Naomi is founder of the Goodreads group Sisterhood of the Traveling Books, as well as the Nordic Noir group, dedicated to discussing Scandinavian mysteries. Last year, Goodreads ranked her at #11 on their top reviewer list, in both the U.S. and in the world (based on 2011 rankings).
Don’t miss Naomi’s tie-in column: Critique Clinic.
The Author CEO: How To Ask For a Book Review
by Naomi Blackburn
Last time we visited, we discussed how NOT to ask for book reviews. This week, I want to focus on how TO ask for book reviews.
Think if you went into a new restaurant. The first thing you see is the hostess snapping her gum, her hair is a mess and clothes are wrinkled. You are then escorted to your table and there are crumbs on the table and the floor looks like it hasn’t been vacuumed. Would you want to even eat at that restaurant or would you pass? The same concept applies to book review requests. How professional are you presenting your review requests? Is it a formal business letter? Is it an email like you are chit-chatting with a buddy? As I like to say, image is everything. Business formatting lets people know that you are serious in your review requests and that you respect your book enough not to be kicked back about it.
Through Sisterhood of the Traveling Book and A Book and A Review, I have the opportunity to speak with a number of book reviewers regarding what will make them take a serious look at review requests. In preparing for this post, I took the opportunity of review requests I have received and accepted or received and rejected not for outside my genres. When I approached fellow reviewers, they basically confirmed my list.
[Find out what’s on the list over on Naomi’s own blog…]
Have Your Say
Authors: How do you approach reviewers?
Reviewers: What do you like to see on a review request?
Related posts
- The Author CEO: How Not To Ask For a Book Review
- Authors Helping Authors: “Why Is It So Hard To Get A Book Review?” by Nikki Bennett
- Sonja Hutchinson: To Review or Not To Review
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