Getting Reviews for Your New Book

Getting reviews.

Take a journey with Ms. Virginia Bean 

Actually it's a bit easier than it used to be. I give kudos to the first reviewer of my new book, "Conquering your Goliaths--A Parable of the Five Stones." She was quick and professional and I appreciated her perspective on my book.

"...With each stone Ms. Bean is given, she begins to apply its meaning to her life to make significant changes. Readers follow along with her as she motivates herself to overcome negative thinking and acquire new skills. She also learns to accept that every negative experience she’s ever had has been necessary to develop her independence and overall well-being" (Roberta Goodman).

Ten years ago:

• I didn't know anything about twitter (was it even in existence?) and couldn't get the word out to reviewers. Everything was sent by email. 
• No one EVER took a PDF copy copy of ANY manuscript. All books had to be submitted directly through snail mail and they always had to be PAPER copies. 
• I had to wait for a review for WEEKS sometimes MONTHS before it was online. This one came in a matter of a couple of weeks. Yes, many reviews still take longer, but you never know when you're going to get a lucky break.
• Some reviewers even give you a list of other reviewers that you can contact because they are too bogged down with their own set of books to review yours. This NEVER happened 10 years ago.
• Many reviewers have a blog devoted to book reviews, and while not all of them will take a hankering to your genre, those that do are usually quick to respond to review requests. 
• Reviewers are also book writers themselves--they know what it takes to write and then promote a book, and because of this knowledge, many are eager to help you with a review. 
• I wasn't connected to any writing sites, although I'm sure there were some. I had no idea that a writer could get a reviewer by joining a group that caters to books.

Suffice it to say, the Internet (as well as my Internet prowess) has grown by leaps and bounds since the first time I promoted a book. And let's just say, today the journey has been made that much sweeter.