To say that book reviews are important is an understatement. Book reviews can set the tone on how the reading public treats your book. For ReadersMagnet Review, book reviews can make or break a writer’s career.

For book writers, especially self-published authors, having your book reviewed is perhaps the most exciting yet anxious moments in one’s writing career. However, one can choose to embrace a more positive mindset: at least someone with authority is noticing your book.

For book reviewers, especially those objective critics, it’s like unearthing a delicate anthropological find. One wrong move and you end up presenting a broken jar instead of a magnificent relic from the past.

Always chase opportunities for book reviews. Unless you’re super famous. Or notorious.

Unless you have done something that merits international attention or global outrage, you can’t get people to check on you or whatever it is you are trying to talk about. It’s the unspoken truth in the publishing industry as well.

There are a number of ways to have your book reviewed. However, it is important to observe a very important ethical behavior. You should never offer cash, free or discounted product, and favor of any kind in exchange for a favorable review of your material, be it a manuscript or a publish book.

You can venture on the following provided that you declare beforehand that you are open to criticism, positive or negative and would not require the other parties to issue a biased appraisal of your book:

• Create a series of automated mailing list, invite readers and request for a review of your book.

• Search for bloggers who are interested in the genre you are writing in and email them a copy.

• Try Amazon book reviewers. Look for their corresponding review site or email and take your chances.

• Maximize one or two social media platforms for regular postings about your book and ask them for reviews.

• Join book review groups who are keen on giving away free book reviews.

• Interact with the online community and make use of the comment section to build relationships and solicit reviews.

• Lastly, look into the possibility of getting book review services through trusted self-publishing companies like ReadersMagnet.

Most self-publishing companies that offer book review services actually link with established book and literary review companies. If you are going to avail of book review services, be sure to choose the right company with good credentials and online reputation. Furthermore, check on their previous works. According to Karen Ball,

A good review is balanced. It takes into account that we all have likes and dislikes, and while this book may not be our cup of tea, it could be someone else’s absolute favorite. (Hey, it could happen!) Yes, share your honest opinion. But realize that’s what it is. Your opinion. A subjective evaluation of what you’ve read. No more, no less.

A good review is about the book, not the author. Focus on the writing, on the treatment of the topic, on the characters, on the storyline, on the research, on the facts, and so on. Don’t make judgment calls about the author’s faith, intelligence, relationships, parenting skills, parentage, or whatever. A reviewer’s job is to share your opinion of the book. You don’t have the right to go beyond that.

A good review is about the author’s craft, not the book’s packaging. Don’t base your review on the cover or endorsements or things over which, I guarantee you, most traditionally published writers have absolutely no control.  (Now, if the authors are indie, then yes, they control those things…) But remember, what you’re reviewing is the writing, not the packaging.

A good book review doesn’t give an extensive summary of the book and then one or two lines about your thoughts. Readers can get the summary from lots of places. What they want to know is what you thought of the writing, the message, the story.”

ReadersMagnet Marketing Services features book review service packages in partnership with reputable institutions such as the Kirkus Indie Review, BlueInk Review, Foreword Clarion Review, IndieReader Review, the US Review of books & Eric Hoffer Award, the Pacific Book Review & Pacific Book Awards, and the City Book Review & Sponsored Review. Service packages vary with each program.