TGEP Book Publicity and Marketing Library
Book Reviews and Review Copies
A complete guide to obtaining, supplying, using and responding to book reviews
Book reviews help readers evaluate books, support bookseller and library decisions, create media visibility and provide publishers with independent commentary that may be used in publicity. This guide explains the differences between editorial, trade, media and reader reviews, how review copies should be prepared and distributed, how authors should approach reviewers, what ethical limits apply and how review coverage should be recorded and used.
Article Navigation
Book Reviews and Review Copies: Complete Guide
Use this page as a complete reference or move directly to the question most relevant to your review campaign.
1. What Is a Book Review?
A book review is an assessment, discussion or response to a published or forthcoming book. It may summarise the work, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, place it within a genre or subject area and help readers decide whether the book may interest them.
Reviews range from detailed newspaper or journal criticism to short comments posted by readers on retailer websites. Their authority and purpose vary considerably. A review from a recognised trade publication, literary journal or specialist expert serves a different function from a brief star rating written by a retail customer.
Authors and publishers should therefore avoid speaking about “reviews” as though all reviews carry equal editorial, commercial or professional weight. The source, reviewer, disclosure, audience and independence of the review should always be considered.
Review activity should be connected with the Book Launch, Press Release, Author Media Kit, Author Social Media and Book Marketing and Distribution plan.
Purpose and Value
2. Why Book Reviews Matter
Reviews can support discovery, credibility, professional evaluation and long-term book visibility.
Reader Decision-Making
Reviews help readers understand the book’s subject, style, intended audience and possible strengths or limitations.
Managing ReadersBookseller and Library Interest
Credible review coverage may assist booksellers, librarians and institutions when considering selection, ordering or events.
Distribution GuideMedia Visibility
Reviews may lead to interviews, articles, event invitations or wider discussion of the author’s subject.
Media InterviewsSearch Discoverability
Reviews published on credible websites create searchable references to the book, author, publisher and subject.
Book MetadataPublicity Material
Brief authorised quotations from reviews may support covers, websites, catalogues, advertisements and event material.
Author Media KitEditorial Understanding
Reviews may reveal how independent readers and critics interpret the book after publication.
Author Career PlanningReview Categories
3. The Main Types of Book Reviews
Different reviews serve different readers, markets and professional purposes.
Trade Reviews
Reviews written for booksellers, libraries and publishing professionals, often before publication.
Newspaper Reviews
Editorial coverage published in national, regional or local newspapers, supplements and cultural sections.
Literary Journal Reviews
Reviews examining literary quality, form, language, context and cultural significance.
Literary MagazinesSpecialist Reviews
Reviews by subject experts, professional publications, academic journals or specialist organisations.
Reader Reviews
Reviews posted by readers on retailer websites, reading platforms, blogs or social-media accounts.
Paid Editorial Reviews
Reviews commissioned from professional review services for a stated fee, normally without a guarantee of favourable judgement.
Academic Reviews
Critical assessments published in scholarly journals or professional publications.
Book-Blog Reviews
Reviews published by independent bloggers serving particular genres, subjects or reader communities.
Video and Audio Reviews
Reviews or discussions published through YouTube, podcasts, short video or other broadcast formats.
4. What Is an Editorial Review?
An editorial review is usually written by a critic, journalist, publication, professional reviewer, trade journal, specialist organisation or recognised review service. It is distinct from an ordinary customer review.
Editorial reviews may be commissioned or selected independently. A paid editorial review can still be critical and independent if the service makes clear that payment buys professional consideration, not praise.
An editorial review may include:
- A concise description of the book
- Assessment of structure, style, argument or storytelling
- Discussion of the intended readership
- Comparison with related works
- Comment on originality or relevance
- Identification of strengths and weaknesses
- An overall critical judgement
Publishers should preserve the complete review, publication date, reviewer name, source link and any usage conditions. A selected quotation should never distort the meaning of the full review.
Public Response
5. Reader Reviews and Customer Reviews
Reader reviews can be useful indicators of response, but they should not be confused with professional editorial criticism.
Retailer Reviews
Reviews placed on online book-retailer pages by customers or platform users.
Reading-Community Reviews
Reviews posted on book-discovery and reading-network platforms.
Social-Media Reviews
Public responses posted through Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, X or similar channels.
Social Media for AuthorsBook-Club Responses
Comments, recommendations or discussions arising from organised reading groups.
Blog Reviews
Longer reviews published by readers or independent reviewers on personal or specialist websites.
Newsletter Reviews
Recommendations and assessments shared through literary, professional or community newsletters.
Review Materials
6. What Is a Review Copy?
A review copy is a complimentary copy supplied to a reviewer, journalist, bookseller, librarian, broadcaster or other eligible professional for possible independent coverage.
A review copy is not payment for praise.
The recipient may review the book positively, negatively or not at all. Unless a specific review arrangement has been agreed, sending a complimentary copy does not create an obligation to publish coverage.
Publishers should decide who qualifies for review copies, which formats are available and how requests will be assessed. This avoids unnecessary printing and protects the campaign from fraudulent requests.
Review-Copy Contents
7. What Should Accompany a Review Copy?
Reviewers should receive accurate information without being overwhelmed by promotional material.
Book Information
Include the official title, author, publisher, publication date, format, price and ISBN.
Brief Description
Supply a concise approved summary rather than a long marketing document.
Author Biography
Provide a current biography relevant to the book and the intended coverage.
Media Contact
Identify who can arrange interviews, answer questions and supply images.
Publication Status
State whether the book is forthcoming, newly published or already available.
Review Embargo
Where applicable, state clearly when coverage may be published.
Image Access
Provide links to approved author photographs and high-resolution cover files.
Availability Links
Supply verified publisher, retailer or distributor links for reference.
Terminology
8. ARC, Proof and Review Copy: What Is the Difference?
These terms are often used loosely, but they do not always mean the same thing.
| Term | Typical Meaning | Publication Stage | Possible Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Reading Copy | A pre-publication edition sent to reviewers, booksellers and media | Before official publication | May contain minor errors or unfinished design details |
| Uncorrected Proof | A proof-stage edition circulated before all corrections are complete | Before final approval | Should not be quoted for exact page references without checking |
| Galley | A preliminary typeset version used for checking or advance circulation | Before final publication | Pagination and layout may change |
| Review Copy | A complimentary copy supplied for possible review | Before or after publication | May be a finished book, ARC, PDF or ebook |
| Finished Copy | The final published edition supplied after production is complete | At or after publication | More expensive to manufacture and post |
| Digital Review Copy | A protected or ordinary electronic file supplied for review | Before or after publication | Some reviewers accept only specific formats |
Format Decisions
9. Physical or Digital Review Copies?
The correct format depends on the reviewer, book type, budget and campaign.
Physical Review Copies
Physical books may create a stronger reading and presentation experience, particularly for illustrated, design-led or gift titles.
- Suitable for print media and some established reviewers
- Useful for photography and video coverage
- More expensive to print and post
- Requires address verification and tracking
Digital Review Copies
Digital copies reduce production and postage costs and can be supplied internationally within minutes.
- Useful for broad or international campaigns
- Allows rapid delivery
- May use PDF, EPUB or platform access
- Some reviewers prefer printed books
Targeting
10. How to Choose the Right Reviewers
A smaller list of relevant reviewers is usually more effective than a large untargeted mailing.
Genre Relevance
Confirm that the reviewer regularly covers the book’s genre, category or subject.
Audience Relevance
Consider whether the reviewer reaches readers who may genuinely be interested.
Review Quality
Read previous reviews to assess thoughtfulness, independence and clarity.
Submission Policy
Check whether the reviewer is accepting books and which formats are permitted.
Professional Identity
Verify the publication, platform, reviewer name and contact information.
Geographical Relevance
Local and regional reviewers may be valuable where the author, setting or launch has a meaningful connection.
11. How to Request a Book Review
A review request should be brief, specific and addressed to a reviewer whose interests genuinely match the book.
A professional request should include:
- The reviewer’s correct name
- The book title and author
- A concise description of the book
- The reason the book may suit that reviewer
- The publication date and format
- Available review-copy formats
- A link to the media kit or publisher page
- A clear statement that coverage is not assumed
- Professional contact information
Do not attach a large manuscript without permission. Ask whether the reviewer is interested and which format is preferred.
Request Structure
12. Review Request Email Framework
The message should be adapted for each recipient rather than copied to a large visible mailing list.
Subject Line
State the title, genre or subject and that the message concerns a review copy.
Relevant Introduction
Explain briefly why the book may suit the reviewer’s coverage interests.
Book Summary
Present the central subject or story in two or three concise sentences.
Publication Details
Include publisher, publication date, format and ISBN where useful.
Copy Options
State whether print, PDF, EPUB or another format is available.
Media Materials
Link to the author biography, cover, images and press information.
No Pressure
Make clear that receipt of a copy does not create an obligation to review.
Professional Close
Provide a monitored contact route for requests or questions.
Review Channels
13. Where Book Reviews May Appear
Authors and publishers should understand the audience, rules and editorial character of each review channel.
Retailer Websites
Customer reviews may appear on online bookstore and retail product pages.
Reading Platforms
Readers may rate, review and discuss books through dedicated reading communities.
Review-Copy Platforms
Digital services may distribute advance copies to approved reviewers, librarians, booksellers and media.
Book Blogs
Independent reviewers may specialise in genres, regions, age groups or subjects.
Bookstagram and BookTok
Visual and short-form communities may combine reviews with photographs, recommendations and video commentary.
Social Media GuideYouTube and Podcasts
Long-form reviewers may discuss books through video essays, interviews or audio programmes.
Podcast and Media InterviewsNewspapers and Magazines
Editorial review sections may provide substantial authority but accept only a limited number of titles.
Literary Journals
Literary publications may review books according to editorial interest, quality, theme or cultural relevance.
Literary MagazinesAcademic and Trade Journals
Specialist nonfiction may be reviewed by professional or scholarly publications.
14. Should Authors Pay for Book Reviews?
Paid review services exist, but authors and publishers must distinguish professional editorial assessment from purchased praise.
A legitimate paid-review service charges for the reviewer’s time, administration, editing and publication process. Payment should not guarantee a positive conclusion. The resulting review may be favourable, mixed or critical.
Before purchasing a review, examine:
- Whether the service explains its editorial process
- Whether positive coverage is guaranteed
- Whether the review is publicly disclosed as paid or commissioned
- Whether the reviewer has suitable expertise
- Where the review will appear
- Whether the author receives publication and quotation rights
- Whether the service promises unrealistic sales or bestseller status
- Whether the cost supports a clear professional objective
Integrity and Disclosure
15. Book Review Ethics
Reviews are valuable only when readers can trust how they were obtained.
Ethical Practice
- Supply review copies without demanding praise
- Disclose material relationships where required
- Allow reviewers to express independent opinions
- Use complete and accurate attribution
- Preserve the meaning of quoted review text
- Respect the reviewer’s submission policy
- Separate advertising from independent editorial coverage
- Keep professional records of copies supplied
Unethical Practice
- Buying guaranteed five-star reviews
- Creating false reader accounts
- Asking friends to hide their connection with the author
- Offering rewards only for positive reviews
- Threatening reviewers who criticise the book
- Editing quotations to reverse their meaning
- Calling paid promotion independent media coverage
- Posting reviews for books not genuinely read
16. Reviews From Friends, Family and Professional Associates
Reviews from people closely connected with the author may create conflicts of interest, particularly where that connection is not disclosed.
A colleague, student, client, family member or close friend may genuinely appreciate the book, but the review platform may restrict reviews where a personal or commercial relationship exists. Authors should not ask anyone to hide such a connection.
Endorsements from professional associates may still be useful when presented accurately as endorsements rather than anonymous customer reviews. The identity and relationship of the endorser should be clear where relevant.
Professional Response
17. How Authors Should Handle Negative Reviews
A negative review is not automatically unfair, harmful or professionally improper.
Do Not Respond Immediately
Allow time before deciding whether any response is necessary.
Distinguish Opinion From Error
A reviewer’s judgement is not a factual error simply because the author disagrees.
Correct Only Material Facts
Where a review contains an objective error, contact the publication calmly and provide the correct information.
Do Not Mobilise Followers
Never direct readers to confront, report or harass a reviewer because of a critical opinion.
Look for Useful Patterns
Repeated criticism may reveal how readers experience the book, even where the author does not agree completely.
Protect the Long-Term Career
A public argument with one reviewer may cause more reputational harm than the review itself.
Author Career PlanningPublicity Use
18. How to Use Review Quotations
Review quotations may support publicity, but they must remain accurate, attributed and legally usable.
| Use | Recommended Practice | Risk to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Book Cover | Use a brief approved quotation with source attribution | Using text without permission or altering its meaning |
| Author Website | Link to the full review where possible | Presenting a paid review as independent news coverage |
| Retailer Description | Use accurately attributed editorial quotations | Using customer reviews in violation of platform rules |
| Social Media | Quote briefly and identify the reviewer or outlet | Publishing screenshots containing private information |
| Press Release | Use one or two relevant quotations as supporting evidence | Overloading the release with praise |
| Advertising | Confirm that the quotation may be used commercially | Assuming editorial permission includes advertising rights |
| Media Kit | List selected coverage with dates, links and sources | Including unverifiable or unattributed praise |
19. Can Review Quotations Be Shortened?
A quotation may sometimes be shortened for space, but the shortened form must preserve the reviewer’s meaning. Omissions should not transform a mixed or critical review into apparently unqualified praise.
For example, a review stating that a novel is “ambitious but uneven” must not be quoted only as “ambitious” where doing so creates a misleading impression of the reviewer’s conclusion.
Publishers should preserve the original review and obtain permission where required, particularly for book covers, advertisements, catalogues and other commercial uses.
Campaign Planning
20. Book Review Campaign Timeline
Review outreach should begin early enough for recipients to read and assess the book.
Four to Six Months Before
Identify trade publications, specialist journals and long-lead media.
Three to Four Months Before
Prepare advance copies, metadata, media materials and reviewer lists.
Two to Three Months Before
Begin targeted outreach to reviewers who accept advance submissions.
One Month Before
Confirm copies received and provide missing material where requested.
Publication Week
Share published reviews, launch information and official availability.
First Three Months
Continue outreach to reader communities, blogs and specialist reviewers.
Ongoing
Record reviews, request permissions and update the author media archive.
Later Campaigns
Revisit review outreach around awards, new editions, events or topical relevance.
21. How Many Review Copies Should Be Sent?
There is no standard number suitable for every book. The quantity depends on the title, campaign, budget, format, print cost and number of genuinely relevant reviewers.
A focused independent-publisher campaign may send fewer than twenty carefully selected physical copies while distributing additional digital copies. A major commercial release may involve a substantially larger list.
Consider:
- The number of confirmed or credible recipients
- Printing and postage cost
- The value of each review channel
- Whether digital copies are acceptable
- The likelihood of coverage
- Regional and international postage
- Available stock and publication schedule
- The need for replacement or follow-up copies
Common Failures
22. Book Review Mistakes Authors and Publishers Should Avoid
Poor review practice can waste books, damage relationships and weaken trust.
Untargeted Mass Outreach
The same request is sent to reviewers who do not cover the book’s genre or subject.
Sending Files Without Permission
Large manuscripts or attachments are sent before the reviewer agrees to receive them.
Demanding a Positive Review
The author treats the complimentary copy as payment for praise.
Repeated Follow-Up
The reviewer is contacted continually despite silence or a clear decline.
Fake Reviews
False identities, purchased ratings or undisclosed personal connections are used to create artificial approval.
Arguing With Critics
The author publicly attacks reviewers who express an unfavourable opinion.
Misquoting Reviews
Words are removed or rearranged in a way that changes the reviewer’s meaning.
No Record of Review Copies
The publisher cannot identify who received copies, when they were sent or what coverage resulted.
Incomplete Book Information
Reviewers receive incorrect ISBNs, dates, links, prices or author details.
Treating Reviews as Guaranteed Sales
Review activity is judged only by immediate purchases rather than wider authority and discoverability.
Final Review
23. Book Review Campaign Checklist
Complete this review before approaching media, bloggers, reviewers or professional review services.
TGEP Professional Insight
A review campaign is not a search for guaranteed praise. It is a structured effort to place the book before relevant independent readers and professional evaluators. The strongest campaigns are targeted, transparent and patient. They respect critical independence while making accurate information and review material easy to obtain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book Reviews and Review Copies: Questions and Answers
Practical answers to common questions about ARCs, review copies, paid reviews, customer reviews and reviewer outreach.
What is the difference between an ARC and a review copy?
An ARC is normally a pre-publication edition produced specifically for advance reading. A review copy is any complimentary copy supplied for possible review and may be an ARC, proof, digital file or finished book.
Does a reviewer have to review a book after accepting a copy?
Usually not. Unless a specific arrangement exists, receiving a review copy does not create an obligation to publish coverage.
Can an author ask readers to leave reviews?
An author may make a general and honest request for readers to share their independent views. The author should not require a positive rating or offer undisclosed rewards for praise.
Can authors review their own books?
Authors should not create customer reviews of their own books or use false identities to do so. The author may describe the book through clearly identified promotional material.
Are paid book reviews legitimate?
Some professional paid-review services are legitimate when payment covers independent editorial work rather than guaranteed praise. The relationship should be disclosed where required.
Should an author respond to a negative review?
Usually no. A response may be appropriate only where an important factual error requires calm correction. Disagreement with the reviewer’s judgement is not itself a reason to respond.
How early should review copies be sent?
Long-lead trade, journal and newspaper reviewers may require copies several months before publication. Blogs and reader platforms may operate on shorter timelines.
Should review copies be marked as not for sale?
Advance copies are often marked as uncorrected proofs or not for sale. Requirements depend on the edition, publisher and distribution method.
Can an author quote a customer review on the book cover?
Permission, platform rules and attribution should be checked before using customer-review text commercially. An editorial review from a clearly identified source is generally easier to document and verify.
How many reviews does a book need?
There is no universal number. A few credible reviews from relevant sources may be more valuable than a large quantity of weak or artificial ratings.
Do reviews guarantee book sales?
No. Reviews may improve credibility and discoverability, but sales also depend on positioning, distribution, pricing, cover, metadata, audience relevance and continuing publicity.
What should be done when a review contains a factual error?
Contact the publication or reviewer privately, identify the exact error and provide the correct information. Avoid arguing about opinion or tone.
TGEP Reference Network
Find More Publishing Information
Continue from this page into the wider TGEP database. These guides cover the connected editorial, production, publicity, marketing and author-career questions readers commonly search online.
Place the book before the right readers, then respect their judgement
Explore the TGEP Publishing Knowledge Library for connected guidance on book publicity, author platforms, reviews, interviews, launches, metadata, distribution and long-term publishing careers.
Explore the Knowledge Library