“How to get your book accepted for review?” this is a question that I hear from both authors and bloggers because it affects both sides. So I thought I’d put together my personal tips for getting a book accepted for review on my blog. These can help on any blog you are looking at.
1. Check out the blog to see if it’s a good fit for your book.
I can usually tell when someone has gone straight to my contact page and gotten my email. The books usually don’t fit my blog at all and it’s sent directly to my email and not through my request form. Looking around a blog first can help your chances a lot because you can get an idea for what they like to read (genres, what authors they like, etc). That way you don’t waste time sending a request and being rejected because the book doesn’t fit the blog. I’ve had to say many times that my blog is for historical romances only when answering a request because I like to give a reason.
2. Check their review policy.
My review policy will give you tons of info on how my blog works and has the form to request a review. It explains my rating system, what genres I accept, what I won’t review, what I like in books, what formats I accept, where else I post my reviews. It will help you know if your book is a good fit too and answer many questions you might have like if I will accept a book with a deadline for review. 99% of book blogs have these to save you and themselves time in the long run. If they have a form on that page it’s the best way to request a review so your message doesn’t go to spam or get lost in their inbox.
3. Make it personal when contacting them.
If you make your message personal it makes your chances higher for being accepted. Especially if you’re not sure your book fits my blog and you can send me the request with the message or on my regular contact page. It really does help if you use my name and/or include something that you noticed on my blog to get my attention. I accepted a book for review that didn’t fully fit my blog (was a historical romance, but with time travel). I accepted it because the message included was personal by using my name and talking about a post I had done on TV shows I love. Many bloggers are the same way because you make a connection with them on something and they take another look at your request. About me pages usually have the blogger’s name (may be their real name or how they like to be referred to when contacted) so you know how to addressee them in your message.
4. Double check your info and message before sending.
I know it’s easier when contacting multiple blogs to copy and paste the same message (I do it), but double-check things before sending. I’ve been called totally different names (like Ashley instead of Kelly) and even had my blog called another blog’s name. This can at times hurt you because it can seem like you don’t know who you are contacting or that you are contacting every blog you see when you don’t correct it. This falls into #1 and #3 too. If you fill out a form check your info to make sure it’s correct. For example, I ask for websites so I can link to the author’s site in my review, but when something is off in the site listed on the form (a letter missing, weird icon added or misspellings). I then have to find the site myself and make sure it’s the right one and that it’s not a scammer. You don’t want a blogger to link to someone else’s site or call you a different name because the info was mixed up.
5. Remeber they have a schedule for their blog.
If you have a deadline for the review give enough notice and be mindful of the blog’s schedule. I usually can move things around if they book has a deadline, but I have a schedule that not only includes reviews but also tours, blasts, spotlights, and blitzes that I can’t move. If you need a review right away and it’s a busy time for my blog I may have to pass and will explain this. Pretty much every blog has a schedule like this so like in #2 check policies beforehand. If you don’t have a deadline be prepared for it to take time to get to your book because most blogs read in the order received if there is no deadline. Some also stop accepting books for a time if they have many to read and don’t want you to be waiting a long time. Many ARC readers also like to include buy or preorder links so that can delay a review if those aren’t available yet.
6. Don’t write them off if they don’t accept.
There are many reasons for bloggers to not accept a book so don’t write them off when it comes to another book. If your book was turned down due to the genre or it wasn’t something they weren’t interested in don’t loose hope. If you write in different genres that are accepted or have another book or series check back because it might just be accepted. I may not be into one book, but might be into another by the same author for many reasons. Bloggers tastes change so check back to see if they open up to more genres.
7. If you have questions ask.
If you’re not sure about you book fitting the blog, want to get to know the blogger first, or have questions just ask. That’s what the regular contact form or email is for and it’s not a waste of time. I love answering questions and getting to know an author even if they don’t submit a review request. If your book fits a blog, but you aren’t fully sure (like it’s a historical romance, but also something not listed) and don’t want to submit a request. Then reach out, introduce yourself, and ask questions and talk about the book. That book may be something they have never read before or never knew about and are glad you reached out.
8. Don’t send a book file in your first contact and be friendly.
Sending a file right away without asking first is the fastest way to be turned down. Always contact or submit a request and have it accepted before sending a file. I will not touch that file out of fears of viruses since we have never talked before and you have not asked. These kinds of contacts usually include wording along the lines of “Here’s my book and I need it reviewed by this date”. Wording like that doesn’t help at all even when not including a file. Being friendly will always help you in the long run. Most bloggers are the same way when it comes to files and being friendly.
