Book Review Service

Kirkus Indie Review

Kirkus Indie is a fee-for-review program of the semi-monthly book evaluation magazine Kirkus Reviews. Originally called Kirkus Discoveries and launched in 2005, Kirkus Indie is dedicated to the review of self-published books. Self-published authors will find Kirkus Indie an indispensable tool to market and build awareness for their books. The service gives authors the chance to get their work reviewed by a qualified professional from the Kirkus’ pool of reviewers that include “librarians, nationally published journalists, creative executives and more.” But authors get more than just an unbiased, professional review of their work. With a Kirkus Indie Review to their name, self-published authors now have greater opportunity to build their author brand and get noticed by literary agents and publishers.

BlueInk Review

BlueInk Review is founded by book review editor Patti Thorn and literary agent Patty Moosbrugger. Thorn used to work for the now-defunct Denver, CO newspaper Rocky Mountain News. While at the Rocky, several authors approached Thorn to get a positive review for their books to boost sales. Most of these books were in need of excellent quality copyediting. Concerned about the poor quality of many self-published works then coming out and having rightly predicted the growth of self-publishing as an industry trend, Thorn offers professional book reviews to self-published authors, with an emphasis on quality. So with Moosbrugger who has represented several New York Times bestselling authors, she founded BlueInk Review. BlueInk Review’s pool of book critics and reviewers includes professionals who have written for magazines and have worked for publishing houses as editors.  

Foreword Clarion Review

Founded by the independent media company Foreword Magazine, Inc. in 2001, Clarion Review is geared towards independent and self-published authors who have published their works but struggle to get noticed in the overcrowded publishing landscape. With a Clarion Review, authors get more than just a capsule summary of their book. They get a professional objective book review written by a qualified reviewer who will compose the text with the booksellers, librarians, and readers in mind.

IndieReader Review

IndieReader’s team of professional reviewers includes journalists, teachers, librarians, and even published writers, all carefully vetted to make sure they are competent to write a professional objective book review for self-published and independent authors

US Review of Books & Eric Hoffer Award

The US Review of Books is different than other book review publications in the sense that it seeks out competent, well-qualified professionals, even freelance writers, to write book reviews. Each reviewer could add a unique voice but they must follow strict guidelines when writing book reviews for the publication. People who write for the US Review of Books came from different educational and professional backgrounds. They share one thing in common: a love for books and reading. The US Review of Book supports the Eric Hoffer Award for Books, which is judged by a separate panel that is under the direction of the Eric Hoffer Project and is not in any way influenced by the publication. The US Review of Books simply publishes their results each year.

Pacific Book Review & Pacific Book Awards

Founded in 2005, Pacific Book Review specializes in “authoritative, objective book reviews, written by specialists selected for their knowledge and expertise in each genre.” It reviews books for well-known and established authors as well as new and emerging authors. Pacific Book Review also reviews manuscripts, eBooks, ARCs (advance reader’s copy), CDs, and DVDs, and, unlike other review publications, offers additional services for authors.

City Book Review & Sponsored Review

Founded in 2008 and based in Sacramento, California, City Book Review prides itself on “helping readers find their next favorite book.” The company publishes book reviews under the following brands: San Francisco Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Seattle Book Review, Kids’ BookBuzz, and Tulsa Book Review, which the company licensed in 2015. City Book Review reviews 300 books a month in more than 40 genres. The company accepts books for general (free) review that are within 90 days of their publication date. For books that are more than 90 days past publication date, City Book Review offers a Sponsored Review.