publishing book reviews

Top 5 Book Review Sites Every Author Should Submit To

Written By Write With Light Publications, LLC

0 comment(s), october 13, 2021, don’t rush your book.

We can’t say it enough and yet we see it happen all the time.

When on the verge of publishing a book, we see one big mistake happen, especially if the author is rushing the publication process of their book.

Many times, we see them write, edit and then publish, giving no time or space to properly market or get the word out about their book.

So how is a reader supposed to find your book if it’s not even out there yet? How will they see it without proper awareness?

Authors who self-publish for the first time (usually) are missing a crucial piece to the publishing process: Submitting their book to book review sites.

Why Do I Need to Submit My Books for Review?

Submitting your book to review to a good review source can help you leverage your book before it’s even launched.

Having people review your book from these five book review sites we are talking about later, even if the reviews are positive or negative, can be powerful.

There are a few reasons all authors should be submitting their book for review.

• You can gain quality reviews
• Create awareness for your book
• Book reviewers could possibly share your work with others (word of mouth marketing)
• Can influence readers to pre-order your book
• It’s free marketing!

Although sharing your work with others to get their opinion on your book is daunting, it’s still a necessary step to take before you even publish. Don’t forget this crucial step in the publishing and promotion process if you don’t want to sabotage your book .

How Long Does the Review Process Take?

The review copy process can take some time, which is probably why a lot of people skip the process. But if you want a good quality review from a quality source, you need to take the time to fit a book review process into your book publishing timeline.

The review copy process can take anywhere from 3-4 months. So why is that?

A majority of book reviewers and credible book review sites require at least 3-4 months after submission and before launch to review your book.

Reviewers get a lot of inquiries and a lot of books, some of which they give to two different readers for review. If they choose your book for review you need to give them 3-4 months to review it.

The downside is, you just have to be patient.

When Should I Submit My Books For Review?

If you’re finished writing your book, we highly recommend getting it edited by a professional before handing it off to reviewers.

Before you even submit your books for review, edit your book. Period.

Even if you have an amazing cover with a captivating synopsis, it will mean nothing if you send a book in with a wealth of mistakes roaming freely.

Reviewers will not read through your book if there are mistakes. Only send your book out for review when it is 100% ready.

Who Should I Be Submitting Books to For Review?

If you do decide to work this book review timeframe into your schedule, there are five sites you can get started with, some of which are free and some of which are paid.

So the top 5 book review sites you absolutely should at least consider,

• Publisher’s Weekly
• Write With Light Publications

We’ll explain all of them and their benefits below!

It’s also important to keep in mind that there are multiple other avenues for getting book reviews including having bookstagrammers on Instagram review your work, or sending it out to other smaller publications that would fit your niche.

For now, we’ll just cover some of the essential sites that will give you actual reviews without you having to ask freelance book reviewers.

Kirkus (Paid)

Kirkus has been around since 1933 and was founded by Virginia Kirkus. Back then, she realized there was a need for book reviews not backed by the publisher themselves. Seeing this need, she started a business that would give writers the book reviews they need while also allowing American booksellers to buy products backed by unbiased opinions.

As far as book review sites go, Kirkus is one of the most prestigious and trusted book reviewers in the business and offers an unbiased assessment of your book—which could be negative or positive. But their outstanding reviews come at a price. That being said, the review is worth it to many.

Here are some of the prices for Kirkus Reviews:

• Traditional Reviews: Costs $425 for a 250-word review.
• Expanded Reviews: Costs $525 for a 500-word review.
• Picture Book Reviews: Cost $350 for a 200-word review.

All of the reviews are turned around in 7-9 weeks but can be expedited for an additional fee. After receiving your review, you can add some of the best quotes to your product listings on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other sites to help promote the book.

You also have the option to publish your review on Kirkus if you like what they have to say. If you do choose to publish it, Kirkus may consider your review for publication in their magazine which reaches 50,000 users.

If you’re ready to get your book reviewed, visit Kirkus to get started .

Booklife (Paid)

To receive another guaranteed book review for a price, you can also choose Booklife .

Booklife is an extension of the popular site, Publisher’s Weekly, and provides publishing advice and assistance to find authors.

Booklife is usually great for indie authors who need a great review from a reputable source. It is also slightly less in cost than Kirkus.

A Booklife review costs $399 for 300 words.

Authors will get their review back in an estimated 4-6 weeks. The one downside of submitting for review with Booklife is there is a word count limit. Only books 100,000 words are less can be considered for a review.

The upside is the review with be featured on Booklife’s website and Publisher Weekly’s website. To learn more about the submission guidelines and get reviewed, visit Booklife’s Review FAQs page .

Reedsy (Paid)

Probably one of our favorite places to get books reviewed is Reedsy .

We love this site because it is so affordable and you get an honest book review from a professional book reviewer. See a Reedsy book review for one of our authors!

Like Booklife and Kirkus, you will get a quality book review but at a much lower price and it is guaranteed. Reedsy can also be synced with Goodreads, which allows your reviewer to publish their review before the book even launches.

Authors who choose to get their books reviewed with Reedsy will spend only $50 per book for a lengthy review from a frequent book reviewer.

The great thing is, your book is available to be reviewed by anyone who is interested. Additionally, you can contact the reviewers to ask them to review your book

On Reedsy, your book can only be reviewed once, although, we really wish they would allow more, especially if other reviewers want to take a peek.

Publisher’s Weekly (Free)

Like we mentioned earlier, Publisher’s Weekly is associated with Booklife, which is a paid review service.

Publisher’s Weekly, however, is a free review service , which will bring a smile to most indie authors who are on a tight budget with marketing.

The one downside of submitting a book review to Publisher’s Weekly is your review is not guaranteed. Publisher’s Weekly reviewers take a very slim amount of submissions for review, which means they take the elite when it comes to books.

If your book is chosen for review by Publisher’s Weekly, you’ve probably got yourself a great book. Although there is no guarantee for a book review, it’s worth submitting anyways.

To get your book reviewed with Publisher’s Weekly, check out their submission guidelines .

Write With Light Publications (Free)

We know we have a long ways to go to be as great and revered as websites like Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus. But hey! We all have to start somewhere!

At Write With Light Publications, we have a deep desire to help indie authors get their books out there in the world. One of the best ways to do that is to read your book and give you a quality review.

Our reviews are completely free to you as long as you follow our strict guidelines.

To learn more about our book reviews, check out our submission guidelines !

New More Publishing Help?

Write With Light Publications offers a variety of publishing services that are intended to support indie authors with their self-publishing endeavors.

If you’re feeling lost with marketing, publishing, or even creating your book, consider getting some assistance from us!

You can see more about our services here .

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Trish Hopkinson

A selfish poet, where to submit book reviews–60 lit mags/journals.

Reviews are a great way to prompt yourself to think critically about a work–to spend more time with something you love, or well, maybe don’t so much. You can check out the reviews I’ve written here , including Paisley Rekdal’s most recent poetry collection Nightingale , published by Copper Canyon Press.

Click here for review writing tips and “A list of places that like book reviews” by Alina Stefanescu.

If you like this post, please share with your writerly friends and/or  follow me on  Facebook ,  Twitter , or  Instagram . You can see all the FREE resources my site offers poets/writers on my  Start Here  page. 

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Categories: Call for Submissions , Poetry Reviews , Self-taught MFA

Tagged as: book reviews , chapbook reviews , No Fee Call for Submissions , Paying Call for submissions , Poetry Book Reviews

17 replies »

Hi! Please add Tinderbox to this?

OMG, how did I miss that! Thank you!

Excellent article. This team golfwell does free book reviews too https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html

Excellent article and very well done and thank you for taking the time to write this. FYI Team Golfwell does free book review https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html

Trish, this is fantastic. Thank you so much! You rock! This is a tremendous service to authors. all best wishes, Diane Frank

You're so welcome!

This list will really be useful to me and your other followers. Thank you so much!

Thank you, Trish, for your information and ever-present enthusiasm. If any book reviewers on Trish’s list would be receptive to reviewing new poetry titles (from 2 tiny indie presses), books whose Spring 2020 launch was crippled by COVID-19, I would be delighted to send you either or both — and also throw in a free dinner [by way of an American Express “Be My Guest” dining out certificate]. My two titles are an Elgin Award nominee “A Route Obscure and Lonely” [Wapshott Press; 62 pgs; speculative poetry] — and — “Concupiscent Consumption” [Red Ferret Press; 34-page chapbook; erotic verses]. Happy to send actual paperbacks and/or digital versions. You can preview these on Amazon.

Good wishes from New York, LindaAnn LoSchiavo

Hi, please add Prospectus to this list!

Will do! I will add it next week

• Pingback: How to Write a Book Review in Ten Easy Steps (just kidding; it's not always easy) – guest blog post by Eileen “Mish” Murphy – Trish Hopkinson
• Pingback: How to Write a Book Review in Ten Easy Steps (just kidding; it's not always easy) - guest blog post by Eileen "Mish" Murphy - Trish Hopkinson – What’s New Magazine
• Pingback: My review of ‘The Truth Is’ by Avery M. Guess published by Diode + submission call! – Trish Hopkinson
• Pingback: 6 Thoughts on Reviewing Poetry + tips & where to submit reviews – guest blog post by Alina Stefanescu – Trish Hopkinson
• Pingback: 6 Thoughts on Reviewing Poetry + tips & where to submit reviews - guest blog post by Alina Stefanescu - Trish Hopkinson – What’s New Magazine

Thank you, Trish! This is a tremendous help to authors and reviewers.

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Ten Honest Review Sites for New Authors

Books flood into review sites, and the sheer numbers overwhelm book review editors. They must make choices: the big New York publishers or the little guys?

Publicists are Tweeting the editors and importuning them with e-mails. “Well, are you going to review my guy or gal or not?”

Probably not. There’s just not time. And the number of newspapers with book review sections keeps shrinking.

If this is publishing’s new reality, how are unknown authors supposed to get pithy, cover quotes? Hire a publicist? Sure, but not everyone can afford that.

If you want to throw a “Hail Mary,” you can join the National Book Critics Circle and gain access to the members of that organization. Alternately, you can monitor the group’s Twitter feed and collect Twitter addresses. Be forewarned, however.

Without a publicist, small presses, independent publishers, and self-published authors have very little chance of making it into the book review sections of national newspapers.

But, don’t give up yet. There are paid and unpaid review sites that will give you what you want–a “money quote.”

The Money Quote

Long before a book goes to press, the author or publisher needs to solicit reviews. Why? Because it’s good to have a “money quote.” That’s a single sentence you can put on the cover to promote it.

Here’s the money quote for my novel, Montpelier Tomorrow . “An affecting, deeply honest novel; at the same time, a lacerating indictment of our modern health care system.”– Kirkus Review

And, here’s a money quote for Bonds of Love & Blood . “MacDonald applies insight, power, and delicacy to create characters between whom the psychic space virtually sizzles.”– Foreword Reviews

You need quotes like these in your marketing campaign. That campaign can involve Tweets, blog tours, press releases, podcasts, and speaking engagements. But, all that effort begins with you deciding which review sites you’re going to target.

In this post I’m going to cover free review site and sites that charge money. Sometimes the same review organization will do both. ( Foreword Reviews, Kirkus Review , and Publishers Weekly/BookLife are examples of two-tiered review sites.)

The Skinny on Review Sites

I’ve seen disparaging comments on the web about sites that charge authors money in exchange for reviews. Honestly, it’s a very competitive world out there, and most sites that want you to pay for a review do not guarantee a positive outcome.

The reviewer can pan your book or give it a lukewarm endorsement. In that case (since you’ve forked over money), you can ask the site not to publish; but that’s the only break you’re going to get. Money doesn’t buy happiness, and it doesn’t buy a five-star review.

I’ve solicited both paid and unpaid reviews. Some of the paid reviews have been the best, not because I bought the reviewers’ good opinion, but because the readers took time to read thoroughly and respond in a “feelingful” way.

Apart from reviews, what authors want most is that vital connection with readers. Our chances improve if the review sites allow reviewers to self-select from among the many books available for review. One site, for instance, says they receive 1,000 books per month. There’s no way the editor who manages that rising tide can possibly know which readers who will be receptive. As I said, review sites are literally being inundated.

Review Sites | Free or Cheap

The Midwest Book Review — This is a site that favors small presses. If the book has not yet been published, the author or publisher can pay a $50 “reader fee” (which is an administrative fee) and MBR will assign a reviewer. At that point the author or publisher will send the reviewer a pre-publication manuscript, galley, uncorrected proof, ARC, or pdf file . Turnaround isn’t instantaneous, so it’s important to allow enough time, especially if you want a money quote for your book cover.

If your book is too far along to qualify for a pre-publication review, you can still try to get one from MBR, one of the oldest and most respected review sites in the country. The editor, James Fox, asks that you send two copies of the book, a press release, and a physical address to which they can mail the review.

If the book isn’t picked up by one of their volunteer reviewers during the 12 to 14-week time window, you can submit a review from any other reviewer (with their permission), and they’ll run the review in their newsletter.

While you’re on their site make sure you take note of their info about Book Review Magazines Used by Librarians and Other Book Reviewers . The latter is a helpful list because it includes review sites for academic books.

Foreword Reviews is one of my favorite sites for small and independent presses and for indie authors .

“To be considered for a review in the pages of Foreword Reviews magazine, a review copy (printed or digital) of the title in question must be received in the Foreword offices at least two months prior to the book’s firm publication date. Once we have our hands on your book, our managing editor will carefully critique whether it meets our editorial standards. We receive hundreds of worthy titles every month. Due to space limitations, we’re only able to review 150 books per issue of the quarterly magazine. If your book did not make the cut, we also offer objective, 450-word reviews (including a star rating) by Clarion Reviews , Foreword ‘s fee-for-review service.”

These folks produce a beautiful magazine, and their reviewers are great. Unlike Kirkus Review (more on that in a minute) Foreword Reviews does not charge for its reviews. I’m very proud that my short story collection, BONDS OF LOVE & BLOOD , is a finalist for their IndieFab awards and that they featured the book in their January issue. The magazine spotlights many books published by university and small presses.

New Pages is a great site for small and independent presses, but not so great for self-published authors and presses that use a POD printer. New Pages doesn’t charge for their reviews, and they are also inundated with new books.

“If you want your book to be considered for a review, please send two copies. We need to keep one in the office to check against any review that might be submitted. Advanced Reading Copies are acceptable.”

Their address is New Pages, PO Box 1580, Bay City, MI 48706. If your book is self-published or published by a POD publisher (such as CreateSpace), they will not review your book , but they will list it on their “Books Received” page. If, in their initial screening, they think your book looks promising, they will offer it to their reviewers, but it is up to the reviewers to choose.

Even if you can’t get a review from these folks, the site is still worth visiting. Don’t overlook their  New Pages Guide to Review Sources .

BookLife is a new venture for Publishers Weekly , the big gorilla in the publishing zoo. (If your book’s publisher produces works by multiple authors, then the publisher must submit the book through the Publishers Weekly’s GalleyTracker portal.)

Prior to launching BookLife, an author could only get a book review on PW if the author’s publisher submitted the book and if PW accepted the book for review. With BookLife you’ll have a chance at getting your book reviewed, but only if the book meets their standards .

Amazingly, the review is free. You’ll also find that they’re offering a host of other services, including helpful info about ISBN numbers, social media, and publicity. That is undoubtedly where they intend to make money.

Kirkus Indie Reviews is one of the sites acquisition librarians consult, and Kirkus reviews carry weight with readers. Kirkus Indie needs a lot of lead time–7 to 9 weeks ($425) for a standard submission and 4 to 6 weeks ($575) for a rush job.

If you’re publishing with a small or independent press, and they did not submit your book prior to publication, you can still get it reviewed under Kirkus’s Indie program.

“In the interest of introducing consumers and industry influencers to self-published books they might otherwise never discover, Kirkus Indie does not put any restrictions on publication dates for submissions. You may order a review for a book that’s been on the market for 10 years or for a book that doesn’t even have a publication date yet.”

Kirkus Indie reviews are eligible for Kirkus stars.

I’ve had two books reviewed by Kirkus Reviews . Click the link at left, and see if you can tell the difference between the one I paid for and the one I didn’t. (Hint: The publisher of BONDS OF LOVE & BLOOD submitted an ARC to Kirkus prior to publication.)

Kirkus Review clearly states that they do not review POD (print-on-demand) books except in their Indie program, but both my books were produced using POD technology, and they reviewed them.

Review Sites That Want You To Show Them The Money

Some of my favorite reviews have come from review sites that require a modest payment. Often these sites employ volunteer reviewers, but sometimes, they pay their reviewers for taking the time to write a coherent review.

The US Review of Books is a site that has given both my books great reviews. They state that they “ do not sell editing or manuscript review services on the side . This practice creates a clear conflict of interest with the integrity of a fair and honest review.” ( Kirkus Review does sell editing services.) A basic review with US Review of Books costs $75, but if you’re close to your pub date, you can get an express review for $129. If you’re on Twitter and you include the hashtag #USReview in your Tweet, they will retweet to their list.

An added feature of the US Review of Books site is that it supports the Eric Hoffer Award . This is an award for new books, and it also honors books that have been around for awhile. I’m thrilled that the cover of BONDS OF LOVE & BLOOD is a finalist for the da Vinci Eye award.

The Readers’ Favorite Book Review and Award Contest is one of the review sites that every indie author needs to know about. I know there are a lot of sites out there that have a gajillion categories and steep entry fees. They bilk new authors with the promise of recognition. However, Readers’ Favorite Book Review is different. The people who run the site have high integrity.

The site will do one free review of your book, and the reviews are done by real readers. You can rank your reader, just as your reader ranks you. But, there’s more! For $129 you get three reviews, and for $199 you can order five. In addition to putting the reviews on their site, they will post the reviews to Goodreads and Barnes & Noble (but not to Amazon because Amazon doesn’t accept paid reviews. Oddly, Amazon doesn’t accept reviews from Midwest Book Review , even though that site has been around a long time and has a solid reputation for objectivity.)

If you enter the Readers’ Favorite Award Contest and are one of their finalists, you become eligible to join their Forum. Contest winners share strategies they’ve used to market their books, and I can’t think of another site that’s as genial and helpful as this one.

Last year I won a Gold Medal for Drama for MONTPELIER TOMORROW , and I was invited to attend their award ceremony in Miami, held in conjunction with the Miami Book Fair. It was a first-class event. These folks truly are dedicated to indie authors, and the writers you meet, either in person or online, soon become your friends.

Pacific Book Review is a site that provides reviews and extra features, such as author interviews. The PBR Basic Review Package costs $300, and they post the review to Oasis (a library site), Barnes & Noble, Google Books, the Apple iStore, Authorsden.com, Bookblog.com, and Writers Digest Book Blog. They use professional reviewers who know how to think about–and write about–books.

If you’re in need of another review, they have a second review site called Hollywood Book Reviews . For another $200 you can order a professionally written review/press release and see it posted on all major sites.

Reader Views is another good site for indie authors, as well as small and university presses. Their basic package for one review costs $119, but they have a disclaimer saying that the cost isn’t actually paying for a review, merely for their processing. If you need reader reviews for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads, on top of a book review, ask about their book giveaways . What’s good is that you get the reviewers’ email addresses so that you can send them a “thank you” note.

That’s a start! What sites have you found? I’d love to hear about your successes.

Marylee MacDonald is the author of MONTPELIER TOMORROW, BONDS OF LOVE & BLOOD, BODY LANGUAGE, and THE BIG BOOK OF SMALL PRESSES AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS. Her books and stories have won the Barry Hannah Prize, the Jeanne M. Leiby Memorial Chapbook Award, a Readers' Favorites Gold Medal for Drama, the American Literary Review Fiction Prize, a Wishing Shelf Book Award, and many others. She holds an M.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State, and when not reading or writing books, she loves to walk on the beach and explore National Parks.

2 Responses to “Ten Honest Review Sites for New Authors”

I review for the following three virtual book tour companies: 1. Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours . Lori offers free review tours for cozy mysteries. She charges for other genres as a way to support the free cozies.

2. Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours . They set up and run tours for authors of historical fiction. They have done and do scores of tours. I do not know their pricing structure.

3. TLC Book Tours . Again, scads of tours under their belts and in the pipeline (I have some reviews scheduled out through August.) I do not know their pricing structure here, either.

There are a few other sites for which I review, but they are smaller and/or I haven’t worked with them as much.

Thanks so much for these great links. I knew about TLC, but not the other two.

All Content © 2024 Marylee MacDonald

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The Indie Author's Guide to Free Reviews

For an indie author trying to draw attention to her recently published or soon-to-be-published book, reviews are hugely beneficial. Commentary from bloggers or critics—even when the assessment is mixed—make a book seem more legitimate, while at the same time offering insight into its genre, subject matter, style, and potential audience. But, in an increasingly crowded indie market, it can be difficult to get noticed—and thus, reviewed—on sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads. And paid review services can be expensive, adding to the already significant financial strain many encounter when self-publishing a book.

So what’s a budget-conscious, review-seeking indie author to do? These online resources help authors connect with bloggers and writers who review indie books for free.

[Note: this article was originally published in July 2014 and was updated on May 8, 2017.]

What to Expect and How to Prepare

Whether an indie author is researching book bloggers using a reviewer directory -- such as IndieView -- or submitting a book directly to a blog known for reviewing self-published titles -- such as Dear Author -- she should be sure to read each site’s review policies carefully. Directories sometimes have guidelines for contacting bloggers, and individual reviewers and/or book blogs will often have a checklist of requirements for submissions (e.g., print format only, no books of a certain genre, etc.). Self-publishing expert Joel Friedlander, writing for Writer’s Digest , also suggests having jacket images, a cover letter, an author photo, an author bio, a press release, and a sufficient number of hard copies (if you are publishing in print) at the ready.

Reviewer Directories

Reviewer directories provide lists of bloggers and writers who review self-published books, often for free. Here are three examples of the reviewer directories you can find online:

First launched in 2010, IndieView is a site that connects indie authors with volunteer reviewers. In order to find a potential reviewer, an author can visit the site’s directory , which lists the names, websites, genre preferences, and review policies of each of its more than 300 reviewers. After finding a promising match, an author can then contact the reviewer directly, typically via her website. IndieView does a good job of maintaining a robust and respectful reviewing community. In order to remain on its list of reviewers, members must “actively post reviews,” accept e-book submissions, and never charge for reviews. In addition, many of the reviewers will post their reviews to sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, and Shelfari. IndieView’s directory model can prove time-consuming, since an author will have to research each reviewer’s site, policy, and past reviews individually. But, given its size and the sheer variety of genre preferences represented, it’s a good place to start.

Book Blogger List

The Book Blogger List uses a model similar to that of IndieView, providing a directory of book bloggers (organized by genre preference) that accept submissions from authors. The biggest upside to the Book Blogger List is that it requires all of its bloggers to remain active : Blogs are monitored every two months, and lapses in activity result in removal from the site’s directory. On the downside, the site doesn’t explicitly require its bloggers to review for free (although most do), so authors should be sure to read each blogger’s review policy carefully. And, as with IndieView and other reviewer directories, it’s important to respect each blogger’s stated genre preferences. “Don’t approach a blogger who only reads children’s lit to read your non-fiction business book,” the site recommends .

Book Reviewer Yellow Pages

Operated by Christy Pinheiro, Book Reviewer Yellow Pages (formerly Step by Step Self-Publishing) is an online resource for indie authors that includes an exhaustive list of book blogs that review self-published books . The list includes information about which genres each blog specializes in, and which book formats (print or e-book) they accept.

Traditional Media

While it remains true that traditional media doesn't regularly review self-published books, this is -- very slowly -- beginning to change. In 2012, the New York Times reviewed a self-published title for the first time. And in 2014, the Guardian ran The Guardian Legend Times Self-Published Book of the Month , which showcased the best self-published books. Still reviews of self-published titles from traditional media are few and far between.

I n May of 2014, Publishers Weekly launched BookLife , a site aimed at indie authors that allows self-publishers to submit their books to PW for review consideration for free. To date, the magazine has reviewed more than 1,700 self-published titles. Additionally, BookLife features how-to articles for self-publishers and an annual contest for indie authors with a writing stipend of $5,000 going to the winner.

Blogs and Individual Reviewers

An indie author can also skip the directories and reach out to book blogs directly. The following blogs have a reputation for reviewing self-published books. They are, of course, only examples: as Indie View and Book Blogger List’s directories attest, bloggers willing to review self-published titles number in the hundreds.

Dear Author

Dear Author is a popular book blog that covers mainly romance, historical fiction, and contemporary fiction. According to owner Jane Litte, the site’s writers review around 30 books per month, some of which are self-published. Though “only a tiny fraction” of indie submissions receives reviews on the site, Litte says there are a few things authors can do to stand out. “Authors should familiarize themselves with the review policies of the blog,” she says. “We receive a number of submissions from self-published memoirists or nonfiction authors or authors of short stories and poetry. We don’t review those books.”

In addition, she says, “Having a professional cover, blurb and excerpt can elevate your self-published book above others…Don't give the reviewer a reason to say no…because [of] a poorly crafted and edited blurb, an amateur cover, or a less than gripping excerpt.” Finally, “knowing the audience for your pitch can go a long way in pushing your query ahead of others,” Litte says. “It might take extra time, but targeted pitches are better than mass mailings which many bloggers, including myself, routinely delete.”

Maryse Black

Maryse Black is a book blogger with a sizable fan base ( more than 40,000 Likes on Facebook and a mailing list of more than 6,000 ) who reviews self-published books on her website, Maryse’s Book Blog . Her preferred genres range from young adult and fantasy to contemporary fiction. While she doesn’t guarantee reviews, she does provide helpful information about what types of books she’s drawn to , and, as a rule, always reviews free of charge. A review from Black can be a significant boon: According to the Associated Press , her review of New Adult indie author Jamie Stengle’s book Slammed helped spur the book’s popularity; it went on to appear on the New York Times bestsellers list for e-books

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Book Review Outlets

Book reviews can be an indispensable asset to writers and their careers. Our Book Review Outlets database is an excellent platform for authors—from self-published independents to household names—to research and discover a spectrum of book review options.

Book Nerdection

Book Nerdection is a website offering services for book reviews, sponsored book listings, author interviews, and an abundance of content for both authors and readers. Reviews are available for both written books and audiobooks.

VIDA Review

The  VIDA Review  is an online literary magazine publishing original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, interviews, and reviews. Reviews must be for full-length or chapbooks of poetry or prose by writers from historically-marginalized...

Established in 1990 at the University of Idaho, Fugue biannually publishes poetry, fiction, essays, hybrid work, and visual art from established and emerging writers and artists. Fugue is managed and edited entirely by...

Adroit Journal

The Adroit Journal  is a registered literary and arts nonprofit organization that was founded in 2010 by poet Peter LaBerge. At its foundation, the journal has its eyes focused ahead, seeking to showcase what its global staff of emerging...

Bone Bouquet

Bone Bouquet is a biannual print journal publishing new writing by female and nonbinary poets, from artists both established and emerging. Work that breaks with tradition, creating new forms by dwelling in thought rather than seeking...

Asymptote  is the premier site for world literature in translation. They take their name from the dotted line on a graph that a mathematical function may tend toward, but never reach. Similarly, a translated text may never fully replicate...

Published since 2009, Big Other is an online arts and culture magazine accepting submissions in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, lyric essay, art, video, short drama, and hybrid work from both established and emerging writers and artists....

Barrelhouse

Barrelhouse is a biannual print journal featuring fiction, poetry, interviews, and essays about music, art, and the detritus of popular culture. Their website regularly posts new short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, interviews, and book...

Another Chicago Magazine

Another Chicago Magazine  is independent of any institution, and has lived on volunteer efforts and grants. Each editor has autonomy and publishes work that ranges from conventional to experimental. They adore writing that is engaged with...

American Poetry Review

The American Poetry Review is dedicated to reaching a worldwide audience with a diverse array of the best contemporary poetry and literary prose. They also aim to expand the audience interested in poetry and literature, and to provide...

Printed twice a year (in July and December) and distributed internationally with subscribers in over twenty countries, each issue includes thirty-two shorter poems. In 2013, 32 Poems expanded to publish regular prose features online....

Self-Publishing Review

Self-Publishing Review has been a leading name in self-publishing services and author advocacy since 2008. Offering professional editorial book reviews across all genres with a number of options for paid reviews, their services also...

Under a Warm Green Linden

Under a Warm Green Linden , launched in 2008, is both a forum on the technical and ineffable qualities of the art of poetry, and a digital poetry journal. Reviews and interviews with established and emerging poets are intended to deepen,...

Vol. 1 Brooklyn

Founded in 2009, Volume 1 Brooklyn engages and connects the literary-minded from Brooklyn and beyond. Their website features short and long content, news, book reviews and more.  Vol. 1 Brooklyn seeks to motivate the community to...

Masters Review

The Masters Review is an online and print publication celebrating new and emerging writers. It is on the lookout for the best new talent with hopes of publishing stories from writers who will continue to produce great work. It offers...

BookLife is a website from  Publishers Weekly  dedicated to indie authors. The site provides a free and easy way to submit self-published books to  Publishers Weekly  for review, and offers editorial content—success stories,...

City Book Review

Since 2009 City Book Review has reviewed more than 20,000 books under the San Francisco, Manhattan, and Seattle Book Review brands, and Kids’ Book Buzz. They review 300 books a month in more than 40 genres.

Books within 90 days of their...

Stirring is a journal with several editors who all contribute their individual input for each issue. The joy of Stirring is a confluence of diverse opinions. Creative work from all genres and a variety of visual art media are...

Newfound is a nonprofit publisher based in Austin, Texas. The work published explores how place shapes identity, imagination, and understanding. The journal is published biannually online and annually in print, and features fiction,...

CALYX Journal

A forum for women’s creative work—including work by women of color, lesbian and queer women, young women, old women— CALYX Journal  breaks new ground. Each issue is packed with new poetry, short stories, full-color artwork, photography,...

American Poets

American Poets , published biannually by the Academy of American Poets, provides readers with a panorama of the contemporary poetic landscape and offers ten to twelve reviews of new poetry books in each issue. The magazine, which publishes...

The Guardian was founded in 1821 and known as the Manchester Guardian until 1959. The Guardian has evolved from a local paper into an international publication that offers publishing industry news, book reviews, and the...

Georgia Review

The Georgia Review  seeks to create a lasting environment for literature by supporting writers at every stage of their careers. Committed to the art of editorial practice, the  Review  collaborates with authors of essays, stories,...

The Independent

Founded in 1986, the Independent, nicknamed the Indy , is a major newspaper in the United Kingdom. The Indy —which launched an online version in 2008—covers the publishing industry, literary news, and all things books.

Compulsive Reader

Compulsive Reader features reviews of books by contemporary writers, as well as exclusive author interviews and literary news and criticism. Compulsive Reader works with an eclectic and extensive team of book reviewers who are...

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Written by S. Kalekar October 23rd, 2023

30 Magazines Accepting Book Reviews

These are magazines that accept book reviews. Most also accept other genres, like fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Some of them pay writers. Most, but not all, of them are open for submissions now.

Boston Review They’re currently open for essays and reviews. “Please note that we are a general interest political and literary magazine…. We primarily publish long-form essays, substantial book reviews, and political and social analysis. We do not publish op-eds, and we do not accept unsolicited personal essays.” Poetry and fiction are closed. Details here and here . (They are also looking for paid full-time and part-time Spring editorial interns; the position is in Cambridge, MA; the deadline to apply is 11 th December 2023; see their Submittable for details. They also run the annual Black Voices in the Public Sphere Fellowship for media professionals, which will reopen for applications in early Spring 2024, and which pays a monthly stipend of $5,000.)

Cleveland Review of Books They publish reviews, essays, interviews, and excerpts. “While we are especially committed to publishing writing on, about, and from Cleveland and Ohio, as well as the Rust Belt and greater Midwest, regional connection is by no means a requirement. Our conception of what criticism is and can be is purposefully expansive, generous, and open. We publish writers at all stages of their careers, regardless of publication history.” They have detailed guidelines, please read them carefully. Web rates start at $70. Details here .

Bulb Culture Collective Their social media bio says, “We’re a new online lit space accepting previously published work that has lost its original home.” They publish poetry and prose (reviews, fiction, creative nonfiction, nonfiction, poetry); they want work that was “previously published (regardless of when it was published) by a journal that has since gone dark or if circumstances have made your work unavailable online for any reason. You must retain the rights of this work.” They also accept work that was previously published, regardless of journal status, as long as the work was published in 2021 or before. Details here .

Parabola Parabola is a quarterly journal that explores the quest for meaning as it is expressed in the world’s myths, symbols, and religious traditions, with particular emphasis on the relationship between this store of wisdom and our modern life. They publish book reviews (500 words), as well as articles and translations, retellings of traditional stories, forum contributions, and poetry. The theme for their next issue, Spring 2024, is ‘Freedom’, and the deadline is 1 December 2023. They pay. Details here .

Split Lip Magazine “Split Lip Magazine is a voice-driven literary journal with a pop culture twist.” They publish online monthly and in print annually – reviews (800-1,200 words), micro-reviews of short literary works (micro-reviews are 250-500 words), and interviews (for reviews and interviews, query/submission is via webforms, not Submittable – see guidelines), memoir, flash fiction, short stories, and poetry. Pay is $75 for web contributions, $5/page for print, $50 for interviews/reviews, and $25 for mini-reviews for their web issues. Fee-free submissions for all writers will be from beginning to end November, or until filled. “In an effort to promote Black voices, free submissions will be open for Black writers and artists in all genres all year (except when we are closed to all submissions in July and the second half of December).” Details here , here (query/submission form for reviews), and here (query/submission form for micro-reviews).

433 Their website says, “433 is a daily magazine of art, literature and politics that began as a running collection of “moments of silence” from various places around the world, experienced in isolation, in the midst of a pandemic.” They publish nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and art. And, “Notes is our new channel for reviews, interviews and criticism. We will consider any book, film, music, art or other reviews/criticism/interviews, but we will place a special emphasis and are particularly interested in writing that emerges from within the author’s communities. … Criticism here is seen as distinct from creative nonfiction, but we know this is a strange distinction, and if you submit as criticism or CNF, we won’t mind if it feels more like one or the other.” Details here .

Woods Reader This is a publication for those who love woodland areas – public preserves, forests, tree farms, etc. They want work pertaining to locations within the US and Canada. Writers should query before submitting book reviews. They also publish personal experience, philosophy, personal opinion, fiction, educational articles, humor, poetry, destination pieces, assigned topics, as well as photographs and illustrations. They ideally want work of 500-1,000 words and occasionally accept longer. Pay is $25 to $100. Details here .

Black Fox Literary Magazine This is a print and online magazine. For their blog posts, they want articles on the craft of writing, personal essays on writing, book reviews, book news, and publishing news. They also accept fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. There is no fee for submitting blog posts, and those are open on an ongoing basis; the deadline for fee-free submissions in other genres is 30 November 2023. Details here and here .

Poetry Apart from poems, they also publish reviews of poetry books of 1,200-1,800 words and other poetry-related prose. They want reviews that consider 2 or more new poetry collections, drawing connections between disparate works, focusing on a shared theme/aesthetic/etc. across works by different poets; reviews focused on multiple books by a single author and/or on collected or new and selected works; and reviews of underappreciated/overlooked works from the last year. Pay is $150/page for prose, and $10 per line for poetry ($300 minimum). Details here . (They also run the annual $10,000 Pegasus Award for Poetry Criticism for full-length published prose work, the deadline for which has passed this year.)

COMP: an interdisciplinary journal This magazine is affiliated with Piedmont University, and they have published 3 issues so far. “For critical prose, we’d love to feature craft essays, artist manifestos, criticism, reviews, essays on film, music, visual art, poetics or writing praxis/pedagogy, etc.” They also publish fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and cross-genre work. Their submission period is November to February. Please send your work only during the reading period. Details here .

Strange Horizons This science fiction and fantasy magazine publishes in-depth reviews of speculative art and entertainment, especially books, films, and television. They prefer reviews of 1,500-2,000 words, and pay $60 for reviews of at least 1,000 words. They also accept review pitches. Apart from reviews, they publish speculative fiction, nonfiction, poetry, columns and roundtables, for which rates vary. Details here and here .

The Amazine Their guidelines say, “we invite you to send us your submissions, in form of think pieces, social and cultural commentaries, all kinds of reviews and recommendations, portraits, prose, poetry, essays, travelogues and almost anything else. If you don’t express yourself with words, no worries, send us your collages, drawings, photos, videos …” Their mission is “Creating a space for joy, curiosity and the bittersweetness of life by keeping wonder alive and kicking.” Details here .

Lincoln Review This annual magazine is affiliated with the University of Lincoln. They accept queries for book reviews and interviews, and submissions of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, and comics. Details here .

Tor.com This science fiction and fantasy publisher accepts pitches for essays, think pieces, list posts, reaction pieces, and reviews in the 1,000-2,000 word range for their blog. All original content for blogs is paid. They have occasional calls for novels and novellas on their website. Details here .

West Branch This literary magazine from Bucknell University publishes fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. For reviews, “Book reviews are typically arranged by assignment, and we currently publish only poetry reviews. If you are interested in writing reviews, please query with a sample. Our pay rate for reviews is highly competitive.” Pay for other prose is up to $200 and for poetry, it is $100. Details here .

London Review of Books This well-regarded magazine accepts unsolicited submissions as well as proposals. “The best guide to what we might like is what we usually publish, including poems, reviews, reportage, memoir, articles for our Short Cuts and Diary slots, and blogposts.” Details here .

Kaleidoscope They publish work on disability, and accept work from writers with and without disabilities. For reviews their guidelines say, “Reviews that are substantive, timely, powerful works about publications in the field of disability and/or the arts. The writer’s opinion of the work being reviewed should be clear. The review should be literary work in its own right – 5,000 words maximum each/two reviews maximum.” They also publish poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, articles, and visual art. Pay is $10-100. Details here .

Agbowo They publish work by African origin writers only. They accept reviews of up to 1,500 words; reviews of recently published books are given preference. They also accept fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays, and art/photography. Interviews are closed for now. Pay ranges from $25 to $60. There is also an editor’s prize for poetry, $100. Please send only one submission per reading period. The deadline is 30 October 2023. Details here .

The Masters Review They accept book reviews for their blog, though these are unpaid – “Book Reviews (700-1,200 words) must be of books scheduled for a 2023 release. We recommend submitting your review at least one month before the scheduled publication date.” They also accept fee-free submissions of interviews and craft essays for the blog, fiction for their ‘New Voices’ series, as well as a fast response option for BIPOC voices. They pay for these. Details here .

Carousel This is a “hybrid literary/arts magazine with a global focus, positioning Canadian talent alongside international contributors.” They are open for #USEReview, their experimental reviews section. “We are especially looking for reviews of hybrid literature, graphic novels or experimental poetry and prose. … There is no set genre for your review. Send us a suite of poems, a comic strip, a short story, a piece of visual art — whatever you like, as long as you feel that your review meaningfully comments upon the text(s) in question. … The text being reviewed does not need to be contemporary, though we will likely prioritize reviews of more recent texts.” Pay is $20-40 for these reviews. They are currently closed to fiction and poetry. Details here .

The Chamber Magazine They publish dark fiction, poetry, essays, translations, as well as book and movie reviews. For reviews, “The more recently published or distributed the better, but I will consider reviews of classic works of dark fiction all the way back to Walpole (and before if sufficiently interesting). These must be approximately 7,500 words or less also.” Details here .

The Horn Book Magazine They review children’s and YA books published in the US. “Articles submitted to The Horn Book Magazine should be of a critical nature on some aspect of children’s literature and should be no longer than 1600 words in length. Potential contributors are advised to have a solid familiarity with The Horn Book Magazine before submitting manuscripts. “Cadenza” submissions — witty commentaries, send-ups, poems, sketches, comics, cartoons, etc. — should be approximately 350 words (text) or fit on a 6-by-9-inch page (art).” They do not accept fiction, or work by children. They pay. Details here .

Contingent Magazine Contingent is a non-profit history magazine. “Our writers are adjuncts, museum workers, independent scholars—all people who work outside the tenure-track professoriate.” They accept pitches of reviews , “of books (especially books by non-tenure-track historians), films, museum exhibits, television shows, really anything reviewable. If there’s a book coming out soon you’d like to review, we can arrange to have an advance reader copy sent to you.” Reviews are roughly 1,000-1,500 words, and the base pay for these is $250. They have other columns and features too, and pay ranges from $50 to $500. Details are in their pitch guide here .

The Ex-Puritan This magazine publishes reviews of Canadian literature, as well as interviews, nonfiction, fiction, experimental/hybrid work, and poetry from writers around the world. “We publish reviews of CanLit books, especially by marginalized & debut authors. We love reviews of chapbooks; we love reviews both experimental and traditional. We are especially interested in work by LGBTQ2S+ writers, BIPOC writers, and writing from other marginalized folks. Reviews doesn’t require a full draft; a pitch is acceptable as long as it is fully thought out and justified.” Pay is CAD100 per interview or review; CAD200 per essay; CAD150 for fiction; CAD35 per poem (or page, capped at CAD120); CAD50+ per experimental or hybrid work, at an increasing scale depending on the nature of the piece. They read year-round, with cut-off dates for issues. The deadline for their upcoming issue is 25 December 2023; they accept a limited number of fee-free submissions each month (see guidelines). Details here and here .

Archetype They publish reviews (1,000-5,000 words), essays, poetry, fiction, interviews, impassioned musings, photography, and art. See their section on writing reviews. Also see their writer’s resources , which details the kind of work they are looking for; it also has a section on writing reviews . They have two reading periods, November 1 to January 7 for their spring issue, and from June 1 to August 6 for the fall issue. Please send your work only during the reading periods. Payment is a contributor copy. Details here .

The Columbia Review This magazine is affiliated with Columbia University. For reviews, they accept outlines/pitches of up to 600 words, as well as complete reviews of up to 1,500 words. They also publish fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translations. The deadline is 15 th December 2023. Details here .

Gramarye Their website says, “The Chichester Centre for Fairy Tales, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction seeks articles, book reviews and creative writing relating to literary and historical approaches to fairy tales, fantasy, Gothic, magic realism, science fiction and speculative fiction for Gramarye, its peer-reviewed journal published by the University of Chichester.” Reviews are approximately 1,000 words. The deadline is 21 March 2024. Details here .

MetaStellar Magazine Their guidelines say, “We are interested in reviews covering any form of entertainment — books, movies, TV Shows, videogames, and so on — as long as it falls into the science fiction, fantasy or horror genres. We prefer a word count between 500 and 800 words, but also accept longer pieces if you are writing a listicle, such as “Ten Best Fantasy Novels Involving Dogs.”” Reviews, essays, excerpts, and reprints are unpaid and accepted year-round. They pay for flash fiction , which is open till end-October. Details here and here .

Slightly Foxed Their website says, “Our contributors are established writers, journalists and people from other fields who share their passion for particular books and authors. Since it is entirely independent, Slightly Foxed is free to follow its own bent, to promote unfashionable enthusiasms, to celebrate the offbeat and the unusual. Contributors are encouraged to discuss their chosen books with passion and wit, to air arcane knowledge, to delight in eccentricity and to share the joys of exploring the extraordinary, the little-known and the downright peculiar.”  Writers should check their index first to make sure they have not already covered their chosen book. Articles are 1,000-2,000 words. Past contributors include Robert Macfarlane and P. D. James. They also say anything accepted for publication is unlikely to appear immediately. They pay. Details here and here .

Harbor Review They want reviews of poetry chapbooks, full length books of poetry, poetry and art hybrid books, and art books. “Written reviews should be around 300 words. The book being reviewed should be forthcoming or have been published in the last 6 months. We are particularly interested in reviews of work by women, non-binary folks, people of color, and members of the LGBT community. Send us something different. Make a video. Write something unusual. Incorporate an interview. Interpretive dance? Yes!” They also publish poetry and art. Details here (scroll down). (They are also open for fee-free submissions from BIPOC writers and previous finalists for their Laureate Prize for poetry manuscripts ; the prize is $500 and publication, and the deadline is 31 st January 2023, details here .)

Bio:  S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached  here .

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August 9, 2024

Free Talk: Manuscript Publishing for Novelists

Emily Harstone is the author of The 2024 Guide to Manuscript Publishers, The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submission, and a founding editor for Authors Publish Magazine. Download the Slides.

Available to watch right now, completely free.

June 11, 2024

Free Talk: An Introduction to Publishing Your Writing in Literary Journals

You can download the slides here, and take a look at the sample submission tracker here. Shannan Mann is the Founding Editor of ONLY POEMS. She has been awarded or placed for the Palette Love and Eros Prize, Rattle Poetry Prize, and Auburn Witness Poetry Prize among others. Her poems appear in Poetry Daily, EPOCH,…

August 29, 2024

8 Literary Journals that Publish Poetry that Rhymes

Literary journals publishing traditional and free verse rhyming poetry.

Milk Candy Review: Now Seeking Flash Fiction Submissions

A weekly online journal publishing beautifully weird and lyrical flash fiction.

3 Avoidable Submission Mistakes that Sabotage Your Acceptance Odds

3 most common submission mistakes and how to overcome them.

August 26, 2024

31 Magazines that Publish Flash Fiction

These magazines accept micro and flash fiction; many of these outlets also accept longer stories, nonfiction, and poetry. They’re a mix of literary and genre magazines, and listed in no particular order. Many, but not all, of them are open for submissions now. While they all publish tiny fictions, their tastes and aesthetics vary widely….

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About Us: We're dedicated to helping authors build their writing careers. We send you reviews of publishers accepting submissions, and articles to help you become a successful, published, author. Everything is free and delivered via email. You can view our privacy policy here. To get started sign up for our free email newsletter .

Empty Mirror

a literary magazine

10 places to find reviewers for your self-published book

But before we get to that – and before you start to contact reviewers – it’s important to understand how to contact them.

What to do:

1. Do your research. Only contact reviewers who are interested in reviewing the type of books you have written. (See below for some good places to find the right reviewers.)

2. Read their review policy. Do they only want e-books, or printed books? What genres are they currently interested in reading? Are they currently accepting new books for review? Check out their rules, and follow them.

3. Write a personalized email to the potential reviewer. No one likes to get a form letter, or spam. Use a salutation, and their name – not just “Hi” or “Dear reviewer,” but rather, “Dear Jane Smith” or at least “Dear Jane.” If there’s no personal name listed, use their username.

Tell the reviewer who you are, how you found them, a little bit about your book, when it will be published. Tell them that if they’re interested, you’d be glad to send them a copy. Specify what format the book will be in (which ebook format, printed book, or if they will have a choice). Thank them for their time and consideration, and say that you look forward to hearing from them. Then sign it, with your full name.

Don’t forget the subject line, either: emails with the subject “Review Inquiry” or “Review Request” will get a better response as they make it easy to identify what your message is about.

Here’s how to write an excellent review query.

4. Before sending your email, spell-check and proofread. Errors leave a poor impression and make the reviewer less likely to accept your book. They’ll figure your book is full of typos, too.

5. The ultimate purpose of a review isn’t to please you. Books with reviews do tend to sell better. However, it’s important to understand that reviewers ultimately aren’t written for the author’s benefit. They’re written for the potential reader to give them enough information so that they can make a purchasing decision.

What not to do:

1. If they do accept the book, don’t expect the reviewer to guarantee a review. Reviewers don’t accept books they have no intention of reviewing, but sometimes they may not be able to – or wish to – eventually review it. That’s OK. They’re not the only reviewer out there. Move on.

2. Don’t expect, or ask for, a positive review. No reviewer can promise this. Any reviewer worth approaching has integrity and will always post an honest review, whether one star or five. (As people’s opinions will naturally vary, there’s often something fishy when books have only five-star reviews, anyway.)

3. Don’t ask the reviewer to promise a review to be published on or near a particular date. (Do feel free to tell the reviewer the date of your book’s publication.) Please understand that most reviewers have a big stack of books to review. Reviews take more time than you might think. The reviewer reads the book – maybe more than once – takes notes, then writes and posts the review. You’re asking them to do at least several hours of work for you, on their own time, for free. And they’re not doing it for money, but rather for the love of books, and of reviewing.

This is why you can’t expect a promise of a review by a certain date (or even at all). It’s understandable that you’re anxious for the reviews to start rolling in, but just hang tight, keep soliciting reviews, and one day you’ll have a bunch of them.

4. Never offer payment for a review. All an honest reviewer will accept is the book itself. Don’t offer a bribe! Paid reviews are not allowed on any reputable websites and can get the reviewer – and sometimes yourself – in a world of trouble, and banned from review websites.

5. Don’t expect an answer to your query. I know – that almost seems unreasonable, doesn’t it, not to expect the reviewer to reply. The reason that some don’t reply is that many reviewers – especially popular and highly-ranked ones – get so many review queries that it takes too much time to reply to them all. So, they wind up only replying to those they have an interest in reviewing.

6. If a potential reviewer declines to review your book, take it graciously. Don’t ask why, try to change their mind, or pester them. Stay on good terms – reply briefly with thanks for their time and consideration. Who knows, perhaps they’ll review your next book.

7. After a review is published, don’t comment on the review . Not even if you disagree with it. Even if the reviewer says something terribly wrong, even factually wrong. Even if they say it’s the best book they’ve ever read. Or the worst! Commenting can make you look petty, overbearing or argumentative, and can turn potential readers against you, ensuring they never read your book. Just. Don’t. Do. It. Ever. ( Here’s why. )

10 places to find reviewers for your books.

OK. Now that you understand how to approach reviewers, how do you find them?

1. Amazon’s “Meet Our Authors” Forum

Amazon has “Meet Our Authors” forum where you can introduce yourself, and also ask for reviews. There are various genre-specific threads too.

Update: Amazon has shut down all of their forums. They suggest that you visit Goodreads instead, where it’s easy for authors to interact with readers. (Amazon owns Goodreads.) See #4 on this list for more about Goodreads.

2. Amazon’s Top Reviewers

Amazon ranks its reviewers according to a variety of criteria and publishes the list. You can go through the list to look for those reviewers who review books in your genre. It will take some time. Those reviewers who include an email address or website in their profile are usually open to being contacted regarding potential reviews. (Some are not.) Before emailing, read their reviews of books in your genre. Pay close attention to any review guidelines which are included in the reviewer’s profile.

TheCreativePenn has a great blog post on getting Amazon reviewers to review your book .

3. Peruse the Amazon book pages

Check out other books similar to yours, and see who’s reviewed them. Look on these reviewers’ profiles to see if they’re open to review offers, as described above. If so, contact them.

4. LibraryThing & Goodreads

On LibraryThing , people catalog, review, and discuss books. The site also functions as a social networking site and is a great place for authors to connect with potential readers. There are lots of things you can do to get the word out about your book here. One of them is to find reviewers.

LibraryThing offers the “Member Giveaway” – where you can give out your own books. Ebooks and printed books are equally welcome. You set a number of available books to offer, and people will enter a drawing to win them. Usually there are more people who sign up than available books, so there is a drawing at the end of the giveaway period.

Though those who receive your books are not required to review your book, you can let it be known that you hope they do. LibraryThing reviewers can post their reviews on that site, but some often post their reviews elsewhere, such as Amazon.com and Goodreads.

Goodreads is similar to LibraryThing, but bigger. Only publishers can give away books for free there, but you can still find potential reviewers through their groups , some of which are dedicated to connecting authors with reviewers. (Use the group search box to find them.) Before posting review opportunities, be sure to check that the rules of the particular group allow it.

5. Social networking sites

Search for people who review your genre of book on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites, and start making connections. Much has been written elsewhere on how to connect with people on these sites, so that’s all I’ll say about it here.

Turn to Google to find bloggers who review books similar to yours. Try various searches such as the name of your genre (e.g. YA, poetry, American history, vampire fiction) followed by one of these phrases: book blog, book blogger, book reviews, book review blog, book review blogger. Try various combinations and think of some of your own, investigate the results, and you’re bound to come up with some good ones.

7. Services which connect authors and reviewers

There are quite a lot of specialized websites which will make your book available to reviewers. Here are a few we know of:

The Bookbag . Publishes book reviews on their site, with links to the books on Amazon.

4226 Spruce St . Makes it easy for authors of Kindle books to connect with Amazon reviewers. Free.

8. Reviewer directories and lists

The Book Blogger List . A categorized directory of book reviewers, organized by genre, which makes it easy to locate potential reviewers for your book. Free.

Book Reviewer Yellow Pages (formerly Step By Step Self Publishing). Offers an online directory of book reviewers. It’s free, but they also offer paid Kindle and paperback versions.

List of literary / poetry review publications (many print-based)

9. Ask other authors

Ask other authors you’re acquainted with – either on or offline – who reviewed their book, and who they think you should get in touch with. Most authors are very willing to share their experiences and recommendations. When writing to a reviewer, be sure mention that your fellow author recommended that you contact them.

10. Look close to home & offline

There are plenty of local, offline sources for reviews, too:

• local daily or weekly newspapers
• school newspapers
• organization and company newsletters
• contact local indie bookstores to see if they know of any local reviewers

11. (yeah, forget 10 – we’re turning this baby all the way up to 11!) The Indie View

The Indie View has a great list of reviewers in a number of genres. They also spotlight reviews and authors. Check it out.

don’t forget us

You know, if your book is arts-related nonfiction, or has anything to do with the Beat Generation, you might check out our very own review policy . We don’t accept many books for review – but you never know until you try! We also sometimes publish author interviews and book excerpts.

Summing up…

That’s all for now. If you have suggestions about getting reviews, please leave a comment. And stay tuned for more articles about promoting your self-published books!

Empty Mirror publishes new poetry, criticism, essays, book reviews, and art every Friday.

You might also like:

Pat Sutton says

March 4, 2020 at 11:53 am

Denise, thank you, Your comments and explanations will save me time on how to find a reviewer and what to expect.

Antonio Chevalier says

October 11, 2020 at 3:47 pm

You need to pay for The Bookbag. Publishes book reviews on their site, with links to the books on Amazon.

Empty Mirror says

November 8, 2019 at 4:50 pm

There’s also a directory of over 300 reviewers, sorted by posting frequency, at https://indiestoday.com/reviewers-list/ . Thanks to Dave Allen for pointing out this resource!

Derrick Washington says

October 31, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Hi, Denise, I just want to say thank you for sharing this information. I have been searching online where to find book reviewers, and your blog answered, pretty much, all of my questions. Once again, thanks.

Bruce Miller says

October 16, 2019 at 2:36 pm

Excellent article and we enjoyed reading it. It is very comprehensive and useful. Well done!

We review books. We are retired people in New Zealand and we are amazed at the creativity and original ideas people have. It’s like sitting in a school class with students raising their hands and announcing amazing creative ideas! We love it. But we only review books we like. No erotica, but most everything else. We’ve done hundreds of reviews. Check us out > https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html

Julian Hardy says

July 1, 2019 at 8:44 pm

Denise Thank you for your insightful website. I have recently self-published a book on KDP/Amazon. After doing some research about reviews/reviewers, I found the Artisan Book Reviews website. Is it worthwhile using such services as those provided by Artisan Book Reviews (as they are quite costly). Also, I’m assuming such paid reviews do not contravene Amazon’s review rules. Is this true? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Julian

Denise says

July 29, 2019 at 11:07 am

It’s true that paid reviews are forbidden by Amazon and can’t be posted there by the reviewer.

However, you can post them yourself with your book information on your book’s page. They can also be useful for use on your website and promotional materials.

Thomas Juarez says

May 4, 2019 at 8:16 am

Thank you for the quick reply! While searching through other parts of your website I found someone I made a connection with. Finally gaining some traction (I think).

Awakening Cocijo will be making a book tour to test its worthiness!

May 3, 2019 at 9:24 am

I have recently self published on Amazon, currently Amazon is having an issue tracking my book sales and I am falling in the ratings. I made them aware of some of the recent purchases, they know there’s a problem and they are looking into it…I have faith in them!

In any case, it has been very difficult to find reviewers that are available in the next 3-4 months. It’s been frustrating to say the least.

I paid for the editing of my book so that I would have a polished product. I was hoping this would make my book more attractive to buyers and/or reviewers. I would be more than happy to provide a pdf or kindle copy to potential reviewers.

The book is called Awakening Cocijo and is available only on Amazon. It is a metaphysical fiction book centering on the Zapotec empire and a current attempt (fictional, of course), to awaken Cocijo…the god of lightening and rain.

May 3, 2019 at 2:13 pm

You might try getting reviews via Goodreads (you can even give away free books/ebooks in Goodreads’ Member Giveaway). That might give you some reviews in shorter than three or four months.

If you’re on social media, you could try giving some copies away for review that way.

Celeste says

April 26, 2019 at 10:55 am

Thanks Denise! I’m going to network as best I can, which means helping other authors with their efforts, too. I joined Goodreads so I could post reviews and hopefully boost the sales of books that I enjoy reading.

April 22, 2019 at 7:57 pm

Denise, thanks for the quick follow-up.

I believe it’s far too time-consuming to find reviewers on Amazon, considering that many of them don’t have contact info available. It’s probably better to invest time and effort in building a network, e.g., through Goodreads and Bookbub. I’m an introvert, so it makes me cringe to think of having to actively pursue getting followers. Otherwise my novel is likely to die on the vine after it’s published, no matter how good it is.

April 25, 2019 at 11:40 am

That’s certainly a valid objection and there are other methods of getting reviews. I wish you success with your novel!

April 21, 2019 at 4:28 pm

This article is dated March 6, 2014, so perhaps something has changed as far as finding book reviewers on Amazon. I went to the Amazon Top Customer Reviewers listing. There are 10,000, with zero indication as to what they review. To find that out, you have to click on each name one by one, then scroll through their reviews to see (1) if they even review books, and (2) what genre of books they review. With 10,000 reviewers, you may be able to go through that list in, oh, let’s say a year. And of course it changes daily so you’ll need to keep a list of whose reviews you looked at.

If someone knows of a better way, I’m all ears. Otherwise, I think Amazon is doing its best, as always, to make things difficult.

April 22, 2019 at 1:34 pm

Yes, you do have to look at each reviewer individually — there’s no list with email addresses included. So, it’s usually best to find books similar to yours, see who’s reviewing them, and get in touch those with contact information (email, website, or even a Google-able name) on their profile. It does take some detective work, for sure.

Diane Fadden says

April 10, 2019 at 6:12 pm

Indiebook review is a scam operation. Buyer beware.

roy tawes says

August 25, 2018 at 10:43 am

Denise- Iasked for a personal review. Never heard back, but I see you’re using my complimentary comments for this website. Just give me a simple yes or know

August 29, 2018 at 10:53 am

Congratulations on the publication of your book! It sounds fascinating.

EM’e review guidelines are here: https://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/empty-mirror-review-policy

Guidelines in short: Due to time constraints, I’m only able to accept very few books for review. I’m looking for specific types of non-fiction and am unable to review fiction, poetry, or memoir.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of book review requests received and that fact that I’m the only one here, I’m only able to reply to those I intend to review. I regret that I’m not able to respond to all.

Comments are voluntary and are not “used” for anything. They can be deleted by request. I did leave the link in your previous comment so that others could check out your book!

best wishes, Denise

Tyrell Perry says

August 19, 2018 at 12:13 pm

Great intel. This newly published author will be putting it to use.

Wilburson says

July 2, 2018 at 6:30 am

This is such useful information Denise, which I have added to my growing information pile on getting reviews. Thanks for taking the time.

Vishal Sharma says

April 6, 2018 at 11:14 pm

Hey Denise, Thanks for sharing such awesome tips loved it. It was very useful for me.

Roy lawson tawes MD , FACS says

January 10, 2018 at 2:22 pm

Very helpful information for INDIE authors.Thank you. I like your considerate style.

It’s a long shot to request a personal review, but you mentioned an interest in the Beat generation that spawned the hippies in the ’60s. I just published my sixth novel, RECALL that deals with the topic . Returning to San Francisco from Vietnam where I served as a flight surgeon, I witnessed the cultural revolution up close and personal. I tried to capture that turbulent era in my historical narrative. You might find it interesting and enlightening. I’m getting good early reviews , but not from anyone of your professional stature. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.So why not ask you?

If you have any interest, please consult my website: RLawsonauthor.com. All the information you require to make a decision is available there, including blogs. Maybe we will find an intellectual connection. Life never follows a straight path, Stranger things have happened. I love writing and hope someone influential in the literary field will promote my work.

Thank you for your consideration. You sound like a nice person in your responses above, trying to help aspiring writers. We need guidance, It’s a maze to navigate.

Brad Foster says

January 3, 2018 at 4:06 am

No worries, Denise – thanks anyway and careful of that perilous tower of books! :)

January 2, 2018 at 6:48 pm

HI Denise – thanks for this post! I noticed that the link to Amazon’s “Meet Our Authors” is defunct – this is what I get: “Our Discussion Boards feature has been discontinued.

Amazon would like to thank the members of this community for contributing to the discussion forums. As we grow and evolve, we encourage you to explore Goodreads Groups for book discussions and Spark for other interests. For device questions and help, please see our new Digital and Device Forum.”

I will try the other tips, though I haven’t had much luck so far with the Amazon Top Reviewers (reminds me of my dating years, when I got completely ignored! ). Say, if you wanted to review my newest e-book, I’d be happy to send you a free copy. No pressure – thanks again and I hope one — if not more — of your points help me out!

January 2, 2018 at 9:08 pm

Hi Brad — Thanks for the update about the Amazon forums. I’d heard about that but had forgotten to update this list. I really appreciate the reminder.

Top reviewers are tough — you really have to find the ones who are into your genre, and Amazon has begun making it tougher to find contact information for them (although email links still appear on individual profiles).

Wish I could help with your book, but I don’t typically read e-books, and my reading stack is perilously tall. But I wish you much success with it!

Cristina G. says

October 21, 2017 at 3:02 am

Gold dust. Thank you so much. I am working on a few new books and I need reviews. Blessings to you and to those who invest their valuable time reading and reviewing our lifetime work.

August 8, 2017 at 8:31 am

Thanks, Denise, for your helpful information.

June 12, 2017 at 3:55 pm

This site looks nice but there are two issues with it: – The reviewer lists can’t be accessed without completing a third-party offer. – Kaspersky shows a warning about a phishing link when the site is loaded.

If you would like to talk about this, please email me. Denise

May 15, 2017 at 6:51 pm

Thanks Denise for a cohesive listing of what to do. It’s early days for me in the world of marketing my children’s mystery novels, so it’s really helpful. Many thanks.

May 15, 2017 at 7:34 pm

Cathy, I’m so glad to hear that you found this article helpful. I wish you much success with the novels!

Indira Sahay says

April 9, 2017 at 9:54 am

Thank you for your reply. I shall certainly take up some of your suggestion

April 8, 2017 at 11:42 am

I was looking for interested reviewers for two Sociology books written by my late husband which remained unpublished when he passed away last year.the first one is already printed and the second one is being got ready for printing. this will take about three months. As the books are academic I would like to send them to academics with similar interests. What do you suggest?

Layla Rose says

March 20, 2017 at 7:03 pm

What a great find. I did some freelance publicity work for an author recently, and as a writer myself, it was sobering to see what it takes as an indie author. So much work. And having a disability which is difficult to manage really slows me down. So I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.

Walter Stoffel says

March 3, 2017 at 1:23 pm

In part helpful ,in part confusing. Denise, you suggest steering clear of Amazon Top Reviewers(they’re touchy) yet you link to Creative Penn article that outlines process for contacting those same top reviewers.

Lanre Ayanlowo says

February 28, 2017 at 1:41 am

Hello, i have two self published books. Can you please help me publish them traditionally?

March 3, 2017 at 3:13 pm

I wish I could help, but Empty Mirror is just an online magazine; we don’t publish books. I may be able to answer some questions for you, but can’t recommend any particular publishers.

Tom Turkington says

February 21, 2017 at 7:16 pm

Thank you, Denise, so much. As a first-time author and technophobe besides, I’ve despaired of generating any sense of direction in my efforts to get my book into the hands of unbiased readers. Your suggestions are clear, concise and orderly, and likely the jumpstart I’ve needed. Were my book concerned with the arts or the Beats, I’d try to hoist it upon you, but no: it’s a 120,000-word chronicle of the first eighteen years of my life. Trying to make an asset of living in the past. Thanks for your push in the right direction(s).

Marcus De Storm says

January 1, 2017 at 2:36 pm

Thank you Denise for this information useful as a Self Published Author. As it is difficult to find genuine information and where to go to get my book reviewed. This has helped me very much.

January 1, 2017 at 2:37 pm

I’m glad you found the article useful, Marcus! I wish you much success with the book!

Mdu Rohtak says

November 18, 2016 at 5:33 am

Excellent tips, and thanks for the shout-out.

Sheree W. Davis says

November 17, 2016 at 7:52 am

Denise, Thanks for this wonderful check list! I’m a new self-published author and am grateful for the wisdom you are willing to share! God Bless! ~Sheree W. Davis

Johnb9 says

June 8, 2016 at 5:18 am

Thanks so much for the article.Much thanks again. Great.

ferris robinson says

May 2, 2016 at 5:11 am

Denise, Thank you so much for this informative and detailed post! So helpful! And I really appreciate the heads-up on commenting on reviews – I had no idea! I feel like I should be writing them a thank you note for taking the time to read my book, and taking even more time and energy to review it! Thanks for all you do for writers!

January 13, 2016 at 6:56 am

Hi Denise, great article, thanks. Quick question – when do you suggest author start asking for reviews? How long before the publish date – or after the publish date? Thanks.

Alec Stone says

August 20, 2015 at 6:14 am

Hi, don’t forget about reviews-easy.com.

This service is doing all the work for you. You only have to register and search the Amazon the reviewers by categories, products they review or by personal details. Then, a list of reviewers with contact details will be generated and you can download it. Then you can send personalized emails to all of them or do what you want with that data.

August 20, 2015 at 7:25 am

Alec, thanks for the suggestion. I have mixed feelings about Reviews Easy. I haven’t used it myself, but from a brief look at their website, it certainly appears to make it easy to search for Amazon reviewers.

Maybe too easy. I don’t enjoy reading e-books and don’t review them. That fact is stated very clearly on my Amazon profile. And yet, authors very often email to ask me to review their e-books. Some of these authors have told me that they were referred to me by Reviews Easy, and they’ve been surprised that I have no interest in e-books.

It seems that somehow Reviews Easy is leading authors to believe that I want to read e-books. (But since I haven’t used the site, I am not sure how or why this is happening.)

The site may be a good resource. But authors who choose to use it should double-check the reviewers’ profile information and preferences!

Thanks again — Denise

Tim Williams says

August 2, 2015 at 5:06 am

after reading everything that i’ve read i find myself asking …why self publish it seems like more of a pain in the ass then what it’s worth . i mean is this he only way to to go ? i write because i like to write not to share. the only reason publishing has come up is cause everyone that reads my book won’t stop bugging me about it . anyone hit me up cause i don’t see the benefit . thanks

August 3, 2015 at 1:06 pm

Most authors self-publish because they want their work to be read. But there’s no sense in publishing if you don’t feel compelled to.

While most people who write never publish, some of those still have a few books printed for themselves, family and friends who have expressed an interest. It’s an option. And, in that case, you needn’t bother with arranging for reviews, or with other promotional methods.

Others wish to reach a wider readership so look into either traditional or self-publishing, and eventually spend time promoting their book.

If you fall into the latter category, then self-publishing may be for you. But if you don’t, just keep writing for the love of it — and ignore those who pressure you.

all best, Denise

Rena George says

April 10, 2015 at 11:35 pm

Thank you for such a helpful, informative post, Denise. Authors really do need to put in the work to find approachable reviewers – and be prepared to overcome disappointments. Most reviewers are so overburdened that they have closed their lists for the foreseeable future. However the more potential reviewers an author can contact, the greater the chance of success. Perseverance is the secret, I think.

April 11, 2015 at 3:44 pm

Hi Rena, Thanks for your comment. I’m happy to hear that you found the post helpful.

Unfortunately I’m one of those reviewers who is often full-up on books to be reviewed…but I try to make time if just the perfect book is offered. There just isn’t enough time, though, to read – and review – everything I would like to.

Thanks again! Denise

Erik D. Weiss says

March 9, 2015 at 5:47 pm

Thanks, Denise! This is a fantastic little guide, great for new writers like me, eager to get my two fiction books out there. This is great advice, and you’ve inspired me to get to work getting my books reviewed and more visible!! Erik

March 9, 2015 at 7:32 pm

Erik, I’m so glad to hear you found the guide to reviews helpful. Good luck in finding reviewers! – Denise

J Haeske says

January 20, 2015 at 1:56 pm

If I only had known then what I know now… Thanks for that, Denise.

Molly Gambiza says

January 11, 2015 at 6:49 am

Thank you very much for taking your time to share this helpful information. That’s very generous of you. I am after honest reviews for my book A Woman’s Weakness. Now you have given me the directions, the ball is in my hands.

January 11, 2015 at 11:07 am

Glad we could help, Molly! Good luck with the book reviews!

christynathan930 says

September 24, 2014 at 5:28 am

Thanks for the great information and also for great tips too, and now I also check my book reviews.

James Jean-Pierre says

September 8, 2014 at 10:58 am

Thank you for this post, this list will definitely boost up my reviewer count.

August 10, 2014 at 7:55 am

I published my book in may, overlooking the need for a review. Since the time I must have approached 200-300 bloggers/sites for review unsuccessfully. any advice to get a free review? regards, jt

Denise Enck says

August 10, 2014 at 8:43 am

Congratulations on the publication of your book! Getting reviews is definitely a challenge. Without having seen your book or query email, I’m not sure why you haven’t had positive responses to your review query. But a lot depends upon the particular reviewers contacted, and how they are chosen.

First, do your research to find reviewers who review the types of books you write, and who are currently accepting books for review.

For example, I’m a reviewer; I clearly state on my review page here on Empty Mirror that I review Beat Generation and art-related books, do not review fiction, and am not accepting more books for review for the next few months. However, almost every day I receive review queries from authors who didn’t bother to read that; they offer me books about knitting, fantasy fiction, memoirs, guitar chords, children’s books, cooking, and more. I receive a lot of these, and most of them are deleted without reply.

There are websites which categorize book bloggers/reviewers by the genres they review; those can be really helpful in finding the right reviewers. Or go to Amazon and see who has reviewed similar books to yours, and see if they have an email address on their profile.

Second, sometimes it’s in the way that you approach the reviewer. Many queries I’ve received have been very impersonal, had spelling errors (doesn’t bode well for the book), were poorly written, required me to click a link to find out about the book, or wanted me to download free from Amazon on a particular day. Make it easy for the reviewer – address them by name if possible, give a brief synopsis of the book, tell where and when it’s available and in what formats. Don’t require the reviewer to do additional work to find out the basics about your book.

(However, include a link to Amazon – or wherever the book’s sold – so they can investigate more if they want to.)

Your query should contain everything necessary for the reviewer to make a decision.

Also – make sure the book is in good shape and ready for review. Sometimes, before accepting an already-published book for possible review, I’ll read the sample on Amazon to see if it appeals to me. If I find excerpts full of typos, formatting errors, or awkward writing, I won’t accept the book.

It’s harder to find reviewers for some genres than others. For example, fiction, YA and children’s book reviewers are plentiful (though often overburdened); reviewers for non-fiction, art and poetry are a little trickier to find.

But some of it is just timing, and a little bit of luck. Most reviewers get lots of queries and have to turn down even books that sound really enjoyable to them due to time constraints. But following the tips above can give you better odds.

You might also take a look at our article, “How to write an excellent review query” – https://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/publishing/how-to-write-an-excellent-book-review-query

Good luck, JT! If you have further questions, just let me know – I’d be really glad to help. all best, Denise

November 27, 2014 at 1:10 am

Hello Denise, I have a question is that any website which can give all the details of ebooks like how much ebooks are sale and in which with reviews because if any tool provide all of these things in one place it will be really helpful for many publishers.

selfpubber says

April 22, 2014 at 6:06 pm

I’ve used https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/ and it worked out pretty well. It’s a paid review, but it wasn’t a shill review (i.e. overly nice).

February 26, 2014 at 9:13 pm

I’ve used easybookreviews.com a few times. If you are willing to review other books in return it is a guaranteed way to get some (honest) reviews.

I’m also going to try story cartel but my books are already in kdp so I can’t have them available for free anywhere else at the moment. Also, story cartel aren’t amazon verified purchase reviews.

February 27, 2014 at 11:40 am

Thanks for the tip, Emily!

Be careful though, if you’re posting those reviews on Amazon. Amazon doesn’t allow reviews by “reviewing circles” (groups of people who review each other’s books) and has been known to revoke reviewing privileges for those caught doing it.

Gerard Thomas says

November 6, 2013 at 1:02 pm

OMG! I’m so happy now you’ve mentioned everything from A-Z.

Lenita Sheridan says

November 1, 2013 at 9:49 pm

This really helped me. I already got one “yes.” You might tell people to put “Review Request” in the subject line, otherwise they might get ignored the way I did when I put “possible book review?” I learned the hard way, but one website fortunately told me what to do, so I changed my tactic from then on.

November 1, 2013 at 10:04 pm

That’s a great idea, Lenita! Thanks so much. I’ll edit the article to include that. I’m glad you got a good response!

@IolaGoulton says

July 7, 2013 at 6:05 pm

10 ways to find book reviewers (and some useful links) #writing #reviews

June 30, 2013 at 11:35 pm

https://storycartel.com/ is another resource for authors to connect with reviewers.

July 1, 2013 at 8:36 am

Thanks Iola. I hadn’t heard of this one before, but I just checked it out – great resource! – Denise

@marqjonz says

May 28, 2013 at 3:50 am

@Phaedra4Real says

April 2, 2013 at 11:09 am

Dan’s right, great write-up.

ChaoticReader says

April 2, 2013 at 11:02 am

Great article on how and where to find reviewers for your book. https://t.co/wtpNTZszk5

Vennie Kocsis says

March 27, 2013 at 4:32 am

This was so very informative. Thank you for providing these resources for us budding authors.

March 27, 2013 at 11:16 am

So happy to hear you found it helpful! I wish you all the best with your book! – Denise

Rinelle Grey says

March 6, 2013 at 8:38 pm

A very extensive list of resources, I’ll be trying some of these.

One you missed is Goodreads. There are several forums that have dedicated space to helping authors find reviewers. Make sure you check that this is OK though, some groups encourage it, some dislike it.

March 6, 2013 at 9:24 pm

Thanks, Rinelle. I’ll add it. Unlike LibraryThing, GoodReads’ giveaways are only through publishers rather than authors, which is why I left it off the list. But I forgot about the forums! So I’ll add it to the list. Gracias. – Denise

Established in 2000 and edited by Denise Enck, Empty Mirror is an online literary magazine that publishes new work each Friday.

Each week EM features several poems each by one or two poets; reviews; critical essays; visual art; and personal essays.

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• Panic In The Rear-View Mirror: Exploring The Work of Richard Siken and Ann Gale
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What's the Best Place to Self Publish?

Congratulations! You're an author, and now you want to share your writing genius with the world. But working with a traditional publisher can be hard. With the extra step of finding an agent and the back-and-forth with editors, there's a lot going on in the publishing industry just to get your book on the publisher's desk. Lucky for you, there's a host of self-publishing options out there to support brand-new and established authors.

Self-publishing has become an increasingly popular option for writers who want to get their work out into the world without the assistance of traditional publishing companies. One of the biggest advantages of self-publishing is the control it gives the author over their work. Instead of having to conform to the demands of a publisher, authors can use self-publishing to retain complete creative control over their work.

Thursday, August 29th

2024 Self Publishing Service Reviews

• Prices start at $999
• $25 annual fee to keep books in stock
• Options for custom books
• Varying price tiers for affordability

Copyediting included in prices

• Accredited by the BBB with "A+" rating
• Black and white, color, and multi options
• Publishing for multiple genres

Outskirts Press is a self-publishing website that's been in business for over 20 years. They promise to help authors develop, publish, and market books that are high-quality and win awards. They offer a full range of services including four main types of books: black and white, full color, publishing and marketing bundles, and eBooks and audiobooks.

Amazing options for distribution

While Outskirts Press may not be the most affordable self-publishing option available, the company offers an extensive range of services that make it a comprehensive one-stop shop for authors. These services include print and eBook distribution, as well as various marketing tools to help promote your book. Outskirts Press' strong network of distribution channels means that your novel will be automatically listed on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Ingram, and you have access to even more retailers like Walmart, Follett, Target, and more. They also let you keep 100% of the net profits and you retain 100% of the rights to your creative work.

Full-package options for publication

Outskirts Press' packages are designed to provide authors with the full range of services to get their work published and distributed like an established author. The best Outskirts service for this is called the One-Click Publishing option, which covers titles within non-fiction, fiction, spiritual books, children's literature with and without illustrations, Christian books, cookbooks, and memoirs. With non-fiction, fiction, spiritual, and Christian books you get a 6 x 9 paperback, 20 free copies of your novel, professional copy editing up to 75,000 words, and an option to upgrade (for $399) to a hardcover design along with many more benefits. The children's lit options, cookbooks, and memoirs are limited to 8.5 x 8.5 size, 10 free copies, and professional copyediting up to 15,000 words. Memoirs, however, do allow for editing up to 75,000 words like the other long-form options.

Publishing package pricing

The pricing for these complete package publishing options is as follows:

• Spiritual: $6,500
• Christian: $6,500
• Memoirs: $6,500
• Cookbooks $7,000
• Fiction: $7,000
• Non-fiction: $8,000
• Children's literature (no illustrations): $8,000
• Children's literature (illustrated): $9,000

We like the support options with Outskirts

You get a full package of support from Outskirts when you pay, so the cost includes all of the heavy lifting that you might worry about with self-publishing. The benefits included in the listed price are:

• Full-color cover
• Standard black/white interior (most popular)
• ISBN number
• Standard press release with distribution
• PDF download option from your own author website
• Unlimited wholesale printing/fulfillment/distribution via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Bertram, and others
• Editing and cover design
• Unlimited email and limited phone support with your designated publishing consultant/author representative

Budget-friendly options for publication

Outskirts also offers three options for black-and-white and full-color publication. These are Ultimate, Basic, and Economy. They are priced differently from the "full packages" section. Here's what you can expect with these more budget-friendly options:

• Ultimate: Priced at $1,999. In this package you receive:
• Paperback & eBook publishing with worldwide distribution
• Book customization with a professional cover and interior
• Up to 20 image insertions
• 58 B&W formats available (7 book sizes, 2 paper colors, 2 cover finish)
• 80 Color formats available (9 book sizes, 1 paper color, 2 print qualities, 2 cover finish)
• Digital online proof of your book
• One-on-one author support
• ISBN assignment
• 10 paperback copies (free shipping-continental US)
• Book order volume discounts
• Professional marketing assistance
• Basic: Priced at $1,499. This package offers:
• Paperback & Apple eBook publishing with worldwide distribution
• Up to 15 image insertions
• 8 B&W formats available (4 book sizes, 2 paper colors, 1 cover finish)
• 6 paperback copies (free shipping-continental US)
• More limited marketing assistance
• Economy: Priced at $999. In this package you receive:
• Paperback publishing & worldwide distribution
• Book customization with professionally designed book cover and interior book layout
• Up to 5 image insertions
• 6x9 book size (white or creme paper & glossy cover only); additional formats are available with the Basic and Ultimate packages
• 1 paperback copy (free shipping-continental US)

Complete with eBooks and distribution

If you want to publish with eBooks in mind, there is a fee for listing your next great novel on popular eBook sites like Amazon or Nook. If you select these individually, the cost for Amazon and Nook is $449 each. However, you can select a package deal that offers formatting and distribution on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books through iTunes and the Apple Books bookstore, and a Barnes & Noble NOOK Edition. This combo package costs $1,399.

No hidden fees, but a few maintenance costs

Regardless of which package you choose, there is a $35 starting fee per book. This is a fee that can be waived if you call, but it allows them to evaluate your manuscript before paying for the full service. You can also pay $35 if you want to use a payment plan instead of paying upfront in full. On top of this, there is an annual $25 distribution fee that authors need to pay to keep their books in rotation.

One of the things we like best about Outskirts is that, despite the high expenses for their services, each suite comes with free copyediting - which can get extremely expensive if you go outside of your publisher to edit. At Outskirts everything is included in the listing price and you get to keep all the profits. It's a win-win.

Great reputation and resolution-focused

Outskirts has a good customer reputation. With accreditation by the BBB and an "A+" rating, it's clear that Outskirts is doing right by its customers. The service also has a 3.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Reviewers who rated the service 5 stars noted that they were extremely happy with the way that the customer service at Outskirts helped them through the process. They also loved the final products, saying that their work was beautiful in print. Multiple 5-star reviews highlighted how Outskirts focuses on author satisfaction. Some of the lower reviews complained about being frustrated by the $25 stocking fee, and some felt as though they didn't receive enough support from Outskirts for what they paid. However, many of the 1-star reviews wind up being resolved by the company and later retracted by the customer.

Top option for value and stress-free publication

Outskirts Press is a top-rated self-publishing service that provides everything you could need to get your book published and distributed. Despite the high prices to start with, you get what you pay for: an easy all-inclusive method to get your first, or even third, book published with 100% of the profits returned to you. With its excellent reputation, extensive range of packages and a la carte services, and transparent pricing, Outskirts Press remains our top pick among self-publishing services.

• Prices start at $1,090 for publication
• 0% royalties taken for eBooks
• 15% charged for sales made through BookShop
• 70-90% charged for sales through other distribution channels
• Editing is a separate cost
• Works with top distributors

BookBaby is a self-publishing company founded in 2011 and run by authors, poets, artists, and bloggers. The company aims to help writers across all genres to publish successfully.

Simple publishing guide

BookBaby offers a free guide that breaks down the publishing process into five simple steps, which include finishing your book, preparing it for publishing, choosing your products, selecting your book distribution options, and planning your promotion and marketing. The company also offers access to marketing professionals who can help with every step of the process, from cleaning up your copy to strategizing your marketing approach and publishing your book.

Pricing in three different tiers

Pricing for self-publishing depends on the services you choose, and BookBaby offers several different fee structures when it comes to royalties. The publication options are separated into 3 categories: Express, Complete, and Deluxe.

• $1,090 starting fee
• eBook conversion & distribution
• Print-on-demand distribution
• Two ISBN barcodes
• $2,190 starting fee
• The same benefits as Express
• Professional cover design
• Printed book and eBook interior formatting
• $2,890 starting fee
• The same benefits as Complete
• Ad campaigns for Facebook & Instagram, LinkedIn, and others
• Bookshop promo bundle
• Metadata optimization

Royalties and fees only apply to printed books

If you self-publish your work as an eBook, you won't pay any royalties to BookBaby, but if you sell your printed book through the company's BookShop, they will take 15% of your sales. For books sold at other retailers, BookBaby takes 70-90% of the proceeds. However, BookBaby also offers "the strongest guarantee in the eBook and publishing business," which means that if there are any quality or craftsmanship issues with your project, the company will work with you to make it right or issue you a full refund.

Editing isn't included

While we like the design and packages with BookBaby, we aren't so impressed that editing is not included in their price for how much they charge. Adding on editing for $3-$10 per page is fairly reasonable and falls within industry standards for copy editing. However, if you have a 150-page novel, you are looking at an extra $1,500 for a full stylized line edit.

Excellent reputation with reviewers

BookBaby has a strong reputation, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars across 1500+ reviews from authors who have used the service to publish their works. The company dropped to a "C" grade at the Better Business Bureau but still has 4 out of 5 stars in reviews on that site. Happy reviewers noted that they felt the sales reps and publication guides at BookBaby were knowledgeable and helped the authors easily through the process. Comments with the words "professional service" and "responsive" appeared repeatedly across review sites. Some of the lower reviews complained that BookBaby didn't do enough for them with off-site distribution at places like Amazon. However, this makes up a very small portion of the total reviews.

Top service with reasonable prices

BookBaby is a great option for self-publishing. Although it doesn't include editing in the price, you can get editing from their professionals at a reasonable rate. With their helpful guide and professionals who can assist with every step of the process, the company offers many options for getting published and has a terrific track record. Considering its reputation and high ranking among self-publishing services, BookBaby is an excellent choice for writers looking to self-publish their work.

• Costs start at $14.19/month
• Royalties range from 25%-70%
• Global distribution network
• Management tools
• Finance tools
• Easy user interface

PublishDrive is a self-publishing platform that offers tiered subscription plans for global eBook distribution. This platform allows you to keep 100% of your royalties in exchange for a flat monthly fee. There are four service levels to choose from: Starter Plan, Standard Plan, Plus Plan, and Pro Plan, with pricing starting at $14.19 per month if you sign up for a year or $16.99 per month if you only want a month-to-month subscription.

Four subscription options for all authors

The four main plans offer you not only publication services, but also options for upgraded distribution networks, promotions, and book and money management. The tiers offer the following benefits:

• Starter Plan
• $14.19/month on a yearly plan or $16.99/month on a monthly plan
• 1 eBook publication
• 35 distribution channels
• Access to all tools
• Access to Amazon advertising
• Access to email, sales, royalties, and categorization management tools
• Standard Plan
• $20.99/month on an annual plan and $24.99/month on a monthly plan
• 6 books including e-books, audiobooks, and print-on-demand
• 51 distribution channels
• Access to all promotional assistance
• Access to the same management tools as Starter
• $41.99/month with an annual plan and $49.99/month for a monthly plan
• 18 books including eBook, audiobook, or print-on-demand
• Same tools as Standard
• Same Promo features as Standard
• Same Management tools + Shared account options
• $83.99/month with an annual plan and $99.99/month for a monthly plan
• 48 books including eBook, audiobook, or print-on-demand
• Same tools as Plus
• Same Promo features as Plus
• Imprint management
• Bulk import books
• Priority support

Distribution is easy and tailored

To use PublishDrive's distribution feature, you need to spend a few minutes answering questions about your goals, experience, and the book(s) you're publishing. You'll also need to select a category for your book, such as Romance, Fantasy, Health and Fitness, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Self-Help, YA Fiction, or Other. Once you've chosen your pricing plan, you'll see your Distribution dashboard. After you upload and publish your first book, you'll have access to your sales statistics and analytics on that page.

On-demand can get you out there faster

One unique feature offered by PublishDrive is its access to print-on-demand publishers. You can choose to make your books available in thousands of physical stores by submitting them to the PublishDrive print-on-demand publishers on their website. This way, you can easily have your books distributed and earn more money for your writing genius.

Global distribution network, but high royalties

We love the wide distribution network available with PublishDrive. All of their network partners are listed on one page with easily visible updates to the royalty costs. The costs do change depending on where your book is sold. The range starts at a minimum of 25% of the cost and up to 70%, so you might be paying a bit more royalties with PublishDrive than our top options, but you're still getting a great deal on distribution.

4-star satisfaction

In terms of customer satisfaction, PublishDrive has a solid 4 stars out of 5 when you average the reviews across sites. There's a lot of professional buzz about the site, and it appears to be well-deserved. Users who loved PublishDrive noted that the site was user-friendly and that they liked how the publisher got them access to distributors that they wouldn't have otherwise found. Multiple 5-star reviews also talked about the stellar customer service at PublishDrive. However, unhappy customers complained that they were charged more than the plan they signed up for, or didn't get their work published after paying, so there you may need to check in with customer service if you have issues.

Great option if you're open to subscriptions

PublishDrive is a great self-publishing platform that offers a wide range of services and benefits for authors at reasonable subscription prices. With a solid 4-star customer satisfaction rating, the platform's user-friendly interface, global distribution network, and excellent customer service make it a great option for anyone looking to self-publish their work. Plus, the access to a variety of print-on-demand publishers sets PublishDrive apart from other self-publishing platforms. While the royalty costs may be slightly higher, the benefits and opportunities for distribution and promotion make it well worth it. For these reasons PublishDrive gets a high rating for self-publishing companies.

• Free to use
• Authors make 70% of eBook sales
• Authors make 55% of print-book sales
• Resources for preferred editing and marketing partners
• Price calculator and transparent costs
• Listing on B&N website and US distribution

Barnes & Noble Press is one of the top 3 publishing houses right now for self-publishing. Starting as a competitor for Amazon's publishing house, Barnes & Noble offers the opportunity to be listed by one of the major names in bookselling today. The best part? It's completely free. B&N gets paid from the purchase instead of you having to pay anything upfront. With B&N you'll earn 70% of the royalties for eBook sales and 55% for print sales, minus printing costs.

Pricing is transparent and author-friendly

The pricing is super easy with B&N Press. From the get-go, everything is free. B&N lets you list books without paying a dime. They get paid when books sell. Their profit margins for authors are better than many other options in our review, too. The only thing you have to watch out for is the cost of printing is deducted from your total sales before you get your cut when you print on demand.

See for yourself

If you want to see what that looks like in practice, there's a calculator right on the front page of the ebsite. With this tool, you can enter different prices for your book and see exactly how much you'll make after B&N's cut and the printing fees are taken out. For example, with a 150-200 page book with the standard features, you'll earn $4.65 for a book listed for $15.

Featuring best-selling authors

One thing we liked about Barnes and Noble Press is that they have a "featured" authors section right on their front page. So, if you're wondering what kind of novels your book will be sitting next to on the shelf, you can sift through a variety of "bestsellers" and award-winning authors. There's no question about the quality of writing when you go with Barnes and Noble Press.

External resources with preferred partners

If you're looking for extra help with your novel, Barnes & Noble Press offers a resources page to connect you with their preferred partners. They offer partnerships with editors, audiobook creators, publicity assistance, and marketing help. While we know some authors might prefer this to be handled in-house by B&N, it's important to remember this is a free service, so they're only distributing and publishing for you.

We wish it had a wider reach

Barnes and Noble's major drawback is its limited reach. By exclusively selling on BN.com, the company restricts the distribution of your book to the United States only. If you're an independent author who wants to reach a global audience, it's crucial to self-publish internationally. While Barnes and Noble can help you sell your book in the US market, you'll have to explore other options to connect with readers beyond the US borders. However, since B&N Press doesn't require exclusivity, you have the option to publish at multiple venues to get the widest reach possible.

User-friendly overall

In terms of user response, other than the author spotlights on the website, it's hard to see how Barnes & Noble Press rates for user satisfaction. The reviews for B&N Press are lumped in with reviews for B&N the company, making it hard to determine the user rating for B&N Press. According to the few reviews out there, authors found B&N Press to be a user-friendly model for creating and publishing their books.

Great free option for easy publishing

Barnes & Noble Press is a great option for self-publishing authors who want to be listed by one of the major names in bookselling today. With no upfront fees and better profit margins than many other options, it's a cost-effective choice. Plus, their resources page can help connect authors with preferred partners for editing, audiobook creation, publicity, and marketing assistance. Although the company's limited distribution may be a drawback for those looking to reach a global audience, B&N Press doesn't require exclusivity, so authors can publish at multiple venues to get the widest reach possible. Overall, Barnes & Noble Press is a valuable tool for independent authors looking to publish their work.

• FREE to use the service
• Royalties: 10% charged from net royalties on every sale
• eBook specialization
• Provides formatting for print books to take to an outside printer

Draft2Digital is a self-publishing company that specializes in eBook distribution. Although they are a newer company in the industry, they have quickly established themselves as a popular choice among writers.

Author-friendly pricing

One of the main reasons they've become so popular is their pricing. Draft2Digital offers a remarkable service that includes formatting, conversion, distribution, and sales tracking of your eBook for absolutely no charge. Their motto is that they make money only when you make money, so they're as motivated as you are to sell books. Their cut from sales is 10% of the proceeds, but the rest is yours to keep.

eBooks for everyone

What sets Draft2Digital apart from other eBook-only self-publishing companies is their user-friendly approach. Instead of providing extensive style guides for writers to follow, Draft2Digital's automated tools detect the necessary formatting elements from your .doc or .docx file, including chapter breaks, headings, and other necessary elements. The result is a perfectly-formatted eBook that's ready for distribution in .epub, .mobi, and PDF formats.

You'll have to edit somewhere else

While the automated system is convenient, it may not be perfect for everyone. To address this, Draft2Digital has support staff available during regular business hours, as well as via email, to help authors with any tweaks they need to make to their eBook. However, Draft2Digital doesn't include editing, so when you upload your document to their formatting tool, you'll want it to be ready to go. Or, you'll have to find an editor somewhere else.

Wide network including top eBook distributors

At the time of our review, Draft2Digital had a distribution network of over a dozen partner stores, including popular eBook retailers such as Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Scribd, and OverDrive as well as Barnes & Noble and Baker & Taylor. This makes it easy for authors to reach a wide audience without having to manage multiple accounts across different platforms. And with distribution and marketing help from Draft2Digital's toolkits, you'll be able to reach a wide audience even if you don't have an author website to direct sales.

No hard copies

One thing to note about Draft2Digital is that they specialize in eBook services and they don't print for you, though they do offer free paperback-ready PDF files that authors can take to any Print-on-Demand service of their choice. However, if you're looking for a place that will publish and distribute hard copies for you, Draft2Digital isn't the right one.

"A" rating but too few reviews

In terms of customer feedback, Draft2Digital has an "A" rating from the BBB and authors love that this option is free. Reviewers noted that while there is limited distribution for non-English-speaking countries, Draft2Digital is one of the easiest places to put together a published book with the right formatting. We wish there were more reviews for this service, but there's not much feedback from authors on the BBB or other popular review sites.

Super easy to use

Draft2Digital offers a user-friendly, convenient, and affordable service for authors who want to self-publish their eBooks. The company's unique pricing model, where they charge nothing for formatting, conversion, distribution, and sales tracking of eBooks, is impressive. With over a dozen partner stores, including popular eBook retailers such as Amazon, Apple Books, and Kobo, authors can easily reach a wide audience without managing multiple accounts across different platforms.

Fantastic option for free eBooks

While Draft2Digital specializes in eBook services and doesn't print hard copies, they offer free paperback-ready PDF files that authors can take to any Print-on-Demand service of their choice. While we wish they offered hard-copy books, Draft2Digital is a great overall choice for authors looking for an easy and cost-effective way to self-publish their eBooks.

• Publishing packages start at $430
• eBooks start at $199 for black and white
• Additions and upgrades available
• Marketing starts at $400 or added to a package
• 50% taken from royalties

Virtual Bookworm, also known as VBW, is a self-publishing service that provides authors with a range of options for publishing their work. This service was created by a writer who wanted to offer an alternative to big publishing houses and vanity presses. VBW does not accept every manuscript for publication but instead reviews each submission for quality and content. This ensures that your book will not be sold alongside books with numerous errors just because the other author had enough money to pay for publication.

Website hard to navigate, but prices are fair

It's a little hard to find the prices on VBW, but with a little searching, we found their publication options. There are 7 tiers which start at $430 and go up to $2,100 for black-and-white publishing in hardcover. The top 3 tiers include marketing services. For color publishing, the 7 tiers start at $700 and go up to $2,160, with the top 3 tiers including marketing services. If you're looking for eBooks, the starting price is much lower at $199 for a black-and-white interior or $299 for a color interior or books with a high number of images.

Lots of publishing benefits

With the print and publication packages, you receive the following benefits:

• Electronic proof
• Page counts as low as 18 and as high as 1200 pages
• ISBN assignment (author can provide own ISBN and imprint at no additional charge)
• Copyright application instructions
• Book page in our online store
• 15 free internal graphics/images (must be submitted to specs)
• Data backup
• Full distribution
• Drop shipment
• Book registration through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books in Print, and many others
• 50% royalties of net receipts

Requires exclusive publication rights

One thing we didn't love about VBW is that unlike some of its competitors, you have to commit to an exclusive agreement. You can't publish anywhere else for 2 years. However, you can terminate the agreement with 90 days' notice if the publisher isn't working for you. If you opt for their eBook packages, you will also have to sign an exclusive agreement for electronic distribution.

Costs add up with VBW

We also didn't love that Virtual Bookworm takes 50% of the royalties. And, since none of their packages offer editing services, you'll have to add that cost on top of the money you'll lose to their royalties and the cost of working with this publisher in the first place. Their editing service is part of their additional options and costs $0.01 per word. An average manuscript is about 80,000 words, so you're looking at an additional $800 for editing.

Marketing is separate except in top-tier packages

If you're looking for marketing, you'll also have to buy that separately at Virtual Bookworm, unless you choose levels 5, 6, or 7 for your publication. Then, the marketing is included in the price. The three marketing tiers include:

• Bronze Marketing Package: $40. Includes professional press release, 100 four-color business cards, and a personal storefront for two years.
• Silver Marketing Package: $700. With this package, VBW will write a press release and send it to over 200 media outlets, and copies of your book will be sent to at least 10 major reviewers. The same personal storefront as bronze and 100 four-color business cards.
• Gold Marketing Package: $1,300. This package includes the same press release as Silver, copies of your book sent to at least 15 major reviewers, the same personal storefront as Silver, placement in Ingram's Advance Magazine, 500 four-color postcards, 500 business cards, and 500 2x6 bookmarks.

Good ratings, but not a lot of feedback

In terms of author satisfaction, Virtual Bookworm has an "A+" rating at the BBB and has not had any complaints filed over the 19+ years it has been in operation. However, there are also few reviews of the service and absolutely no reviews from customers on the BBB, so we're a little worried about the lack of feedback from the authors.

Middle ground option, with good vetting system

Virtual Bookworm offers a mid-tier self-publishing service that provides authors with a range of options for publishing their work. While it may not be the ideal service for everyone, its commitment to reviewing each manuscript for quality and content ensures that authors are not published next to lower-quality titles. The exclusive agreement and higher pricing for some services may be a drawback, but the benefits of full distribution and the option to terminate the agreement provide some flexibility. While there is a lack of feedback from authors, Virtual Bookworm has maintained an "A+" rating at the BBB for over 19 years. It might be worth looking into, but there are better publishers out there to consider first.

• Global distribution options
• Authors keep 45-85% of net sales proceeds
• Marketing tutorials
• "A-" rating from the BBB

Smashwords is an eBook distributor with a global reach, boasting a distribution network that includes major retailers such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. They have been helping authors publish and distribute their eBooks for over a decade

More than 130,000 published authors

Smashwords has helped more than 130,000 authors distribute nearly 500,000 eBooks. However, their website is slightly outdated and their process relies on the author doing most of the marketing work. On the bright side, their service is completely free except for royalties. Authors get 45-85% of proceeds depending on where the book is sold.

Free services and distribution

Smashwords offers a variety of free services, such as providing ISBNs, author profile pages on the Smashwords bookstore, anytime updates to books and metadata, exclusive marketing and selling tools, and much more. Moreover, they have an extensive distribution network where you can list your book for free. However, you will still have to pay royalties, and your profit margin will depend on the channel where your eBook is sold.

Formatting is required for Smashwords

While you can publish any genre, Smashwords does require you to format your writing to fit their specifications. To ensure proper formatting of your manuscript, you can download the Smashwords Style Guide, which is available in several languages including Spanish, German, Italian, French, Dutch, and Bengali. Alternatively, you can create a free account and begin publishing your eBooks directly on their platform.

Website could use an update

If you're looking for a polished and modern website, Smashwords isn't the right option. Their "How to Publish on Smashwords" page, for instance, is made up of block text in small fonts and bullet-point lists. Since one of their benefits is offering you guidance for strong marketing approaches, it's a little worrying that users have to sift through information that's hard to read.

Mixed reviews for Smashwords

In terms of customer satisfaction, Smashwords has an "A-" rating with the BBB and has 5 out of 5 stars on that platform. However, on other review sites like Sitejabber and Trustpilot, the reviews average 2.5 stars out of 5. With the higher-rated reviews, customers noted that working with Smashwords feels like working with real people. They enjoyed interacting with customer service and felt that their needs were met. Reviewers called Smashwords "honest" and "helpful." In the lower-rated reviews, customers griped that uploading their work to Smashwords was the most difficult out of the various self-publishers. Authors felt that the system is "clunky" and not user-friendly.

Variety of free services

Smashwords is an eBook distributor that offers a range of services to help authors publish and distribute their work. While the website may not be as polished as some of its competitors, Smashwords does provide a variety of free services, including author profile pages, marketing tools, and access to its extensive distribution network - though the authors are expected to do the marketing legwork themselves. The platform requires authors to format their work to specific specifications, but the Smashwords Style Guide is available in several languages to help with this process.

Good free option, but there are better sites out there

For a free site, Smashwords is a decent option. However because of its poor usability, you might want to check out other self-publishing options first.

• FREE to self-publish eBooks and paperbacks
• 30-70% charged on each sale
• Sells strictly on Amazon
• Options for unique genres of books like comics

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a self-publishing platform that has gained worldwide recognition and popularity as the go-to service for publishing eBooks. KDP is owned by Amazon, and the publishing branch started out as an online bookseller that has since expanded to become a dominant player in the online publishing industry. KDP allows you to publish your book for free, but you'll need to pay royalties which are different for paperbacks and eBooks.

Wide variety of genres

We love the full range of publication options at Kindle Direct. Not only can you publish traditional novels for fiction and non-fiction, but there are also built-in options for business books, comics and graphic novels, kids' books, and teen fiction. They offer additional options for a range of genres including romance, sci-fi, and mystery.

Easy to use publishing system

One of the advantages of KDP is the easy-to-use tools that guide you through the self-publishing process. KDP Jumpstart offers step-by-step directions, while KDP University provides a comprehensive suite of resources to assist you at every stage. However, it's worth noting that KDP doesn't offer professional editing or formatting services. If you need these services, KDP provides a list of recommended companies that specialize in those areas. However, an average editor costs $10 per page, so you may be looking at a significant increase in price if your manuscript isn't ready to go.

Complicated royalties, and not the best cut

The royalties with Kindle are a little complicated. For eBooks, you can choose between two royalty options: 35% or 70%. However, to be eligible for the higher-paying option, your book must meet certain requirements such as a list price that meets certain criteria, and your eBook must be sold for at least 20% below the printed book price. The royalty calculation for paperbacks is different, with a fixed rate of 60%, minus printing costs at a fixed rate of $4.45 per unit. In order to list, you simply have to meet the "minimum list price" requirement. This means you can list a book for anything over $7.45. The higher the price, the more you make, but it's a lot of math at the get-go.

Limited distribution for Amazon only

One thing that we don't love about Kindle Direct is that the distribution is limited to Amazon. Most other self-publishing services offer distribution to a broader range of channels, including Google, Apple, and OverDrive. While KDP is an affordable option, it may not be the best choice if you want your book to reach a wider audience. Since Kindle does require an exclusive contract, you can't publish in multiple places and widen this distribution, unfortunately.

Customer feelings are mixed on value

In terms of customer satisfaction, Kindle Direct has an "A-" rating from the BBB. With varying reviews across user feedback and different sites, KDP has earned an average of 3.3 stars out of 5. Happy reviewers noted that they felt that the customer service at KDP was top-notch and helped them with issues during the book creation and formatting process. Others were disappointed in the low profile of an Amazon-only distribution.

No editing or formatting

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) provides a variety of options, from traditional novels to business books and comics, with easy-to-use tools and resources to guide you through the self-publishing process. However, it's worth noting that KDP doesn't offer professional editing or formatting services, which can increase your costs significantly. Additionally, the royalties can be complicated, with different requirements for eBooks and paperbacks.

A big-name option, but a little limited

While KDP is an affordable option, the biggest limitation is that your book will only appear on the Amazon platform. Overall, KDP is a great and reliable option for self-publishing, but it's important to consider your distribution needs before making a final decision.

• $49 to get started with any book
• $25 revision fees
• Editing done outside Ingram
• Price calculator
• "A+" rating from the BBB

IngramSpark is a self-publishing distributor owned by Ingram, who is widely considered one of the top book distributors in the US. However, fees and printing costs can add up quickly.

Inexpensive to start

Simply publishing a book with Ingram is fairly inexpensive compared to some options in our review, with each book type only costing $49 to get started. However, there are extra fees for revisions, as well as for setup and printing, so it does start to add up. The royalties are variable with Ingram: you can set them at your preference up to 65-70% depending on the market, so you get a higher profit.

Obvious and slightly hidden fees

For every book you set up on IngramSpark, whether it's just an eBook or both print and eBook, you will be charged a setup fee of $49. However, keep in mind that if you need to make revisions to your book, it will cost an additional $25 per revision, which is a significant drawback compared to competitors who let you edit for free. In addition to the setup fee, you will also have to pay for the printing and distribution costs of your copies, which will be deducted from your royalties. The cost of printing will depend on the print options you choose and the number of units in your order.

Calculator tool needs an update

If you want to see what the cost will be to print each book, IngramSpark offers a calculator tool. However, it's much less intuitive than competitors. You have to fill out a full-page questionnaire, and if you don't know some of the answers for your particular book yet, you'll have to make them up to get a general price. The worst part is that some of the book sizes won't allow particular page counts - but nothing on the calculator tool tells you that. Instead, you have to fiddle with the options until the little red error message goes away, which is super frustrating.

Steep learning curves for non-techies

In general, the interface for IngramSpark is somewhat less intuitive than many competitor platforms. While we had trouble with their calculator tool, many other users also had trouble with the actual manuscript upload and editing tools. The process isn't intuitive and the website feels a bit outdated. Some authors quit the process at this point even after paying the $49 to publish.

Users don't love the interface

In terms of user feedback, Ingram Spark does have an "A+" rating from the BBB, but it averages about 2.5 stars out of 5 across different review sites. Most of the complaints were about how difficult the platform was to use, saying that they wished the process was more intuitive and user-friendly. Some of the positive reviews noted that authors felt like the customer service at IngramSpark was top-tier and that they were helped through the process. And yet, some of the lower reviews say the exact opposite and that they couldn't get any help from customer service. With such mixed reviews, it's hard to say one way or the other, but there are more user-friendly sites out there.

Mixed user reviews

IngramSpark offers a relatively inexpensive self-publishing option for authors with set-up fees of $49 per book. However, the additional fees for revisions and printing/distribution costs can add up fast. While IngramSpark allows authors to set their royalties up to 65-70%, their calculator tool and interface may be difficult for non-techies to navigate. Mixed user reviews also highlight the need for a more intuitive and user-friendly upload process.

Big name, but not the best option

Ultimately, authors should consider their individual needs and preferences before choosing a self-publishing platform. If stress-free is what you're looking for, you might want to look higher up on our review list.

• Starting at $5.03 for a single standard paperback
• Full range of distribution options
• "A+" rating and accreditation by the BBB
• 10-20% charged on most sales, plus any applicable retailer fees/markups

Lulu has been in the self-publishing industry since 2002 and has published over two million books across 225 countries and territories. The company offers its services in six different languages and has sub-brands like Glasstree Academic Publishing and Lulu Jr.

Updated website

The website has had an update since it was last reviewed and comes across as a modern workspace. However, it was still hard to find the pricing details. Regarding royalties, Lulu takes 10% of net sales for eBooks and 20% for print books. They also charge "hosting fees" for eBooks listed on their bookstore.

Pay by copy

Lulu is a print-as-needed publisher. So you decide how many books you want and you order them as needed. Since this is how they print, the prices are per-book also. In order to get a ballpark idea for how much you'll spend with Lulu, you'll need to know the number of pages your book will be (in the size that you want) as well as answer questions about the quality of paper, black and white vs. color options, and cream or white paper. Once you've put in all the information, Lulu's calculator will give you a price per book. For example, a standard 6x9 paperback novel of 140 pages in black and white ink and white paper would cost $5.03 per copy to print through Lulu.

Design process is lengthy

To use Lulu's services most effectively, it is recommended that users start with the Create section. You have to choose your book type from the available options which include print books, photo books, notebooks, calendars, children's books, comic books, magazines, cookbooks, yearbooks, education books, and eBooks. The most frustrating thing about Lulu is that you can't create a print and eBook simultaneously. Instead, users must follow Lulu's downloadable Creator Guide carefully and format their manuscript to ensure their submission is approved. It's at this point you get to publishing services, and Lulu provides links to options for editing, cover design/illustration, and all-inclusive packages.

Sales options are competitive

After completing the manuscript, users can head to the Sell tab. It is vital to pay attention to formatting to ensure that your submission is approved for retail distribution. Lulu currently offers limited distribution channels, including their own, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ingram for print, iBooks, Nook, Amazon Kindle, and Kobo for eBooks.

BBB accreditation, but low reviews

Lulu is accredited by the BBB and has an "A+" rating. However, Lulu only has an average of 2.4 stars out of five across different review sites. The 5-star reviews offer feedback from some users who have been publishing with Lulu since 2008. Many happy customers say the site is easy to use and that they love the quality of the books. However, the lower reviews note that customer service with Lulu isn't top-notch. Many reviewers complain about being refused by Lulu after paying or having older versions of their manuscript distributed instead of the final.

Disappointing customer feedback

Despite Lulu's long history in the self-publishing industry, we're a little disappointed in their customer feedback. However, Lulu's print-on-demand model allows for customized orders, provided that users enter specific details to get an accurate price per book. It is recommended to start with the Create section and follow Lulu's downloadable Creator Guide carefully to ensure manuscript approval. Customer feedback is mostly positive, citing ease of use and book quality, but some reviewers have had issues with customer service and distribution.

Worth checking out for the price

Overall, Lulu can be a viable option for self-publishing. Still, users should carefully look at the higher rated options before making a final decision.

• Publishing packages range from $999 to $16,999
• 50%-90% paid to Xlibris before author gets anything
• Distribute with Ingram
• Accredited by the BBB and "A+" rating

Xlibris has been in the business of helping authors get their works published for more than two decades. As a self-publishing service, it enables authors to retain full control over their books, from design to distribution.

High initial investment

Xlibris is one of two self-publishing companies owned by Author Solutions, a parent company that has an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). One downside is that Xlibris is expensive unless customers have a budget of at least $999, and that price doesn't cover much. Unfortunately, the royalty price minimum of 50% means you aren't making more than half of the profits to make up for the high initial payment.

Expensive for not enough bonuses

The most basic package at Xlibris for $999 includes a limited number of image, text, and design treatments, one round of alterations and corrections, and only 17 of the 47+ add-ons and benefits offered by the higher tiers. While most of their print packages include eBook formatting, there is no option for authors who only want to self-publish their work digitally and not in print. As a comparison, the most expensive tier (Platinum) which includes all of the add-ons costs $16,999, making Xlibris one of the most expensive options in our review.

Authors aren't making money after royalties

In terms of royalties, Xlibris will keep 50% of the retail price on eBooks and as much as 90% when sold through partners like Amazon. Furthermore, Xlibris sets the retail price for the book unless the author purchases the right to set their own price. So, you're not looking to make much on book sales here.

Limited but heavy-hitting network

Xlibris' distribution network is somewhat limited. They use Ingram Distribution as well as Baker and Taylor; however, Ingram is one of the largest book distributors in the US. Additionally, if customers are publishing a black-and-white or full-color paperback, their book will be listed on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online book retailers. However, their distribution list for eBooks is vague, and authors won't know upfront which channels Xlibris will use to distribute their books. Compared to other options in our review with extensive distribution networks, Xlibris' is pretty slim.

Accredited, but mixed reviews

In terms of author feedback and user ratings, Xlibris is accredited by the BBB and has an "A+" rating. However, it only has 1.4 stars out of 5 from the Better Business Bureau and averages 3.4 stars out of 5 across other review sites. Happy authors at Xlibris note that they have published multiple books with this publisher and liked the expertise that was offered throughout the publication process. Many reviews note a sense of "tailored" assistance or "personalized" help that made users particularly happy with Xlibris. On the other hand, the 1-star reviews included frustrations about waiting for refunds, and many authors were frustrated with how little they were paid after royalties were taken out of their sales.

Doesn't stack up against competitors

When compared to other self-publishing services on the market, it becomes clear that Xlibris cannot compete. Other companies offer much more for less money and provide authors with a much broader reach for their self-published books. Despite mixed reviews with some very happy authors, it's clear that there are better options that offer a better overall deal to support authors' income.

• Cost: From $1,999 to $14,999
• 75-90% charged on each sale
• Benefits like author website for up to 3 years
• Editing included on all but the cheapest package

iUniverse is a self-publishing service that is owned by Author Solutions, which is an accredited and highly rated company by the Better Business Bureau. However, there are some potential negatives associated with using iUniverse.

High royalty fees

The royalty fees that iUniverse charges are among the highest we've seen - between 75-90% in royalties, which is much higher than other self-publishing services. This pricing model is not competitive with other self-publishing services that let authors keep most of their profits. The only book type that you receive 100% of the profits from is audiobook publishing at iUniverse.

Expensive packages without many benefits

If iUniverse offered an exceptional publishing experience, it might justify the high royalties. However, the company's publishing packages are expensive and start at $1,999. For this price, you only get two format options: softcover and eBook. The designs are also standardized and you don't have any say in them, but they do help you market the book and set up an author website. And yet, the base price doesn't include editing. If you want the full package, you'll have to shell out $14,999. This allows for full customizability and editing, but the cost is much higher than many competitors who offer similar features.

Some options are nice while others just charge you extra

While we liked that iUniverse offers in-house editing, it's not available as part of every package. You can only start getting editing included if you pay for the $4,999 Voyager package. Further, some of the bonuses you get - like an author website - have time limits. For the lowest two tiers of payment, you only get your author website for a year. With the $9,999 Explorer package you get 2 years, and with the most expensive $14,999 Navigator tier, you get 3 years before you have to pay fees for the website.

Decent ratings, but not enough reviews

While there are several testimonials on the iUniverse website, the company does not have as many reviews as its rivals despite having been in business for two decades. Although the service has 4 out of 5 stars from Trustpilot, there are just over 300 reviews for iUniverse, which is very low engagement overall. At the BBB where the parent company Author Solutions is accredited, the iUniverse brand is only rated 1.4 stars out of 5.

Good customer service, but really high fees

The happy users noted that they were impressed with the customer service with multiple individual reviews saying that iUniverse was patient and thorough in assisting authors. Those who weren't as happy with iUniverse complained that paying over $2,000 for publication and only getting 10% of the royalties was unfair, and not worth the benefits of using the publication house.

Too expensive for what it offers

While iUniverse is a self-publishing service owned by a reputable parent company, the high royalty fees and expensive publishing packages may not make it the best choice for authors. The company's pricing model is not competitive with other self-publishing services that allow authors to keep most of their profits. Additionally, the limited availability of editing and the time-limited bonuses may not justify the high cost of the service.

Better choices available

While iUniverse has received positive feedback from some users, the low engagement and negative reviews on the BBB listing suggest that the service may not be worth the investment for some authors. Ultimately, authors should consider all their options and choose a self-publishing service that meets their needs and budget - knowing that iUniverse is likely not going to measure up.

Continued from above... Continued from above... -->

There are several advantages to self-publishing a book. For example, an author can make decisions about everything from the book cover to the formatting of the text. This control can lead to a more authentic representation of the author's vision, which can be appealing to readers.

Another advantage of self-publishing is that it allows authors to reach a broader audience. Traditional publishers are often selective about the types of books they choose to publish, and many authors may struggle to find a publisher who is willing to take a chance on their work. Self-publishing, on the other hand, allows authors to bypass the traditional gatekeepers and get their work in front of readers who may be interested in their particular niche.

And the best part? Self-publishing can be more lucrative for authors than traditional publishing. Traditional publishing deals often involve the publisher taking a significant percentage of the book's profits, leaving the author with a smaller cut. With self-publishing, authors keep a larger share of their book's profits, which can add up over time. Additionally, self-publishing often allows authors to set their own prices, which can help them maximize their revenue.

Writing is a lot of work, but publishing doesn't have to be. To make sure you have the easiest path to getting your bestseller out to the public, we've researched the most popular self-publishing options so you don't have to.

If you're not sure where to start, here are several factors to keep in mind to find the best fit for you and your writing:

• Cost. What is the cost to work with this publisher and how much will you make as the author? Costs include fees and royalties, so it's important to check both.
• Specialty. Are you a poet or a playwright? Or maybe you prefer to write short stories or long sci-fi trilogies? You want to make sure the publisher you choose specializes in the kind of writing that's important to you. You want to be able to reach your ideal audience.
• User-friendly tools. Are you looking for complete control over the final publication, or do you want a publisher that helps you along the way with technology tools?
• Sales. Where does this self-publishing platform promote your work? Are sales integrated into the process or do you have to do all of the marketing yourself?

To help you make the jump from writer to published author smoother than ever, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best self-publishing companies out there today. We hope this information helps you get the book of your dreams in print and in the reader's hands ASAP!

Self Publishing Service FAQ

Can i really publish my own book, can i only self-publish in print or can i go digital too, why would i use a self-publishing service if i can do it on my own, are self-publishing services expensive, do i need to have a place to store my printed books, what are some of the extra services i should consider, what if i have questions can i speak with an actual person, are self-publishing services legitimate, compare self publishing services.

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Independent Book Review

A Celebration of Indie Press and Self-Published Books

30+ Top-Notch Book Review Sites for Readers & Writers

Here are 30+ top-notch book review sites for booksellers, librarians, readers, & writers. Learn more about 30 bookish companies helping spread the word about the best & latest books.

Top-Notch Book Review Sites for Readers & Writers

Book reviews are for all of us.

Readers need to know whether books with the best covers are worth the time they’re about to put into it. They find it helpful (and fun!) to check out reviews after reading the books, too, so they can see what other real-life humans had to say about it.

Authors & publishers need to get book reviews to build buzz and credibility for their product. Librarians & booksellers need to hear from trusted sources that the book they are about to buy for their collection has the capability to get picked up & to satisfy. 

Book review sites have transformed the book-recommending landscape.

We can write reviews on product pages, on social media apps, and some of us, for publications that have been around since before the internet. Book reviewing has changed. But maybe it also hasn’t.

What kind of book review sites are you looking for? Chances are, this list has you covered.

Here are 30+ book review sites to read, write, and bookmark. 

1. Independent Book Review

Does this logo look familiar? (Hint: You’re sitting on it).

IBR, the website you’re on RIGHT NOW, is all about indie books . There are so many books in the world right now, but if you feel like you keep seeing the same ones recommended over and over, start reading indie!

Independent presses & self-published authors are doing some incredible work right now. IBR reviews books, curates lists, does indie bookstore round-ups, and uses starred reviews & best-of-the-year lists to show which books are going to blow your mind.

2. Book Marks

Lit Hub rules. You already knew this.

But do you know about Book Marks? They’re a branch of the Lit Hub network, and they are an excellent way for booksellers and librarians to get shorter recaps from multiple sources and voices.

Their staff peruses book review sites and shares pull-quotes from them in book lists & more. By reading all of these sites, they can give the book a rating based on the average: “Rave, Positive, Mixed, or Pan.”

My favorite book-buying platform, Bookshop , uses Book Marks’ scale for their books’ ratings, and I love getting access to that.

3. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly has been around since 1872. By now, they’re a review churning machine. They cover so much of the book industry in so many different ways, reviewing nearly 9,000 books per year and providing publication announcements, agency announcements, industry job listings , bestseller lists, industry stats, a self-publishing partner, and more. 

4. Kirkus Reviews

Another one that’s been around since before the internet! 1933 to be exact. Kirkus is a widely recognized publication that book buyers & librarians follow carefully. I dare you to find a bookstore or library that doesn’t have multiple books with Kirkus Reviews plastered on their front and back covers.

5. Booklist

The American Library Association runs Booklist , a platform dedicated to helping libraries, educators, and booksellers choose books. They’ve got a magazine (since 1905!), book reviews, lists, awards, and one of my favorite bookish podcasts out there: Shelf Care .

6. Library Journal & School Library Journal

As you might be able to guess, Library Journal & School Library Journal focus on librarians too! They review a ton of books, and they write often about library-related news, collection management, technology, programs, and more. If you’re an author hoping to land your book in libraries, these are essential targets.

7. BookPage

You may have seen BookPage in your local library or bookstore. Some shops provide it for free so that patrons can look through it to find which books to buy in-store. Their website is clean and intriguing and always full of the most up-to-date releases and bestsellers.

Speaking of libraries! Have you seen our gifts for librarians ?

8. Foreword

Foreword is such an enthusiastic and dedicated champion of indie books, and they’ve been doing it since the 90s! I love how much attention university presses get here too. Their reviews are well-written & thorough, in both print & digital, and I always find something to speed-purchase once the Foreword Indie winners come out.

9. LoveReading

LoveReading is a top book-recommendation website in the UK. They’ve got starred reviews, lists, staff picks, a LitFest , eBooks, and they even donate 25% of the cover price of their books to schools of your choice. It’s reader-friendly and apparent how much they appreciate the wonder of books. 

10. Washington Independent Review of Books

What’s not to love about The Independent?

Back in 2011, a group of writers & editors were frustrated by newspapers dropping book review sections and decided to do something about it. The Washington Independent Review of Books is quite a lovely something! This nonprofit posts every day: from reviews to interviews to essays and podcasts. They host events too!

11. Book Riot

Try being a reader and not finding something you love on Book Riot. Book lists, podcasts, personalized recommendations, newsletters, book deals—this site is a haven.

It doesn’t post solo book reviews like other sites, but they do share mini-reviews in book lists and talk about reading in unique & passionate ways. The Book Riot Podcast is such a winner too! I love listening to Jeff & Rebecca laugh about the latest in books & reading.

12. Electric Lit

From novel excerpts to original short fiction & poetry, they might not only be a book review site,  but they do offer a lot in the world of book recommendations. Their Recommended Reading lit mag features unique staff picks and short, insightful book reviews.

13. The Millions

The writing in The Millions is something to behold. They are an artful source for all things book reviews & recommendations. They write stunning essays about books & reading and long reviews of new and old books. They’ve got some of my favorite Most Anticip ated lists too.

What are the biggest benefits of reading ? 🧐

14. Bookforum

Did you hear? Bookforum is back ! This book review magazine announced in December 2022 that they were closing, and my heart sank a little bit. This company means so much to the publishing industry and has for 20+ years, so when I saw (last week!) that they are returning, I did more than a few jumps for joy.

Welcome back, Bookforum! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got coming for us in book world coverage.

BOMB is in it for the art. Art, literature, film, music, theater, architecture, and dance. There are reviews and interviews, and the literature section is a real delight. The reviews are like poignant essays, and the author interviews are in-depth and feature some fascinating minds.

16. The Asian Review of Books

The only dedicated pan-Asian book review publication! It’s widely cited and features some of the best in Asian books and art, so booksellers and librarians have a source to trust to stock their collections with high-quality pan-Asian lit.

Have you seen our gifts for book lovers yet?

17. Chicago Review of Books

I love so much of what Chicago Review of Books does. They have a clean & sleek design that features some of the buzziest books as well as plenty of hidden gems from our favorite indie presses. I’m a particularly big fan of the spotlight they put on books in translation .

18. Rain Taxi

I love Rain Taxi ’s style! They champion unique books, publish their own fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and put a real emphasis on art for their magazine covers . It’s a beautiful print magazine to subscribe to, but they also share free online editions & digital archives. They even run the Rain Taxi Reading Series & Twin Cities Book Festival if you’re a real-lifer in Minnesota!

19. The Rumpus

Oh, The Rumpus ! This mostly volunteer-run online magazine publishes reviews, interviews, essays, fiction, and poetry. The reviews are in-depth and personal and heart-melting, and in addition to the site, they’ve got cool perks like the Poetry Book Club  and Letters in the Mail . The book club is where you get a pre-release book and meet the poet via Slack with other club members at the end of the month, and Letters in the Mail are actual postcards sent in the mail to you twice a month from your favorite authors.

20. Book Reporter

The selection in Book Reporter is carefully curated & enticing: hot new releases, forthcoming books, major presses, & indies. And there are plenty of unique ways to learn about them, like video interviews and monthly lists & picks. It launched in 1996 and is in The Book Report Network, which includes Reading Group Guides , a super useful resource for book clubs.

21. BookTrib .

BookTrib does such a great job of making their site browsable. The different ways you can enjoy what they offer—from book lists to giveaways to ebook deals —are difficult to keep your purchase finger off of.

23. Lit Reactor

Writers & readers—where bookish people meet! LitReactor’s book reviews are in the magazine portion of their website, and they’ve got plenty of them! Reviews, interviews, lists, introspectives, writing tips, and reading discussions. I’ve found some really unique content on Lit Reactor, like this ranking of literary parents . The website is a haven for writers especially, as there are workshops, writing blog posts, and even a forum to participate in.

24. Crime Fiction Lover

Dark alleys. Stray bullets. Hard-boiled detectives. Runaway thrills. If you’re a mystery-thriller reader, you’ve got to know about Crime Fiction Lover. They’ve got a passionate group of readers and writers talking about the best books in the genre and the ones that are soon to come out too.

25. SF Book Reviews

Speculative fiction fans unite! SF Book Reviews has been reviewing sci-fi and fantasy books since 1999, and while they’re a relatively small staff, they publish regularly, feature books of the month, and work wonders for their fantastical community.

26. Historical Novel Society

For all you historical fiction fans out there, the Historical Novel Society has reviewed more than 20,000 books in its twenty years. This one works like a membership for “writers and readers who love exploring the past.” You get a quarterly print magazine as a member, and if you’re a writer, you can join critique groups and ask for book reviews.

27. The Poetry Question

The Poetry Question writes about poetry published by indie presses and indie authors. They are a small passionate team dedicated to showing the world why indie presses continue to be a leading source for award-winning poetry.

28. Goodreads

Did you know that there are over 125 million members on Goodreads? When users review books, they can have conversations with fellow readers and follow reviewers too. If you’re looking for the biggest community, there’s no doubt Goodreads is the one. I like using sites like this because it helps you catalog books, one of my favorite ways to build a strong reading habit . 

29. The Storygraph

A big community of active users that’s Amazon free! Come review books, use half & quarter stars (!), and complete reading challenges. You got this.

29. Bookwyrm

Bookwyrm is small (around 5,000 members at the time of this writing), but doesn’t that sound kind of nice? There are active members and a genuine collective goal in talking books. Grow with it. I think you’ll be comfy here. There are other communities within the Bookwyrm umbrella too, like Bookrastinating .

30. Reedsy Discovery

I hold a special place in my heart for book review sites dedicated to helping writers! I got into this business as a book marketer, and I experienced first-hand, through hundreds of books, how hard it was to get exposure & validation for small press and self-published authors. 

Reedsy Discovery is a branch of Reedsy (the author resource company) that connects authors & reviewers so that people can read free books, sometimes receive tips for it, and authors can get more reviews in the process. Readers can choose from the latest books as well as the ones that are getting the best reviews.

31. Netgalley

Netgalley is a book review site for pre-released books. Reviewers sign up for a free account, request galleys from publishers and indie authors, and get to read them before they’re published so that they can leave reviews for the book, preferably on Amazon, Goodreads, or their blog. They also run Bookish , the editorial arm of Netgalley, which has book recommendations, interviews, and more.

32. Online Book Club

This review site combines a bunch of cool things! The 4-million member community gives me a lot of Goodreads vibes, especially with the Bookshelves app . But Online Book Club is a place for you to get eBook deals and talk about books in reviews and forums.

What are your favorite book review sites to follow? Let us know in the comments!

Thank you for reading “ Top-Notch Book Review Sites for Readers & Writers !” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Check out http://www.literaryvault.com for best book reviews and author interviews. The literary Vault is a blog run and owned by a 13-year-old passionate reader who loves to share her passion and recommendations with others.

Thank you for the information!

Book review sites serve as invaluable resources for both readers and writers, offering insightful critiques, recommendations, and discussions on a wide range of literary works. Whether you’re seeking your next captivating read or looking to promote your own book, these platforms provide a wealth of information and opportunities for engagement. https://ghostwritersplanet.com/

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Blog • Understanding Publishing

Posted on Apr 30, 2020

Lulu Publishing Review: READ THIS Before You Use Them!

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Martin Cavannagh

Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.

Over the last two decades, Lulu has become one of the biggest self-pub platforms in the business. Lulu publishing, or “Lulu Press” as the company is now called, offers both print-on-demand and distribution services for books. And they're a popular choice among self-publishing authors for POD — in terms of notoriety, Lulu is right up there with KDP Print, BookBaby, and the other major players in the print-on-demand apce.

However, Lulu has also acquired a negative reputation for taking substantial cuts of author royalties, forcing many authors to either price their books ridiculously high or to receive no royalties at all. This may leave today's authors wondering:  is publishing through Lulu Press even worth it?

To help you make the final call, we've reviewed all their services here, complete with costs, quality levels, and comparisons to similar companies. If you just want the TL;DR, feel free to jump to the end via the table of contents. Otherwise, let's jump right into the review.

Print-on-demand service

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.

We'll start Lulu's claim to fame: their print-on-demand service for print books, photo books, comic books, and more. As an author printing a “typical” book with few images, you can choose from the following customization options:

• Interior — premium color, premium black & white, standard color, or standard black & white
• Paper type — 60# cream, 60# white, or 80# coated white
• Book binding — coil, hardcover, paperback, or linen wrap
• Cover finish — glossy or matte

Note that hardcover is only available for books of 20 pages or more, and saddle stitch is only available for pamphlets. So if you upload a short PDF just to test Lulu's options, you may see saddle stitch instead of hardcover, but this will change once you upload your actual book.

Speaking of which, while the upload process only takes a minute, you will have to spend some time formatting your book beforehand. Lulu has very specific requirements for PDFs, as outlined on this page .

Though formatting your PDF according to these rules isn't a deal-breaking hassle, it does make things more complex than users might anticipate! We'd say Lulu's POD setup process is easier to navigate than that of the notoriously tough IngramSpark, but more difficult than using KDP Print. This knocks the overall POD experience down from five stars to four.

In any case, make sure to read through all those requirements   before uploading your PDF and finalizing your design choices, and preview your book  in full  to confirm everything looks good. Then you're ready to fill out the rest of your project details and place your order!

Looking for an easy, FREE way to format your book for publication? Reedsy Studio can help.

What about print quality and costs?

As you'll see once you finish designing your book, Lulu's printing costs depend on the materials you choose and the number of pages you have. For a 200-page book with B&W interior, lightweight pages, a paperback cover, and matte finish, Lulu estimates a print cost of $5.34 per unit:

For reference, if you choose hardcover instead, the cost rises to $12.30 per unit. With hardcover binding AND premium color interior, the print cost inflates to a whopping $27.50 per unit. Check out the table below to see how these print costs compare to other POD companies!

Printing costs notwithstanding, most authors seem pretty satisfied with the production quality of Lulu-printed books. They report high-resolution covers, thick pages, and well-aligned text that doesn’t bleed through. Note that a few users have noted lower-quality materials and longer shipping times with large orders, especially around the holidays.

But overall, the printing side of Lulu’s business holds up. It's certainly as good as, if not better than, most other POD services in terms of the final product. However, if you're really committed to getting high-quality print books, you should consider investing in offset printing instead.

Lulu POD service vs. other POD services

Curious how Lulu stacks up to KDP Print, IngramSpark, BookBaby, and Blurb in terms of print-on-demand? Consult this table to compare their POD services on user friendliness, print costs, product quality, and more.

Print book distribution

Rating: 2/5 stars ⭐⭐.

Now let’s talk print book distribution . Lulu distributes print books to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the Ingram network, and more, including its own Lulu Bookstore. All in all, this global distribution service reaches over 40,000 retailers around the world. But Lulu's extensive distribution network comes at a (literal) price: lower royalties.

There seems to be a lot of confusion over Lulu Press royalties, so allow us to clear some things up. Lulu doesn’t “steal” royalties from authors, as some reviews claim. However, they do intentionally obscure their pricing model on pages like this , claiming you’ll receive “80% of profits” from your printed book.

When you get into the nitty-gritty of pricing your book, you’ll realize that “80% of profits” doesn’t mean 80% of your sales. Rather, it’s 80% of the amount left after print costs and distribution fees (taken by Amazon and other retailers). The other 20% goes to Lulu. Here's what that looks like:

As a result, you’ll need to price your print book fairly high in order to make any money. For our 200-page paperback book, which is relatively short and made of basic materials, the list price to earn a single dollar per sale is $13.18 (see above). If we want to earn $5 per sale, the list price jumps up to $23.18, with the distribution fee increasing accordingly.

Another option is to distribute only to the Lulu Bookstore, which doesn’t incur any distribution fees. Still, you have to consider the negative impact of not listing your book on major retailers. You can promote your own Lulu listing, but nobody’s going to find it organically. On top of that, you can’t even run price promotions to attract readers, like you can on Amazon.

So why would anyone distribute through Lulu?

The key thing to remember is that you’re not really paying to “distribute through Lulu,” you’re paying to print with Lulu. And the printing and distribution plans are a package deal — it’s not like you can print with Lulu and then distribute through another company.

Also, to be fair, high distribution fees aren’t unique to Lulu. Other POD companies charge substantial “middleman fees” as well; for example , BookBaby charges a flat fee of $399. KDP Print, IngramSpark, and Blurb recoup the cost through book sales, same as Lulu does.

But no other major print-on-demand company takes quite as much as Lulu. BookBaby and Blurb don't have user bases nearly as large, and KDP Print and IngramSpark both offer better expanded distribution plans and royalty shares than Lulu. That’s not even accounting for the fact that you can use KDP Print to distribute directly to Amazon — a market that’s obviously much more valuable than the Lulu Bookstore.

Lulu distribution vs. other print distribution services

Want to see exactly how these companies' print distribution services stack up? Check out this table comparing their costs and retailer networks. (Note that the distribution fee here also includes company commission, e.g. Lulu's 20% of your “gross profit”.)

*Both IngramSpark and Blurb let authors give wholesale discounts to retailers. This allows retailers to acquire print titles for less, which lowers the resulting distribution fees.

Ebook creation and distribution

Rating: 1/5 stars ⭐.

We won’t mince words here: there’s very little point to creating and distributing an ebook through Lulu publishing. The only reason you might consider doing so is if you’re already distributing the print version through Lulu and want to streamline the process for yourself.

Otherwise, it makes no sense to distribute your ebook via Lulu’s channels. Though there’s no printing cost, the distribution fees continue to apply, which means you’ll still have to set a high list price in order to make money. And in today’s cutthroat ebook market, most self-published ebooks over $2.99 simply aren’t going to sell.

It’s  very easy to format your ebook without involving Lulu at all, and you can price it more competitively by going through an ebook-friendly aggregator like Draft2Digital or Smashwords. You can upload separately to each retailer if you want to save even more money!

Just don’t distribute ebooks through Lulu, or indeed any POD-focused company like BookBaby or IngramSpark — they're simply not designed with ebook authors in mind. (And KDP Print is merely the POD counterpart to Kindle Direct Publishing , which is actually a good place to start if you've never distributed an ebook before.)

Customer service

Rating: 3/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐.

In terms of user support through the POD setup process, distribution, and help with printing and shipping issues, reports are mixed. The good news is that uploading your book for print-on-demand is so simple, it probably won't require support. The less-than-good news is that if you do  need to get ahold of someone, it might be a little tricky.

Lulu Press does have a virtual “Help Center” with frequently asked questions, so if an issue comes up, you're likely to find the solution there. However, the answers to these questions can be a bit muddled. This is in part because some of them are quite complicated, but also because providing clearer explanations of their pricing model might cause Lulu to lose business.

Users who've managed to get ahold of Lulu reps say they're helpful and friendly, but it may take a long time for your issue to be resolved. As we mentioned re: print quality above, you may face additional problems if your order is larger and/or if you place it around a busy time like the holidays.

As for how their customer service compares to other POD companies', we'd say Lulu is about average. KDP Print can get similarly overwhelmed with requests from users, and IngramSpark's learning curve is so steep that most people end up struggling even with support.

If customer service is extremely important to you and you want to be guided through every step of printing your book on demand, choose BookBaby ! Their setup process is as easy as Lulu's and support reps are extremely responsive. (However, do keep in mind that their flat-fee distribution system may not be ideal for you.)

Editing, design, and marketing services

Rating: n/a.

Until recently, Lulu Press offered their own “in-house” services for editing, design, and marketing. These have now been replaced with a list of affiliates that provide similar services. However, upon close inspection, many of these companies are relatively new, inexperienced, and/or overcharge for the services they offer.

If you’re looking for a professional editor, designer, or marketer who’s experienced, qualified, and who will give you a fair quote, we have great news: you’re only a click away.

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Should you choose Lulu Press?

Lulu produces fairly high-quality print books, but its distribution services leave a great deal to be desired. If you're only printing with them, you should be fine — but distributing your Lulu-printed books might get messy.

And if you’re still conflicted over whether or not to choose Lulu, here are our recommendations in the plainest terms possible!

✅ You should choose Lulu Press if:

• You want to order a small number of print books for yourself; and/or
• You’d like quality print books for your readers and don’t really care about profits.

That said, you can get even better quality printed books with Blurb , as long as you don't mind a slightly higher printing cost per unit. And if you really want to pull out all the stops, look into offset printing — there's a high upfront cost, as you have to order lots of copies at once, but the quality is unparalleled.

❌ You should not choose Lulu Press if:

• You want to actually make money through print book sales;
• You’re planning to distribute an ebook rather than a print book; and/or
• You’re in need of other services such as editing and design .

For some users, Lulu’s print production quality makes up for what it lacks in other areas. But we’d stress the importance of looking into all your options for POD before you commit— don’t go with Lulu just because they showed up when you Googled “publish a book”. By staying informed, you can ensure that you make the best print-on-demand decision for yourself, your readers, and, ultimately, your career as an author.

Reedsy rating: 1/5

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What I Learned Self-Publishing an eBook on Amazon: Pros and Cons

By Biron Clark

Published: February 6, 2024

Freelancers

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

I recently published a short book on Amazon using their Kindle Direct Publishing platform (KDP).

Self publishing is becoming more popular so I wrote this post to talk about the pros and cons of self publishing on Amazon … The pleasant surprises, the frustrations, the things I didn’t find out until it was too late.

Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon self publishing…

Pros of Self Publishing on Amazon:

It’s incredibly easy. You can write and upload a Word document as your eBook and it’ll look fine on Kindle and other platforms. If you want to get a bit fancier with the formatting, you can upload an HTML file (you can quickly save your Word doc into HTML with one click, so Word is still viable!)

It’s cheap. No publisher fees. No printing costs. You can even create a print version of your book based on the eBook version, with a service called CreateSpace . Overall you’re looking at very minimal costs of $20-50 for cover design (a good cover is SO important for sales, more on this later), $20-50 for a proofreader or editor, and that’s about it for getting your book out.

You can start earning money quickly, and if you price your book between $2.99 and 9.99, Amazon gives you 70% of the cut. Not a bad deal considering they let you use their technology to publish your ebook, and then help you promote it on their massive eCommerce platform with millions of regular visitors.

Cons of Self Publishing on Amazon:

I actually started writing a longer book, the basic concept being how to navigate a “Career Change at Any Age”. I got about 6,000 words into it, out of a goal of 20,000 or so, and decided it was WAY too much work for something that’ll sell for less than $5.

I’ll likely turn this concept into a video course in the future. But my point here is that one of the negatives at least in my perception was the limited upside. You pour a ton of work into something that’ll sell for so little, if you can even get it to sell at all (continue to the next point to see what I mean).

It’s hard to get your book noticed at first. It’s hard to get those first one or two book reviews or break into the top rankings. This is why promotion matters so much. If you plan on writing a book on Amazon do not make the mistake of thinking the project is complete once the book is finalized. That’s only 40% of the battle. Marketing/selling is the other 60% and you need to be prepared to either do this or pay somebody to do it for you. Otherwise your book WILL NOT sell.

I already mentioned limited earnings potential, let me explain. Except for a few of the absolute best-selling authors, mainly in fiction, and all of whom are offering multiple books in a series or collection, you’re not going to earn a ton from your eBook sales on Amazon. You might earn a few thousand dollars a month after an initial burst during the marketing of your launch. And that’s optimistic. That brings me to my next point also.

From what I’ve heard, sales fade fast. Amazon favors newer titles. If you look in some of the best-seller categories you’ll notice that the vast majority of books listed near the top were published recently. I’m talking VERY recently. October, November, etc. (I’m writing this blog post on December 14). This is good because it gives you a fighting chance as a new author, but it also means your success might be short-lived unless you follow up with another title soon.

Things That Surprised me About Publishing on Amazon:

Formatting was easier than expected. I uploaded a Word document directly to Amazon and had very few issues with formatting.

Editing the actual content is harder than I thought and more frustrating. I should have hired an editor from the start. Lesson learned.

Relatively speaking, non-fiction or self improvement ebooks like mine are just a tiny piece of the self-publishing ecosystem. On various eBook websites you’ll often see 10 or 15 book categories and non-fiction is just one. Sometimes it’ll be two but that’s rare. Whereas fiction will be divided into romance, sci-fi, mystery, horror, fantasy, and so many others. And each of those categories has a ton of books and a ton of readers and followers.

The Verdict: Is It Worth it to Self Publish a book on Amazon’s KDP Platform?

Based on the pros and cons above, I’d say that if your only objective is to share information you know and turn that into revenue, you’re better off looking into consulting, coaching, or creating a video course that you can sell for a much higher price point than an eBook.

However, if you have some spare time and believe that being able to point to the fact that you’re a published author on Amazon will help boost your credentials or career, then it’s worth it.

Self publishing on Amazon is also worth it if you can use the clicks and views that your eBook receives to boost another venture. Do you have a newsletter or email list? Put a freebie into your book and offer it in return for an email signup.

So overall it was worth it for me to publish my short e-book on Amazon, but I’m glad I stopped writing the book I originally planned – “Career Change at Any Age” – because it would have taken months and would not have been worth it in this format.

After choosing a shorter topic to write about (self improvement quotes and tips), I’m happy to have something up and selling.

This process of self publishing on Amazon will also give me experience in launching, marketing, and selling a product… which is extremely valuable. I didn’t have this experience previously.

But self publishing a book on Amazon is not a “home run” play by any means. The highest-paid authors on Amazon have a series of books and have spent years building that up. And the highest-paid authors on Amazon KDP tend to be fiction writers, too.

So I’m glad I did this, but don’t expect a follow-up book anytime soon. A video course is more likely.

About the Author

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The best side hustles for introverts (16 ideas), are side hustles worth it, upwork proposal samples that get interviews (2 templates), 3 upwork bio examples to win jobs, 25 lucrative side hustle ideas for 2024, 12 good high income skills to learn in 2024, 55 thoughts on “what i learned self-publishing an ebook on amazon: pros and cons”.

Thanks for sharing. Another pro is that you can purchase paperback Amazon books for about $3-$4 a book, which is relatively cheap. Some printing companies want a lot more for printing your work. This saved heavily on expenses. At least $100 or more.

I had my book Denham Hall published by Publicious about 2 weeks ago. I see it advertised on Amazon. Where do I get information on Amazon marketing my book and the costs involved..

Hi. I’ve just finished writing a non-fiction book and waiting for it to be printed. I have my ISBN no. from my country. Can I still upload my book on Amazon and I have my own book cover?

Hello, I was looking into publishing a children’s book that I wrote. I was wondering if you think it is a good idea to publish on amazon ebook or if I should look elsewhere. Let me know what you think, Thank you

Thx. Very informative.

Hi – this was helpful. does amazon also print books for you that you can ship to your house and sell to other stores?

Thanks for for your valuable insight. I was looking for best option of publishing my book online (fiction), when I saw your appraise.

I have noted some points to take along in my search.

Absolutely incorrect information about how much you will spend. Editing and cover art that is worth anything will be hundreds of dollars.

I found this article useful. I have found that there are a lot of rogue publishers out there. Kindle will be fine for me. I’m not writing for financial gain, but would gain satisfaction from people reading my work.

Great article! Lots of helpful information contained therein. Glad I happened upon it. Thanks for sharing your lessons learned.

Your article was quite nice but very limited, no offense intended. Does Amazon control where else you can publish the work? How important is the cover? If you have drawn your own cover then what? How about the blurb (right?) and title–do you have any specific pointers? What is a good length for a non-fiction book–a dictionary of phrases, for instance? What about B&N and universities? How important is an agent? If Amazon produces the hardcover version can I then sell this to university (and other) bookstores on my own? How? Thank you.

Hi Kevin, no offense taken. There are whole books and courses on how to self publish on Amazon. Of course an article will be pretty limited.

You’d have to check Amazon’s current terms of service for your first question.

The design and quality of your cover is super important.

You sound pretty serious about this, which is great! But in order to really have a comprehensive view of everything involved, you’re probably going to need to either piece together info from 5-10+ articles or youtube videos, and/or invest in a course that just walks you through everything step by step (I don’t think that’s necessary, though, if you’re willing to gather bits of info from various places).

Ebook royalties are 70% for maximum price point of $9.99 but you get 60% royalties for paperback and can sell at any price. You did not mention that.

Thanks for adding that info. I don’t have any experience publishing a paperback on Amazon, so I didn’t cover that here. I’m only familiar with e-books.

thank you for the advice

You mention a good cover is SO important but then you mention a cost of $20 to $50. I have literally done hundreds of covers but not at that price point. Please research design fees before you quote pricing. This is one reason why people expect the moon but aren’t willing to pay for years of professional experience. You can buy a cover design for that price but I bet you wouldn’t want it on your book.

I appreciate what you have written. Thank you. about the website that you are asking in this ‘leave a comment’ are you saying that I need a website in order to publish on Amazon?

You don’t need a website to publish on Amazon.

TERRIFIC article, but you never gave a definitive answer. Are you trying to say ” Better to publish short books on KDP than long books.” You ambiguously mentioned “Marketing 60%.” That’s a big percent to throw around. Bottom line. Is it better to use KDP or truly ” SELF PUBLISH”? Sincerely GLEN

Hi Biron. Thanks for the information. I am a new writer. I am writing a very short book. It’s on my journey through cancer. This may sound strange but I’m not looking to make money. My only hope is that this book would help another on their journey. I am however looking to reach people.

I have been approached by a company that has the phrase self publish in it but the reviews I read say t may cost about $3500.

So here’s my question. Amazon or a company? if I charge it’s only to pay back for publishing. Thank you for your help.

Paying someone $3500 to publish for you isn’t exactly what I call self publishing. The whole point of Amazon KDP is that you don’t need to pay any companies for help.

You can choose which route to take, but you don’t need to pay a company thousands of dollars just to release a small book. I’d publish it myself and then invest some of that money into marketing to help get the word out about the book once it’s launched.

Thank you I found this post most insightful. I’m basically putting together a short ebook for someone else who wishes to ‘translate’ the life of a Chief Mountain Tour Guide in the first person. This has provoked some veery good questions … much appreciated.

I’m also a self-published author on kdp and have produced a video series. I’m trying to figure out how to market my videos. Do you think that promoting the series on my FB author page with a link to PayPal and then delivery via DropBox might work? Or can you suggest a better way? Thank you.

Hi Judy, did you come to figure out the best way? I have 2 children’s books ((Picture books)) that kdp printed and are sale on Amazon. I would rather just have kdp print them for me then sell them on my own via website. I have a blogging website and I really don’t want to create a website but I guess I might have to if I want to do e-commerce on my own. Let me know if you discover an easier way. Also, reviewers are major on Amazon. you need 4-5 stars from lots of people before customers will buy. I wonder if some people pay for good reviews, that wouldn’t be fair. If you want to chat, comment back. Best of Luck!

i enjoyed your honest approach to publishing on Amazon. I am now rethinking that i could make some short videos of the information and still sell my book on Amazon.

Thanks for the information. Thinking of using Amazon. Very helpful for a first timer.

Thank you so much for that vital info – truly helpful for a 1st timer!

This was extremely helpful. Thank you.

Is possible to both publish an e book on Amazon and simultaneously publish it as a hard copy with a private printer?

I believe so, yes. You’d have to check Amazon’s policies (which are always changing), but last I checked – this was possible.

This review was helpful. Thank you for a clear , concise and thoughtful assessment.

If you get an ISBN number on Amazon and then decide to go traditional/agent/publisher route, does the ISBN transfer over? Or if you get an Amazon book number can you/should you get a new ISBN with a new publisher?

I’m not sure, Stephen. That’s something I’d ask a publisher. I only self-published on Amazon and never went with a traditional publishing route.

hi thanks for this. how are you able to market or advertise your book if you publish with amazon as i thought i read you cant promote it anywhere else? its just you mention having to market it a lot yourself to get it somewhere. thanks sally

I think you can definitely promote it – on social media, on a blog/website, with ads (ads directly on Amazon would probably perform best). There are lots of ways. But the main reason people list a product on Amazon is that the website already has a massive audience – far more than you could reach through your own promotion. But it’s still competitive and hard to get noticed on that platform if your book isn’t selling well.

can i upload pictures in my book

Thanks for advice. I self-publish under Neva Bell Books on Amazon Kindle. Really easy, but does take knowledge of Amazon Kindle. Learning so much from articles like yours. Thanks! Neva Bell Books.

My impression is that sales depend on how well you can market your product. Amazon provides a platform, but your on your own to get the word out and keep your message fresh

I have a children’s book I would Like to try on Amazon, would you know how well children’s books fare ?

I’m not 100% sure, but I’m guessing they would do very well. I assume this would be fiction? In general, if you look at the top-earning self-published authors on Amazon, almost all are fiction writers. Very few are writing about business topics, entrepreneurship, careers, etc.

And also – the top earners seem to write series of books, not just one. So if you had some success with your first book, I’d look into turning it into a children’s series. Good luck!

Hi, Ellen! I too would like to advertise my children’s book with Amazon. Where did you find your illustrator? I’m thinking about using an online illustrator (fiverr.com)

Hi Elleen, I was also considering publishing a children’s book on Amazon. I was wondering if you had any success with yours and if you would recommend it to me. Let me know, Thank you

I don’t understand why self publishing your book isn’t a home run to make tons of money. If your book is relevant enough and its marketed correctly, how come ONE great book can’t sell hundreds of thousands of copies, if not millions. In terms of anything specific stopping that from happening, I don’t see any built in roadblocks that would stop a great booking from grossing a large sum of money. Where am I misguided at?

Hi Roland – great point. There’s nothing about the system/model that limits what you can earn. You’re completely right. In my experience, though, unless you’re Tony Robbins or someone, your book won’t stay on top of the Amazon rankings forever. It’ll peak, and then slowly fade.

Also, the extremely low price point of most Amazon books is one limiting factor.

I’ve been selling various things online (all digital products) for years now, and my experience is that it’s easier to get $10,000 by finding 100 people who will pay $100 for something, versus finding 1,000 people who will pay $10 for something.

Still, Amazon does provide the massive audience you’d need to make a lot of money with such a low price point. There’s nothing inherently stopping you, like you pointed out.

I just know most people sell well for a year and then fade. And the 6- and 7-figure entrepreneurs I know are using their Amazon books to build authority, lead people into a bigger product or service (like a coaching service, a course, etc.)… not as a main source of revenue.

FYI- I’ve removed my ebook from Amazon. It wasn’t making sales anymore and wasn’t related at all to my current projects/business ventures.

I’m still glad I self published an ebook on Amazon. It gave me my first experience of selling ANYTHING online. I learned how to write bullet points for a product, how to launch something, how to get customer reviews for a product, how to network, and so much more.

So… still a valuable experience that I’m thankful for, but I no longer have any books listed for sale on Amazon KDP.

Brilliant. Thank you SO much for sharing this feedback. It was exactly what I was searching for, needed and peace of mind I was desiring. Much success to you on future ventures, friend!

Thank you so much?

Is there an editor you’d recommend? Thank you, ~ D. Marie

I just want to say thank you so much for doing this, and saving removing my Great Work!

Thank you for the advice and help with your article. I have been a writer for decades and have recently had the opportunity to pursue writing a novel of fiction. I am having fun and my family and friends are super supportive. They have also been encouraging me to try to have my writing published. Your input about good vs bad for e-publishing on Amazon was very helpful. My daughter in law sent me the link. Just wanted to say thanks.

The link to your book appears broken

Thanks for letting me know. I’ve removed it from Amazon recently. I need to update the blog post, thank you!

Was it easy to remove from Amazon? Are you able to publish going the traditional route after trying to sell on Amazon?

Hey Christina – yes it’s easy to remove from Amazon, and you can definitely sell/publish elsewhere after this. I’m not a lawyer and I don’t work for Amazon so don’t take this as legal advice, but based on everything I read and my memory of this process, it was very easy.

Thank you. As an old guy and novice, I appreciated your comments.

Comments are closed.

Best Book Publishing Companies

Know the best publishing companies to stay ahead of the curve as an aspiring author.

No two companies are the same, so don’t rely on trial and error when it comes to working with publishing companies as an author.

In a world of scammy vanity companies eager to take an author’s money, you have every reason to be cautious.

It’s more important to do your research and understand which traditional and self-publishing companies can actually help you publish a book that’s high quality (without running your investment dry and selling you empty promises).

You’ve worked hard learning how to write your book . You want to make sure you choose wisely when it comes to setting up your book for publication.

So, at this stage, you’re asking, “What are the best self-publishing companies?”

Whether you want to publish a nonfiction book , fiction novel , or even if you’re writing children’s books , the path to becoming an author lies in researching which publishing companies are worth focusing on in your journey.

Want to skip the article and go straight to the assessment that will show you which self-publishing company is right for you?

Take The Self Publishing Companies Quiz!

This blog on the top publishing companies will cover:.

In today’s publishing marketplace, self-published authors are leading the pack. Now, as an authorpreneur , you have total control over the cover design, content, and distribution of your book. You get to choose when to publish and who to publish with.

You probably have lots of questions regarding self-publishing companies, such as…

• What are the pros and cons of each publishing company?
• Who is the easiest to work with when it comes to book formatting, distribution, royalty payments, or tech support?
• Do you just go with the biggest platform, like Amazon KDP , and call it a day?
• Is it worth it to publish with several other very reputable retailers and distributors to maximize your reach?

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best self-publishing companies for author, as well as the top traditional publishing companies if you choose to go that route.

By the time you are done, you will be clear on the direction your book needs to take and have greater confidence in yourself as an author , knowing your book is in the best marketplace for maximum results.

What do publishing companies do?

In the book industry, book publishing companies serve a wide variety of purposes, all related to the book’s production process. Depending on the publishing route, a book publishing company’s purpose can vary as well.

In a traditional publishing company , the author is given a book contract that basically sells their rights to the book to the publisher, who then oversees the production process.

In publishing companies that cater primarily to self-published authors , the purposes can vary as well, according to the company type. Learning how to self-publish can be daunting when you’re first starting out, and each company has something slightly different to offer. We’ll cover the main types of self-publishing companies in the next section.

What are self-publishing companies?

Self-publishing companies offer book publishing and production services to independent authors.

These companies work differently depending on the type of service provided, but ultimately each operates within the space of producing and publishing a book .

Here are the main types of self-publishing companies you can work with.

Types of Self-Publishing Companies:

Aggregator – Self-publishing company aggregators are platforms that distribute your book to several online retailers . With aggregators, the bonus here is it saves you time, energy, and money. You upload your book and aggregators distribute it to 30+ retail channels such as Apple Books or Google Play Books. An aggregator is your first step to publishing internationally.

Retailer – A self-publishing retailer company is a retailer platform that sells books exclusively through its own retail store. This includes Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo. Authors can upload books to these platforms and make book sales through these platforms. Retailers pay authors directly and some offer exclusive programs such as Amazon’s KDP Select program .

Publishing Educator – These companies provide author education programs, such as through self-publishing courses and coaching. Their mission is to help authors navigate the self-publishing process and build an author career. Some are free, but most are paid. Instead of paying college tuition, you’re paying for an online course to teach you how to publish and market a book. An example of a publishing educator would be Self-Publishing School .

Author Services – These are self-publishing companies that are mainly in the business to provide self-publishing services to authors such as ghostwriting, book editing, formatting, cover design, illustration, and more. There are some reputable companies to work with, of which, we are one.

Self-Publishing Companies vs Traditional Publishing Companies

Self-publishing companies are different from traditional publishing companies, although both typically work by transforming an author’s written manuscript into an actual book.

The difference lies in the publishing model that distinguishes self-publishing vs traditional publishing .

Traditional publishing companies are more concerned with choosing which books to publish, buying the rights to the book, handling book production, and keeping some of the author’s book royalties . In traditional publishing, the publishing company is listed as the publisher of the author’s book.

Self-publishing companies help the author oversee the entire book production and publishing process, and aren’t selective in the type of book being published. These companies usually charge a one-time fee rather than continuous book royalties. In self-publishing, it depends on which company you use whether they are listed as the publisher, or whether you are as the author.

What are the best options for self-publishing?

If you’ve decided to self-publish, there are now hundreds of publishing companies, from mega-retailers such as Amazon that sell everything, to smaller private publishers focused on specific genres.

In terms of knowing which is the best option for self-published authors, you’ll need to consider what type of self-publishing company can best meet the needs of your specific book and the services you need to get it published in the market you want.

For example, we know that Amazon has over 80% of the book market share. But if you set up your book for wide distribution through an aggregator, you can tap into a huge international market. This could lead to other publishing opportunities such as having your book sold to foreign publishers.

Other companies sell and distribute books directly through their website. They have a long reach for international distribution so your book gets pushed into the pipeline for maximum selling power.

It isn’t a question anymore of “Will I get published?” But these days the big question is, “Who do I publish with first?”

This is a very good problem to have.

Our best advice : Do your research before publishing anything, and please, don’t sign that dotted line until after you’ve read this post!

There are plenty of scammy companies that are simply vanity publishers , meaning they like to call themselves publishing companies, but they do not deliver quality services and overcharge the authors who work with them.

Avoid them.

Criteria for the Best Self-Publishing Companies

There are lots of companies out there to offer their services for publishing your book. Not all these companies are playing on the same level.

To make this list I have put together six points. Just because a self-publishing company didn’t make it here isn’t an indication you should avoid it.

Here’s the criteria we used to rate the best self-publishing companies:

Book Publishing Volume: The amount of book sales volume this company has shipped is huge. They have proven themselves in the marketplace with high shipping volume and a business model you can trust.

Reputation and Trustworthiness: These companies are legit and come recommended. Cross-check with this detailed list put together by the Alliance of Independent Authors . These companies are NOT on the blacklist of publishing companies that have been red-flagged as dangerous.

Customer Reliability: A proven track record with authors as easy to work with and trustworthy staff and communication.

Helpful Resources: These self-publishing companies have a plethora of publishing resources for authors to get the job done. Some of these services and materials are free and some are not. But what matters is they are offering what you need to get published.

Affordable: You can publish your book within your budget. While there are expenses to self-publishing , it won’t break the bank.

Subscribers List: These companies have large email lists of thousands of subscribers to their newsletters or services.

You are about to embark on an incredible journey into self-publishing. You are your own boss, you make all the creative decisions, and how fast you get your book out there into the world is really up to you and how much time you can invest in your book project.

Still feeling it? Good! Let’s move ahead.

The 11 best self-publishing companies for authors

1. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

When people think about self-publishing a book, Amazon is one of the first companies they consider. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing is a self-publishing platform where authors can publish their print and eBooks.

In the United States alone, Amazon makes up 40% of self-published digital books. So as an author, you can’t afford to ignore the power of Amazon in the book publishing space.

What makes Amazon so critical in the publishing arena? First, Amazon has a widespread reach that puts books in front of millions of browsers per day. They also offer competitive royalty rates.

For eBooks: 35% for books priced under $2.99, or 70%, for all books priced between $2.99 and $9.99.

For paperbacks and hardcovers: 60% royalties from the list price.

KDP Select Exclusivity

KDP has an exclusive program that sets it apart from the other retailers: the KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited programs for authors. There are perks to each one of these programs, such as special promotion programs, and Kindle Owners Lending Library enrollment.

The downside to joining KDP Select is that you are enrolled for 90 days in an exclusive partnership with KDP. This means you are tied to Amazon exclusively and cannot make your books available on other platforms.

So the big question is, will Amazon meet all of your self-publishing needs if you choose to do business with them exclusively?

The answer: It depends on your publishing goals.

Amazon has a big slice of the pie, but it doesn’t have the whole thing. For example, Joanna Penn mentions in this post that her book sales on the German platforms almost match Amazon sales.

As we will see in the rest of this post, there are other publishing companies that focus on pushing your book into a wider market and that means increased sales and subscribers to your platform.

Now, having said that, we know KDP is a “big deal” in the self-publishing business. But, publishing exclusively on Amazon and ignoring the other self-publishing companies could put you at certain risk as well.

What happens when Amazon decides to change something, and you suddenly lose half your income overnight?

As a first-time author, you might consider staying with Kindle Select for at least the first 90 days to build momentum for your eBook . But if you push forward and write a series of books, go wide and expand your global reach.

That is why the rest of this post introduces you to the other self-publishing companies.

2. Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes & Noble Press [Nook Press] is, according to their website, “a free, fast, and easy-to-use self-publishing service that enables you to publish and sell directly to our millions of readers.” Barnes and Noble has been a leader in the book industry for many years.

The name implies the brick-and-mortar retailer for books, but in the age of digital publication,  B&N now has a premium eBook platform that can compete with the rest of the growing eBook market.

While getting your book onto the physical shelves of Barnes & Noble proves to be a challenging task, you can set up your eBook and print book through Barnes & Noble Press.

Important things to consider with Barnes & Noble Press:

• Books published with Barnes & Noble Press retail only at their online and physical bookstores.
• Royalty rates range from 55% to 70%, depending on the price of the book.
• Resources. Barnes and Noble has many resources for authors to help with the publishing process, and they have strong affiliations with some of the best service providers in the industry.
• Partnered programs. Barnes & Noble Press has partnered with Reedsy for editorial, 99 designs for cover design, Inkubate for marketing solutions, and Girl Friday Productions for publishing resources.
• Free to upload. You can take advantage of the cheaper printing costs with Barnes & Noble when you publish directly to their site instead of going through 3rd party.

To get started with Barnes & Noble Press, simply set up a free NOOK account, register as a vendor, and work through the steps to create your book for publication on NOOK. Your book will then be live within 72 hours of hitting publish.

Note: The B&N Press platform is available for use by authors and publishers only in the following countries: United States, U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, and Belgium.

I have a confession to make: I am Canadian.

I publish primarily in the U.S. store and, if it weren’t for Kobo, I would have very few sales in the Canadian store. Why?

Founded in 2009, Kobo is a Canadian-based company out of Toronto and a subsidiary of the Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten, the world’s 14th largest Internet company.

Kobo is an open platform that supports the most popular formats, including EPUB, EPUB3, and PDF, and allows readers to buy and read digital content from various sources.

Kobo’s marketing power makes up an estimated 25% of all eBook sales in Canada. That’s huge!

Important things to consider with Kobo:

• Cost. It’s free to upload your book to Kobo.
• The royalty rate is 70% on books priced more than $2.99 in the U.S. OR 45% for books priced below $2.99.
• International power. As an international book retailer and one of the largest eBook stores, Kobo should definitely be on your list for publishing. It operates in 16 countries outside the U.S. and has over 5 million titles available in 77 languages.
• Kobo Writing Life . A great feature of Kobo is the self-publishing platform called Kobo Writing Life [KWL]. This site features an easy-to-publish platform for your books, as well as a detailed sales analytics tool to allow authors to track sales in real-time.

For more information on getting started with Kobo, check out the Kobo FAQs here.

4. Apple Books

Apple launched its self-publishing platform in 2010. The self-publishing platform for authors is Books and is relatively easy to upload your book.

Publishing on iBooks Authors is free and the royalty is a flat 70%.

Although Amazon has the longest arm of retail sales, Apple fares very well with its direct marketing approach to Mac users, making it the 2nd largest online retailer of eBooks. Why? It targets Mac users, and according to Apple Insider, there are now 100 million Mac users worldwide, making up a significant slice of the 1.8 billion active Apple devices in 2023 .

Important things to consider with Apple Books:

• You have to be a Mac user to publish directly to the Apple Store. If not, use an aggregator such as Smashwords or PublishDrive
• Free to upload and publish your book.
• The royalty rate is 70% for most books sold through Apple only.
• No browser reading . With Kindle you can read the books in the browser. Not with Mac.
• Format. iBooks authors use the ePub format that is not compatible with most other platforms.
• Availability. iBooks Authors is available in select countries only.
• Contracts. Authors can discount books for free at anytime, and there are no exclusive distribution contracts to weave through.

You can visit Apple Support here to get the steps for formatting and uploading your book to Apple Author. But one unique feature is that you can publish your book using Pages.

I would recommend you visit the Apple Books Publisher User Guide and download the checklist to make the publishing process as easy as possible.

5. selfpublishing.com (Yes, that’s us!)

When it comes to online learning for self-publishing, we have a whole gamut of resources available for you. Our CEO, Chandler Bolt , a seven-time bestselling author, has made it his mission to change the publishing industry and tilt the tables in favor of the author. Our site provides tools, author education, author services, and coaching that help you navigate the entire self-publishing process. In our online curriculum, we also offer templates, checklists, and guides, as well as open office hours and group coaching sessions every day of the week so you get questions answered fast.

Since late 2014, our company has helped over 7,000 authors become published.

For more advanced authors who have already published and are looking to scale up book revenue, we have other programs on advanced book marketing and building an online course from your book.

Reedsy is a company that provides authors with a number of self-publishing services. It has a powerful outsourcing platform that connects authors with editors, proofreaders, formatters, cover designers , marketing strategists, and ghostwriters.

Authors need lots of help getting a book ready for publication, and Reedsy makes this process simple with one-stop outsourcing. You can get an editorial assessment of your work, or a query letter review for authors looking to publish the traditional route.

The freelancers outsourced through Reedsy have profiles easily visible and this builds instant trust with authors.

Reedsy is not an aggregator or book retailer but focuses on providing educational materials and services for authors.

They do this by hosting a platform that provides reliable resources for authors to write better and prepare a book for publication.

This saves a lot of time and banging your head against the wall because you just hired another outsourcer that totally messed up your book formatting.

Lulu has been around for a very long time, and is one of the oldest publishing platforms, when they began publishing and distributing eBooks in 2009. By 2014, the publishing giant had produced 2 million books.

The process for working with Lulu is relatively straightforward. As an author, you upload your book to Lulu, and authors can purchase their own books through Lulu.

By acquiring an ISBN, your books can be distributed to online retail outlets such as Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Apple’s Bookstore.

Important things to consider with Lulu:

• Royalties . The author receives an 80% royalty for print books and a 90% royalty for eBooks after sale.
• Cost . Lulu’s eBook conversion, publishing, and distribution services are free, but they sell a variety of author services including editing, cover design, formatting, promotional services, and book marketing.
• Resources. Lulu has a plethora of education and information and houses a large platform to help authors with every step of the publishing process. Lulu has its own bookstore to sell and distribute books.

Lulu is a one-stop-shop for everything and, with the services they have, you can feel confident you’ll get your book published after using their services.

8. IngramSpark

When it comes to wide distribution for print-on-demand, this is where IngramSpark comes sliding into home base.

Before Createspace was acquired completely by Amazon , it was the main storefront for authors setting up print books. But now, KDP and IngramSpark work closely together to print and distribute hard copies through print-on-demand.

IngramSpark has made huge strides in the last couple of years. As part of the Ingram Group, they boast to be the industry’s largest global book distribution network to over 39,000 libraries, bookstores, online retailers, and schools and universities. Ingram also distributes to the top online retailers: Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, and Nook.

Important things to consider with IngramSpark:

• Formats and Quality Print . Ingram “prints everything” from novels and graphic novels to children’s books and business textbooks. Ingram offers hardcovers as well as paperbacks and high-quality print jobs, an option that KDP doesn’t have.
• Pricing. $49 for print & eBook together. Or, $49 for each if you do it separately.
• Royalties. For distribution orders, Ingram Book Company takes 15-25% from the wholesale discount, and the rest goes to the retailer. You receive a 40% royalty when selling through IngramSpark only. But, opt out of Amazon, and you will receive a 45% royalty of the list price.
• ISBN required. Learn how to get an ISBN for your book if you plan to publish with IngramSpark.

Should I go with IngramSpark or KDP?

Suggestion: Both KDP and IngramSpark are recommended. Here are 3 reasons why…

• KDP charges less for print books and it is free to upload and publish.
• KDP has expanded distribution but it is through Ingramspark . The distribution services of Ingram are definitely above and beyond the rest.
• IngramSpark has far better quality and offers superior book bindings and hardcover printing.  

9. PublishDrive

A relatively new company, PublishDrive is making big strides as a core aggregator. Created by Kinga Jentetics when she was looking for a way to publish her master’s thesis, PublishDrive was created to help other authors launch their dreams. Kinga Jentetics was named by Forbes magazine as one of the top female entrepreneurs under 30 and one of the top 100 female founders.

“ With PublishDrive you can focus on the most important job: creating beautiful content, meanwhile the rest of the operational work is handled by PublishDrive.”

PublishDrive is an Apple-approved aggregator and Google partner, making it a powerhouse for global distribution.

Important things to consider with PublishDrive :

• Cost. Most retailers or distributors charge a royalty rate for sales. PublishDrive charges a monthly subscription rate and you keep 100% of sales. If you choose not to go with the monthly subscription PublishDrive charges a flat rate of 10% on all sales.
• Distribution Power. It has over 400 stores worldwide with direct distribution to Apple Books, Kobo, Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble Press, and Google Books.
• Support Team. PublishDrive has a core team of specialists with 24/7 support.

For more information about PublishDrive, check out the PublishDrive FAQs .

10. Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital (D2D) is a self-publishing aggregator company.

The website states: “As a writer, you want to write. So when it comes to publishing, you could use a little support. We make it easy. Keep writing. Keep your rights. We’ll help with the rest.”

D2D provides a very easy method to upload your book within minutes and have it live on the site within 24 hours.

When it comes to aggregators, whereas Smashwords was once the King of the Hill, D2D has since acquired Smashwords and taken over the top spot. Draft2Digital is the preferred platform for many self-publishers now.

Important things to consider with Draft2Digital :

• Cost. On Draft2Digital, there are no fees for using their service.
• Royalties. As an author, you keep approximately 60% of royalties. D2D keeps 10% of all sales and the stores keep 30%.
• Formatting. D2D handles the formatting for free and that makes this a huge selling point when compared to Smashwords.
• Distribution. D2D distributes to Amazon, whereas Smashwords doesn’t. If being published on Amazon, the world’s largest retailer, is important to you this feature is huge.
• Universal Book Links. One major feature of Draft2Digital is they provide authors with access to International Book Links . This can be a major advantage for readers not shopping on Amazon for their favorite books. As an author, instead of having to create links for all the sites, D2D provides you with one link for the book.

For more information on Draft2Digital check out the FAQ page.

11. StreetLib

StreetLib is an Italian-based distributor with a strong presence in Europe, mainly Latin America and Europe.

With its expanding international reach, in February 2019 StreetLib launched digital portals for authors and publishers in 20 countries across 6 continents, with 5 in Africa.

Similar to the other aggregators on this list, StreetLib is aiming to distribute books wide to all international markets but the site does have a unique feature: The dashboard is configured for multiple languages such as Italian, Hindi, English, and Spanish , and they are adding more as they grow.

In my opinion, this is a site to watch because it is showing exponential growth as Streetlib now moves into the African continent and is building out a distribution channel across all of Europe as well as the Western countries.

StreetLib distributes to all of the major retailers: Amazon, Google Play, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, OverDrive, Indigo, Kobo, Tolino, and Google Play Books.

You can check out the StreetLib pricing here but basically, they take 10% of each eBook sale and you get 60%.

If you are looking to break into the European market [and beyond] StreetLib is definitely worth investing in.

Other Book Publishing Companies

While this article covers the best self-publishing companies to work with, it can be helpful to know what other publishing companies are out there, so that you can know the book publishing industry well.

Top Audiobook Publishing Companies

The two primary places to publish audiobooks are ACX (which publishes audiobooks to Amazon’s Audible platform) and Findaway Voices (publishing audiobooks wide to multiple platforms).

There are also up-and-coming audio companies like Soundwise and Lantern Audio , which allow you to make audiobooks for their platform.

Authors Republic also allows you to fully and independently publish your audiobook so you can decide where you want to distribute it.

As audiobooks become more popular with each passing year, it is important to give these companies a look. As always, you’ll want to make sure you retain the rights, earn as high of royalties as possible, and have control over pricing and such.

Top Traditional Publishing Companies

The traditional publishing space is dominated by five publishing companies , which hold the majority of the market share, commonly known as The Big 5 . These companies hold a lot of power and prestige in the traditional book industry, but they are also extremely difficult to land a book deal with. These companies typically only publish authors who already have a strong social brand and following.

• Penguin Random House . This American publishing company was merged in 2013 from Random House and Penguin Group (part of Pearson). It has published over 15,000 titles annually under its 250 different divisions and trade names.
• Harper Collins . This publishing company is part of NewsCorp, and is headquartered in New York. It has many other trade names, or imprints.
• Simon & Schuster . This American publishing company is part of the CBS Corporation, and was founded in 1924. This company publishes over 2,000 titles annually under 35 different imprints.
• Hachette . This traditional publishing company is owned by the largest publishing company in France, which is Hachette Livre. It is also the 3rd largest publishing company for trade and educational books.
• MacMillan . This global publishing company has offices in 41 countries worldwide, and operates in 30 others. It is widely known for its education textbook publishing, but it has various divisions and imprints.

How to Best Leverage Book Publishing Companies

Publishing wide means getting your book out into as many stores, platforms, and online retail shops as you can.

And the most effective way to publish wide and scale up your book’s success means leveraging different self-publishing companies for different purposes.

That’s why we recommend using a combination of self-publishing companies to scale up and maximize your book sales and success.

Here’s an example of how to use the best self-publishing companies:

• Enroll in an author education program to work with a proven plan that walks you through the steps to launching a bestseller.
• Sign up for our program, get the author services you need , and work with a personal coach to walk you through the steps to launching a bestseller.
• For first-time authors, enroll in KDP Select for the first 90 days to gain traction on your book. But then, building out your platform, look at setting your book up for long-term success in deeper international markets.
• On IngramSpark , reaching a global audience with Ingram’s wide distribution network.
• On Kobo , you are tapped into the Canadian market and taking advantage of big book sales there.
• PublishDrive is distributing your book to Amazon, Apple Books, Google, Barnes & Noble, and local distributors.
• With StreetLib you are branching out further into the European markets and the African continent.

Ready to Start Your Self-Publishing Journey Today?

I know this looks like a lot of work, and you could expend tons of effort without seeing much result at first. But I promise it will be worth it if you put in the work and follow a proven process.

Now that you have a solid list of the best self-publishing companies there are today, what is holding you back?

The decision to publish and make a living as a bestselling international author is now up to you. If you’re ready to take the next step with your book, click the button below.

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Date of experience : August 07, 2024

• The Education Gradebook

Major publishers sue Florida over ‘unconstitutional’ book ban law

• Ian Hodgson Times staff

A coalition of the nation’s largest book publishers filed a lawsuit Thursday against Florida education officials alleging that a 2023 Florida law that increased scrutiny of school library books unconstitutionally limits free speech.

The lawsuit, which was filed by Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins and three other publishers in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Orlando, also named school board members in Orange and Volusia County school districts.

Florida Department of Education spokesperson Sydney Booker described the lawsuit as a “stunt” in an email to the Tampa Bay Times.

“There are no books banned in Florida,” Booker wrote. “Sexually explicit material and instruction are not suitable for schools.”

Orange County Public Schools had not been served with the complaint by 2 p.m. Thursday and had no comment, district spokesperson Michael Ollendorff said. The district pulled 673 books from teachers’ classroom shelves , the Orlando Sentinel reported in December 2023.

The complaint alleges that hundreds of titles have been banned from Florida school districts since the law went into effect last year. Those titles include “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens and “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank.

The law, HB 1069, requires school librarians to remove books that contain “sexual conduct,” with no consideration of the work’s educational or artistic merit, according to the complaint. Once a parent or resident of the county objects to the book, it must be removed within five days and remain unavailable until the objection is resolved.

The lawsuit seeks to restore educator’s ability to “evaluate books holistically to avoid harm to students who will otherwise lose access to a wide range of viewpoints,” according to a statement.

“Florida HB 1069′s complex and overbroad provisions have created chaos and turmoil across the state, resulting in thousands of historic and modern classics — works we are proud to publish — being unlawfully labeled obscene and removed from shelves,” Penguin Random House associate general counsel Dan Novack wrote.

“As publishers dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and the right to read, the rise in book bans across the country continues to demand our collective action,” according to the emailed statement. “Fighting unconstitutional legislation in Florida and across the country is an urgent priority.”

Penguin Random House also joined a November 2023 lawsuit filed by PEN America, a free-speech advocacy organization, against Escambia County School Board over that district’s implementation of the rule. The law was also challenged by three parents in St. Johns and Orange counties in lawsuit filed in June.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Ian Hodgson is a data reporter covering education. He can be reached at [email protected].

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