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Best Paid Book Review Sites for Authors

Reviews are the lifeblood of your book’s success. Getting them is vital throughout your author journey, starting from before until long after you launch your piece of writing. Paid services are, of course, well aware of this fact. There are so many to choose from, so if you’re wondering what the best paid book review sites are, keep reading!

Dozens and dozens of companies are happy to take your money in exchange for the promise of landing you some good reviews.

With the many book review sites out there, you might be wondering which one should you choose.

Not All Paid Book Review Sites Are The Same

You can easily find plenty of companies out there that promises reviews in exchange for dollars. But, as much as you’d want them to be, not all of them will turn out effective. In fact, you may come across some that aren’t even legit.

Rather than take you through all the options available, I’ll share the tried-and-tested ones we use to help get your search narrowed down.

Here at Book Launchers, we use:

BookSirens, and
Booksprout for our authors.

Now, you might be thinking, “ A review is a review. So why so many different sites for the same thing?”

Well, if you haven’t noticed, paid book review sites aren’t all the same. Your book category, overall strategy, goals, and who you’re targeting are essential aspects to consider before going with a review company.

Still, every review site has the same ultimate goal: increase your exposure, find new readers for your book, and bump up those review counts.

Not all sites can make sense for every author. The best course of action would be to pick those that best suit your unique needs.

Here are the four best paid book review sites you can rely on for non-fiction authors, each with its distinctive features.

#1 goodreads.

Goodreads is the most popular review site in the publishing industry today. It remains the top on-line community for book lovers and authors alike.

Amazon runs it, so it boasts some perks for authors with books in the Amazon database.

Right through the site, you can claim your profile and earn a badge that verifies your identity. You’ll also be able to access a wealth of statistical information on your books listed on KDP.

So, how do you know if Goodreads is the way to go? Well, if you want your book to go viral and gain as much exposure as possible, Goodreads could be your ticket.

Here, the strategy is to get people to add your book to their virtual bookshelves, and of course, leave some reviews on it.

This way, your book gets raised visibility. Other users can now see it in their friends’ feeds, giving it a much better chance to be added to their reading list.

Think of it as like playing a giant book-fueled game of telephone with 80 million people.

Speaking of games, did you know that we have an entire YouTube channel dedicated to guiding authors like you to create an excellent self-publishing game plan. Check it out, and if you like what you see, let’s see how fast you can smash that subscribe button.

Back to our topic, you can also run a giveaway on Goodreads, a surefire way to get book reviews. It’s something we do regularly for our clients.

All active giveaways are listed on the giveaway section of the website. Your fans can link to it and encourage their friends to enter the giveaway.

Here’s a video dedicated entirely to helping you get all the goods you can get on Goodreads.

#2 NetGalley

Next up on the paid book review site list is NetGalley. NetGalley is a service that delivers digital Advanced Reader Copies, better known as ARCs.

This service provides ARCs of your book to professional readers. We’re talking about reviewers, media, journalists, bloggers, librarians, booksellers, podcast hosts, and many others.

These professional readers use NetGalley to access digital copies of your book, making it an effective marketing tool not just for your book but for your entire brand as an author.

It allows your work to be made available to people who want to read it in their professional capacity.

A NetGalley promotion offers your ARC three months to be highlighted in their database’s recently added and read now sections. The promo also lets you showcase your book to the sections specific to your title’s categories.

By opting for this promo, all users will see your book listed on the NetGalley website.

There’s a lot more to NetGalley when it comes to figuring out if it’s the right one for you.

To help you out, we have a video that goes into all the details of this review site. We also dive deep into costs because it can be pretty expensive and may not be worth it for all books. Stick to the end of this video to make sure if this review site is for you.

The following two on this list are similar to NetGalley. These two book review sites also deliver your ARC copy to both readers and reviewers. But, they focus more on getting your ARC securely to reviewers, bloggers, and your book army.

#3 BookSirens

BookSirens boasts over 10,000 readers across various genres with an average review rate of 75%, making it an attractive site to get book reviews.

The high average review rate is because their users are vetted and accepted as serious book reviewers. Before users can get approval to join BookSirens, they must have posted at least 20 starred ratings on Goodreads.

How this works is that you first need to send your book to the BookSirens team for evaluation. They will then confirm if it is a quality book – something that they want to offer to their users. Once approved, they will add your book to its appropriate category where users can discover it, download the ARC, and start reading.

A remarkable feature of BookSirens, which leads to their 75% success rate, is that readers can only download one ARC at a time. They can’t download a new ARC until they finish reading and reviewing their active one.

This feature is pretty cool for authors because your advanced reader is much less likely to ghost you without leaving a review. And they’re entirely focused on one book at a time.

BookSirens will also give you a direct link that you can send to your book army. So, those folks can hop on over there and securely download their ARC for free.

You also have the option of choosing whether your reviews are posted on Goodreads, Amazon, or both. Now if you’re wondering about getting book reviews from your book army (And how to keep them from being removed) – check out this article .

#4 Booksprout

Booksprout is another option to consider if your main priority is a prelaunch review push.

Similar to BookSirens, Booksprout is a review site that automates the delivery of your ARC to over 40,000 users.

Their average review rate is around 79%. Even your book army will find it challenging to beat that.

Before you get all excited, we’ve been testing this one for some time, and we’re getting mixed results.

Self-Publish and Succeed , well after launch, got four reviews from a single Booksprout listing. Yet, the other books we tested did not bring any results.

Right now, we’re playing with it to figure out whether it’s a timing issue, a topic, or something else.

We’ve experienced the same thing with BookSirens. My book wasn’t even accepted by them for their reviewers. So, I only used BookSirens for ARCs, but some authors from our client base have gotten good reviews.

BookSirens Vs. Booksprout

So what’s the difference between the two paid review sites? Which one is better for you? Let’s discuss the main differences between BookSirens and Booksprout:

Booksprout focuses on getting reviews by a specific date, while BookSirens focuses on getting a particular number of reviews.
On BookSirens, you can post your book and have the reviews roll in for as long as your little heart desires. But on Booksprout, your reviewers have a time limit to read and write their review.
Booksprout also limits the number of reviewer downloads depending on your subscription level. The more money you spend on their service, the more downloads you can do.
BookSirens is a fee-per-book service, letting you choose the number of downloads from as little as 5 to as many as 250.

On the plus side, you can request Booksprout reviews posted on up to eight different sites rather than just Goodreads or Amazon. They include options like Kobo, Apple Books, Google Books, and even BookBub.

Whether you go with BookSirens, Booksprout, or both, these two book review sites are easy to use. They’re effective if you need a little help building up your audience.

If this is your first book or your book army looks a little sparse on the prelaunch battlefield, one of these two review sites, or maybe both, could be your answer.

Now that you know some of the best sites that can help you get book reviews in bulk, maybe it’s time to get in touch with us. See what we can do to help you take off even further, even months post-launch.

Here at Book Launchers we help authors like you in every stage of the self-publishing process. Whether you write the book yourself or with our help, we’re with you every step of the way.

Get Paid to Review Books: 5 Book Review Jobs Sites That Pay Reviewers

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Writing book reviews is one of the best ways to get paid to read books online.

As a book reviewer, you’re tasked with reading and reviewing books, which in return can earn you a paycheck.

This blog post will show you five of the top-paying book review sites where you can submit your pitches and get hired for book review jobs.

To review books effectively, having a good education is important. EduBirdie can help you improve your skills and knowledge, making you better at reviewing books.

Book review jobs sites that pay reviewers

So, if you want to get paid to review books online , here is a list of five websites that you can explore to find book review jobs:

1) The US Review of Books

The US Review of Books has fair terms for reviewers, and the pay is usually between $25 and $75. To be accepted you’ll need to submit your resume, samples, and references. You’ll also be asked to do a sample review.

The site doesn’t have tough guidelines, the reviews can be half summary, half commentary. Most of the reviews requested will be around 300 words and you can expect to earn $25 for each. For longer reviews that are around $600 the pay can be as high as $75

The first review you will do will be treated as an application and you are compensated nonetheless, whether you’re hired eventually or not.

The pay might not seem much especially when you factor in the hours it will take you to read a book. However, if you are a faster reader, you can easily lock in $250-$750 doing 10 reviews a month.

Another added benefit of writing reviews for The US Review of Books is that you will be listed in its directory of reviewers that you can use as social proof and also get a backlink to your site.

The site pays via PayPal. US Review of Books encourages readers and authors alike to visit their website.

2) Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews isn’t transparent with their rates but some people claim that it’s usually $50 per review.

The media company has been in existence since 1933, so it is a legitimate company. That said, the reviews from Glassdoor seem to suggest that the editors will ask you to change your review if it’s negative, thus interfering with your work ethics as a book reviewer.

The reviews are around 350 words long with 2 weeks turnaround time. If you still want to apply, simply head over to this page and contact an editor.

3) OnlineBookClub

Though a popular book review website, many people do not recommend OnlineBookClub because of its tough and demanding guidelines with extremely low pay.

While they claim to pay up to $60 per review, most reviewers earn their lowest rates, which is actually $5 per review.

Reviews are easily rejected and can affect your review score. When you join, your score will be below 35, meaning that you will be bagging home $0 per review as they only begin to pay beyond the 35-point mark.

There are no clear guidelines on improving your score apart from the fact that you will have to engage in a forum and give shoutouts on social media. The editors aren’t as responsive either.

4) Booklist Publications

Booklist Publications is a book review website whose pay is not as appealing. Booklist pays $15 per review and only upon publication. This means that even if your review is accepted, you might have to wait a while

For published reviews, you will get one line credit and you can also be listed as a reviewer on their directory page.

To get started, you will need to fill in an application form answering basic questions and if you are fit the team will get back to you.

5) Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books is a publication of Wellesley Centers for Women, a part of Wellesley College, and reportedly pays $100 per review.

The publication specifically reviews books about women or written by women.

They expect their reviewers to have journalistic, academic, or strong book review backgrounds.

So if you believe that you can develop thought-provoking reviews you can start pitching your idea to them.

They pay on a review basis. To get started, send in a review pitch proposal about the book you want to review, its publication date, and your angle to the editors. You can find contact details on this page.

You will be paid upon review publication and you also get 12 months of subscription to their monthly issues.

You can also find more writing guidelines in this document . Make sure you adhere to them when writing the reviews.

Ready to begin your book reviewer job?

Book reviewing is a lucrative yet demanding career.

However, if it’s something you love doing and have a passion for writing, then book reviewing can be another source of income for you.

If this isn’t the case, I would advise you to look for other ways to earn money online such as freelance services, info products, or affiliate marketing.

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Top 10 Paid Book Review Sites That Can Springboard Your Career

by admin | Oct 25, 2017 | Uncategorized | 10 comments

Reviews are a crucial part of an author’s book marketing strategy. In today’s digital age it has become quite common for readers to post book reviews on sites. These include Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble. However, there are still a lot of authors who scramble for professional reviews from credible sources. For this reason, many successful authors have utilized paid book review sites at some point in their career. It might be hard to believe with all of the criticism surrounding paid book reviews, but it’s a fact!

10 Paid Book Review Sites

New authors, indie authors in particular, depend on paid book reviews to spread the word about their books. Because it is much more difficult for indie authors to get noticed, paid book review sites can be appealing. If you are a newbie and are struggling to organically attract the interest of popular reviewers, ChatEbooks suggest that you invest in the following paid book review sites to help you get the word out.

1. Kirkus Indie Reviews

One of the more popular paid book review sites online, Kirkus is known for using professional reviewers. Because of their reputation, they are able to charge authors as much as $500 for 250-word book reviews (librarians, journalists, business executives, etc.) with a turnaround time of seven to nine weeks. When using Kirkus, you are primarily paying for the name that the brand brings to the table.

Opinions surrounding this book review site vary. However, they do provide a relatively cheap $69 review package designed to deliver quick exposure. With a decent social media following, SPR delivers when it comes to speed, cost and marketing opportunities.

3. BestThrillers

Authors looking for a keen eye that understands thriller and mystery will appreciate this website. BestThrillers not only offer free book reviews. They also offer $99 paid review services that posts reviews on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. This site specializes in providing book reviews for the thriller and mystery genre.

4. IndieReader

An established online resource for indie authors, IndieReader claims to be the most cost-effective of paid book review sites around. Their current rate is $100 for a 300-word review. The website’s reviewers have a concise understanding of the industry which in turn empowers them to provide very constructive criticism.

5. Foreword Reviews

Foreword has a firm foundation and a solid reputation when it comes to paid book review sites. Their service is reliable and their website is busy but also clean. The only downside is that they don’t offer many extras, especially with regards to marketing and exposure.

6. ReaderViews

ReaderViews has a variety of reviewing service packages that are designed to appeal to authors with budgetary constraints. Expect to spend between $119 and $499 for book reviews, many of which are posted to audience-specific websites.

7. RT Book Reviews

This site’s lofty $425 price tag for book reviews might scare some people away. However, this magazine has been around since the 1980s and is therefore a name that people know and trust. RT Book Reviews carry weight because they are written by accredited and trusted reviewers.

paid book review sites Publishers Weekly

8. Publishers Weekly

Once you register your book with this website, you can sign up and pay for a variety of services in addition to book reviews. Publishers Weekly tends to excel when it comes to marketing. They feature their book reviews in their magazine, newsletters, and social media channels.

9. Net Galley

You will spend $399 to get professional readers to not only read your book but to review and recommend it from one location. Book reviews can come from bloggers, booksellers, librarians and even professional book reviewers. You have to first pitch your book to these professional readers before you can receive the book reviews you desire.

10. BlueInk Review

This service favors books whose publication has been achieved in part through the efforts and financial contributions of the author. They favor indie authors and accept submissions from outside the United States. Expect to spend an estimated $500 for fast track (4 to 5 weeks) book reviews.

A word of caution- Do NOT use paid book review sites that you haven’t first investigated and done your due diligence. Book reviews from websites with a bad reputation could actually do more harm than good to your credibility as an author. So take the time to explore every single book review website that piques your interest before trusting it with your book.

User Review

10 comments.

I recently had “KindleBook Review post their comments on a work of mine and though I didn’t agree with the general critique of one reviewer, I found their reviews (two of them) to be objective and well considered.

Recommendation

I am a veteran author with several romance novels to my credit. Recently, I tried https://usabookreviewers.com and I must say that I am impressed with their services. I received 20+ in-depth reviews for my book and I am more than pleased !

Did you find this review helpful? Yes (4) No

It is so difficult for new authors to get noticed, whether they’ve written a traditionally published book or through a publisher like Lulu or Amazon. I’m hesitant to use a paid book review site, but it’s better than paying for someone to give you a positive view (that’s as sketchy as it gets). I think the best way would be to solicit reviewers who might be interested in your book.

Wow, I actually didn’t know about this. Though I haven’t any current plans to write a book as of the moment, it’s still at the back of my mind and I think about it from time to time. This will definitely come in handy when the time comes. I think it would be justifiable if the site prices more than others, if they do delivery more valuable service! It would also help that we actually find others with huge influence or social media following (with a good reputation of course) to read our book. That’s what they always say, when you a good network, you can go places!

oh I’m so glad I found this post. I didnt know about these services. Im definitely going to check them all out and see what I can afford. Super excited about this!! Bookmarked it!

Yeah I wouldnt want a paid positive review I would want my reviews to be genuine which I believe these sites do. Ive heard of a few of them and they seem legit to me.

[https://usabookreviewers.com] is the main reason that I had over two hundred ratings and a hundred and fifty reviews on Goodreads on Risuko’s publication date.

Second Opinion

A colleague of mine suggested finding a few different places and getting my book reviewed because it’s always good to have a second opinion. I’m just really afraid of what they might say about my book because even I don’t think it’s that good. Everyone else has told me it’s great though so I don’t know if they’re just being nice or I’m being too hard on myself.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Perfect Timing

I wrote a short story that I have been looking to get reviewed so this is perfect timing! I am going to check into each one of these places, most sound like exactly what I was looking for which is great. Thanks for this list of honest review sites. They are hard to find online since so many places want to scam you.

Great, but what if.....

I have just had my 5th book released and, for the first time, am being more serious at promoting and marketing my work. I researched quite a boat load of reviewers willing to review my book for free (most obtained from Goodreads.com). The reason for this decision was made because, being retired on a limited income, I simply cannot afford the fees charged by services like those listed here, and others I found online.

This seems to be the hardest hurdle for authors I have encountered — having the financial resources to devote to promotion/marketing. Thankfully I entered into writing without any delusions of making a large number of sales. My main aim is to endeavor to have as many people simply pick up my books to read because they sound interesting. So I do as much online promo as possible without draining my bank.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes (1) No

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How to Make Money Writing Book Reviews: 9 Websites that Pay

by Michelle
November 1, 2020

As an avid reader, you may be thinking of how to use your hobby and passion for books to make money. You can use your critiquing skills to make money writing book reviews that can help other readers get a detailed insight into a book. You don’t have to be a professional writer to earn money with your passion for books.

There are many opportunities available for freelance reviewers to earn a side income while doing the thing they love. There’s a whole new marketplace for book readers and writers. You can easily turn your hobby into a profession in a matter of clicks.

List of websites that Pay for writing Book Reviews

Online book club.

Online Book Club is a free reading site that has been on the internet for over 10 years. It has a large reading community from all over the world. This platform is also a great opportunity for reviewers to earn some side income.

For your first review, the Online Book Club will give you a book to review for free after which you will be able to get a reviewing opportunity with a small fee. As a reviewer, you have to write a professional review that covers all aspects of the book, including mentioning the right audience for the book. You are not expected to only write a positive review. Remember, if you don’t like the book, you can mention that in the review and then rate it accordingly.

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine that has gained a good reputation for its quality reviews. It is a great place for book reviewers to publish their content on an authentic and respectable forum.

Currently, Kirkus media is looking for book reviewers who can write professional reviews on English and Spanish books for Kirkus Indie, which is a section for self-published books.

Reviews should be 350 words long and due two weeks after the book is assigned. There are no charges for the books, they are completely free. You can write reviews for both print media and soft media books as well as paperbacks.

The US Review

The US book review is a popular book review publication that is known for its quality reviews. The online publication offers the opportunity for freelance writers to earn by writing book reviews for unpublished books. If you want to apply for this job, you can send your resume, along with writing samples and two professional recommendations either through email or regular mail.

The US Review website lists the books for reviews. From there reviewers can select the books to review by mentioning their preferences on the list. The books are then assigned in order of reviewer request. Once the book is sent, you are expected to write a review in 2-3 weeks.

New Pages is a site that provides online news, information, and guides to literary magazines. The website offers the opportunity for freelance writers to earn by writing flash reviews. You only have to write 100-200 words, although you can write up to the limit of 300 words. Reviewers can give their honest opinions on any of the latest books, magazines, or individual writings they have read recently.

Booklist Online

Booklist is an American journal that publishes book reviews and has helped thousands of librarians in selecting the right books. The company has other products such as Booklist magazine and Booklist reader. They offer opportunities to write book reviews for Booklist magazine and Booklist reader.

Your review should follow the guidelines provided by them. Reviews are generally around 175 words, however, if the book is an outstanding one, you may write a review of up to 200 to 225 words. Once you send in your submission to Booklist, it will be reviewed and if accepted, it will be edited by the editors before being published.

Writerful Books

Writerful Books is an editorial company that assists authors in securing a publishing deal through book editing and manuscript assessments.

Currently, the company is offering freelance job opportunities for book reviewers. They are recruiting a panel of experts to review contemporary books from American, Australian, British, Irish, Canadian, and New Zealand authors. Once you become a trusted reviewer at Writerful books, you can get an offer for earning opportunity.

Reedsy is a website that has everything about books and writing. It publishes book reviews of many unpublished books and you can become a part of this thriving community. Hundreds of authors submit their books for reviewing. Not only you will get a chance to write reviews but also get those books for free.

Reedsy doesn’t directly pay reviewers for their work. Reviewers get paid by the readers who are reading your book reviews and enjoying them.

Get Abstract

Get Abstract is a website that provides summaries for all kinds of books. It offers summaries on a variety of books including academic books and journals. The website is offering opportunities for reviewers to join their teams in Switzerland and the US. To be a part of this team, you can send your resume to the email listed on their website.

Book Browse

Book Browse is a website that publishes reviews of some of the best books out in the reading world. They also publish reviews for adult fiction and nonfiction as well as books for young adults. As a freelancer, you can apply for the reviewer position at Book Browse and become a part of their community.

You can write a review on monthly basis and get a small payment for it. As an expert in the USA, you can get a paperback for review. But if you reside outside of the USA, you can get an ebook to review.

As a book lover there are other kinds of earning opportunities available as well. For instance, you can sell your old books online and make money from that!

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What Are the Pros and Cons of Paying for a Guaranteed Editorial Book Review?

Advice for Writers , Being a Successful Author , Promoting Your Book

Get the Facts to Decide Whether Paid Book Reviews Are Worth It for You

In the ever-competitive landscape of publishing, authors are continually seeking ways to stand out and gain recognition for their literary creations. One avenue often explored is paid book reviews, specifically guaranteed editorial reviews. These reviews offer a unique opportunity for authors to secure feedback and exposure for their works, but navigating this terrain requires careful consideration and leaves many authors wondering: Are paid book reviews worth it?

A Unique Avenue for Promoting Your Book

Paid book reviews, specifically guaranteed editorial reviews, present a multifaceted opportunity for authors to promote their work and gain recognition. However, whether they are worth the investment depends on various factors, and it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

On one hand, a guaranteed review can provide a sense of security and validation for an author. On the other hand, it can also be seen as a bit of a gamble.

First things first, let’s define what a guaranteed editorial review is. It’s essentially a service where an author pays a fee to have their book reviewed by a reputable publication or website. You are guaranteed to receive a completed review, regardless of whether it’s a glowing review or a scathing critique.

Are Paid Book Reviews Worth It?

So, is it worth it to pay for book reviews? Well, it depends on the publication and the cost. If you’re paying a small fee for a review from a well-known publication with a large readership, it could potentially be worth it. However, if you’re paying a large sum for a review from a lesser-known outlet, it may not be as beneficial.

One thing to keep in mind is that paid guaranteed reviews may not always be as objective as unpaid reviews. The publication or website may be more inclined to give a positive review in order to maintain a good relationship with the author. This can lead to biased or inflated reviews, which may not be helpful to potential readers.

Another thing to consider is whether a paid review will actually help boost sales. While a positive review can certainly help generate buzz, it’s not a guarantee that it will translate into increased sales. There are many factors at play when it comes to book sales, and a review is just one piece of the puzzle.

In this exploration, we delve deeper into the world of paid book reviews, weighing the potential benefits against the drawbacks to determine if they are indeed worth the investment. Furthermore, we provide insights into where and how authors can request editorial book reviews, ensuring that the process is both accessible and transparent.

PROS of Paid Book Reviews:

Security and Validation : One of the primary benefits of a guaranteed review is the sense of security and validation it provides to authors. Knowing that a reputable publication or website will review your book can boost an author’s confidence and reassure them that their work is being taken seriously.

Exposure : If you choose a well-known publication with a substantial readership, a positive review can significantly increase your book’s exposure. It can introduce your work to a broader audience, potentially leading to increased sales and a growing fan base.

Professional Feedback : Paid reviews often come from experienced reviewers who provide constructive criticism, highlighting strengths and weaknesses in your book. This feedback can be invaluable for improving your writing and storytelling skills.

Marketing Material : Positive reviews can be used as marketing materials. You can feature excerpts from the review on your book’s cover, website, or promotional materials to help convince potential readers of its quality.

CONS of Paid Book Reviews:

Risk of Bias : One significant concern with paid reviews is the potential for bias. Reviewers may feel inclined to write positive reviews to maintain a good relationship with the author, leading to biased or inflated evaluations that may not reflect the true quality of the book.

Cost Considerations : The cost of guaranteed editorial reviews can vary widely. While a small fee for a review from a reputable publication with a large readership might be justifiable, a significant expense for a review from a lesser-known outlet might not yield the desired benefits.

Uncertain Impact on Sales : Although a positive review can generate buzz and attract attention, it doesn’t guarantee increased sales. Book sales depend on numerous factors, including genre, marketing efforts, and reader preferences. A review is only one component of the overall marketing strategy.

Key Factors to Consider

Overall, paid guaranteed editorial book reviews can be a valuable tool for authors, but their worth depends on several factors. Authors should carefully research their options and consider the following:

Publication Reputation : Choose a reputable publication or website with a proven track record of honest and unbiased reviews.

Cost-Benefit Analysis : Assess whether the cost of the review is justified by the potential benefits, such as increased exposure and confidence.

Objectivity : Be aware of the potential for bias and select reviewers who prioritize objectivity and honesty.

Overall Marketing Strategy : Remember that a paid review is just one piece of your marketing puzzle. It should complement your broader marketing efforts.

Ultimately, while paid reviews can offer a sense of validation and exposure, authors should approach them cautiously and view them as part of a larger strategy to promote their work. Success in the world of publishing often hinges on a combination of talent, marketing savvy, and a bit of luck, and no single review can guarantee that.

Resources for Requesting Editorial Book Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews : Kirkus Reviews is a well-known and respected publication that offers paid book review services. Authors can submit their books for consideration, and if selected, they will receive a detailed review. Kirkus Reviews is known for its objectivity and has a substantial readership, making it a valuable resource for authors looking to gain exposure. However, their services can be relatively expensive.

BlueInk Review : BlueInk Review specializes in reviews of self-published books. They offer paid review services and provide authors with constructive feedback. BlueInk is known for its commitment to honest assessments and is considered a reputable source for self-published authors seeking recognition.

Foreword Clarion Reviews : Foreword Clarion Reviews is a branch of Foreword Reviews, focusing on providing editorial book reviews. They offer paid review services for both indie and traditional authors. Authors can expect detailed and professional feedback on their books.

Publishers Weekly BookLife : Publishers Weekly, a well-established industry publication, offers a paid review service called BookLife. Authors can submit their self-published books for consideration. While not all submissions are guaranteed a review, being featured in Publishers Weekly can significantly boost an author’s credibility.

Book Review Blogs : In addition to professional publications, there are numerous book review bloggers and websites that offer book review services. Some of these may review books for free or charge a nominal fee. While they may not have the same reach as established publications, they can still provide valuable feedback and exposure.

Example: The Indie View

Get the Book Marketing Help You Need

Deciding whether to invest in things like paid reviews to promote your book can be difficult. Luckily, you don’t need to make these decisions alone. Our book marketing team is adept at putting your book in front of the audiences most likely to adore your writing. If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our book marketing services !

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How and Where to Get Paid Editorial Book Reviews

Paying someone to review your book is an accepted and common marketing tactic. This article and directory will help you determine the answers to these questions:

Should I pay for an editorial book review?
What should I consider when choosing a review business?
What services are available?

Editorial reviews vs customer reviews

Customer reviews are written by readers, who also assign one to five stars to reflect their opinion of the book, with five being outstanding. Authors are referring to customer reviews when they reference a book’s review count on Amazon, Goodreads, and elsewhere.

I like Amazon’s definition of an editorial review:

“An editorial review is a more formal evaluation of a book, usually written by an editor or expert within a genre.”

Editorial reviews may be added to your book’s product page on Amazon via Author Central. They appear under the heading Editorial Reviews .

Examples of other uses of paid editorial reviews:

Include excerpts on your book’s cover and/or inside your book
Post on your website and social media accounts
Include excerpts in your book’s description on Amazon (this is one of my favorite uses)
If you are contacting a blogger or podcaster, include the reviews your written materials
Include in a press release and on other marketing collateral

Do you need editorial reviews?

If the purpose of a review is to impress and influence someone, who is the person you are trying to impress?

A bookstore manager?
A librarian?
A reporter, podcaster, or blogger?
Some other influencer?

Clarity about who you are trying to impress is your compass for navigating possible review sources. Each review source has two facets: the person or organization who wrote the review, and the review itself.

In my experience, the average reader isn’t too familiar with these review businesses or doesn’t give them much thought. But another reason for buying these reviews is to impress bookstore owners and librarians—people who make buying decisions.

Tip : Be clear about the answer to this question. If you are trying to impress readers, Amazon customer reviews are probably more important.

Five questions to ask yourself before making a decision

If you are familiar with The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages , you know that I break out paid review businesses into two categories, fee-only and hybrid. Hybrid reviewers review a limited number of books at no charge. Those that are not accepted must pay.

Note: Businesses that that do not charge to write editorial reviews are profiled in The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages . There are not very many, their standards are high, and their requirements are stringent, making them less available to self-publishing authors.

1. Is the cost in your budget? Name-brand reviewers like Kirkus Reviews and Foreword's Clarion Reviews begin at $425, but even lesser-known reviewers cost $200. Considering the fact that opinions vary, it can get very expensive to solicit multiple reviews.

Tip : Sign up with the review business’s mailing list well in advance and watch for discounts and specials. Associations also offer discounts: IBPA’s arrangement with Foreword will save you 35% (which gets you close to the fee for joining!). Find out more at https://www.ibpa-online.org/.

2. How important is “professional” feedback to you as a writer? We all want independent feedback about our writing. Some services also offer longer reviews and/or reviews of manuscripts. However, it’s important to remember a review is just one reader’s opinion.

Tip : Read the company’s reviews for books like yours. Is that the depth you are looking for?

3. How will they promote their review? Most review businesses claim they market your review. Examples include their print magazine, website, mailing list, and social media. They may also syndicate their reviews. For example, Foreword Clarion licenses their reviews to book wholesalers such as Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Cengage, Bowker, and EBSCO.

Tip : Review the information in the table below to decide if a company’s claim of promotion is helpful for your situation. I also like to check their website’s Alexa ranking , a useful tool for evaluating a website’s popularity (the lower the number, the more popular the website). Note: Our research as reflected in the table is only a starting point, and it is subject to change.

4. Does the name of the review business detract from your positioning? If you are trying to downplay the fact that your book is self-published, does the name of the review business give it away or is it neutral? Or does it even matter?

Tip : As always, bestselling self-published authors in your genre can serve as a guide. Check their editorial reviews on Amazon for ideas.

5. How do you plan to use the review? I’m always looking for short, insightful quotes to promote client books. I’m not even sure readers read 300+ word reviews!

Tip : If a quote is all you need, perhaps try excerpts from Amazon customer reviews or blurbs from a well-known person or organization.

16 sources for paid editorial reviews

In our directory below, we profile 16 sources that review self-published books for a fee. The details you see were taken from their website or were publicly available sources as of June 2021.

Caution, please read:

The details here are subject to change.
You should rely on your own research and validation of the details.
The details we provide may or may not be the best way to evaluate the worthiness of a review from a service. Only you can decide that.

Notes about the listings:

Only review businesses with reviews posted in 2021 are shown. If you uncover a review business not on this list, make sure it has reviewed books in 2021.
Most businesses allow you to suppress (kill) a review you don’t like. You still need to pay for it, but at least it won’t be public. Ask ahead of time, if you are concerned about this.
Min Fee . This is the fee for their non-rush service. Most will offer a review more quickly, but it will cost more.
Turnaround . This is how long it takes to get the review, based on the noted fee. Most offer faster service for a higher price.
Alexa Rank . Alexa is a useful tool for evaluating a website’s popularity (the lower the number, the more popular the website). It isn’t perfect, but every website on the internet has a ranking, and those numbers are public. (Click the link and enter your own website. You’d be surprised what you can learn!)
Author Link . Is the review linked to the author’s website?
Amazon Buy Link . Yes means the review links to Amazon to buy your book.
Other Buy Link . Most of the companies link to Amazon, but do they link to other stores?
Review Promotion . In most cases, this information is taken directly from the reviewer’s website.
Click the arrows to sort by column.

Scroll down for Additional Resources.

Additional Resources

Book : The Book Review Companion: An Author’s Guide to Getting and Using Book Reviews
Book : The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages: A Directory of Book Bloggers, Blog Tour Organizers & Book Review Businesses

About The Author

Manon Wogahn

Are Paid Book Reviews Worth It?

Paying for professional book reviews is a controversial topic throughout the writing and publishing community, and it’s hard to find practical, unbiased information about the benefits. In fact, it’s not even well-known that paid book reviews exist, and even less is known about the value of such reviews.

Before I discuss the pros and cons of paid reviews, I want to define them (strictly for the purposes of this post).

Trade book reviews. Trade publications are those read by booksellers, librarians, and others who work inside the industry (as opposed to readers/consumers). Such publications primarily provide pre-publication reviews of traditionally published books, whether from small or large presses. Typically, these publications have been operating for a long time and have a history of serving publishing professionals. However, with the rise of self-publishing, some trade review outlets have begun paid review programs especially for self-published authors. Examples: Kirkus Reviews and Foreword Reviews .
Non-trade book reviews. Because of the increased demand for professional reviews of self-published work, you can now find online publications that specialize in providing such services. These publications or websites may have some reach and visibility to the trade, or they may be reader-facing, or a mix of both. Examples: Indie Reader , Blue Ink Review , Self-Publishing Review .
Reader (non-professional) reviews. It’s considered unethical to pay for reader reviews posted at Amazon or other sites, and Amazon is actively trying to curb the practice.

This post is focused on the first two types of paid reviews; I recommend you stay away from the third.

Some of you reading this post may be looking for a quick and easy answer to the question of whether you should invest in a paid book review. Here’s what I think in a nutshell, although a lot of people will be unhappy with me saying so:

The majority of authors will not sufficiently benefit from paid book reviews, and should invest their time and money elsewhere.

However, this can be a more nuanced issue than this broad statement indicates. Here are three questions I ask authors when advising about the value of paid reviews:

Do you have a well-thought-out marketing plan that targets librarians, booksellers, or schools?
What is your overall marketing budget, and does it include hiring a publicist or outside help?
What’s your book category? Are you trying to market a children’s book?

Let discuss each issue in more detail.

1. Are you targeting the trade?

It makes little sense to pay for a trade book review if all you’re going to do is make your book available for sale on Amazon or other online retailers and consider your marketing job done. This is a huge waste of your money, yet this is what many authors do, because what they’re mainly after is validation, not a marketing tool.

Ask yourself: Do you want this review because you feel it’s part of having “real” book published—that having it gives you some additional credibility? If that’s your only motivation, you are paying to feel better about yourself and your work, not to sell books.

A better way to sell more books on Amazon, or through online retail, is to generate as many reader reviews as possible. Some might argue that having a professional review as part of the book’s description on Amazon (and elsewhere) adds a sheen of professionalism and leads to more readers taking a chance on the book. But I believe readers are generally not persuaded by one professional review when there are few reader reviews and/or a low star rating. Like it or not, purchasing behavior online is driven by quantity of reviews that help indicate a book is worth the price, assuming no prior exposure to the author.

However, if you have an outreach plan that involves approaching libraries to consider your book, or if you’re trying to reach independent booksellers, then having a positive review from a source they know can help you overcome an initial hurdle or two. It will not guarantee they will carry or buy your book, but it may help make a favorable impression. (That said, they may know your review was paid for if your book is self-published. This probably won’t matter to them as long as they trust the review source.)

Another thing to understand is that even if you pay for your trade review, that doesn’t mean it will have as much prominence or visibility as other (unpaid) reviews from that publication. Paid reviews are typically segregated and run separately from unpaid reviews, so a bookseller or librarian may have to actively seek out reviews of self-published books. How much attention these reviews receive from the trade, in aggregate, is anyone’s guess. One thing is for sure: there’s a ton of competition even just among traditionally published books.

All of this assumes that the paid review you receive is positive or will make a good impression. The review may, in fact, be negative, and you won’t be able to use it. (In such cases, the trade review outlet allows you to suppress publication of the review altogether.)

If you are targeting the trade, and you’re operating on a professional level, then consider approaching trade publications just as any traditional publisher would: four to six months in advance of your book’s publication date. (Since the focus of these trade publications is on pre-publication reviews, they won’t review your book if you don’t send the copy several months in advance of your pub date.) Send an advance review copy along with a press release or information sheet about the book, and cross your fingers that your book is selected for review (for free). If not, later on you can consider paying for a review if necessary.

If you’re not targeting the trade, sometimes a paid review can still be helpful. That brings us to the second question.

2. What does your overall marketing plan look like?

If paying for a review consumes all of your marketing and publicity budget, stop. This isn’t what you should spend your money on. You’d see far more sales from spending that money on a BookBub promotion or on other types of discounts or giveaways to increase your book’s visibility.

On the other hand, if the paid review is just one piece of a larger marketing plan to gain visibility, then you’re in a better place to capitalize on a positive paid review. If you can see it as a steppingstone—as a way to get people on board quicker—that’s the right mindset. A positive review from a known or trusted source can help lead to other reviews—or interview opportunities, or other media coverage. Or you could use the review in advertisements to the trade.

With paid reviews, remember: steppingstone. It’s not paid review = book sales . A good marketer or publicist can help open doors for you, and they could have an easier time if they’re armed with some good blurbs or coverage (including that paid book review) to start.

If all you intend to do with your paid review is add it to your book cover, your website, your Amazon book description, or other online marketing copy, then it is not likely to have any noticeable effect on your sales. (And frankly, in such cases, there is no way to measure if it really did make a difference.)

3. What’s your book category?

The children’s market is one area where I think paid reviews can make the most sense, because you’re not typically marketing directly to readers (children) but to educators, librarians, and schools. The children’s market highly values trade publications such as School Library Journal or Publishers Weekly ; these publications help them understand what’s releasing soon and make good choices about what to buy, often on a limited budget.

Here’s the rub: you can’t buy a review in either of those publications I just mentioned. You would have to submit to them through the traditional channels at least a couple months (or more) in advance of your publication date.

I spent more than a dozen years in traditional publishing and oversaw the publication of hundreds of books. During that time, only a handful of our titles received professional trade reviews. By and large, our company did not submit books for review, and pre-publication reviews did not perceptibly affect our sales when they did appear. That’s because our books were mainly in instructional or enthusiast nonfiction categories, where sales aren’t typically driven by professional or trade reviews.

If you don’t have industry experience, it may be difficult to figure out if a paid review might make a difference for your particular book category. Here’s what I recommend: Using Amazon, find books that would be considered direct competitors to yours. Take a look at their Amazon category or genre (e.g., paranormal romance, cozy mystery, etc.), then look at the bestsellers in that category over a period of a week or two. (If you can, make sure you research a good mix of both traditionally published and self-published titles.) Read the books’ Amazon page descriptions and see what review sources are quoted. Many times, you’ll find (free) blogger reviews and a variety of (free) niche publication reviews, rather than reviews from the companies I mentioned at the beginning of this post.

Taking the time to pursue free reviews or reader reviews is the preferred method of established, career indie authors; they’re rarely concerned about courting the traditional gatekeepers, unless their work is of a literary bent.

Paid Book Review Benefits That Don’t Really Mean Anything

Most paid review outlets promise that your review will be distributed to Ingram, online retail sites, and all sorts of important-sounding places. This type of review promotion doesn’t discount any of what I’ve discussed above. Again, just because the review is distributed or available doesn’t mean it will be seen or acted upon. And I don’t recommend that you pay these companies for extra promotion or advertising of your review unless you really know what you’re doing and a marketer or publicist thinks it will get your book in front of exactly the right audience. Too much of online advertising is like flushing money down the toilet—whether it’s done through these companies or not. If you’re interested in quality and targeted advertising for your book, consider M.J. Rose’s AuthorBuzz service , but even then, make sure it’s only one part of a larger marketing plan, not the only part.

Are Paid Book Reviews Tainted?

Yes and no. As I said at the outset, this is a controversial topic, and perceptions about the practice widely vary. I’m not typically an advocate of paid reviews, because in most cases I think that authors fail to capitalize on them and also that authors can achieve much the same results if they put in the (time-consuming) effort to secure the many types of free reviews available to them. It’s not that I’m morally against paid reviews, although I do think paid review services can make it sound like all sorts of wonderful, influential people will suddenly take notice of your book when that’s seldom the case.

If professional trade reviews are very important to you or your work, I highly recommend (as suggested before) that, rather than paying for a review, you send advance review copies to trade review outlets four to six months in advance of your publication date and proceed through the process just as other publishers would. While your chances of getting a review might not be as good as the chance a recognized press would have, you still have a shot if your work appears to meet professional standards in every other way. Darcy Pattison has shown that it’s possible , and so have many others. Too many self-publishers don’t have the patience to wait, yet still want the same review consideration or coverage as traditionally published authors. Fortunately, I think many self-publishers don’t need the same kind of professional review coverage or attention that traditionally published authors receive; you have other tools at your disposal that can be just as effective in driving sales.

I’d love to hear in the comments from authors willing to share their experience with paid review services—positive, neutral, or negative.

Additionally, The Alliance of Independent Authors has posted their anecdotal findings and research into the issue in the following two posts, which have interesting comment threads. So far, they’ve only focused on Kirkus.

Is a Kirkus Review Worth the Price?
Is Kirkus Selling Dreams—Or Do They Deliver?

In October 2022, publisher and author Ian Lamont wrote about his Kirkus Indie review for the Harvard Business Review. Be sure to read it before paying for a Kirkus review.

Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet , the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. Her latest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing.

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[…] The majority of authors will not benefit from paid book reviews, and should invest their time and money elsewhere. Here's why. […]

I bought a paid review from Kirkus for my speculative fiction novel, Duo. While the review was largely positive, so much of it was devoted to outlining the plot, I felt anyone who read it would be be deprived of enjoying the discovery of the story for themselves. And, I could be wrong, but the tone of the comments led me to believe that the reviewer had speed-read the book (which, if they’re getting paid by the review, would make sense), and that led to conclusions that none of my other reviewers, who had read the story for enjoyment, agreed with. Overall, I did get a couple of good quotes to excerpt on the book jacket, etc., so it was worth it for my marketing mix, but I think there are probably better ways to spend marketing dollars.

Much appreciate you sharing your detailed results here. Thank you!

$Diane O\'Connell$

One of my authors (I’m an independent editor) had the same experience with Kirkus. The review was positive, but was 90% devoted to detailing the plot, including spoiling a major plot twist. There was nothing really “quotable” in the review, so the author was unable to use it — even though he got a good review.

TK Greenleaf, I’ve found this endless synopsis thing to be true with many of these review sites, whether paid or free, and I don’t get it. I write reviews for Blue Ink Review, and we are required to read the entire book, and I spend as little of my word count as possible on the synopsis, and always read the whole book, for better or worse. My guess is that any of the bigger review sites require the same of their reviewers, whether individual reviewers follow through or not. That client is shelling out a ton, and it’s just unethical not to respect that.

Thank you for your honesty.

My novel has been all of five weeks, and I have 43 reviews…all four-and-five stars. Not one of those has been paid, and it’s fun that so many reviews came from strangers. I’m VERY proud of what I’ve accomplished, but getting those reviews has been harder than writer the book (not really, but sort of).

I’m trying to get 60 reviews and saving my money for BookBub for the very reasons you laid out. It’s interesting because my first inclination about “paid reviews” was it’s unethical, but I do respect Kirkus. Thanks for really making me think, Jane.

43 is fantastic! I’ve only gotten 23… it is HARD WORK! You’re right.

Thanks, Cathey. I knew it’d be hard, but even so much harder than I expected. I can name 8 people who’ve read my novel and liked it (they told me through email, Facebook, Twitter) and SAID they would write review, but haven’t. Grrr.

Good luck with you and gathering reviews.

I also had multiple individuals say they really liked my book, but didn’t write a review… even after I sent them a detailed description as to how it could be done on Amazon, B & N and Goodreads!

I’ve found the same thing. I’ve had readers tell me how good the book was, said that they would write a review, and yet they haven’t written one. I thought writing a book was hard but I think unless you’re willing to shell out lots of money for reviews, the getting of reviews is much harder. I’ve begged for reviews and I’ve only gotten one or two by begging. I’ve written to reviewers who said that they would review my book if I sent it to them. I’ve sent it to them and then waited for their review. Out of many that I wrote to, only a couple actually wrote a review. So far I’ve gotten eight reviews on my latest book in over a year of trying to get them. I write a blog, use twitter, and facebook. I’m not willing to pay for reviews and maybe that’s my problem. All of the paid review sites tell you how great they are and how well they work. However, I personally think that they only work great for them to make money. Thank you Jane for bringing up this issue. There must be a trick without spending lots of money that we’re not aware of. I hope that if anyone finds out what it is, they’ll let us know.

Stanley, You are so right! Lots of people will promise, but it takes time. Jane’s article gives great advice, and is my go to for any self publishing advice. It is a lot like running for office, you have to all the little things, as hard as that may be.

Hey there, can you give me some advice on getting reviews? I’ve approached a metric ton of bloggers, emailed 800 top reviewers, posted on all sorts of communities asking for reviews over the last 4 weeks, and I have 5 reviews total.

My findings, exactly! Getting honest reviews is harder than the writing… by far.

I am so glad you published this post. There’s something about paying for a review that has never appealed to me. And when authors promote a Kirkus review, I tend to dismiss it. I would much rather promote my readers’ reviews than a review I had to purchase. Reader reviews are authentic, more meaningful, and, of course, provided without compensation.

Thanks for that Frances, I think I will follow your lead. I write books, and of course I also want to sell my books, to help people get inspired by what I have written for them.

As an expert in paid reviews, and the COO of Self-Publishing Review, one company you linked to, I feel I need to get into this – you could have come to us, the specialists in the field for advice and comment; instead you have drawn conclusions without reliable data. I saw your post on Facebook where writers were saying paid reviews were useful to them, but I’m not seeing that here. You have not reported it. Some said it wasn’t useful as well, but this seems to be a blanket dismissal of something that works for a lot of writers, or it wouldn’t be increasingly commonplace.

To start, this paragraph doesn’t make a lot of sense:

“I believe readers are generally not persuaded by one professional review when there are few reader reviews and/or a low star rating. Like it or not, purchasing behavior online is driven by quantity of reviews that help indicate a book is worth the price, assuming no prior exposure to the author.”

People get an editorial review to put in the Editorial Reviews section on Amazon so that people might be more inclined to buy the book and add a customer review. Amazon have done this officially because expert reviews are more valued by consumers more of the time than a customer review – I have independent studies to prove this. This is because an expert reviewer can judge a book’s viability, readability, and the writer’s talent much more astutely than someone who reads a few books a year. We have scientific data on this I would have been happy to share if you had asked.

Another: “If all you intend to do with your paid review is add it to your book cover, your website, your Amazon book description, or other online marketing copy, then it is not likely to have any noticeable effect on your sales.”

You don’t understand the reason an author needs an editorial review. Reviews of any kind cause a cumulative effect and not a direct sales to review ratio. The main difference between an editorial review and a customer review is this: A customer buys the book before they write a review. The editorial review is written before a customer buys the book. So you’re working back to front if you want customer reviews to sell books.

For the vast majority of self-publishers, where KDP is their bread and butter, libraries and “the trade” aren’t important. Honestly, this seems sort of old-fashioned and print-centric for today’s industry. What authors mostly want is a review to get the ball rolling with readers directly. Authors are much more concerned with Kindle sales than library distribution, which they can get anyway with Smashwords or with KDP extended distribution. This is your core argument, but there’s a really small percentage of writers who even have a book in hard copy these days. Seems really out of touch to be talking about this as a main concern.

You’re underestimating how difficult it is to get reviews for free. If you send a query to 100 book blogs and don’t receive many responses, or get a badly written 100-word review on a low-traffic site, that does nothing for sales. Additionally, a review from a higher-profile source can help get a foot in the door with book bloggers than a book that has no reviews from other book sites. Even if you do get free reviews, again, these don’t look professional on your Editorial section, and do nothing to augment your book selling plan.

I have worked with thousands of indie authors so I know what they want – library exposure is not one of the wishlist, especially given many libraries are closing and don’t have money for trad books, let alone taking a shot on a self-publisher. Sales and ranking are the main concerns these days, both of which are helped with an editorial review. It’s about getting a manuscript critique that’s live on the site/social networks, and making an Amazon page/author site/marketing materials as enticing as possible.

We get reviews in front of nearly a quarter of a million readers when someone buys a review from us. That’s not nothing.

It’s strangely narrow minded to dissuade writers from any useful tool when bookselling is becoming increasingly more difficult. It’s highly fashionable to criticize paid reviews without really researching the plus points, but it’s really a lack of understanding of how hard it is to promote a book among the millions of titles available, and honestly, this article does not reflect your findings on Facebook, which I monitored, that were clearly as positive as they were negative, with authors reporting good sales after paid reviews – something I can corroborate.

I’m sorry you thought you had to join in the paid review bashing. Unfortunately you did not report the facts from your research correctly, and although you linked to us, did not ask us or any of the other companies listed for our opinion, comment, or advice. We have loads of facts and figures from independent studies conducted by marketing experts, universities, and even Amazon that we could have shared with you instead of your points in this post, that are honestly kind of misleading and yet again don’t give the right up-to-date information for indie authors today.

The amount of professional care and attention we give to reviews is beyond just writing a few paragraphs, and I deeply resent the myth being perpetuated by articles like this that as book professionals we don’t do everything in our power to make sure authors get the most they can out of their review package. This whole idea of rejecting book marketing experts in self-publishing has to end. It’s just silly, and smacks of being stubbornly against the tide of progress for no reason. There are going to be a lot of noses cut in spite littering the self-publishing industry floor at this rate, and a lot of disappointed writers who read articles like this and think it’s fine to scrimp on professional tools. It’s not.

Thanks for adding your perspective, Cate. If you’re willing to share links to the independent studies and scientific data here in the comment thread, I know my readers would welcome them, as would I.

I think it’s extreme to characterize my post as bashing paid reviews or rejecting book marketing experts. I stated what I believe are the limitations of paid book reviews, and clarified that some authors can benefit from them with a well-thought-out marketing plan. I’ve worked with self-published authors for a long time as well (since 2001), so I’m not without experience of my own. This is my professional opinion, not a journalistic investigation.

If anyone would like to review the full comment thread at Facebook where I asked authors to share their experiences with paid reviews, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/jane.friedman/posts/10153906010842417?pnref=story

I wish that when bloggers blog about paid reviews they would use hard fact instead of opinion. I work with paid reviews every day for 16 hours a day. I see hundreds of authors making sales as a result. Some have even gotten trad book deals from our reviews.

Here are the independent study links I collated into a piece 2 months back. Research comes from the UK government, several universities and well-known marketing sources used in the book industry.

http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2015/12/how-paid-reviews-sell-books-facts-and-figures/

I really think you’re looking at self-publishing through the lens of traditional publishing. Most self-publishers have very little interest in the library market – they’re interested in Kindle sales and online marketing. So, yes, a paid review won’t necessarily help you reach library buyers, but if that’s your main argument against paid reviews, it’s a very narrow lens. And then you say this:

“If the paid review is just one piece of a larger marketing plan to gain visibility, then you’re in a better place to capitalize on a positive paid review. If you can see it as a steppingstone—as a way to get people on board quicker—that’s the right mindset. A positive review from a known or trusted source can help lead to other reviews—or interview opportunities, or other media coverage. Or you could use the review in advertisements to the trade.”

Then what’s the argument against paid reviews, given that the majority of authors use a review exactly like this?

You mention in passing things like back cover copy/Amazon Editorial review/marketing materials like those are small issues – those are huge parts of a book release. I obviously have skin in the game of paid reviews, but this really isn’t looking at what paid reviews offer in the current market.

You’re conflating paid review and “professional trade review” like they’re the same thing – as if the main reason people buy paid reviews is to be recognized by mainstream publishing. It just isn’t. This is a Kindle world now – that’s where most self-publishers want to be recognized.

My opinion in this post is based mostly on these 2 things.

1. Customer reviews (quantity and star rating) matter more to a book’s visibility and sales success on a site like Amazon. This is fairly well-established in the Amazon self-publishing community and emphasized in all the how-to guides. This is why indie authors-marketers, such as Tim Grahl or Sean Platt, tell authors why and how to get as many reader reviews as possible on the first day or week of a book’s release. An example: http://timgrahl.com/amazon-reviews/

2. A broader societal trend has questioned the role and meaning of the professional review or critic in light of recommendations from non-professional sources (user-generated reviews, social media, and other word of mouth). I don’t think it’s possible to attend a publishing conference today without a panel on “Is Book Criticism Dead?” Don’t get me wrong—there IS a place for professional reviewing and criticism, but the landscape isn’t the same as it used to be, and I believe professional editorial reviews matter mainly to people in the profession. There are always exceptions, of course, which I believe are driven mainly by the category of book we’re talking about.

I don’t know whether a majority of authors use paid reviews or not (although that hasn’t been my impression). But if there is a large number of authors who use paid reviews, I don’t find that a convincing argument for their sales and marketing benefit. Indie authors often lack experience in marketing, or don’t know what to buy or what’s helpful for them. You can see this play out clearly in the types of over-priced publishing services and marketing packages that exist out there (e.g., AuthorSolutions). Just because such services get a lot of customers doesn’t mean that they sell books.

Addressing your points.

1. Editorial Reviews are listed before customer reviews on Amazon, so Amazon itself prizes them more. In the study Cate links to, it’s determined that a reviewer with an established reputation has a greater impact than customer reviews. Obviously, customer reviews are hugely important, but a good Editorial Review can help get that process started. You’re linking to Tim Grahl – someone with an established reputation and fan base. Many self-publishers do all of the things he says and come up empty. It’s the kind of thing that’s encouraging to read, but doesn’t always work in the real world.

2. I really don’t think paid reviews and “professional criticism” are nearly the same thing. In my experience – and that experience is 100 hours a week working with self-publishers – the people who care about professional criticism and “the trade” are approaching zero. This isn’t about gatekeeping, it’s about exposure. There’s more exposure on a site with good traffic. And there’s more clout with an established service than Bob’s Book Reviews.

3. If you’re conflating paid reviews with Author Solutions, that’s pretty low. To not just me, but everyone who uses the service, which comprises all types of writers. Our lowest priced review is $69 – it’s hardly a rip-off to get book cover copy, Amazon Editorial Review, social media posting, etc. I just really think you’re underestimating how hard it is for so many authors to get any sort of coverage. There are millions of books all vying for attention, so authors need every tool they can get. If having an Amazon Editorial Review is better than not having one, then you’re steering authors away from something that can help them.

Henry, I apologize if it appeared I was conflating SPR or paid reviews with AuthorSolutions. That was not my intention, and I don’t think that SPR (or paid review services) are ripping off writers. The price charged for the review is more than fair—that’s not the issue in my mind. Rather, I don’t agree with the argument that popularity of an offering equates with its usefulness or appropriateness.

I’m well aware of how difficult it is to for any author or book to get coverage, but I don’t believe paid book reviews are the best or only solution to that challenge. It’s one solution, and I’ve tried to address the limitations of it.

This IS a good point for all of us to remember, Cate, when you say, “Reviews of any kind cause a cumulative effect and not a direct sales to review ratio.” I think that’s important to remember. I just really love all the information I’m gathering here. Thanks.

Perhaps thou doth protest too much.

Thank you. As a self published author this comment is very helpful (and encouraging)

Thank you for all this information, Jane! What a great article. I’m an indie author of a children’s picture book, and I’ve been working hard to get free PR wherever I can. It pays off; I got a big story in our newspaper, but I just got lucky (my news release hit the right person at the right time). I’ve gently prodded my book buyers to provide free reader reviews, and it does start gradually paying off. But it’s gradual … it’s hard to get a reader to sit down and write a review. I’m now considering purchasing a Kirkus Indie review, only because it is one of the requirements for a Texas book contest I want to submit my book to (a favorable review from one of 5 outlets is required, and Kirkus is one of those; the others wouldn’t accept a self-published book). And of course, I’ll just have to hope that the review is favorable, if I do decide to pay Kirkus. It’s a gamble, but this book contest is an important part of my marketing plan — realizing of course that I might not even win. You’re so right – it’s not just about sales. It’s also about networking with libraries, schools, local bookstores, etc. I’m doing all that, and it seems to be working. Keep writing great articles like this, I appreciate it very much.

Appreciate you taking the time to share your experience here, Cathey. Best of luck with your ongoing marketing and PR push!

[…] Are Paid Book Reviews Worth It? […]

[…] Are Paid Book Reviews Worth It? (Jane Friedman) Paying for professional book reviews remains a controversial topic that very few authors have practical, unbiased information about. In fact, it’s not even well-known in the author community that paid book reviews exist, and even less is known about the value of such reviews. […]

Anyone considering paid review services should read a recent article in The Huffington Post entitled “Book Reviews: Should You Pay for Them?” which you can find here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-houghton/book-reviews-paidfor-or-n_b_7903594.html

It’s a very refreshing article that concludes that “if you have the money to pay for a review, and feel comfortable doing it, then do so. It pays to remember that getting reviews for your book is akin to getting publicity for it. Time, effort, some money spent, and being tenacious are needed.”

Self-publishing authors are at a big disadvantage over traditionally published authors. So is it any wonder they pay for book reviews to help get visibility of their books?

The reason I like the article is because it is brutally honest in admitting that authors do pay for book reviews published on Amazon, Goodreads, and in blogs.

Many authors may not like the idea of paid book reviews, but as long as they are honest, and not misleading the reader, it’s just part of modern day ebook marketing. Just like many were against shops open on a Sunday, or advertising on football shirts, it’s just the way it is right now. To ignore it, is simply to get left behind.

Authors don’t select to use paid review services because they want to cheat or mislead the reader. They do it because indie authors today play on an uneven playing field which is stacked in favor of the traditionally published author.

Unlike traditionally published authors, self-published authors have practically no presence in actual bookshops. Print distribution and lack of shelf space in bookshops and other stores is literally stacked against the self-published author. While indie authors continue to hit the bestseller lists, their presence in bookstores remains negligible if non-existent. This is a shame because it is clear that indie authors can write books as well as any traditional authors.

The second major challenge or barrier facing indie authors is the lack of traditional media coverage. Despite self-publishing authors making the big-time bestseller lists both on Amazon and the New York Times, and having lots of social media support, recognition from the traditional literary community is practically non-existent. Few, if any, top book reviewers published in the traditional newspapers and magazines will cover indie titles.

Thankfully, there are some very reputable and established review services like Kirkus and Self-Publishing Review that will support indie authors. Yes, they are paid review services, and they are honest ones with strong reputations.

So I say hallelujah to these great champions of the self-publishing world. Without them, indie authors would have very few other places to go to help them promote their books and get honest reviews.

[…] one of her regular posts for the author corps, Jane Friedman titled a Monday article Are Paid Book Reviews Worth It?. Friedman is the former publisher of Writer’s Digest and Scratch magazine. She is teaching at […]

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Get Paid to Read Books: 9 Top Companies for Book Reviewers

September 30, 2020 by Jane 15 Comments

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Some people enjoy reading books as a hobby. But others do it to make some extra income too. So if you can bury yourself in a book, reading it chapter after chapter, and can write an on-point book review, then you can get paid to read books.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases at NO extra cost to you.

How to become a book reviewer

Table of Contents

Right now, you’re probably asking: How do you become a book reviewer? Do you need to hold a specific degree or earn a particular certification? Do you even need training for it?

Fortunately, there’s not much that you need to become a book reviewer. First, you need to be a voracious reader. You must really love reading books. If you spend a good time in the library reading books or always made a point to visit the bookstore to check out books from your favorite author, then you’ll most likely qualify to become a book reviewer.

However, you also need to be a good writer. After reading the book, you will have to write a book review. You should be able to follow the guidelines of the editorial staff. Most editors are busy, so they’ll appreciate book reviewers who can create concise, onpoint, and objective perspectives about the book. Make sure not to give out spoilers or discuss the plot twists. Book Trust has a fantastic guide in writing book reviews here .

Additionally, having a sample book review, resume or CV, and website or blog link ready would bevery useful when you’re hunting for book review gigs. Some companies require one or all of these, so it’s best to have them digitally stored when you apply. If you want to specialize in this niche, it’s a good to place all your book reviews in one place so that publishers and authors can easily see if you’re a good fit for them.

How much do book reviewers make?

Reading a book can take some time and writing a review will also require some effort and brain energy, so you’re probably wondering how much you can make as a book reviewer.

There is no standard rate for book reviewers. According to Career Trend , you may earn zero dollars plus a free book, or $300 per review from top publishers. Those who are employed full-time by a publisher can make a more predictable income.

So as you can see, being a book reviewer isn’t always lucrative, and it won’t promise steady income. It’s a good side hustle for people who enjoy reading books as a hobby, but it probably won’t pay your mortgage.

Most people who love reading books also love writing. If you also want to make money writing, I highly recommend starting your own blog! I make a full-time income from this blog and I can help you do the same! Check out this detailed, step-by-step guide on how to start a blog and make money from your blog as a beginner.

Get Paid to Read Books: Top Publishers That Pay You For Book Reviews

Now let’s get down to the list of publishers that hire book reviewers, how much they pay, what they require, and what it’s like to work with them.

Related: 15 Inspiring Hobbies that Make Money

Online Book Club

One of the most popular book review sites is Online Book Club. Joining the Club is quite easy: just sign up and pick a book you’d want to read and review. The first review you write that’s accepted by the editorial staff isn’t paid, but all the subsequent book reviews will earn you somewhere between $5 to $60, plus a free copy of the book. Additionally, Online Book Club awards a $25 Amazon gift card for every 30 book reviews you write. .

Reedsy Discovery

If you want to get your hands on the best new books even before they hit the market, joining Reedsy Discovery will help you get paid to read books online. Reedsy has a massive library of books by self-published authors, so you’ll most likely to find books that you enjoy reading. You won’t get paid much, except for tips from authors ($1, $3 or $5). But as you build your reputation as a book reviewer, you can connect with authors directly for book review gigs.

Kirkus Media

Do you want to know how to become a book reviewer for Amazon? Join Kirkus Media! It is the prime source for book reviews for books that are sold on Amazon. Kirkus Media is often hiring book reviewers, so it’s great to try your luck here before anywhere else. In your application, mention any relevant experience you have as that may increase your chance of being noticed. Once you get in, you’ll have thousands of books from across genres that you can read. After which, you need to come up with a 350-word book review in two weeks. Payments are not specified and will be sent to you by check 60 days after the review is submitted.

Book Browse

Book Browse is another legit company that hires people to read and review books. This company aims to help readers pick out the best books for them by publishing book reviews. If you’re wondering how you become a book reviewer for Book Browse, you’ll need to fill out a short online form and send them two sample book reviews. According to its website, Book Browse gives book reviewers a modest payment and a byline. However, most reviewers only get to review one book each month.

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is a weekly news magazine with a core focus on the publishing industry. The company has a long list of book genres that are open for book review including children’s books, mystery/thrillers, religion, lifestyle, and tnonfiction, from self-published as well as traditionally-published authors. To work with PW, you need to send your resume and a sample 200-word review. Book reviewers are paid an honorarium, but the amount is not disclosed publicly.

Any Subject Books

Any Subject Books is a book review website that aims to supply honest and objective book reviews to readers. To do this, the site provides a standard form that book reviewers need to fill in, evaluating the book’s style, characters, plot, etc. Any Subject Books is also generous in sending reviewers books in their desired genres. The deadlines for book reviews are mutually decided by the book reviewer and Any Subject Books, and payment varies accordingly.

Women’s Review of Books

If you love to read books written by women authors for women audiences, then it’s a great idea to work for Women’s Review of Books. Women’s Review of books has been around for the last three decades, reviewing a wide range of literary works, including poetry, fiction and memoirs, among others.

If you wish to apply, attach one of your best book reviews as a sample as well as your resume. You will be compensated with a PDF issue where your book review appears, one year subscription to their magazine and $100 for every successfully approved book review.

U.S. Review of Books

Another reputable book review website is the U.S Review of Books. The company hires freelance book reviewers who can write professional objective reviews of their books. The U.S Review of Books has an extensive selection of books spanning different genres, and they’re looking for reviewers who can provide an honest yet objective critique aboutthe book, and not the author. Book reviews should be around 250-300 words and are formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style. Payment is not disclosed, but according to most sources, the company pays via check once a month.

Booklist Online

Booklist is owned by the American Review Association, striving to help readers pick the best books that are worth their time. There are over 8,000 books published on Booklist, so the magazine constantly hires book reviewers. Books are of a wide variety, including fiction, nonfiction and young adult. You can write a book a review of 175 words to 225 words, and receive $15 for every approved book review. Make sure to follow the editorial team’s guidelines for writing book reviews to make sure you don’t get rejected.

Get Paid To Read Books: Is It Worth Becoming A Book Reviewer?

If you want to get paid to read books, you should first look at these nine places and see where you can possibly land a book review gig. Some of them pay more than the others, but of course, you also have to consider the selection of books they offer. You probably won’t enjoy reading memoirs if you love romance novels, right? To make your work as a book reviewer more pleasurable, try to find book reviewer jobs where you can get access to your favorite kinds of books.

All in all, working as a book reviewer is a great way to get paid to read books. You are not just enjoying your hobby, but getting paid for doing what you love. It isn’t very lucrative though, so it’s probably best to keep this as a side hustle and not your main source of income.

Have you tried working as a book reviewer? If so, how was your experience?

for more money and frugal living tips!

Reader Interactions

Muhammad Ayyaz

August 06, 2021 at 11:52 am

I am a mechanical engineer I worked in a university as a mechanical engineer from 1981 to2019 so my interest is in mechanical technology. I am also a master in education from the University of Punjab Lahore Pakistan.

August 08, 2021 at 12:26 am

I’m interested in doing this. I love to read. I’m just not sure about my writing skills.

Donna Rice-Saffold

September 18, 2023 at 7:51 am

I like to read and am interested in a we ork from home advrnture. I sometime serve as a substitute teacher im my local school area and have grans who love to hear & read good stories.

November 25, 2023 at 4:03 pm

I am a CPA who loves to read. I was in a number of on line reading/book club groups when I was approached to write reviews after reading books sent to me. As these were advanced copies, I could not sell them, but was allowed to keep any and I generally chose which books I wished to read and review as well as which genres I was interested in There were deadlines for the reviews and the only payment I received was the free book. I did nothing to arrange this gig and loved doing it, allow eventually the deadlines interfered with tax season hours and I let the reviews end. Worthwhile? Yes. Better now though with payments for the reviews, but I would still do them, even just for the free books!

August 21, 2023 at 10:34 am

I’m interested in this

Tammy L Thompson

September 04, 2023 at 3:39 pm

Is this legitimate I mean the date says Jane 3rd?

March 14, 2024 at 12:16 pm

I love reading books and so interested to start writing reviews also ….

September 17, 2023 at 3:18 pm

That’s not a date, it’s the poster’s name (Jane) and the number of comments before you made yours – it would have said “Jane 3 Comments”. If you look closely, you can see that “Jane” is a link, and “X Comments” (it says 4 right now) is a separate link. It should read “5 comments” after I post mine.

October 14, 2023 at 2:38 am

I am really interested in reading.

October 22, 2023 at 10:16 pm

Hi I am interested in reading a book.

Rosana Correia

October 26, 2023 at 5:49 pm

This might be interesting. I read books like a madman and I write as much. This might be the time to start doing something about it.

Carole James

January 02, 2024 at 7:29 am

Hi I have a medical background and qualifications in alternative therapies as well. Educated to Masters level I am happy to read medical/nursing and social textbooks. I am from the Uk so useful to check for English and American spellings

Thobelani Nkomo

December 21, 2023 at 8:15 am

I’m up if you looking for someone

January 02, 2024 at 3:40 pm

Books have always been apart of me. I love that I can get lost in the story, escape yor troubles. I can’t wait to start.

January 07, 2024 at 1:54 am

I am interested

Latest from “Money”

How to Get Book Reviews in 5 Steps (2024 Update)

Imagine the day of your book launch. You’re sitting in front of your computer, blissfully imagining all the five-star book reviews that will soon be yours. Yet the days pass... and the reviews don't come.

Needless to say, you'll want people to buy and read your book ASAP so they can leave you some good reviews. But you may see the Catch-22 here: in order to make your first sales, you’ll need to display positive book reviews. So how do you get the chicken before you’ve got the egg (or vice versa)?

Enter book bloggers , who are your new best friends! For this post, we asked our top Reedsy publicists to share their best tips on how to get book reviews from book bloggers — and we've condensed their advice into these five essential steps, plus a few bonus tips at the end.

You can also check out this Reedsy Live on how to get your first book reviews, with advice from author and book marketer Debbie Drum.

Those who prefer their tips in written form, let's dive right in with the very first step of the review acquisition process!

1. Identify your audience

A quick preliminary note: you want to start the review-gathering as early as possible. If you can, plan your book review campaign 4-6 months in advance of your publication date. Because if you want your reviews to be in place by then, you’ll need to give people time to actually write them!

Now, using the "5 W’s of Storytelling," let's talk about the first thing you should be asking yourself: who? Who will be reading your book, and who is best positioned to promote it to that audience? The following tips will help you answer these questions.

Build a questionnaire

Here are a few more specific queries to help you clarify your "who":

Who reads in my genre?
What magazines, websites, forums, or blogs do they frequent?
Where might they find reviews of my book that will entice them to buy it?

Indeed, publicist Jessica Glenn recommends building a full-length questionnaire to identify your audience and where you might find them on the Web (or in real life!).

“Most, if not all, publicists and publishers send authors a very long questionnaire to fill out when they start their marketing plan ,” she says. “That's so we can dig into any useful piece of bio, community, or regional info to figure out who and why people will be interested in your book.”

Your questionnaire will direct you to your target audience and help you create a proto-persona. This is the "ideal reader" of your book, so to speak — a perfect blend of the traits you'd expect them to have. (For example, if you've written a YA paranormal romance novel, your proto-persona might be a 14-year-old girl who's obsessed with Twilight .) And whoever they are, you'll keep them in mind every time you make a marketing decision.

Think about comp titles

Another great way to get a handle on your target audience is to figure out your comparative titles — books that are a) similar to yours and b) share the same general readership. When pitching to book reviewers, these are the titles you'll use to sell your own book . For instance, "My book is Normal People meets The Incendiaries ."

According to Jessica, you should have at least 15 potential comp titles for your book, ideally a mix of bestsellers and well-reviewed indie titles. “Many first-time authors balk at this," says Jessica, "as they believe there is no true comp for their book — but dig deep and you'll find them!”

Comp titles are critical because they act as a compass, pointing you towards a ready-made audience that enjoys works in the same mold as yours. This is a huge help in determining your target readers, as well as which reviewers will cater to them. Speaking of which...

2. Find relevant book blogs

Now that you’ve got a strong sense of your audience, you're ready to find blogs that will provide the best exposure to that audience. We recommend starting with our directory of 200+ book review blogs , but feel free to do your own research as well!

As you dig into book review blogs, check on these two things first:

Is the site active? Has the blogger published a post within the last month or so?
Are they currently accepting queries? If they're closed at the moment, it could be months before your book gets a review — if at all.

And if you want to confirm your book marketing strategy when it comes to book review blogs, we recommend first taking this quick quiz below!

Which book review site is right for you?

Find out here! Takes one minute.

Once you've confirmed that a book review blog is both active and open to queries, think about whether it's right for your book. Here are some important factors to consider:

Genre . Don't waste your time on blogs that don't review books in your genre. "Be very mindful of a publication’s particular audience and target market when pitching for review. If their readership is science-fiction, do not pitch a commercial crime novel!” says publicist Hannah Cooper .
Traffic . High-traffic book blogs might seem like your highest priorities, but this isn’t necessarily true. “Don't shy away from the smaller blogs,” says publicist Beverly Bambury . “They can sometimes foster a real sense of community and starting off small is just fine."
Posting frequency. Another consideration is how often the blogger in question actually publishes reviews. Too often, and your book will get lost in the shuffle; too seldom, and they're likely to lose readers. Try to strike a balance with about 1-2 reviews per week — no decent reviewer can turn them out faster than that, anyway!

Track down your comp titles' reviewers

Remember those comp titles you came up with earlier? You can use them not only to pitch your book, but also to find potential reviewers , as they will correspond perfectly with your genre and target audience.

“Once you have your 15-or-so comps, you can research where each book has been reviewed,” says Jessica. “With luck, you will find at least a couple of book reviews per title, which will give you many more outlets to investigate further.”

Now, as an author, you might be wondering: “How can I begin to find all the places where a given book was reviewed?” Don’t forget the power of Google! Try searching the following terms to find reviews for a given title:

[Title] + book review
[Title] + review
[Title] + Q&A

And here's one last tip to give you a boost — sign up for a "Mention" account and/or set up Google alerts to get a notification every time these titles appear online.

Once you’re armed with a bundle of suitable book review blogs, you've arrived at the third (and perhaps most crucial) step in this process. This is, of course, creating the pitches you'll send to reviewers.

Free course: How to get book reviews

Learn how to get the book reviews you need to turn browsers into buyers. Get started now.

3. Write pitches for them

Pitching a reviewer is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is a) keep it short, and and b) personalize it as much as possible. However, before we get to our publicists’ actionable tips on pitching, there’s one more thing that you absolutely HAVE to do. And that thing is...

Read the review policy!

Before you pitch any blog, make sure you read the blogger’s review policy. Some blogs will have a form to fill out; others might ask you to email them directly. Still others might not welcome any queries from self-published authors . Whatever they say, make sure that you follow it to a T.

“There are two main benefits to reading and following the review policies closely,” says Beverly. “First, you show the reviewer that you respect and appreciate them when you follow their instructions. This is important when asking someone to do you a favor.

"Second, you may find that even if the site is closed for review queries, it's open to publicity queries — where you might be able to place an excerpt or do a Q&A or occasional blog post. You'll never know if you don't take the time to read the review policy first.”

More tips for pitching reviewers

Now that you’re clear on what the blogger wants, you can start pitching them with confidence. Here are three more key tips for pitching book reviewers:

1. Never send out bulk pitches. "When you pitch each outlet individually, specifically write that you read their positive book review of your comp and what that comp title was,” says Jessica Glenn. Or if you didn't find them through a comp title, mention other aspects of their blog and why you think they would be great to review your book!

2. Be concise and direct. “Include your title, publisher, date of release, and genre in the first paragraph,” notes Beverly Bambury. “Then you might want to include the cover copy or a brief description of the book. Finally, be direct and ask for what you want. If you want a review, ask for it! If you want an excerpt placed, ask for that.”

3. Appeal to their commercial side. “All reviewers want the opportunity to discover the next 'big thing’ — particularly with fiction — so make them feel as though they have the opportunity to get the word out first," says Hannah Cooper. Indeed, if you can convince a reviewer that you are doing them a favor, you're practically guaranteed to get a review.

Basically, try to get reviewers to think, “Oh, if I enjoyed [comp title], I’ll enjoy this person's book too,” or “They've done the research to know that I’m a good fit for their book.” If you can do that, you’re already much closer than everyone else to obtaining high-quality book reviews !

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4. Send out your book

This is the step before the moment of truth (the review itself), so it's extremely important to get everything right. To ensure you're complying with each reviewer's guidelines, review their policy again before you send them your book. Some bloggers might prefer digital copies of manuscripts, while others might want a physical ARC — be prepared to accommodate.

Also, as you begin sending your book to various outlets, you should track your progress in a spreadsheet. Record which blogs you’ve submitted to so far, which blogs have responded, and which blogs you plan to submit to, so you don't accidentally double-submit or skip over anyone.

Formatting your book

Other than double-checking the review policy, the most important thing to do here is to format your book in a professional manner . After all, you want the presentation of your content to match the quality! Even though it shouldn't technically matter, reviewers will definitely judge your book by how it looks, inside and out.

The good news for self-formatters that you probably won't need to send physical proofs, and ebooks are much easier to format than hard copies. Digital copies also cost next-to-nothing to produce, so you can easily send multiple copies of your book out to different reviewers. You may want to check out apps like Instafreebie and Bookfunnel , which make it easy to generate individual ARC download links that you can send to the reviewers.

Pro tip : If you’re searching for a good book production tool, the Reedsy Book Editor can format and convert your manuscript into professional EPUB and print-ready files in a matter of seconds!

5. Follow up after a week

A week or more has passed since you queried a book blog, and so far… crickets. What do you do now? Why, follow up, of course!

When it comes to this stage, keep calm and follow Hannah Hargrave’s advice: “Don't bother reviewers for an answer daily. I will usually chase again after a week has passed.

"If you receive a decline response, or no one responds to your third chase-up, assume this means they are not interested. Any further follow-ups, or aggressive requests as to why your work's not being reviewed, will not be viewed kindly. Above all, be polite and friendly at all times.”

That said, someone rejecting your book for review is a worst-case scenario. Best-case scenario, the blogger responds favorably and you’ve bagged yourself a review!

What comes next, you ask?

The reviewer will post their review of your book on their blog — and on Amazon, Goodreads, and any other platforms that they’ll name in their review policy. This is yet another reason why it's vital to read that policy carefully, so you know exactly where the review will be seen.

If all goes well, the reviewer will publish a positive review that you can use to further promote your book. Maybe you'll even get a decent pull-quote for your book description ! Not to mention that if you ever write a sequel, you can almost certainly count on them for a follow-up review.

Pro-tip: Want to write a book description that sells? Download this free book description template to get a headstart.

FREE RESOURCE

Book Description Template

Learn to write a book description that will make readers click “buy.”

But what if you don't get any bites from book bloggers, or — horror of horrors — one of them gives you a negative review? Fortunately, the next two sections should help you deal with each of these possible dilemmas.

Bonus ways to get book reviews

Though book bloggers are the most reliable and professional source of reviews for independent authors, you may want to try other avenues to maximize your chances! Here are three more ways to get book reviews for your work, so you can bolster your Amazon profile and start making some serious sales.

1. Tell your followers about your book

Though Amazon prohibits reviews from close friends and family , you're free to tell your random social media followers about your book and hope they leave good reviews. It obviously helps if you have a large following on Twitter or Instagram, even more so if some of those followers are fellow authors who appreciate the significance of reviews.

That said, NEVER offer "review swaps" or any kind of promotional enticement for customers to leave reviews, as this would also be against Amazon's terms. Simply let your followers know you've got a book out and that you'd love for them to read it; the rest is in their hands. However, when it comes to reviews, any amount of awareness is better than none.

2. Submit to Reedsy Discovery

Finally, for a professional review option that's a bit less time-and-effort-consuming on your part, you can submit your book right here on Reedsy Discovery! The platform allows authors to share their books with readers who are right up their alley, plus get the chance to be reviewed by one of our Discovery writers. If they leave a good review, you'll be featured in our newsletter, which goes out to thousands of subscribers every week.

Sounds pretty sweet, right? And it only takes a few minutes to submit .

Is your book ready for Discovery?

Take our quiz to find out! Takes only 1 minute.

How to deal with negative reviews

Once your work is out there in the world, you can’t control other people’s reactions to it. “Remember, by submitting your book for review, you're accepting that some people might not enjoy it,” says Hannah Hargrave. “It can be very tough after you’ve spent months or years crafting your novel, only for some reviewer to tear it apart. But you need to be prepared."

In that vein, here are some final tips on how to deal with bad reviews:

1. Have someone else read them first . This might be your agent, your friend, or your mom — anyone you trust to pre-screen your reviews. They can inform you whether each negative review is a worthwhile (if humbling) read, or just too nasty to stomach.

2. Ignore unreasonably hateful reviews . Easier said than done, yes, but really try to tune out these people! For example, if they're clearly not your target audience, but insist on pretending like they are. Or people who pick apart your sentences word-by-word, just for the "fun" of it. There's no sense in agonizing over readers who are determined to hate you, so block them on every platform and refuse to read anything else they write.

3. Address valid criticisms . You're only human, and your book won't be perfect. If someone points this out in a constructive way , acknowledge it and do what you can to fix it. This may be as simple as editing a misleading blurb, or as complex as restructuring your entire series. But if you're the author we know you are, you'll be up to the task.

Every author's book is different, but the process for getting book reviews is reassuringly universal. To recap: identify your audience, find relevant blogs, pitch them, send out your book, and don't forget to follow up! On top of that, feel free to try alternative strategies, and remember not to take the bad reviews too personally.

Yes, marketing a book may be madness, but the process of getting reviews lends method to that madness. So go forth and get your reviews — you deserve them! 🙌

Special thanks to book publicists Jessica Glenn , Hannah Hargrave , Hannah Cooper , and Beverly Bambury for their input and suggestions throughout this article. If you have any more questions about how to get book reviews, let us know in the comments!

2 responses

Elena Smith says:

25/09/2018 – 22:33

Excellent Write up. I have thoroughly gone through the article and according to my personal observations you have done a great job writing this Article.Being associated with writing profession, I must mention that AcademicWritingPro are quite helpful nowadays.Furthermore, quality is also an important aspect.

Team Golfwell says:

11/12/2018 – 05:38

We do free book reviews if your book interests us. We are a group of retired people in New Zealand who play golf, read books, write books, and do free book reviews if we like your book. We write books too, so we like to see what other authors are currently doing and it is amazing to see what writers are creating. We try to post our reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble and our social media. See our book review page for more info > > https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html #bookreviews #kindlebookreviews #amazonbookreviews #indiebookreviews https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4ad92dde2f70456000bf5c44af3489ee638dae511be91f7b8cb1545acb388cdb.jpg

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THE OTTAWA REVIEW OF BOOKS

Welcome to the March 2024 issue of ORB

The Philosopher Stories by Jerry Levy

Fifteen Thousand Pieces by Gina Leola Woolsey

The Lost Expedition by Douglas Smith

The Vile Narrows by Jackie Elliott

In Sickness and In Health by Nora Gold

Welcome to ORB's February 2024 Issue

Allegiance by Michael Springate

Yom Kippur in a Gym by Nora Gold

On Community by Casey Plett

March 2024 Issue

Contributors

Wendy Hawkin

Timothy Niedermann

Robert Runté

Ian Thomas Shaw

Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors - Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors -Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors -Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors -Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors -Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors -Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors - Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors -Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors -Ottawa Review of Books - A Canadian Book Reviewer - For the Best in Canadian Literature - Both Established and Emerging Authors - ORB

Get Paid To Write Reviews: 14 Top Sites

Get paid to write reviews by reading our guide with all the top sites for you to check out. Earn money and home and increase your skills today!

Before you purchase products or download apps, do you read the reviews? Most consumers do. A study published by Qualtrics showed that 93 percent of customers read online reviews before buying a product. Product reviews are important to people’s purchasing decisions, and review sites are everywhere.

Companies know that they will make more money if their products have positive reviews, so they’re willing to pay people to write product reviews for money. If you are wondering how to get paid to write reviews and blog articles, try applying to these sites for review writing jobs .

1. Writers Work

2. get paid to write reviews for amazon, 3. get reviewed, 4. crowdtap, 6. listverse, 7. capterra, 8. usertesting, 9. gartner peer insights, 10. harris poll online, 11. g2 crowd, 12. review stream, 13. inboxdollars, 14. swagbucks, final word on where to get paid to write reviews, is it illegal to write fake reviews, where can i write music reviews, how do you make money by giving reviews.

Writers Work connects writers with companies looking for freelancers. With thousands of jobs available, it’s an ideal place for new and experienced freelancer writers to find work. The site has built great relationships with many established companies requiring writing , from general content to blogging to copywriting and reviews; endless opportunities exist. The average earnings on the freelance site are anything from $20 – $65 per hour, making it a lucrative option for writers to get involved in.

Writers Work contains freelance writing opportunities for writers who want to start their career

Many freelancers earn commissions from Amazon by writing product reviews. Amazon pays reviewers who successfully try a product and refer it to new customers. This process is a type of influencer work called affiliate marketing, which can be used through the Amazon Associates program. Whenever a customer uses your affiliate link, you’ll receive a small commission on the sale.

For example, if you were to try a product and then post about it on your blog or social media with an affiliate link, your viewers might then buy the Amazon product, which means you earn a commission. There are many different niches for bloggers to choose from, like food, fashion, beauty, tech, and entertainment.

If you want to write product reviews for money, one of the best places to look is Get Reviewed . The website will pay you cash for sponsored reviews and blog posts. If you want to participate in this program, you need to have a self-hosted website with a strong domain authority of at least 20 or above. To elevate your domain authority, focus on a specific niche.

Then, convince others to provide links that point back to your website. This will position your site as an authority in the field.

If you want to get paid to write a review on this site, submit your blog for consideration. After your blog is accepted, you will display your blog on the marketplace. Then, advertisers can view your blog and order a product review from you. If someone places an order for a review from your website, you will receive an email notification.

Based on the email request, you can either accept or reject their review request. You also negotiate the price of your review with the client. Once you and the client agree on a deadline and rate for the job, you’ll write the review and get paid! Typically, you get paid 14 days after the article has been completed. The site pays a paid reviewer by PayPal.

If you want a fun way to review products from your phone, check out CrowdTap . You can access the program through your smartphone. Then, you can look at their “daily missions,” which products they would like you to review that day. If you review their products, you will be rewarded for leaving a high-quality review.

You get paid in a variety of ways. For example, some companies will reward you with product samples. Other companies will reward you with gift cards. You may also be given merchandise rewards you can redeem at certain brands and establishments.

This is one of the top review apps out there. There are other ways you can earn points as well. For example, you can complete daily polls, fill out surveys, and share your reviews on social media channels. You can get additional points if you share your reviews on your blog.

Another review site you may want to check out is called Ciao . This is a review site based in the UK, but it is open to the international community, including non-English speakers. They have various products listed on the website, some of which are Amazon products.

The website also has a rotating category of focus or high-authority products. These are products that they need reviews for, so they’re willing to pay extra money for writers. The payment for each review varies, but it is directly tied to the amount of traffic that a specific review generates.

You don’t have to make much money to request a payout. As long as you have a balance of five pounds or more, or about $6, you can request to be paid. It might be challenging to generate a lot of traffic with your first review, but you can make significant money online once you get a lot of practice.

If you are more of a long-form paid reviewer, check out ListVerse . This website will pay you money to make a “top 10” list. Often called “listicles,” this is an opportunity to get creative. You have a lot of control over the products you decide to review, and you can make several recommendations in a single article.

You may want to write a paragraph or two on each item before moving forward. After your list has been published, you get paid through PayPal.

Next, you may want to check out Capterra as well. If you have looked for reviews of specific products, including software programs, you have probably come across Capterra. You can also get paid to write reviews for them. Typically, you need to use the product before you write the review, which may require additional work; however, you can also get paid more for each review.

On Capterra, you get paid approximately $10 for each review that is accepted. Because they are one of the largest players in the industry, they vet all of their reviews closely to ensure they meet their requirements. You need to verify your identity using LinkedIn, and you might get asked to send screenshots of the software or product you want to review before they let you write the review. For this reason, they pay more money for each review.

If you are someone who enjoys testing websites and applications, you may want to take a look at a website called UserTesting . During the review process, you need to make a 20-minute video. Then, you’ll be paid $10 for each review you give. Try this website if you would rather talk about a product or service instead of writing about it.

If the platform can download the necessary recording software, you can record it using any device you want. This could include a desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet. You will also need to record yourself testing the app or website in real-time. Companies will pay a lot for people who record themselves using their products or services.

Therefore, this could be one of the most lucrative ways for you to make money through product reviews.

Another website that will pay you a lot of money for each review is called Gartner. Gartner is a leading technology and software review company. The goal is to help users make educated decisions on the products they use. Even though you can only write ten reviews annually, the company pays you approximately $25 for each successful review.

Caveat: Gartner closely vets every review before it is published to ensure it provides customers with real insights into the product. The more details you can give about your experience, the greater the chance your review gets accepted. You need to know a lot before you write your first review on this platform. So, check out Gartner’s FAQ page to figure out how to take advantage of this opportunity.

You might also want to consider Harris Poll Online . They are one of the oldest research firms in the industry, and they have a sterling reputation. Most of the surveys and reviews you complete for Harris will focus on their current marketing campaigns.

For example, you might be asked to watch a series of marketing videos a company produces. Then, you’ll be asked to share your opinion. You might also be asked to recommend improving their marketing videos to better speak to someone like yourself.

Every time you complete a survey for this company, you’ll be given points to redeem for gift cards. You might also be given a bonus award if you win the raffle. You get an entry into the raffle with every survey or review you complete.

G2 Crowd is a crowdsourcing platform for reviews. The amount of money you can make on this platform can vary widely depending on what you review. The average review pays between $5 and $15, but you could earn up to $25 per review if you review specific types of software. The website has hundreds of thousands of reviews, so it is one of the most popular review websites on the internet.

Similar to other software review websites, there are strict requirements you need to follow to make sure your review is accepted. You’ll also have to verify your identity by tying your LinkedIn account to your review.

Review Stream will allow you to make money by reviewing just about every product. Furthermore, if a user likes your review, you could get paid a bonus. If you get a vote of confidence from a user, this indicates that the person found your review useful.

Even though you can write a review on just about anything, you can look at what is currently trending on social media. Generally, ReviewStream will pay more money for products and services that have become popular. Furthermore, if you write a review that matches the publishing guidelines of the platform, they might pay you more money. These reviews are also more likely to be deemed useful by users.

InboxDollars has an excellent reputation for paying users to take surveys, shop online, and read email newsletters to assess them for clarity and effectiveness. You can get paid to write product reviews and collect rewards easily on this platform.

InboxDollars partners with top research organizations that are looking for feedback and input from the public. All you need to do is sign up and give your opinions on surveys, and you’ll be paid cash when you’ve completed your task.

Swagbucks is one of the most popular loyalty and consumer rewards platforms online. It’s free to join, and members receive gift cards or cash for the everyday activities they complete online. Tasks include web searching, playing games, watching videos, and shopping online. You can also scan your receipts for cash back, making it easy to earn extra cash without completing hundreds of surveys.

If you’re interested in answering surveys and giving reviews for cash, Swagbucks also pays users to take surveys on topics like personal finance, favorite foods, vacations, and more. Swagbucks has already paid its members over 5 million dollars, solidifying it as one of the most reliable online paid review platforms.

These are some useful review sites to apply to if you want to write product reviews, book reviews, and more. Writing legit reviews is also a great way to get free products, as lots of companies will send you new products and samples to write about on a review website. You can also combine writing reviews with other proven methods that will help you get paid to write .

These sites are a good side-hustle choice before applying to the best affiliate marketing programs and publishing review content on your website.

FAQs About How to Get Paid To Write Reviews

Section 5 of the FTC Act 15 U.S. Code 45 makes fake testimonials illegal in the United States. It can also dent your customer’s trust in your business. It should be noted that a man was jailed after posting fake reviews on TripAdvisor.

Many music writers start their careers by launching their blogs. However, several magazines and websites accept freelance reviews. Two Story Melody gives a list of sites that accept music reviews.

There are several ways to make money by giving reviews, depending on the platform or industry you are involved in. Here are a few methods: 1. Sponsored reviews 2. Affiliate marketing 3. Paid survey sites 4. Blogging or YouTube channels 5. Paid review websites

Meet Rachael, the editor at Become a Writer Today. With years of experience in the field, she is passionate about language and dedicated to producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, finding inspiration for her next project.

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Trump campaign insider recounts failed hunt for 2020 fraud in new book

Ken block, an expert hired by the campaign, writes that he shot down false claim after false claim in an election that was not stolen.

The December 2020 claim of voter fraud was explosive, if true: More than 700,000 people had voted twice in Wisconsin, the tip alleged.

But when a highly paid expert for Donald Trump’s campaign began to study the claim at the behest of a Trump lawyer, he quickly realized that not only was it false, but it had also traveled a surprisingly twisted path before landing in his inbox.

The expert, Ken Block, learned it had first appeared in a post on a website called TheDonald.win, where it was spotted by the owner of an IT company, who brought it to the attention of the general manager of Trump’s golf course in the Bronx.

The golf executive forwarded the tip to the president’s son Eric, who passed it along to the lawyer. At last, the lawyer, Alex Cannon, directed the wild Wisconsin claim to Block, a software engineer and former politician from Rhode Island who was hired by the campaign shortly after the 2020 election.

Fact Checker: The truth about election fraud: It’s rare

“I think there is a fundamental flaw with the analysis,” Block told Cannon a few hours later, in a Dec. 4, 2020, email reviewed by The Washington Post. The hundreds of thousands of supposedly double-counted votes were “nothing of the sort.”

“They have incomplete data, did not recognize that, and inferred that the only logical explanation is fraud rather than incomplete data,” he wrote in the email.

Block describes the moment in a new book, “Disproven,” which will be released Tuesday. In the book, Block reveals how, again and again in the months after the November 2020 election, he was tasked by Trump’s campaign with batting down implausible and inaccurate allegations that Joe Biden had won the election through fraud.

Trump campaign paid researchers to prove 2020 fraud but kept findings secret

Block’s book provides an insider’s account of the desperate measures Trump’s campaign took to pursue allegations of voter fraud and of how quickly the campaign concluded internally that each one was invalid, even as the president continued to rile up his supporters by claiming the election was stolen.

Cannon declined to comment. A Trump spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

In the book, Block describes how the number of claims sent his way “snowballed” in the weeks after the election. He was often asked to verify or disprove the allegations in a day or less.

“At first, the requests were worded ‘Please try to verify this claim,’” he writes. “By the end, the requests were phrased ‘Tell me why this claim is wrong.’”

In a recent interview, Block said he studied more than a dozen complaints from the Trump campaign — and none of them were substantiated. Some could be dismissed within minutes, while others took considerable research, he said. Ultimately, he was paid about $800,000 for his work, which was not made public at the time because it did not help Trump, he said.

A second firm hired by Trump campaign found no evidence of election fraud

An invoice reviewed by The Post showed his work was extensive. It included analyzing more than 21 million voter records, reviewing voter data from five swing states, examining voting patterns at Pennsylvania nursing homes and comparing voter registrations to the Social Security death index, looking for possible instances of votes cast in the names of dead people .

Yet more work was conducted by another expert firm that was paid more than $1 million. When its work also did not prove fraud, it also was not made public, The Post reported .

In the book, Block describes how he was contacted by Cannon days after the 2020 election based on his ownership of a company called Simpatico Software Systems and his previous work exploring voting issues, including on a Trump White House commission set up in 2017 to examine potential fraud in federal elections.

Block recounts that he demanded to be paid upfront for his work because Trump famously did not pay contractors. The campaign agreed, he writes. Block said he never spoke directly to Trump about his work, though he was told campaign officials briefed Trump on some of his findings.

The latest on Donald Trump’s indictments and other key investigations

Block’s book explains how he found himself in the center of repeated and furtive efforts to overturn the election , a haphazard effort that often enlisted seemingly random people to find fraud before Biden took office.

At one point, emails show, the Trump team sent Block a list of people who had died in Pennsylvania that was drafted by a funeral home owner, who said he “compiled this list from online obituaries from the local funeral homes.” But Block writes that when he examined the data, he did not find evidence of fraud.

Pennsylvania man admits he voted for Trump with his dead mom’s name

Another time, Block writes, he was given a sworn affidavit from a mathematics professor at Williams College in Massachusetts that allegedly demonstrated fraud, but on examining the claims, he found them faulty. Again, he informed the campaign.

Emails reviewed by The Post show he was given 11 pages of a report compiled by aides working for the Trump campaign called the “Voter Integrity Project,” once again designed to show fraud. All of it was underwhelming or misleading, he said.

“If the question is: is this stuff a game changer,” he wrote in an email at the time to Cannon, “it is not.”

At another point, Block writes, he was given information about votes cast in the names of dead people in Nevada just before Trump’s lawyers included the data in a motion filed in court. Proper vetting had not been done on the claims, he writes.

“My communication back to the campaign with my findings was: ‘DO NOT ALLOW THIS [analysis] TO GO OUT,’” he writes. The lawsuit was not filed, he writes.

Biden and Trump, in dueling rallies, go on the attack in Georgia

Despite his efforts to push back on dubious claims , Block said, he would often see other allegations pop up in lawsuits, television interviews or news conferences by Trump that he had not checked and believed could be easily disproved.

“There was one memorable meeting where I proved wrong one of the claims attached to the Pennsylvania lawsuits. There were 30 people on a conference call who had a vested interest in seeing this go ahead,” he said. “They just ended the call.”

Block said he was surprised by how many campaign staffers were also skeptical of Trump’s claims , including the lawyer Cannon, who appeared to be under “a tremendous amount of pressure.”

He groups Cannon with other campaign lawyers who were trying to perform “due diligence” on the claims — while another group of lawyers, led by former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani , did not appear concerned about whether the fraud assertions were true. “They just wanted to impugn the election results by filing lawsuits they must have known were false,” he said.

A spokesman for Giuliani did not respond to a request for comment.

Fact Checker: Giuliani’s fantasy parade of false voter-fraud claims

Since the election, Block writes, he has received subpoenas as part of investigations by special counsel Jack Smith and Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani T. Willis , who are both pursuing criminal cases against Trump, alleging that the former president improperly tried to overturn the election. At issue in both of those cases will be whether Trump understood that the allegations he was making about voter fraud were false. Block said he has provided documents and met with investigators but did not know whether he would be asked to testify in any trials.

Block writes in the book that it has disturbed him to see so many Republicans embrace Trump’s false claims, including in his home state of Rhode Island. And he says he fears that even more claims will come this year from Trump and those who follow him.

“It’s important to understand why the claims of fraud that were made were not just wrong but were demonstrably wrong. We have a narrative that’s false that the election was stolen,” he said in an interview. “The election wasn’t stolen, and you can prove it.”

The best new books released in 2024 so far, as selected by avid readers and critics

An illustration of a Brown young woman floating in a pool reading a book, the bodies of two other swimmers in the background

Welcome to ABC Arts' monthly book column: a shortlist of new releases read and recommended by The Book Show's Claire Nichols and Sarah L'Estrange, ABC Arts' Nicola Heath and critic Declan Fry.

All read voraciously and widely, and the only guidelines we give them are: make it a new release; make it something you think is great.

And 2024 is already shaping up to be an enormous year of new releases. Among the titles picked from the start of this year, we have a campus novel that offers a scathing critique of consumerism by literary star Kiley Reid (Such a Fun Age); the much-anticipated final chapter of a multigenerational trilogy set in Canada's Métis community; and a bold work of speculative fiction set in dystopian London by an exciting new First Nations writer.

Get ready to add even more titles to your reading list.

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

A book cover with large yellow text on a green background, with an illustration of coins falling into a pink piggy bank

Going after what you want is a good thing. Right?

In Kiley Reid's highly anticipated follow-up to the 2019 hit Such a Fun Age, she follows two women as they strive for money, power and agency — and cause unexpected harm along the way.

The book is set at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a city with a "screen saver, campus visit, Scholastic Book Fair beauty to it". We meet Millie, a young Black student with a seeming heart of gold. She dreams of owning her own home and is diligently working to make that happen, saving money and taking on extra jobs — including working as a resident assistant in a girls' dorm at the university.

It's a largely thankless job. Many of the girls are bratty and rude, and Millie's cleaning spot checks are hardly going to win her new friends.

Instead, she connects with Agatha, a professor who has just arrived in Fayetteville with plans to write a book about young people and weddings. Agatha has plenty of baggage; she's just broken up with her girlfriend and is using this job as something of a circuit breaker.

Listen: Kiley Reid discusses campus life on The Book Show

With Millie's help, Agatha interviews some of the girls in the dorm. Quickly she learns the marriage idea is a fizzer, but there is something more interesting in the way these girls relate to and talk about money. But she needs to collect more material — and the way she does this, with Millie's help, breaks all sorts of ethical barriers.

Reid's writing is heavy the detail; you'll never be in doubt about what a character is wearing, how their hair falls or how they hold their hands. At the outset, it can be overwhelming. But once Reid narrows her focus, concentrating on the power plays and politics of dorm life, that careful attention adds a wonderful richness to the storytelling.

As Millie and Agatha reach further and further for what they want, the stakes get higher, and the collateral damage adds up. No one emerges as a hero, and the book is all the better for it.

— Claire Nichols

The Circle by Katherena Vermette

A book cover showing an illustration of a star made from red, pink and orange diamonds with black at the bottom

Australian author Melissa Lucashenko says she writes "to humanise Aboriginal people in the White imagination". First Nations Canadian poet and writer Katherena Vermette does something similar in her new book, The Circle.

The much-anticipated final instalment of a trilogy follows the fortunes of two Métis families (who belong to one of Canada's three recognised Indigenous groups) living in Winnipeg, bringing to life the marginalisation those communities face, as well as the richness of their traditional culture.

The first book of the series, The Break (2016), centres on a terrible crime committed by Phoenix, a Métis teenager who has spent much of her childhood in foster care. In 2021's The Strangers , Phoenix is serving time for the assault, and the novel exposes the cruelty of the justice system and the long tail of intergenerational trauma. In her latest novel, Vermette illustrates just how far the ripples of trauma can extend throughout a community, creating fresh heartache.

The story opens with Cedar, who we first met in The Break. Intelligent and conscientious, Cedar is now at college and living in a share house with three friends: Ziggy, Wynn and Izzy. After a childhood marked by instability and neglect, her new life is a revelation. "I didn't know lives like this existed," she says.

A cloud hangs over her new-found happiness, however: Her troubled older sister Phoenix is finally being released from prison. What's more, Cedar knows it was Ziggy and her friend whom Phoenix assaulted. Ziggy is unaware of Cedar's connection to Phoenix, and the secret threatens to undermine Cedar's new life.

Listen: ABC RN's The Bookshelf reviews The Circle

In The Circle, Vermette achieves a triumph of polyphonic storytelling — creating no less than 22 characters, each with their own distinct voice. Some we know from The Break and The Strangers, others we've met as peripheral characters, and even more are new. As we encounter testimony after testimony, the voice we're waiting to hear is notably absent; Phoenix, out of prison, has disappeared.

The book's many voices, not to mention its title, recall the restorative justice circle, a practice rooted in Indigenous cultures.

As Phoenix's old counsellor, Ben explains: "The concept was simple. You sit a bunch of people in a circle — everyone who hurt, everyone who got hurt, all affected — and let them share."

However, this sharing of stories is no magic salve. Circles help some people heal, says Ben, but not all.

"Others went in angry and left a different kind of angry. Learned how the blame belonged on the system, the history, the colonizer, the big things that were harder to change than one bad person."

In this ambitious novel, Vermette highlights the interconnectedness of community and the long-lasting effects of trauma. And, as in life, there are no neat resolutions at the end.

— Nicola Heath

Gawimarra: Gathering by Jeanine Leane

A book cover showing an illustration of hanging green gum leaves and three pink blossoms

When acknowledging Country, I often ask those present to consider their experience: their relationship to Country; what they know of Country; and, perhaps, what they have yet to know.

It is a practice informed by community, by Elders, and by those who have pushed me to think more about this continent. Reading Jeanine Leane's new collection of poetry, I'm reminded of what she said at a recent book event: "In an invaded country, history fails us."

The binary separation of art and activism is often false: to label any given act purely "art" and another purely "activism" is reductive, as if those terms can speak to all acts and times in a clear way.

In addition to criticism, Leane is the author of two volumes of poetry and a David Unaipon Award-winning novel, Purple Threads, recently republished by UQP. In this collection, Leane works in a mode in which, as she writes in Read the Rivers, "Decline is not the natural order of things" ("by the time / this is irreversible […] the only ice in the world is pulled / from the guts of a machine"). Similarly, 'While We're Waiting for Armageddon' surveys the violence of the retrospective, the violence of waiting to see atrocities play out rather than acting now.

"The centre does not fall in a blazing comet of glory to earth to be filmed as fodder for social media. The centre crumbles around us. Each tiny hole goes unnoticed. The world will die by denial — end in oblivion — annihilated by amnesia while we're waiting to see it on the news the next day."

As Leane says, "There are no words in my language for invasion, for environment, for genocide".

Some, like 'Sista-Cuz: Tracey Phillips 1961', are reminiscent of the poetry of Ellen van Neerven: tender, reaching, half-whispered, desirous of memory and places and chosen family.

"Wiradjuri Dictionary" uses space to give the sense that both reader and poet are being serenaded — by longing, by kin, by history. It takes up the sentiment Leane describes in Steel Trap: "My memory is a steel trap where / the release clasp is permanently jammed. / Things go in but they can never go / out again."

In Leane's work, the self is storied, archival; a container exceeding official records that try to capture and erase the Black body. The Black child, as Leane writes in a poem of the same name, is born raced, as everyone is — even if some aren't reminded of it as much as others.

"Dispossessed like a refugee in a sea of white / divisiveness where cognitive capabilities / are measured on a colour scale […] you know all about me / before I am even born"

A shot of a book with a southern cross etched across the page, poetry written in the gaps

As she has said: "Whiteness doesn't see itself but sees us".

"Fortress Australia" is a skeleton spread across the southern cross. Its poems speak of a fractured union. Not in the sense that the Australian union has become fractured, but in the sense that Australia was built upon disintegration: "a loose-weave federation says fuck-this-union/Jack this mate ship has sailed/no more boats/colonies are revolting".

As Leane writes in her acknowledgements: "This collection is a moment that is part of a much bigger momentum."

– Declan Fry

Hard by a Great Forest by Leo Vardiashvili

A book cover showing a stylised illustration of a brown city with a blue sky above

It's bad luck not to finish telling a fairytale — at least, that's according to one of the characters in Hard by a Great Forest. Without the happy ending, we're told, fairytales are just about horrible things happening to children.

In fact, the novel's title is taken from the beginning of the Brothers Grimm's Hansel and Gretel fairytale: "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel."

This fairytale is the perfect allegory for a story about a man following a breadcrumb-like trail to find his father in the war-ravaged former USSR country of Georgia; a place of mountains, escaped zoo animals and deep, dark woods.

Like the main character Saba, author Leo Vardiashvili grew up in Georgia but moved to England with his family as a refugee after the collapse of the Soviet Union spurred a civil war in the early 90s. Leo went back to the country after more than 15 years away, a return that spurred him to write this debut novel about the intergenerational impact of war and displacement.

In the story, Saba's return to Georgia after 20 years is presaged by the disappearance of his father, for whom the weight of absence and loss after fleeing Georgia during the war has become too much to bear. To find him, Saba must follow obscure clues left by his brother Sandro — who has also gone missing in pursuit of his father — around the capital of Tbilisi.

Thankfully, Saba doesn't have to endure this confronting task alone but has Nodar, a taxi driver, who accompanies him on his journey and provides the comic relief in the novel. He swears like it's a sport but has a big heart, embodying the Georgian credo that "a guest is a gift from God".

Listen: Leo Vardiashvili talks about his fractured family history on The Book Show

Together they take a picaresque journey with a dose of Hansel and Gretel, following the clues and evading the police to come closer to Saba's past and all that he left behind.

I can't reveal too much more but, like a good fairytale, reading to the very end is rewarding and devastating in equal measure.

— Sarah L'Estrange

The Singularity by Balsam Karam

A book cover with a red text and an illustration of a path leading to a hut surrounded by palms against a deep blue background

I admit to feeling sceptical about the decision to depict violence and conflict anonymously. So much real, targeted violence depends on generalisation and anonymity to protect itself.

As books increasingly choose to disguise rather than specify the nature of their objects — à la Rumaan Alam's Leave the World Behind , or Paul Lynch's Booker-winning Prophet Song , both of which advert to non-specific threats and conflict — we may wonder if we need more generalised, obtuse depictions of violence given that clear and present ones are happening right here, right now.

Balsam Karam's second novel suggests another possibility. A Swedish author of Iranian-Kurdish descent, The Singularity is her first to appear in English, in Saskia Vogel's translation.

The book addresses itself to the grief of an unnamed mother, in an unnamed coastal city, who is linked to another unnamed woman visiting on a business trip, whose family were targets in an unnamed war (along with a language and country, also unnamed). Yet the anonymity of The Singularity might be read as speaking to the way many countries are traumatised and, hoping for something better — something that can be felt rather than specified, categorised, or named — endure.

The idea of refusing names in the service of establishing political identity and agency has different antecedents, from the unnamed gender of characters in novels like Anne Garréta's Sphinx to Georges Perec's avoidance of the letter e in A Void (part of a body of work partly seeking to refract the too-close horrors of the Holocaust in which Perec's mother was killed).

Similarly, The Singularity is a novel of displacements — familial, cultural, geopolitical — that work to silence and make unknown the ties to land and life and community we depend upon. The rush of detail, memory, confusion and telegraphed yearning is stripped down to its barest coordinates, offered to the reader in an almost comma-stripped wave. As the lives of both women coalesce, the novel grows abbreviated, full stops giving way to forward slashes:

when you talk about rituals — do you mean the one where you have to abandon your home? / she said there was no separating life and land and language and children, but we couldn't just leave her there Mum says / when you talk about keeping something — do you mean the mother tongue that isn't allowed to be spoken? / in the tents we lay on blankets, all except you and Gran / when you talk about moving past this — do you mean from exile? / you two slept on the only mattress we were given and I took the only pillow / when you speak of a normal reaction — do you mean to the knowledge of all those who have disappeared?

Chapters become vignettes, as our narrator reflects on the loss – or presence – of another language:

"It's when you pronounce the word went that the teacher in the preparation course starts laughing. It's a W sound, not a V, she says, and draws all the children along with her."

Try saying it aloud, with the v — you'll sense the bittersweet humour being voiced (and unvoiced) here.

The space left by the loss of a child manifests in seeking not only what the book calls the "Missing One", but also the self who has become lost, the one who misses not just their child — and their language, their home — but the self they knew themselves to be with them.

The singularity of the title is revealed as both a distance and a proximity, the incalculable that is always having to be accounted for. "[I]nside a black hole is a place that is also a state," Karam writes. The absence of names in this book makes loss undeniable, but there is no perpetrator to arraign and put in the dock — just a screaming, turning to a whisper, and then an increasingly empty page.

The Great Undoing by Sharlene Allsopp

Ultimo Press

An early 20th century book cover with an image of a bush landscape with red text printed over the top

The debut novel from Bundjalung writer Sharlene Allsopp has a lot going on. There's a dystopian disaster story, a reckoning with Australia's colonial history, a rock star romance and even an exploration of the very concept of "truth" itself.

It's risky and ambitious. And, for me, that ambition pays off.

The overarching story is thrilling. Scarlet Friday is an Australian "truth-teller" living in a near-future London. Much of the world is dependent on a technology known as Bloodtalk; implanted in the bloodstream, the technology allows people to access their bank accounts, buy food and prove their identity.

But then comes the great undoing. The power goes out, the sky over London goes black and, without access to Bloodtalk, chaos ensues.

Scarlet and her friend David decide to return to Australia, but their journey home is perilous, and they arrive as refugees in their own country.

There are also flashbacks to Scarlet's childhood in Australia, the terrible secret that caused her to leave and a dreamy love affair in London.

In this near-future world, physical books are a rarity. Scarlet's own story has been handwritten on the pages of another tome: A Short History of Australia by historian Ernest Scott (a real book, first published in 1916).

At points, Scarlet's story will pause for an "intrusion" from the original text, with Scott praising the "goodwill" of the British Commonwealth, or celebrating how "thoroughly British the population of Australia has always been".

As an official "truth-teller", Scarlet is ready to dismantle so-called "histories" like Scott's. She believes that truth is found in many voices and is determined to put Aboriginal narratives on to the record.

"History has always been a fiction of sorts," Scarlet tells us, "But Truth-Telling allows the weight to be spread more evenly."

With echoes of Claire G Coleman (one of many authors quoted throughout the book), The Great Undoing is an exciting work of Aboriginal speculative fiction with plenty of heart to spare.

Monument by Bonny Cassidy

A book cover showing a painting of a glowing, cloudy sky with two tall, thin poles extending upwards

Bonny Cassidy is the author of three books of poetry. I remember, for many years, citing a line from one, The Budawangs, its chewy, sonorous rhythm like a Fiona Apple lyric ("the coast unseen yet guessed by Augustine"). Monument is her marvellous non-fiction debut. It is a book with blood in the veins.

Monument might be placed alongside the work of other poets who have mixed different modes — essay, poetry, memoir, image — to sound out the overlapping edges of histories and hidden truths in our communities, that global history of colonisations and incarcerations poet John Kinsella has called "the syntax of claim and settlement" .

I am thinking here of work like Etel Adnan's In the Heart of the Heart of Another Country , or the explorations of poetry, memoir and history whose exemplars include authors like Charmaine Papertalk Green, Natalie Harkin, Maria Stepanova, Bhanu Kapil and Polina Barskova.

Cassidy traces the guerilla resistance, walk-offs, letter-writing campaigns, petitions and art of First Nations communities, as well as settler forgetting. Traversing three colonies (Australia, Aotearoa, and the US), Monument focuses particularly on histories of colonisation and life around Victoria. A million tiny volitions and small forgettings frame its recognisably "Cassidy-ish" style (cool, cerebral).

Cassidy examines her familial archives and genealogies, unearthing lives lived amid burial, ("Nan's family is leaving the Wimmera Mallee […] they will find three mounds that 'had been extensively used, the soil at each site black and sterile' from many meals"). The soil remembers what the archives forget, earth devouring the human and non-human, remembering, regurgitating, commemorating.

Monument examines the cautious infiltration of history into all aspects of our lives. In regions of conflict — Gaza and Sarajevo, Ethiopia and Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar — war wreaks havoc on human and non-human alike; the soil registers the blood loss of women and children, the human lives seeping down through the ecological chain and poisoning crops, homes, lives, futures for generations to come.

This is part of the monument/ monument that Cassidy traces, invoking Lidia Thorpe's description of the fight for Djab Wurrung birthing trees , those "deeply intimate cultural sites, which literally contain the blood of Aboriginal women, giving these trees nutrients to grow for so long". Our monuments are visible yet hidden, surrounding us in the structures of worlds we live inside and are liable to ignore.

Every disavowed history constitutes an admission, speaking precisely of what is never spoken of. Our stories grow larger in corroboration. We dig through the soil, perform the necessary excavation. Uncover what implicates us.

— Declan Fry

Tune in to ABC RN at 10am on Mondays for The Book Show and 10am on Saturdays for The Bookshelf .

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'Singing the accumulated histories of our continent': Eight must-read books by First Nations' writers

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Your summer reading sorted: Our critics pick the top 15 books of 2023

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The Trump campaign paid an expert $750,000 to find fraud in the 2020 election, only for him to dismiss their complaints in minutes

A new book sheds light on the lengths Trump's campaign went to find fraud in the 2020 election.
Ken Block, a software engineer, revealed he was paid about $750,000 to help conduct the search.
Despite the massive payday, Block told BI he disproved many of the fraud claims in minutes.

A big business cropped up to help former President Donald Trump try to validate his false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election, according to someone who was there to profit from it.

Software engineer Ken Block told Business Insider ahead of the release of his forthcoming book "Disproven," that he was paid about $750,000 to conduct research that would verify the existence of mass voter fraud in swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

Despite the massive payday, Block couldn't find any. He even disproved some of the claims of voter fraud within minutes, pointing to incomplete data that was wrongfully interpreted as fraudulent, that voters with the same name had been counted as duplicate votes, and that data for mail-in ballots had been wrongly flagged.

Watch: Trump makes baseless claim that he lost the popular vote only because 'millions' voted illegally

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Canada Reads 2024: Watch the finale replay here

The debates have taken place march 4-7 on cbc tv, cbc radio, cbc listen, cbc gem and cbc books, social sharing.

Read Transcript

It's the final showdown! Two books go head-to-head and one will be crowned the winner of Canada Reads 2024!

Watch the Day Four on this page or find other ways and times to tune in here .

Canada Reads 2024 Day One: Watch the replay
Canada Reads 2024 Day Two: Watch the replay
Canada Reads 2024 Day Three: Watch the replay

The 2024 contenders are:

Athlete and CBC Sports contributor Dallas Soonias champions Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi champions Denison Avenue by Christina Wong & Daniel Innes
Fashion influencer Mirian Njoh champions Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
Actor Kudakwashe Rutendo champions Shut Up You're Pretty by Téa Mutonji
Author Heather O'Neill champions The Future by Catherine Leroux, translated by Susan Ouriou

A portrait of the cast of Canada Reads 2024 in the television studio.

Over three days, the five champions have stated their case for why their book is the "one to carry us forward." On this final day of the Canada Reads debates, they'll vote to eliminate the last title from the competition.

This year's host is comedian Ali Hassan .

Each panellist will have an opportunity to deliver an opening pitch for their respective book, then champion it when the question turns to whether their book is truly the one that all Canadians need to read right now. Today, three of the panellists are free agents and it's up to them to decide who will be crowned winner of Canada Reads 2024.

The debates will take place live at 10:05 a.m. ET. You can tune in live or catch a replay on the platform of your choice. You can see all the broadcast details here .

How to tune in to Canada Reads 2024: Watch, listen or stream the debates

Want to learn more about the books? Check out our handy Canada Reads cheat sheet.

Last year, Jeopardy! star Mattea Roach championed Kate Beaton's graphic memoir Ducks to victory on Canada Reads 2023 .

Highlights from Canada Reads 2023

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