How to get a book review

E-publishing and POD (print on demand) have opened book publishing to many more authors, which is a good thing, but there’s also a downside.  With as many as 1,500 books being published every day in the US alone, there’s a lot more competition for readers’ attention.

It’s difficult to make a connection.  This is particularly true for new indie and small house authors.  Scams and overpriced marketing services bombard an author with sure fire schemes to get your work in front of 100,000 subscribers.  Not having tried any of these methods, I should state I don’t know if they’re effective.  However, I’ve heard enough anecdotal evidence to suggest avoidance.  I refuse to pay to promote my Facebook page.

Okay, so that leaves me with self-promotion via Facebook groups, Goodreads, and this blog.  I’m also trying traditional methods such as giving out bookmarks and even a book signing at a local shop next month.  Like many of my fellow less established authors, one thing I’ve really struggled with is getting reviews.  While there are several acknowledged review services (Kirkus & Midwest come to mind) they charge hefty fees with no guarantees.  I understand the concept of paying for value, but paying for a review is not something I’m comfortable doing.  That leaves me with asking readers, exchanging books with fellow authors, and submitting to reviewing blogs.  Until recently I focused on the first two and paid very little attention to the third option.  I suspect I was making a big mistake.

Earlier in the summer I submitted Misaligned:  The Celtic Connection to Books4Tomorrow (http://bookstomorrow.blogspot.com) asking for a book review.  They’re a non-pay group that provides reviews .  If they accept your book for review, all they ask is for a copy of the book.  Given that they don’t accept every book and I had no connection to them, my goal was simply to get accepted.  While I wasn’t included on their blog, they did accept Misaligned for a book review.  They posted their review on Goodreads, Amazon, and the Barnes & Noble sites.

Their review was published about six weeks after I sent them my story, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results.  If you’re having trouble getting reviews or like me you’re unsure about approaching bloggers, I strongly encourage you to reconsider.  I’m certainly glad I did.

Thanks for reading.

Armen

Books4Tomorrow review of Misaligned:  The Celtic Connection, by Ellen Fritz:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK WILL KEEP YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT!, August 15, 2013

“Misaligned” is a brilliant combination of modern fantasy, Celtic myth and Arthurian legend. When the shadows from Penny’s recurring nightmares creep up on her during school lunch, she hurls her tapioca at them. Although she isn’t blamed for the ensuing tapioca fight, she is introduced into a whole new world of other dimensions, portals and creatures of legend. Add to this a talking raven and an ambitious archeologist and Penny, together with her friend Duncan, her cat Simon, and their science teacher Mr. Myrdin enter into a highly exciting and dangerous adventure.

Wow, did I enjoy this book! Apart from the general excitement, action and suspense of the story, the author keeps it utterly fascinating with vivid and frequent descriptions of Celtic customs and druidic rituals. He skillfully incorporates a legend concerning King Arthur, his knights and Merlin into this story. Throw into the tale some mythical creatures like Cait Sith, a Grimalkin and the Bodach and “Misaligned” is a book that you wouldn’t want to put down.

The characters are absolutely realistic. Penny Preston, the main character, and her friend Duncan are about thirteen to fourteen years old and they behave like young people their age should. Neither highly popular nor completely unpopular, Penny is just a normal school girl with a talent for swimming and a desire to excel at her school work.

While Penny, Duncan and Mr. Myrdin are trying to prevent disaster, a highly ambitious archeologist is making a deal with a being from another dimension in order to achieve her goals. Too bad Scotland Yard and the FBI are looking for the link to a major ring of antiquities smugglers.

Suitable for readers of all ages, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and begging for more. Five stars for a brilliant, unique and extremely interesting book. (Ellen Fritz)

More about the Misaligned series

Amazon affiliate link for Misaligned: The Celtic Connection

Now Available!!! Book Two – Misaligned:  The Silver Scepter.  Why is an ancient Celtic spirit plaguing Piper Falls with a rash of pranks?  What’s it got to do with the discovery of a mythical Iroquois scepter?  Learn the answers with Penny, Duncan, Simon, and her other-worldly teachers as they unravel the mystery of the Silver Scepter.

Amazon affiliate link for Misaligned: The Silver Scepter