For indie authors, seeking and soliciting book reviews before publication is essential. Start early by offering potential reviewers a free copy of your book in exchange for an honest review. Begin this process well in advance, because obtaining reviews can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years.

Persistence is key. You may need to contact dozens of reviewers before one agrees to read your book. One service I’ve found helpful is NetGalley, which allows authors to upload a manuscript for a starting fee of $300 and receive reviews from a variety of readers, including booksellers, bloggers, librarians, and professional reviewers. Using NetGalley, I received several reviews within two months, though I remained proactive in soliciting reviewers during that time.

While it’s great to get reviews from friends, family, or social media contacts, your primary focus should be on credible reviewers whose opinions carry weight with serious readers and book buyers. You can find such reviewers on sites like Step-by-Step Publishing and Indie View, or by searching online for reviewers in your book’s specific genre or subject.

Some authors choose to purchase paid reviews. If you go this route, only use reputable sources such as Kirkus Reviews or Publishers Weekly. When deciding whether to purchase a self-published book, I weigh the quality and credibility of reviews more heavily than the number of reviews. For instance, a book with a 5-star rating from 20 reviewers with little credibility is less persuasive than a book with a 3-star rating from a few highly reputable reviewers.

So how do you judge reviewer credibility? Consider the following criteria:

  • Credible reviewers often note that they provided an honest review in exchange for a copy of the book.

  • They may run a reputable book review site or have a professional presence online.

  • Reviews should provide constructive criticism, whether positive or negative.

  • Reviews riddled with grammatical errors, misspellings, or improper word usage are not credible.

  • Never trust reviews from someone who admits they haven’t read the book.

I give the most credibility to established media reviewing sources, including Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and respected outlets like Midwest Book Review. Reviews from these sources carry significant weight with readers, booksellers, and other industry professionals.

This post is part of my “Indie Author Marketing” blog series.  Please be sure to check out my Greco Family Trilogy books, including Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees, Discovery of an Eagle, and The Bird that Sang in Color. These books are available from all major online book sellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.