In the world of promotions, book reviews are a great source to utilize in order to strengthen and bolster your efforts.

As a newly published author, getting book reviews can be a challenge, but it’s certainly not insurmountable.

The first step that you could take is to have your close friends and family write reviews. However, FTC regulations require that relationships between the reviewer and the author be disclosed as part of the review. This practice ensures that readers can trust the authenticity of a review. Too many such reviews by personal contacts can call into question the quality of your work. Essentially, third-party reviews are a more credible option.

Now, receiving further reviews can seem like an uphill battle; however, we are here to give you a few tips on how to get even more feedback about your newly published book.

If you’ve flipped through your local newspaper, a magazine or perhaps, on an even larger scale, The New York Times, odds are you have seen a section that features book reviews. Reviews that are found in published pieces are also known as professional book reviews.

This type of review is held in high esteem because of the validity and credibility they exude. At Dorrance, we offer our authors the opportunity to work with two respected sources that will offer an unbiased and independent review of your new book.

Let’s take a look!

Clarion ForeWord Reviews – This resource is ideal for books that haven’t received a great deal of attention.  In each issue of the Clarion ForeWord Reviews, dozens of reviews about new titles are featured alongside articles that preview category trends, and peer editorial and opinion pieces. When you purchase a professional book review, you’ll have the opportunity to read the review prior to distribution; if you’re happy with the content, it can then be included in Clarion ForeWord Reviews.

Kirkus Indie Reviews­­ – Another outlet you can consider using is Kirkus Indie Reviews. This service has been trusted to review books since 1933. Your book will be read by experienced professionals who will write an honest, impartial review of your book. Again, once the review is complete, you will get the chance to read it and decide if you would like it posted to their website. The Kirkus Indie Reviews website features more than 300,000 original reviews to help readers find a new release.

Book reviews come in all shapes and sizes; however, they are all descriptive, sometimes critical, and always offer an evaluative take on a book. No matter what type of review, they are an important weapon to keep in your book promotion arsenal!

Learn more about how to obtain a professional review of your book here!