointing anything out that the writing must be perfect (and you’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating). Remember: spellcheck won’t tell you if you used “peaked” instead of “piqued” or point out the difference between “you” or “your” or “you’re.” Even if you can’t afford a good proofreader, you can accomplish this yourself by reading your work aloud, reading each and every word. You can invest in services such as Grammarly to aid with commas and other grammar issues.
- Name your file with the title and author name. Too many times, I send a book file to my Kindle or save a PDF on my computer only to realize later that I have no idea what book I’m opening up because the file name reads “Final Draft” or “V2jkd.” There is no other identifying information; sometimes there isn’t even a title page (see number 1 about the book being “finished”). The book I thought I wanted to read is now lost in the collection. The best way to name a book file in any format looks like “Call of the Goddess-Love” and helps the reviewer give you the review you deserve. To ensure proper identification, you also have the option of sending a gift copy through the vendor site.
- Read other reviews on the target site. Seeing how the reviewer treats other authors will give you a sense of how that reviewer will treat you. Each reviewer has their own style and focus. Some may show your book in a better light than others, so select those reviewers suited to your style.
- Make your email informative and brief. I frequently receive emails where the writer is either putting themselves down, sounds less than confident, or flat out begs. Wading through hundreds of requests, I want to see the pertinent information: Title, Author, Length, Genre, Book Blurb. If you include a brief introduction with your request, use that space to give other important information, such as if the book has been published yet or if you are looking for a particular time frame for the review.
- Follow the instructions. Some review websites have specific instructions and requirements for submitting works for review. For some, not following those instructions is an instant dismissal. Cater to each one instead of sending a blanket blast. It takes a little more time but may pay off in the long run.
- Use the review for your benefit. Reviews can hurt, but mostly just your feelings. Every writer receives a review from someone who just didn’t like the book. No one likes criticism. It’s tough to hear and even tougher not to react defensively. It’s important to remember that you are asking a total stranger for their honest opinion of what you wrote. But no matter how many stars they give or what they say, the review still counts on the numbers. Hopefully you will learn something about your work in the process, something you didn’t consider during the writing process. You may also be surprised by the multiple interpretations your work receives. Use any positive points in your marketing materials and on social media to boost you title.
Read reviews by Elizabeth Love at https://writerbeesbookreviews.com/
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Writerbee’s Reviews for this informative post.