by Jaylynn Korrell

Looking for writing inspiration?

“Treat it like a job,” they say.

“Write every day,” they say.

“You can’t edit a blank page.”

And yet…you’re not writing!

And that is okay. Totally fine. Because this list of the best quotes about writing is going to help. Authors & experts have been floundering behind their quills, typewriters, and laptops for hundreds of years, and they can speak from experience right to your heart to get you back to doing the thing you love.

Writing is a solitary venture, sure, but if anyone knows that the magic of writing can read the minds of incredible people, it’s writers. Read quotes & tape them to the walls of your workplace to remind yourself that if Hemingway and Gaiman ran through writer’s block, you can too.

Writers, English teachers, and librarians, rejoice! Whether you’re looking for inspiration or some new content for your Instagram or classroom walls, this list is sure to have a quote that you’ll find insightful.

Here are some of our favorite writing quotes!

1. “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”― Ernest Hemingway

2. “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ― Maya Angelou

3. “The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.” — Robert Benchley

4. “Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences.” — Sylvia Plath

5. “If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered.”― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

6. “In order to write about life first you must live it.” ― Ernest Hemingway

7. “Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.” — Larry L. King, WD

8. “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see, and what it means. What I want and what I fear.” – Joan Didion

9. “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” ― Mark Twain, The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain

10. “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time

11. “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”― Anton Chekhov

12. “You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.” ― Madeleine L’Engle

13. “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” ― Stephen King

14. “One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.” ― Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums

15. “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”― Anne Frank

16. “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.”― Beatrix Potter

17. “Writing is like sex. First you do it for love, then you do it for your friends, and then you do it for money.”― Virginia Woolf

18. “What your novel tells you it wants to be is ultimately more important than what you wanted it to be when you began.” – Matt Bell, Refuse to Be Done

19.“If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”― Isaac Asimov

20. “Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

21. “The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.” — Toni Morrison

22. “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” — Robert Frost

Have you checked out our tools for writers yet?

23.“Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.” — Cyril Connolly

24. “Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely essential.” — Jessamyn West

25. “If a story is in you, it has to come out.” — William Faulkner

26. “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” — Richard Bach

27. “Some writers enjoy writing, I am told. Not me. I enjoy having written.” — George R.R. Martin

28. “It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style.” — P.D. James

29.“A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it.” — Roald Dahl

30. “For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word.”— Catherine Drinker Bowen

31. “The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.” — Toni Morrison

32. “Imagination is like a muscle. I found out that the more I wrote, the bigger it got.” — Philip José Farmer

Need librarians’, reviewers’, and booksellers’ feedback on your writing? Try Group Beta Reading!

Motivational Quotes About Writing

33. “And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

34. “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
― Jack London

35. “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”
― Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You

36.“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”― Louis L’Amour

37.“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.”
― Ernest Hemingway

38.“A word after a word after a word is power.”― Margaret Atwood

40.“Write the kind of story you would like to read. People will give you all sorts of advice about writing, but if you are not writing something you like, no one else will like it either.” ― Meg Cabot

41. “If you wait for inspiration to write you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter.” — Dan Poynter

42. “You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.” — Annie Proulx

43. “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” — Martin Luther

44. “It’s none of their business that you have to learn how to write. Let them think you were born that way.” — Ernest Hemingway

45.“If you want to be a writer-stop talking about it and sit down and write!” — Jackie Collins

46. “I believe myself that a good writer doesn’t really need to be told anything except to keep at it.” — Chinua Achebe

47.“Don’t get it right, get it written.”― Ally Carter

Quotes About The Writing Process

48. “Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now.” — Annie Dillard

49. “The first draft of anything is shit.”— Ernest Hemingway

50. “The secret of it all is to write… without waiting for a fit time or place.” — Walt Whitman

51. “Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations.” — Ray Bradbury

52.  “Be willing and unafraid to write badly, because often the bad stuff clears the way for good, or forms a base on which to build something better.” — Jennifer Egan

53. “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” — Shannon Hale

54. “Write a page a day. Only 300 words and in a year you have written a novel.” — Stephen King

55.“Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” — Stephen King

56.“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” — Thomas Jefferson

57. “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” — Somerset Maugham

58. “Don’t say it was delightful; make us say delightful when we’ve read the description. You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers, ‘Please will you do the job for me.’”― C.S. Lewis

59. “Writing is like driving at night. You can see only as far as the headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” ― E.L. Doctorow

Quotes About Writing: Editing

60. “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’ your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”― Mark Twain

61. “You may not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” ― Jodi Picoult

62. “The secret to editing your work is simple: You need to become its reader instead of its writer.” ― Zadie Smith

63. “So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”― Dr. Seuss

64.“I’ve found the best way to revise your own work is to pretend that somebody else wrote it and then to rip the living shit out of it.”― Don Roff

65.“I have rewritten — often several times — every word I have ever published. My pencils outlast their erasers.”― Vladimir Nabokov, Speak, Memory

66. “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”― Stephen King

67. “Editing fiction is like using your fingers to untangle the hair of someone you love.”― Stephanie Roberts

68.“Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers.” — T.S. Eliot

69.“Write drunk, edit sober.” — Ernest Hemingway

Quotes About Writing: Rejection

70. I discovered that rejections are not altogether a bad thing. They teach a writer to rely on his own judgment and to say in his heart of hearts, “To hell with you.” ― Saul Bellow

71. “I love my rejection slips. They show me I try.” — Sylvia Plath

72. “Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil — but there is no way around them.” — Isaac Asimov

73.“I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent, he would be wise to develop a thick hide.” — Harper Lee

74. “To ward off a feeling of failure, she joked that she could wallpaper her bathroom with rejection slips, which she chose not to see as messages to stop, but rather as tickets to the game.” — Anita Shreve

75. “Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.” — Neil Gaiman

What are your favorite quotes about writing?

About the Author

Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based out of Pennsylvania. In addition to her writing and reading for Independent Book Review, she curates lists at GoodGiftLists.com.

Thank you for reading Jaylynn Korrell’s “75 of the Best Quotes About Writing” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 75 of the Best Quotes About Writing appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Jaylynn McClendon

Which tools do you need to add to your writer’s toolbox?

In his legendary book On Writing, Stephen King says, “I want to suggest that to write to your best abilities, it behooves you to construct your own toolbox and then build up enough muscle so you can carry it with you.”

He is speaking of a metaphorical toolbox: a collection of writing skills acquired through consistent practice and reading. These are wildly important to a writer.

But are they the only tools you need to thrive?

While the writers of yesteryear only needed a quill pen, some ink, and parchment nowadays, we have gadgets to improve & enhance the writing life. These tools could greatly add to the writing process: whether in fun or practicality.

The right tools for writers can get you more more focused, save you time, and make drafting, editing, and revising easier.

Some of these tools we already own. Some, we were delighted to discover. Some we haven’t even thought of before. You don’t need all of them to become a good writer, but what if they could help? What are you willing to do to become the best writer you can be? Whether you’re thinking about publishing a book or are just writing for the love of it, these tools could benefit you.

Add one of these tools for writers to your toolbox! You won’t be disappointed.

(Everything on Independent Book Review has been selected by a very picky group of people. As affiliates we may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.)

1. Digital Voice Recorder

Imagine this: you’re driving. The perfect sentence floats over the rolling hills outside your window and you have no chance to write it down. And no memory to cling to it.

Imagine this: you’re stuck in the plot. You don’t know how to write that scene, but it feels like you could speak it into existence.

A digital recorder is a game-changing tool for so many writers. When you’re trying to make it as a writer, you have to give it so much time and so much practice. No matter how much fun writing can be, it’s also a job of commitment. To make sure you do it, you have to actually do it.

I couldn’t recommend a digital recorder enough. It can save you time, but it can also blow open doors of possibility.

2. Astrohaus Portable Typewriter

Distractions are all over your computer. Brain breaks are a click away. Remember that YouTube video you wanted to watch at this exact time last week? Here it is on Facebook. Tempting you. You’ll get back to writing in 3 minutes and 46 seconds. But those 3 minutes add up don’t they? And is it ever really 3 minutes?

If you only have 2 hours to write while your too-small kid is sleeping and you spend 20 of it on unrelated sites (& “essential” research), you have less time than you wanted.

With the Astrohaus, you cut out the possibility of distractions. You know you don’t need any more research, and you sure don’t need to know what your cousin Nicole is doing on the beach on a Tuesday. You need to write your book.

So get to it. This modern typewriter has cloud memory, electric charge, and a full keyboard, all weighing in at under 2 pounds. The Astrohaus is an excellent solution for those who want to focus on what they need to focus on.

3. Smart Timer Cube

No, but seriously! Get writing!

When you realize you want to write with the time you have, you need to do it.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to set a timer that is NOT on my phone or laptop. There’s a reason smart phone companies are out here putting Willy Wonka music in their commercials: Writing beside your phone is like putting candy next to your toddler’s nutritious dinner and telling them they can’t eat it yet.

This eye-catching smart-cube timer works much like a kitchen timer, allowing you to set time limits for your writing and then alerting you when the time is up. When that thing starts ticking down low, you’ll feel like you’re in the closing minutes of a game. You better get those words out while you can.

Check out some great gift ideas for the writer in your life!

4. Noise Cancelling Headphones

Not every writer is able to enjoy the life-giving sounds of nature while they’re working. But a quiet, sustainable environment is possible without telling everyone around you to shut up.

These noise-cancelling headphones are an excellent way to achieve a little peace and quiet wherever you are. I’d recommend some birds-chirping background sounds, a little rain, or even some lyric-less music to match the mood of what you’re writing. These can be great tools for writers who like crowded (or bad-music-playing) coffee shops or on public transportation during their commutes.

5. Amazon Kindle Scribe

Did you know there’s a Kindle designed specifically for writers?

I know a lot of writers who have Kindles. And for a lot of different reasons. Sure, you get access to cheaper books right there in your pocket, but it’s also thanks to that handy send-to-Kindle feature. You can send files of unpublished books to your Kindle so you can consume that material just like if you had bought it from the Kindle store. There’s something enlightening about reading your book or your critique group’s books as if the manuscript was a finished product.

With the Kindle Scribe, you can write on the screen too. On regular Kindles, you have to take notes by typing on tiny touch-screen keypads, and I’d be lying if I said it gets it right most of the time. It is definitely the best e-reader for writers.

6. The Writer’s Toolbox

Sometimes a little bit of fun is all you need to get out of a writing funk. Games like this one allow you to exercise your brain and can be a great way to get some creative juices flowing.

Play with friends or family to make a much-needed solo writing break into a social experiment that also allows you to do what you love. This is definitely among my favorite choices for best gifts for writers.

Almost ready to publish? Make sure you know how to get more book reviews!

7. Rollerball Pen

There are so many ways to get into the writing zone. And so many unique preferences to getting it done.

If you’re a person who likes to draft in pen and paper, make sure you choose a good pen! Or, in this case, the best. This pen from Scriveiner has a 24k gold finish, is smooth to the touch, and writes quite effortlessly.

8. Standing Laptop Desk Attachment

You’re going to want to switch things up! Whether it’s because you are putting in a long day of writing or just know it’s good to use your body in different ways, working with a standing laptop desk attachment is a smart decision.

Want to wake up? Write that action scene you’ve building to? Put on new music and get the explosive job done? The best writing tools make it easier on you and allow for flexibility and keeping your mind fresh with different tactics. This checks all those boxes.

9. Laptop Cooling Pad

If you’re one of those writers who has a dozen or more tabs open at once, you’re probably familiar with the annoying sounds that happen when your laptop overheats.

This little laptop cooling pad can help you combat that sound without having to close your beloved tabs. When placed under your laptop, this fan works to blow cool air back into it and keep it that way while you finish your work.

10. Smart Notebook

If you’re the kind of writer who has notebooks cluttering up their office, you could benefit from a tool like this one. Doodlers & artists too!

A smart notebook allows you to write or draw in a notebook like you always have, whether it’s notes, sketches, or full-blown pages, and scan it with your phone to upload it to an online platform. And when you’re done writing and scanning, you erase everything and reuse the page.

11. Grammarly Editing Software

Just because you’re a great writer doesn’t mean you’re a great editor. And that’s okay! They’re different skills that require different viewpoints.

Software like Grammarly can clean up your writing and get it ready to give to a human editor or publishing company. This software can be helpful to even the most detail-oriented writer; there are going to be a few grammar issues you’ve missed, especially if you’re writing longer form pieces. Cover your tracks. Get Grammarly.

12. Scrivener Software

Scrivener is a leader in word-processing tools for writers. They offer templates for screenplays, nonfiction, and fiction manuscripts and make formatting your writing easier than ever. A little bit of organization assistance can go a long way for serious writers. If you need to structure a complicated, multi-POV novel, there’s no better tool than Scrivener.

13. Vellum Formatting Software

Self-publishing is more popular than ever. This is a valid option for writers of all skill and experience levels. If you’re looking to make real money out of your writing, whether through fiction or business nonfiction, you’re going to need to format your book professionally.

That’s where the incredibly user-friendly Vellum comes in! Format for ebook, paperback, and hardcover with this, and make sure your book appears as professionally as it reads.

Speaking of design…here are 5 critical indie book cover design elements!

14. IBR Group Beta Reading

So often writers are in a hurry to hit the publish button that they skip out on opportunities to fix and correct big-picture problems with their work. This is why you should have someone read over your book.

While not everyone has a trusted friend that can give them helpful feedback on their writing, some companies have professional beta readers that can do just that.

Independent Book Review offers a beta reading service for writers to get their work looked at and critiqued by professional book people & readers: reviewers, booksellers, librarians, editors, and more. This group-style feedback can help authors recognize that a certain issue is cropping up for different readers and will likely appear when your book is published too. It can also reaffirm their idea that a piece of work is doing all the things they set out to do. Getting a few extra eyes on your work before sending it out to publishers could be exactly the thing you need to perfect your draft.

15. Wix Website Builder

Want to publish your work? A professional website is a must!

Your author website is a place where people can learn more about you, follow your newsletter, and buy your books. While not all writers are tech wizards, websites like WIX make building a website much easier. I’d recommend getting a domain through BlueHost so it’s extra professional!

16. Publisher Rocket

If you plan to publish your book(s), you’re going to want to learn more about book marketing. Not only would it be nice to make a few bucks from your art, but most writers want to be read by more people.

One of the best ways to reach a large number of readers is to place your book into as many categories as possible and with as accurate and high-ranking keywords as possible. What does this mean?

Well…you know how people search on Google and Amazon for the things they want? They type in things like, “spicy romance” or “space adventure,” when they want to read things like that. Those are keywords.

But how do you know which keywords are searched often? With Publisher Rocket! This tool for writers allows you to choose the best keywords so that your book shows up on the first page of an Amazon search.

Categories are genres and subgenres. You can post your book in up to 10 categories, and Publisher Rocket helps you find those too. An essential tool for self-publishers!

17. Kindle Unlimited Subscription

What could be more helpful for a writer than having a library in your pocket? Sure Kindle Unlimited means you can read a bunch of captivating fiction books to figure out how others pulled off books in and outside your genre, but it also gives you access to thousands of nonfiction books on topics you won’t be able to learn about in such detail just on Google.

Writing a novel about Prohibition? Read about it! Even skip to the sections that are most relevant to you! You don’t have to read the full book in order to get the essential information just a few taps away. Check out some writing & publishing books on KU while you’re at it!

18. The Emotion Thesaurus

Transform your writing with this expanded edition of The Emotion Thesaurus. Conveying emotion effectively is something that many writers struggle with, but doing so can make or break how readers resonate with your work. This book is the ultimate show and don’t tell guide to writing emotions. Break this thing open on your writing retreat or just keep it on your desk for easy access because you never know you’re going to need it.

19. Writing Tools: A Book on Writing Strategies

Sometimes the best writing tool is called Writing Tools. This book provides 50 short essays from one of the most popular writing teachers in America on different aspects of writing. If you’re looking for a bunch of practical tips to help you break out of writer’s block, this book is the one to do it.

21. Before and After the Book Deal

“Like sharing a coffee with a kind and witty mentor, Before and After the Book Deal is an ideally conversational guide to traditional publishing… If you’re in search of a guide that’s both intensely readable and undeniably practical (which, let’s be honest, you are), strap on your swimming cap and dive headfirst into this book. I’d offer you my copy, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting it out of my sight.”

– Joe Walters, Independent Book Review

22. Small Presses & Independent Publishers

Here at IBR, we love indie presses. We read ’em, we review ’em, we shout ’em from the rooftops. Incredible bookish people are doing incredible bookish things and bringing extremely talented authors to everyday readers with their bold, risk-taking, entertaining work. They make beautiful books, and we’re proud to review so many of them.

If you’re a writer looking to traditionally publish in 2024 without an agent, you’re going to want to look into indie presses. This book is a resource you don’t want to do without.

23. How to Publish a Book on Amazon

If you’re thinking about going the self-publishing route, this is the book to read. It’s got loads of practical information and walks you step-by-step through the process of doing it yourself. Doesn’t hurt that it’s got some great tips for Amazon Ads too.

I’m curious: Which are the best tools for writers that you can’t buy?

About the Curator

Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based out of Pennsylvania. In addition to her writing and reading for Independent Book Review, she curates lists at GoodGiftLists.com.

Thank you for reading Jaylynn Korrell’s “23 of the Best Tools for Writers!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 23 of the Best Tools for Writers appeared first on Independent Book Review.

Reviewed by Toni Woodruff

Become a dynamic thought leader with this high-spirited guide to using storytelling to captivate and get ahead.

Blogs, books, podcasts, social media, newsletters—there are more ways than ever to speak directly to your audience as a business-owner or influencer. 

But just because you can do it doesn’t mean you are going to do it well. Getting your audience’s attention is one thing; keeping it is a whole different beast. How do you make sure what you are saying is being heard? How do you turn an initially-interested person into a buyer, subscriber, and/or follower?

Stories.

But not just any stories! There’s an art to telling captivating tales. No matter how informed you are as an expert in your niche, you won’t go as far as you can without the ability to turn your information into relatable, unexpected, and relevant stories. You may be thinking, “But I’m a [niche] expert. What if I don’t have a story?”

Sara Lohse has a solution for that. Or a mindset, at least. It goes beyond the adage that everyone has a story. It’s that everyone is a story. With this super-readable, humorous, memoir-ish self-help book, Lohse will help you find & hone yours. 

I dare you to read Open This Book and not come out with a story to use on the other side of it. Prompts, explanations, empty journal pages, examples, and helpful tidbits on choosing and telling stories—this book prioritizes brainstorming and fosters direct action. The questions Lohse pose are pointed enough that you’ll not only have something to talk about the next time you’re booked on a podcast but you’ll be able to talk about it well and with personality. Audiences connect with story; they always have. Now, in a time of trusting and believing in who you are buying from, this book is as relevant as ever.

Lohse does such a terrific job keeping things light, approachable, and even personal in Open This Book. She’s got plenty of her own stories to tell—her infamous penis tattoo story, her maid of honor speech—and it makes the practice-what-you-preach aspect of the book work two-fold. Her point is made crystal clear because she is keeping our attention with her own personal storytelling. I’m glad to listen to this very real person chat about what she knows—not only because I can tell there’s merit, but also because she’s good at telling it.

At times, I felt pages flit by without much new content. Some of the advice can feel empty or redundant and then doubled-down on again. It can also feel more inspirational than direct and practical sometimes. I could have used more on structure, implementation in the real world, and knowing which stories not to tell.

But none of that is to say this book isn’t helpful. Matter of fact, it undeniably is. I now feel more equipped and confident to use storytelling in my (future) book to help my business grow. While reading, my brain was constantly brainstorming which ways I could use them to guide people (kindly, respectfully, trustingly) to the purchase button. 

Looking for an excuse to get ahead as a thought leader? Take the advice of this title and Open This Book.

Thank you for reading Toni Woodruff’s book review of Open This Book by Sara Lohse! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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by Joe Walters

Writers, it’s about that time.

You’ve done the work. You’ve written, you’ve revised, revised again, gotten beta readers, implemented their feedback, edited, edited again, polished, and now you’re feeling confident that your book is pretty damn good. 

First of all, hell yeah.

Second of all, where do you go from here?

It’s easier to publish a book in 2023 than it has ever been. But that doesn’t mean you should necessarily take the easy route. Sometimes it could be the best decision; sometimes it could be the worst. Take your time and choose with confidence (and maybe a little guidance from me). This post includes info & tips for writers looking to publish with an indie press, to self-publish, or to publish with a major publisher.

Here’s an essential guide to publishing companies (with 50+ publishers included).

I’ve never shouted, “I love indie presses!” from the rooftops, but that’s only because I don’t like rooftops.

Independent presses run the full gamut—large, small, niche, broad, great, not-so-great, you name it. There are a lot of people out there who love books enough to publish them. An indie press can be a side-gig for a book lover or it can be a million-dollar business for a CEO with major connections and funding. 

Indie presses are important to book publishing. So many books in your local bookstore come from the same five publishers and their imprints–more on this in part 3!–but traditional indie presses expand the horizon of books and ideas. Many of these presses take risks on books they believe should be published even if they don’t fit a common model like salability and neat genre fits. I salute them (and review them) as often as I can!

So how do you publish with an independent press?

That depends on the press! Some indies require agented submissions, while others you can submit without an agent. You just have to follow each specific press’s guidelines, write your best book, and cross your fingers.

My biggest recommendations for publishing with an indie press:

• Actually read a couple books from the press. Not only do you want to find out if their vision matches that of your book’s, but you also want to see if it’s professionally formatted and something you’d be proud to share a shelf with.
• Follow their submission guidelines exactly. They receive a lot of queries, and you don’t want to miss your chance at the very beginning.
• Google them & their books to find out any book publicity they’ve received. You want to see what kind of coverage your book could get.
• Make your book as good as it can be ten times over. Many indie presses want to take books that can slide right into a publishing queue. Since they pay their editors on their own dime, it’s a lot less of an investment to take on a book that requires fewer editing-hours to complete.
• Write and get feedback on a compelling query letter.
• Some presses take breaks in their reading periods. Don’t submit outside of them, and if you think your book is the best fit for that press anyway, wait for them to re-open.
• Many indie presses publish books across genres, but some ask for specific genres. Don’t submit if your book doesn’t fit.
• Some publishers frame their submissions as contests or awards. This is fine! You may have to pay to submit, but it usually helps pay an advance to the winning author, something not every indie press does.
• Actually like the look and applicability of their website! The online marketplace is an important one.
• Research what they do to market their books. Do they run a regular newsletter? Are they active on social media? Do they get a lot of book reviews?
• Ask their authors what their experience has been.
• Try university presses! (Not included in list below)
• Peruse more lists like on Duotrope, NewPages, P & W, and Bookfox.

Want to know what people would say about your book if it was published today? Try group beta reading!

Self-publishing is the right route for some people. There’s no getting around the fact that you get complete creative control AND a considerably higher royalty percentage than publishing with a press. You can publish that thing today if you wanted to, or you can transparently use it as a business tool to funnel clients straight into your business. 

You know what that means? More money!

But you know what it also means? More competition & less free help!

But before we get anywhere, it’s imperative that you recognize which part of the publishing process you are skipping: The gatekeeper.

An agent receives thousands of queries. Publishers do too. They choose only a select number of them per year—could be two, could be twelve, could be two hundred. It depends on what that particular person or organization is planning to do with their business. 

They choose only the books that they think will: sell, get acclaim, move readers emotionally, get optioned into a movie, or some other business-specific reason.

By skipping this gatekeeper step, you are not putting your book to the test in the market. I want you to have a published book too, but sometimes that book isn’t ready. You publish it early, and some readers don’t love it. Some might even find things hurtful inside it. That’s a big reason why beta reading and getting feedback is so important. Test the market. Take your time. Make that thing shine before publishing.

And if you do go the self-publishing route, make sure you read up on book marketing! Taking an honest look at what you’re up against—like the amount of actual work hours it’ll take to market—will help you decide if self-publishing companies are the right decision for you.

In addition to doing it all yourself, you can self-publish with a vanity or hybrid press.

A vanity press is one that you can pay to publish your book for you. They do the dirty work like uploading, designing, and accounting. Depending on whichever services they offer in your contract, they may also provide developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, cover design or illustration, and marketing. 

A hybrid press is a press that either A) requires some money to publish your book, but will front other costs; B) Doesn’t publish every book that is submitted to them; or C) a press that publishes some books on their own dime and other books by being funded by the author.

Some vanity or hybrid presses are awesome to work with. They care about their authors, provide great customer service, and are upfront about their fees and requirements. Others are not as awesome. Some have poor or nonexistent customer service and mislead authors to expect the brightest lights in exchange for more money. 

Some questions to ask your vanity or hybrid press:

• How much is the basic service and what specifically does it entail?
• What does the upgraded service include specifically? 
• Do you charge me when I need to make changes to my book or my book listing?
• How often are you available for marketing help and guidance?
• How many book cover mock-ups does your designer provide?
• Does the basic service include developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading?
• Are there any yearly fees?
• Can I get freelance services elsewhere and still use your company to publish?
• How long will it take to edit, design, and publish the book?
• Can you show me some books in a similar genre that you’ve published?
• Can you share any other authors’ contact information so I can ask their opinion of your company?

Don’t be afraid to say no to hybrid or vanity publishing companies. There are others out there. 

Here are some of our favorite indie books of 2022.

The big five publishers—listed below—publish many of the top-selling books of a given year. These books appear on reading lists, major media outlets, celebrity book clubs, and bookstores all over the world. They have many imprints and have published a ton of books for a long time. They are a sort of 1%, except they’re probably more visible than that.

As an author, these things probably sound great to you. If you want to get an advance and get financial backing for your book, publishing with a big five publisher is something you probably want to try.

But wait! 

In order to publish with them, you have to find a literary agent to represent you. Then they have to successfully convince a publishing house to publish your book. This is not easy.

Authors spend years perfecting their craft, making connections, publishing short form works in recognizable outlets, getting grants, increasing their social media following, and beyond in order to impress agents and publishers to increase their chances. But again, this doesn’t guarantee anything.

Yet again, some authors don’t take years. Some take one incredible story to blow the doors off, get signed, and get published. 

Lesson of the day: Write the best book you can. Pitch agents strategically. And write more books.

Parting words

Publishing a book is complicated. Choosing the right path, pursuing it at the right time, dealing with the repercussions of your choices: It’s all stressful but only because you care so much.

Take your time, publish the best book you can, and keep writing. That’s what it’s all about anyway, isn’t it?

What is the most important thing you need from from publishing companies? Let me know in the comments below!

About the Author

Joe Walters is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review, and he has been a book marketer for Sunbury Press, Inkwater Press, and Paper Raven Books. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

Thank you for reading “50+ Publishing Companies for Traditional & Self-Publishing: A Guide for Writers“ by Joe Walters! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 50+ Publishing Companies for Traditional & Self-Publishing: A Guide for Writers appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Joe Walters

Book reviewers play an important role in the book-buying process.

As an author, you’re told early and often that you should try to get more book reviews. It’s great for marketing, they say. But is it really?

I’ve been a book marketer for three different indie presses now, having marketed and promoted hundreds of books, and I can say pretty confidently that the answer is yes.

Book reviews are incredibly important. Readers want to buy books that have been vouched by real-life people (like Amazon’s consumer reviews) and experts (like with blurbs & media). Nothing ever guarantees book sales, but getting reviews can at least help. Book marketing is all about about doing the things that can help.

So where you do you find book reviewers?

Let’s explore some options.

1. Book review publications

Professional book reviewers are a good way to start this list. There are people out there who focus on books across a number of genres; their audience is readers, booksellers, and librarians. The content they publish is about books, and they are experts in the book field. This is different from someone who runs a niche publication, like one about ducks who could review your book about ducks.

If you want to get book reviews, you should definitely try to get reviews from review publications. Here’s a list of 30+ book review sites to get you started.

But there are way more than that. Just type keywords into Google like “[Your Genre] book reviews,” and you’ll find a number of them that are not on our list. Review publications will usually offer the chance of being reviewed for free or to guarantee a review by paying for it. More on that in the paid section!

2. Amazon

Amazon is one of the most influential places to get your book reviewed. Not only is it the place that most people buy books, but it’s also the place with the most book & product reviewers. 

You can find Amazon reviewers by searching for books similar to yours and reading those reviews. When the reviewer has a picture, click on their name. This means that they created a reviewer profile, and it’s possible they shared information on how to get in contact with them to request reviews in exchange for a free book. 

Amazon used to share a list of their top reviewers, but they’ve recently gotten rid of that. This is probably because they were being bombarded by tons of review requests. Take it from me, a guy who gets tons of review requests. 

It’s not easy to get book reviews from Amazon consumers, but it is possible. You can increase the amount of reviews you have on there in different ways (like building a launch team), but since that includes people you know, I’ll get to that in #8.

3. Goodreads

Goodreads is a social networking platform for readers, run by Amazon. Similar to Amazon, reviewers can create profiles and write reviews on book pages. You can find those reviewers by searching similar books to yours on Goodreads and reaching out to them if they share contact information and express interest in free books for review.

But the book pages aren’t the only places to find them! They also have groups and forums on Goodreads. It’s not easy to get reviews by requesting reviews on forums and groups, but it is possible. (Sensing a pattern here?) 

4. Social Networking Sites

Social media has made it easier than ever to connect with likeminded people. Search functions and hashtags enable you to find real people talking about your book’s topic in real time. That means you could find reviewers on Instagram, Facebook (including Facebook Groups), Twitter, the hundreds of Twitter alternatives popping up, TikTok, YouTube, and more.

Want to know the best way to get book reviews from social media?

Be real!

If you decide that a certain platform is your platform–the one where you will invest the most time and where you will build your following–then you will want to post often, be likable as a human (easy, I know! ), and when your book is coming out and/or when it’s out, you can mention a few times how helpful reviews are and that you’d love their support in that regard. Let people know how they can get a free copy in exchange for review. (I like Google Forms!) And again, super important, don’t be pushy!

If you find a book reviewer who doesn’t follow you, follow them. Be real as a follower. Engage with their posts and support them long before you request help from them. Reviewers on social media are sent review requests in their DMs and emails all the time, and they don’t have time for most of them. Build a real relationship with these people—which definitely requires time!—and your chances of converting them into a reviewer for your book will increase. 

5. Book Review Directories & Lists

You can also find book reviewers in long lists and directories online. You have our list of review sites, IndiesToday, Bookbloggerlist, Book Reviewer Yellow Pages, Kindlepreneur, and more. There are a whole lot of reviewers in the world, and a whole lot of reviewers want to appear on those lists. It helps them get more and better books as well as drive more traffic to their websites. 

You should definitely check out these lists and directories, but don’t get lost inside them. Some are so long that you could spend all your marketing time combing through them, and you might not even get that many reviews out of it. Since they appear on those lists, other authors have access to them too, meaning they get a ton of pitches. Find some that you like, send some pitches, test if it works, and if it doesn’t, get out of there. 

6. Book & Niche Blogs

Researching & pitching blogs could very well be my favorite way to get more book reviews. Some of the bigger book blogs will get boatloads of review requests per day, but the nice thing here is that NOT ALL BLOGS ARE BIG.

Some have small, dedicated audiences, and some have little to no audiences. I like them both! The nice thing about small blogs is that they’re not inundated with hundreds of review requests, and they often are willing to post their reviews on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

You’re dealing with one person a lot of the time, so you can cultivate a relationship by being kind, supportive, generous (like sending a physical book & a custom bookmark, playlist, etc.), and you can increase your chances of being reviewed for this book AND the next one. You can find blogs by using keywords on Google, social media, and on hosting platforms like WordPress.

There are also a ton of niche blogs out there. If you wrote a travel memoir, you could reach out to travel bloggers who want to read more. Wrote a business book? Business bloggers could be interested in that, especially since they’re not receiving hundreds of book review requests.

7. Local publications & platforms

Don’t sleep on local platforms! In addition to national publications and review publications, you should definitely look close to home for book reviewers. I’m not saying you’re definitely going to get a review if you pitch a magazine with a local angle, but I am saying that your chances increase with smaller outlets. They may not leave their review on Amazon and their readership might not be in the tens of thousands, but if all it takes is a pitch and sending a book, then I’d say reaching out to local publications is worth it.

8. Your personal connections

You may get the most traction out of this one. Other authors, friends, colleagues, former teachers, acquaintances, and non-household-sharing family members can be great book reviewers for you.

Here are a few ways you can turn the people you know into book reviewers:

• Ask fellow authors to blurb your book. They may want to write a blurb for you because they know you’ll use the blurb for your marketing material like on the back cover, in the opening pages of the book, and graphics. One great way to increase blurbs for your books is by offering to blurb their book first, at the same time, or afterwards.
• You can also get writer friends to write a review and submit a review for publication at various review, literary, and local platforms. Instead of asking that team’s staff to do it, you can increase your odds to have that writer offer something already written to them.
• Are you publishing with an indie press? Ask your fellow indie authors to write a blurb for you or simply to review it on Amazon and/or Goodreads!
• Build a launch team before the book is published. Add a bunch of people who you know will want to support you—like your best friend Jon and Aunt Kate—and ask if they’d join your launch team. Basically, a launch team member is asked to read a book before it is published and then share a review on the day of or a couple days after the book is finally available on Amazon. It is totally fine to get friends and family members to leave reviews, but do note that Amazon can flag family members with the same last name and/or the same address as you and remove the review from the site.
• If you run into someone who has read your book in person, it’s totally okay to ask for them to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Don’t be pushy and probably don’t follow-up with them if they don’t—your relationship is more important!—but sometimes the first request can result in actual reviews.

9. Your newsletter

Having (and actually using!) a newsletter is one of my favorite ways to market books. Social media is cool and all, but what happens when the platform you’ve chosen to focus on (like Twitter for example) up and changes everything about it?

Email is as close to direct person-to-person marketing that you can get online. It’s an excellent way to speak with your fans, keep them, and watch your fanbase grow. If you are operating a newsletter (particularly if you have multiple books), you should definitely ask them a few times to leave reviews for your books. Your biggest fans are probably in that email; make sure they know what could help you.

10. The back of your book

In the back of books, authors and publishers share acknowledgement pages, author bios, and “More books from the author/publisher” pages. You can add a page at the back that requests readers to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads! You can even make it a clickable link for the eBook after you’ve published.

If your reader has already finished reading your book, they are the best possible candidates for leaving book reviews. This means that every time you run a book promotion, you are asking that reader to review your book.

Here’s our guide to selling more books on Amazon.

11. Sponsored & editorial book reviews

As you’ll see, you won’t get reviews from every single review platform. Sometimes you might not get any. There are not enough review platforms on the planet to cover all the books published on it.

Some review publications offer the chance to guarantee a review by paying for it. It is a chance for authors to appear on reader-focused websites; increase their validity & searchability; add blurbs to their book; get starred reviews and the recognition that comes with it; post something new and exciting to their existing fan-base; appear on book lists; and get real honest engagement with a piece of art they care deeply about. 

Here are 5 reader-focused review platforms that offer sponsored or editorial book reviews:

• Independent Book Review
• Kirkus
• Clarion/Foreword
• City Book Review
• BookTrib.

12. Pubby

Have you heard of Pubby? It’s relatively new, but it’s a rapidly growing community where authors review other authors’ books on Amazon. You can do a 10-day free trial, retaining the reviews you get during that time, but then you pay per month to stay on the platform. You’re not allowed to pay for Amazon reviews directly, but this site is a clever little workaround that offers incentives to those who participate.

13. Reedsy Discovery

I love Reedsy! It may initially be a site where writers can get freelance editors, designers, and marketers, but when you look a little further, you can see that they host a ton of consumer reviewers too. Reviewers can create a profile on there to get access to free books before they publish and earn tips for writing great reviews.

14. Netgalley

Netgalley is a place where readers & book reviewers go to get free copies of books in exchange for review. There’s a big pool of readers here, and it’s got a safe distribution process that a lot of publishers and review platforms like. It’s pretty expensive for solo indie authors, but publishers could find the expense worth it. Reviews are that hard to come by sometimes. Some authors team up with other authors by joining a co-op where they split the cost to join. Check those out too!

15. BookSirens

BookSirens is a clean, user-friendly site where authors upload books that are available for review, and reviewers browse available books for review. They also have a large list of book bloggers by genre. You do have to pay for the service, and it won’t always increase your reviews on Amazon, but it can work for the right books. I used it with some (varying) success during my time at Paper Raven Books.

16. Online Book Club

Online Book Club is a review and social networking site somewhat similar in concept to Goodreads. There are a lot of readers on this platform, and you can advertise on them in hopes of getting reviewed. You can get some free reviews on Online Book Club too, by reaching out to different readers and being active in the groups. Keep that in mind too!

17. Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems sends out an email every day with new books available to review on it. They do a great job of curating their options, and they even send out review reminders to those who have agreed to review the books. They also share ebook deals—a nice addition to their ARC program. It is a much cheaper option than Netgalley.

Best of luck in finding great book reviewers! If you have any feedback on any of these platforms, please share them in the comments.

About the Author

Joe Walters is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review, and he has been a book marketer for Sunbury Press, Inkwater Press, and Paper Raven Books. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

Thank you for reading Joe Walters’s blog post “17 Places to Find Book Reviewers!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 17 Places to Find Book Reviewers | IBR Book Marketing Series (Part 8) appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Joe Walters

Publishing a book is more possible than ever.

You’ve written a book. Maybe it’s a cozy mystery. A self-help or business book. A wickedly entertaining tome of literary fiction. Regardless, your beta readers say it’s amazing and you’re proud of it.

So how do you get it published?

Lucky for you, you’re approaching this publication in a time when getting a book published is as accessible as ever. While there are four primary options for publishing a book, you’ll want to know the pros and cons of each one so you can make the best decision for you.

Here are your primary options for publishing a book.

Option 1: Traditionally publish with a major publishing house

You know those books that appear in nearly all of the bookstores around the country? How about the ones that get picked up by major book clubs like Reese Witherspoon’s and Emma Watson’s?

If you want to get your book seen by the most amount of people, you probably want to try traditionally publishing with a major publishing house.

A major publishing house could be a press within the big five publishers (like Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster) or it could be a larger independent press like Graywolf Press.

But you can’t just go knocking at PRH’s door asking for a contract. You’ll need a literary agent first.

Major publishers and larger indie presses do not accept unsolicited submissions from the author, so you’ll need to send a query letter, synopsis, and a few sample pages to a literary agent. If an agent wants to represent you, they’ll submit your book to editors at one of the major publishing houses for you. You both will have to sit back and hope the publisher will purchase the rights to your book.

If you want to take this route, you should be aware of a few things:

• It might not work. All you can do is write the best book you possibly can and start querying. So write, rewriter, revise, revise again, go through beta reading, revise again, and send that baby out there.
• For fiction, you’ll need to finish writing your book before you query.
• For nonfiction, you may be able to send a book proposal instead of finishing the project first. Just check out the agent’s submission guidelines.
• Do your research on literary agents before you query. Don’t send out large batches of queries to every agent you can find. Each agent specializes in certain types of books, so check out which genres they’re looking for and a few of the books they’ve already gotten published.
• Literary agents work on commission. When your book sells, your agent gets a portion of the sale. Do NOT pay an agent upfront to take on your manuscript.
• When a major publishing house decides to give you a contract, they may give you an advance. It could be pretty high or relatively low. But regardless of how much it is, don’t spend it all in one place. It could get you into some iffy financial situations.
• You’ll need to earn out your advance before you start earning royalties. This means that you won’t get paid per book sold until you make enough to cover how much the publisher gave you at the beginning of the process.
• There are tiers within traditional publishing. If your press believes a certain book could make more money than another, that certain book will receive a higher advance and book marketing budget. Your agent will likely communicate this stuff with you as well as help you make the decision if being lower tier in a major house is actually better than being higher tier at a smaller house.
• If you have no money to expend on getting your book published, this is your best shot at having the best product.
• Major publishing houses often use bookstores as one of their primary marketing targets. If you have a dream of walking into a random bookstore and finding your book there, shooting for a major publishing house might be a good place to start.
• This is a terrifically lengthy process. You might wait years after querying your book to be published, so put on your comfy pants and get working on your next project.
• In 2023, even major publishing houses don’t use a lot of their marketing budget on book tours. It’s possible that some of them do, but if you’re looking for a book tour, just be aware that you might be covering the travel expenses.

Want to know what people would say about your book if it was published today? Try out group beta reading!

Option 2: Traditionally publish with a smaller publisher

If you’re looking through my window, you can see me jumping up and down while I type this, chanting, “SMALL. PRESSES. RULE. BABY!” A small press is a publishing house often made up of less than ten staff members who work their butts off to publish books they believe in.

Oftentimes, that means they’re taking on books that won’t be accepted by major publishers for any number of reasons. One of those reasons? Maybe a major house thinks your book doesn’t have a salable hook, so they don’t buy it. But a small press? They might not care. If they find a terrific book in their slush pile, they’ll get to work on making sure it reaches its audience. Small presses also accept submissions directly from the author, so you won’t need a literary agent for them.  

A small press’s goal is often about putting an amazing book in front of its audience. They work on books regularly, giving them the expertise to understand how things sell and how they can utilize their personal connections to get you into bookstores, do author events, and get your book reviewed. A small press might give your book more attention than a major publishing house would (especially if you’re published on a lower tier with a major), so it could give you immense joy to be able to work with them. The small press community is one of the kindest I’ve come in contact with, and I couldn’t be more grateful to work with them at IBR to spread the word about their great books.

If you decide to take this route, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You may not get a large advance or any advance at all. Small presses do not usually have large budgets, so you and the press might move directly into the earning-royalty phase.
• Much of the marketing work could fall on your shoulders. While these small presses can offer you increased validation when pitching for events, shelving queries, reviews, and more, you may still need to be the one pitching it. But the press will likely give you pointers and offer the help they can. I give book marketing tips too!
• Some small presses take different royalty percentages than others and publish in different formats than others. Just make sure you do your research and agree to their terms before you sign the contract. It’s okay to turn them down.
• If you’d prefer not to spend too much money on your book, this is your second best option. You’ll likely have to pay a few fees for optional marketing (like events, conferences, editorial reviews, or maybe even contests), but you won’t be asked specifically by a small press to give them any money.
• While many major publishing houses are stuck in New York, small presses can be anywhere. That means if you’d like to shoot for a local press, you’ve got a great shot at finding one near you.
• Did you know that indie and small presses are often the recipients of major book awards? Well, you do now. Small and indie presses publish risky and non-commercial material that don’t always get picked up by major houses, and in return, judges recognize the uniqueness of the concepts, ideas, and writing with awards. If you think you’ve got a special book that might not fly off the shelves but will impress whoever it’s read by, you should check out smaller indies.
• All in all, a small press is a team of publishing professionals who believe in your work and want to help readers find it. If you run into anyone running a small traditional press, give them a high-five for me. I’m sure they’re busy with their other jobs, but I’m also sure they’d love to hear that they appreciate the work they are doing. I know I do.

Discover new publishers by reading about these impressive indie press books!

Option 3: Use a hybrid or vanity press

This publishing option is perhaps the most controversial.

If you head onto your favorite social media group or publishing forum, you’ll get advice from people telling you that you should never pay to publish your book. While this advice is well-intentioned, it also spreads unnecessary anger toward companies who offer valuable services to authors.

The terms “hybrid press” and “vanity press” have one major thing in common: the author pays a publishing company to provide the service of publishing a book. Each vanity press has a different model of how these payments work. Some presses accept only specific types of books, others accept anything they can get their hands on, and a few will only take on products they truly care about.

Regardless, vanity or hybrid publishing is a form of self-publishing where the author receives all of their author services in one place. As a self-published author, you will need to purchase author services anyway, so you might find the convenience of getting them all in one place is great for you.

However, you’ll also want to be picky when choosing your hybrid publisher. There are a few presses out there that have caused outrage when it comes to poor customer service, hidden fees, and an overall outlook that has a problematic goal of taking your money instead of helping you. These problematic businesses exist in every industry, but just because a few companies have backward goals does not mean that every one does.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering hybrid publishing:

• Weigh your options heavily. Do your research and discover the pros and cons of using a hybrid publisher instead of self-publishing.
• Understand your goal prior to hybrid publishing. If your goal is to have a book that you can love out in the world, this could be a good option. If your goal is to make money off of your fiction, it’s possible that a hybrid publisher could get you there—but it may be a bit more difficult.
• Some hybrid presses operate on a model that will not benefit you. Ask questions about how much things cost, why they cost the way they do, and if you would prefer to do it on your own or with someone else. It’s possible that a mean-spirited hybrid press feels pushy and/or makes promises that seem unlikely. It’s fine to say no.
• There are some truly wonderful hybrid publishing companies. They have kindhearted staff members who want to see you succeed and do everything they can to help you get there. They may work in publishing full-time, and this may be your first time trying to sell a book. Utilize their expertise and experience.
• If you enjoy your experience with a hybrid press, make sure to share it with other authors. There is so much negativity surrounding this type of press, and I think publishing forums and social media groups would be a better place if we all approached these different types of publishing with respect.

Looking for something new to get for your birthday this year? Check out these gifts for writers!

Option 4: Self-publish your book

With the advent of new technology, the process of making a book available to the public has become easier than ever. But that doesn’t mean self-publishing a book successfully is easy. And really, if you’re considering publishing a book, that should be the number one goal: doing it right.

If you self-publish with strategy, you can take advantage of the much-higher royalty rate and potentially pave your way to making a living with your writing. Honestly, this might be the best way to make a living with your writing.

Before you go hitting the publish button though, you should consider a few things:

• When you self-publish, you are doing the job of multiple people at a traditional publishing house. Prepare yourself for a ton of work and not enough time in the day. And because of that, you’ll want to hire some experts for your production team.
• Just like a traditional publishing house, you’re going to need a realistic budget to work with. If you skimp on paying for essential services like cover design and copy editing, your product will suffer because of it. And once you put something out on the market, you won’t want to make the mistake of having to fix stuff afterwards. You only have a few shots to impress your first fans, and if you rush the process and skimp on a budget, you could lose those lifelong readers.
• At traditional publishing houses, the staff members have valuable experience and an expertise that could stop you from making a huge mistake. When you’re self-publishing, you are all on your own. There’s no one telling you that you cannot leave that problematic scene in your book. Your editor might suggest that you remove it, but it’s up to you to make the final decision. Just make sure you get plenty of input from outsiders before you publish: from developmental editing to beta reading and beyond.
• Do your research on trustworthy author services. It’s important to trust and believe in the people working on your book, so before you hire your developmental editor, make sure you believe they can do the best job for you. There are quite a few out there, so get sample edits and hire the one you believe in and can see yourself working with.
• Take. Your. Time. There are a million reasons why traditional publishing takes a long time, but perhaps the most important is that you need to do loads of preparation before a book is made available to the public. Don’t set a publishing date as a goal and force yourself to finish it if things get pushed back. It’s more important to do it right than to just do it in general.
• Treat your book like a business. This is a product. And you are the owner of that product. How can you make sure your production team is offering everything you need while also giving you the time to be the content creator (or writer) who can come out with the next product?
• You could be putting yourself in the position to make the most money off of a book sale as possible. Not too shabby! Only downfall? You’ll have to front the cost of the book’s production, which means if you don’t have much money when you begin your project, you may be better off trying to traditionally publish instead.
• It is a bit more difficult to get self-published books in bookstores. Due to returns and other bookstore policies, your dream of seeing your book at Barnes and Noble may be a bit harder to achieve. Not impossible though!
• Self-publishing can be extremely rewarding, so if you’re thinking about taking the plunge, I wish you the best of luck! And send us your book to get reviewed after you do!

What do you think is your best path for publishing a book? Let me know in the comments below!

About the Author

Joe Walters is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review, and he has been a book marketer for Sunbury Press, Inkwater Press, and Paper Raven Books. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

Thank you for reading “Publishing a Book in 2023: Which Path Should You Take?” by Joe Walters! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post Publishing a Book in 2023: Which Path Should You Take? appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Joe Walters

Getting publicity for your book is difficult.

And it’s even harder when you’re doing it alone.

There’s a reason why authors chase traditional publishing and still choose to hire publicists with existing contact lists & relationships. Book publicity is an important aspect of book marketing.

Not only is it helpful to show your existing fan base that your book is being talked about in the media, but it’s even more helpful to show your book in front of pre-existing fan bases so that your personal following can grow. 

As long as you’ve created a great, salable product—with great blurbs, description, cover, premise, and book—you’re going to get book sales when you show up in front of the right book-buying audience.

But before I get into all of the things I’ve learned in my time as a marketing & publicity specialist at three indie presses, let’s get the answer to this question out of the way.

What is book publicity?

Book publicity is when an author or an author’s book appears on a platform—a magazine, tv show, a podcast, etc.—in hopes of increasing sales, followers, or subscribers. The platform is usually focused in the author’s niche or location.

So how do you get it?

In short: Try really hard, write more books, and follow these tips. 

Here are 24 dos & don’ts of book publicity

1. Do start with keywords

When you upload your book on Amazon, you’ll be asked to choose seven keywords.

A keyword is a word or phrase that browsers use to find what they’re looking for in the Amazon search engine. If I’m looking for bird books, a keyword I might use is “birdwatching.”

Take your time to choose the right keywords. The best keywords can get you book sales all on their own while the wrong keywords can do absolutely nothing for you. So why does that have anything to do with publicity?

Well…you’ll be using these keywords to research publicity platforms! If you type in “paranormal romance” into Google for example, you’ll get outlets who have been talking about (and maybe featuring) paranormal romance stories. 

But unlike Amazon where you can only upload seven, there’s no cap on the amount of keywords you can use to find outlets that talk about your books. So start brainstorming! These publicity-specific keywords can be different or more direct too. You’ll want to try “paranormal book review” or “paranormal author interview” because that’s what you’re looking for, in addition to the original keyword.

2. Do so much research your eyes get tired

Now that you have your keywords, break out your handy-dandy spreadsheet app. (I like Google Sheets). Create a column for each of the following:

• Name of the outlet: [Independent Book Review]
• Website: [IndependentBookReview.com]
• Contact name & role: [Joe Walters, founder & editor-in-chief]
• Submission info: [independentbookreview.com/get-your-book-reviewed/]
• Deadline: [Never]
• Specialization: [Indie books]
• Angle: [Your book’s best selling point]

You can create tabs (with the same columns as mentioned above) for different types of outlets like podcasts, bloggers, social media influencers, contests, and more.

Then…you get started researching!

Hit the old Google machine and type in keywords related to your book to find out who has been talking about books or topics like yours. When you find outlets who are, input them into your spreadsheet. Do NOT pitch them yet. 

This is going to take some time. To give you a head start, here are 30+ top-notch book review sites to add to your spreadsheet. 

3. Do prioritize personal & professional connections

The best “angle” you can have with an outlet is a personal connection. That’s why publicists and publishers can be so valuable. They’ve been pitching these outlets for years and may have a connection already set up with them; i.e. that outlet loved a book they pitched in the past, so they are more willing to accept a pitch from them in the future.

If you have a personal connection with an outlet, they should be near the top of your priority list when it comes to pitching time. You’ll want to mention the connection in the pitch letter (we’ll get to that!).

4. Do include both local & national outlets

The local angle is one of my favorites! The [Small Town] Gazette may have a smaller reach than The New York Times, but they love stories of their residents doing cool things. Your chances of getting picked up for a feature increase when you pitch the book as a local author. 

But, obviously, there’s more than just your small town out there who is willing to read your book! Go big AND go small. Speaking of…

5. Don’t ONLY include the heavy hitters

I’ve already said it a couple times, but it really is worth mentioning again…

Getting publicity for your book is hard!

For the heavy hitters (NYT, People, O Magazine, etc.), you are battling actual celebrities for page & website space. You can totally include the big ones on your spreadsheet, but if you’re an indie author publishing fiction, you NEED to include the smaller outlets. Your conversion rate is going to be very low with the major outlets, and I don’t want you to exit the publicity phase with 0 features.

6. Do research for podcasts and other media in the right places

You’re definitely going to find podcasts in your niche just by Googling them, but don’t only search there. Type your keywords into places like Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, Blog Talk Radio, etc. 

7. Do (or don’t!) pursue author events

I’ve talked to a lot of authors about book publicity, and (if they’re into that kind of thing), they bring up book tours and author events. They dream of that red carpet event, but it might be more common now to see an indie author event that is poorly attended. I’ve seen multiple stories over the years of indie authors doing events where no one shows. (This one actually went viral, which helps!).

But I still like author events! Readings first, conferences/festivals second, and signings third.

As long as the author knows it’s up to them to get people to show up, I think they should give a couple of them a shot. Sometimes you can use a scheduled event to get featured in local media, so that’s a plus too. Think of bookstores, sure, but also consider coffee shops, museums, schools, and out of the box venues.

I don’t really think of author events as book publicity–more as a fun thing to do that could sell you some books–but I’ve gotten so many comments about it over the years that I wanted to make sure I included it here.

8. Don’t include ALL bloggers & influencers

When you start researching bloggers & influencers, you’re going to find some that you don’t love. Maybe the blog looks outdated, or their reviews feel cookie cutter. Maybe the influencer seems like they’re focused more on follow-backs than real genuine engagement. Don’t pitch them!

Only send a pitch to those you’d be proud to appear on. I love bloggers & influencers because a lot of the time, they care deeply about their audience and can write some really great reviews. But there are some who don’t too! 

9. Do (or don’t!) include book awards & contests

Book awards are definitely worth looking into, but not all of them are worth entering! You have to pay to enter book awards, and while I like submitting your book to a couple of them (if you have the funds!), I don’t think your marketing budget should go too heavy here. 

Make sure you like the book award you’re choosing to pursue. Some of them are cheap but only offer the opportunity to call yourself an award-winning author. I wouldn’t recommend those. If you’re looking for publicity, I want you to find a contest that has a real genuine following.

Keep in mind book lists too! We don’t have a book award, but by submitting to IBR, you are entering for a chance to appear on our Impressive Indies or Best Books list.

10. Don’t miss the deadline!

Some review platforms require you to submit your book for review consideration 3-6 months in advance. Definitely take note of that! If you’re in the research phase and you haven’t sent any pitches yet, but this deadline is coming up, stop what you’re doing and focus on that submission. Then get back to research afterwards.

It’s okay if you miss the deadline. You won’t get coverage from every single place, and it’s more difficult for indie authors to work months in advance. That’s not your fault.

11. Do follow submission guidelines

Some outlets share very specific guidelines that you must adhere to upon submission. For example, we ask that you send us your book cover, a .pdf of the book, the book description, genre, and publication month. All of these play a role in whether or not we accept the book for a feature. If you’re missing one of them, sometimes, we mark the request as read and move on.

What gifts are you asking for this year? Check out our gifts for writers!

12. Do write, revise, & edit a compelling pitch letter

A pitch letter is the email you send to an outlet in the hopes that you or your book get featured. It used to be on fancy letterhead, tucked inside a paperback, and sent via snail mail, but email makes it much easier on us and the trees. Just because it’s email doesn’t mean it’s not serious or professional though.

You should take a lot of time perfecting your pitch letter. Read samples, and write different versions that highlight different angles. If you received a blurb from Stephen King, make sure that thing is in the first paragraph. If you won a major book award with your last book, that’s something to mention. If your best angle is your hook—modern Romeo & Juliet…in space!—then make sure that’s the focus.

If the outlet doesn’t mention the specifics of what you need to submit, I’d say a good set-up would be one that mentions the angle, your publisher (if applicable), the book’s publication date/month, a shorter book description, the book cover, and a direct ask to feature your book.

13. Don’t forget about the subject line

After you’ve written/polished a couple different pitch letters with slightly different angles, it’s time to write as many attention-grabbing email subject lines as you can. It’s important to stand out and get relevant info in there so that the person perusing the email inbox can tell this email is worth opening. 

I like using a mix like, “Review Request – Romeo & Juliet in space by Hugo Award-winning author” or “Interview Request – Author and public speaker releases self-help book on public speaking.”

But honestly—these could be better! Take your time, draft a few of them, and pick two winners.

14. Do personalize the direct address

This is the smallest piece of advice that could go the longest way. Recipients at outlets are primarily interested in covering books and authors that can bring in the biggest audience, so it might not always make a huge difference, but it does help you stand out if you write the pitch directly to the appropriate person.

Making them feel seen and like you took the time to acknowledge them correctly can help increase the professionalism side we were talking about earlier. It’s the nature of the business that we get copy and pasted pitches, but we can be a bit more tempted to do coverage if it feels like the pitcher took the time to get to know me and my company.

If there’s no specific name, just address it to the appropriate outlet you’re pitching: Dear Independent Book Review. Do NOT use “Dear Sir/Ma’am” or send a batch email with multiple recipients.

15. Do showcase your best blurb(s)

It’s already hard enough to tell a humble writer to talk to other people let alone get them to ask for help. Some authors don’t like to self-promote, and pitching a book for publicity definitely requires a little bit of that (Another reason why people like publicists so much!). 

One thing that helps that immensely is using book blurbs in your pitch. Let somebody else tell the person you’re pitching that the book is good. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve chosen to cover a book based on what someone I knew/admired said about it. Here’s how to get book blurbs!

16. Don’t use an Amazon review as a blurb

But but but but but!

Not all blurbs carry the same weight. There are some really great Amazon reviewers out there, but I wouldn’t consider them blurbers. A blurb should come from an author or expert in your book’s field.

17. Don’t use big block paragraphs for your pitch

Big block paragraphs turn me away from a pitch 49 times out of 50. I scan email pitches for the content I need—the genre, description, blurbs, cover, publication month—but it makes it difficult to do that when there’s only one or two big block paragraphs. Make it less work on me, will ya?

Break that pitch up into multiple paragraphs and use formatting tools like bolded font and lists. Do NOT use colored font.

How do you get more book reviews? We’ve got answers!

18. Don’t send the pitch until the book is ready

A very important reminder before we get into the nitty gritty of drafting your pitch letter! When you pitch, make sure the book is presented as well as it could possibly be. Three vitals:

• Your book description should be the absolute best it can be.
• The book cover should be finalized, catchy, and attractive.
• Have your blurb(s) ready.

And of course, don’t pitch anybody until the book is ready to be sent to them. If you pitch someone, they say yes, and you say, “Wait, it’s still in copy editing!” you’re going to miss out on that publicity.

19. Do (or Don’t!) attach a press release

I like press releases! They’re an efficient, attractive way to display all of the necessary details of your book. When I see a well-designed press release, I think that the author/publishing team put time and effort into this interaction—and probably did the same with the book. Although, a poorly designed press release can do the opposite.

Some outlets and even some email carriers don’t want you to attach ANYTHING to your pitch. Since you don’t want to end up in SPAM or in the digital trash, make sure you follow their guidelines. If they don’t specify, then feel free to include one! But make it snappy and sleek. 

20. Do send the pitch & save your send date

We’ve already done a lot of work. So don’t forget the most important thing: sending the actual pitch!

Set aside time early in the week to send your personalized (but mostly copy & pasted) pitch to every single recipient on your list, separately. I like to get them all done within a few days so that we can finalize this task, determine why things worked or didn’t, and then move onto the next task. I like beginning of the week for sending pitches because I don’t want to get or request a response on the weekend. 

Add a column at the end of your spreadsheet that says “Date Sent.” You’ll want to keep this info so that you know when to follow up. Speaking of… 

21. Do send a follow-up

A follow-up pitch can help you move up in your recipient’s inbox. If a reviewer is considering covering your book and then you follow up with them kindly (maybe around 7 days later?), it could help them make the final decision.

At IBR, the follow-ups don’t do tooooo much, but as a publicist, it has worked for me multiple times in the past. Sometimes the follow-up period is more successful than the initial pitching period.

22. Don’t be pushy

Tattoo this one on your forehead!

If you are asking for a free review or feature, you are asking for help. You believe the recipient could help you improve your chances of making book sales, and the recipient thinks that maybe your book or you could help generate income for them. Bookselling is a teamwork activity.

So even in your follow-up—and even if they agreed to review it months ago and have stopped answering you—be kind and patient and understanding. You want to keep good vibes going through your little community of supportive readers. Don’t ruin it. 

23. Do celebrate every little victory

And I guess we’ve arrived at my favorite of all favorites. Sometimes your pitch converts! Sometimes your book is reviewed. Sometimes you wake up and your book is being talked about online. I don’t care if it’s a single social media post, a single blog review, or the best podcast interview acceptance you could have possibly asked for. The most important thing for you to do is feel happy. Your work is being recognized, and while each publicity feature won’t sell a book for you, it can be rewarding to know that your hard work is being recognized. Congrats, friend. 

24. Don’t give up

It can feel like a substantial bummer to hear crickets in response to your book pitches. And some outlets won’t even want to feature you if your book is getting too old. You should definitely move on to different book marketing tasks eventually. 

But!

Keep an eye out. When you see a new outlet pop up or just one you haven’t seen before, learn about it and dust off that pitch letter. Some people will be willing to talk about your book as long as it’s available. Keep on trying. You got this.

And now you know what you need to know about book publicity. Good luck out there!

About the Author

Joe Walters is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review, and he has been a book marketer for Sunbury Press, Inkwater Press, and Paper Raven Books. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

Thank you for reading Joe Walters’s blog post “24 Dos and Don’ts of Book Publicity!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 24 Dos & Don’ts of Book Publicity | Tips on Research, Pitching & More appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Tucker Lieberman

A guide to writing LGBTQ characters in your fiction or screenplays

What does it mean to have “good LGBTQ representation” in your creative writing? How do you make sure that your LGBTQ characters are shining, true, and not offending?

We seek ourselves in books, and we seek others. We seek solace. Community. Knowledge. How do you write LGBTQ characters effectively so that your readers have the capacity to enjoy it?

The great news is: You have so many freedoms.

There are multiple ways to tell your story and to talk about what’s important to your characters. Writers, it’s time to get started.

Here are 20 things you should know about writing LGBTQ characters.

1. Understand your character as a whole person. 

Understanding a character’s sexuality and gender is rooted in understanding them as a person. Help the character excavate their desires:

• What do they want?
• What’s in their way? 
• How are they standing in their own way?
• What won’t they settle for?
• What will it feel like when they arrive?
• How will they know they’ve done it?

See: the answers to these questions don’t have to be about their sexuality or gender. There’s more to them than that. If you establish their goals early, it’ll be easier for you to tell the story. Your character might surprise you by changing what they want. You can work on this in developmental editing and with beta readers.

2. Don’t try to prove the character’s identity

There’s no essential characteristic that makes someone lesbian, gay, bi, trans, or queer. Some people know their sexual orientation before they’ve had sex. Some people know they’re trans and don’t entertain the idea of changing their body. 

When revealing a character as LGBTQ, one option is to do a “tell” instead of a “show.” The character can simply say “I’m gay” and leave it at that. This approach may not fit your story, but it’s one of your freedoms.

3. Say who they are directly, or maybe don’t say it at all. 

I’m taking a bet that in your novel about a woman operating a bulldozer on an all-male construction site, the woman doesn’t “happen to be” a butch lesbian. The phrase “happens to be” usually sounds as though someone’s tiptoeing around, apologizing for, or downplaying the importance of an identity. When planning fiction about her, go bold: She is a butch lesbian.

Avoid the phrase “happen(s) to be” in relation to their sexuality or gender.

A person’s identity is often relevant to a situation, even if subtly. If you’re inclined to mention their identity at all, go ahead and say who they are. If it feels weird to speak directly about it, it might be irrelevant, in which case there’s no need to bring it up indirectly either, and you’re free to drop it.

4. Learn real terminology or invent new words

Language is historically and culturally specific. The word “homosexual” in English, for example, has different connotations depending on what decade you’re in. Go back far enough and you’ll find a different word altogether. Learn a different language, and you’ll find that language has different categories and nuances. 

If you’re writing realistic fiction, you have a responsibility to learn real words. There’s a difference between affirming, friendly language and delegitimizing, rude language. Language shifts over time, and you can try to reflect the time period you’re writing about.

If your narrative has a fantasy element, you can invent or repurpose words. This can happen in your story too. You’re free to do it. No one has the authority to decide that you’ve broken the rules of “confabulous memoir.”

“I grew up in a crooked house in a place called Gloom,” Kai Cheng Thom says in Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl’s Confabulous Memoir.

5. Allow the character to make their own meaning

Consider what words resonate with the character about their identity. The 2023 novel Pedro & Daniel by Federico Erebia is built around dichos (Spanish for “proverbs”) that gain meaning for the boys as they grow up. A character can also develop their own set of symbols: sunrise, flag, basketball. Some of these might be related to their LGBTQ identity.

Pedro & Daniel by Federico Erebia

6. Be ambiguous if you want

Some characters are “coded” as LGBTQ through stereotypes, common tropes, sideways references, and so on. The story never explicitly labels them as “gay” or “transgender” nor announces relevant facts. Instead, the author drops hints, like a gender-neutral reference to a lover.

Readers have different reactions to this kind of ambiguity. Some readers expect and crave clarity. Others appreciate the flexibility to imagine characters in ways that appeal to them.

7. Explore a character’s myriad traits, not just their sexuality and gender

Readers will interpret your character through many traits:

• what work they do
• how much money they have
• what principles they hold
• what hobbies they enjoy
• who they spend time with
• who their role models are
• who has cast them out

Is this part of writing LGBTQ characters? Yes, it is! A person has their sexuality and gender all the time, including when they’re doing regular human stuff like working or spending time with their friends. Their LGBTQ identity closes some doors and opens others. It affects how they show up in the world. And the other things they do in the world in turn affect their experience of sexuality and gender.

You don’t have to justify how certain character traits relate to their LGBTQ identity. You may know the answer—or not. You have the freedom not to present the case in every chapter for exactly why and how your story is an LGBTQ story.

8. Include as much, or as little, “LGBTQ stuff” as you see fit

There’s no universal answer for what’s “too much” or “too little” attention given to a character’s sexuality or gender. Readers will arrive at their opinion based on their own preferences.

You have the freedom to focus on your character’s obviously LGBTQ-specific life experiences:

• coming out
• finding lovers
• experiencing rejection or discrimination
• taking care of their sexual health (like HIV treatment)
• managing their fertility
• having feelings about their own body
• shopping for gender-nonconforming clothes
• introducing themselves to others by a new name
• going to Pride marches

You may instead choose to devote the majority of space to less obviously queer/trans topics. That’s your freedom too.

9. What is your character’s self-knowledge? Let it be complicated.

The character knows they’re gay. If you feel the need to explain how they know it, try these narrative angles:

• When did the character first think they might be gay?
• Did they ever try to be straight?
• How do they sense what feels “right” or “wrong”?
• What gives them pleasure?
• When did they know “for sure”?
• Are they sure now, and does certainty matter to them?

Do some research (and have fun doing it!) by getting some awesome LGBTQ books from indie presses & authors.

10. Your character’s gender transition will probably take time

A trans person’s physical changes (if they make any) take a while. The impact of hormones might take several months or a year to become obvious, and surgery requires weeks or months of recovery. A person may schedule procedures years apart. No one shows up to tell them when their transition is formally “over.”

Some trans people change their name multiple times, waiting to find one that fits. Some prefer to be called different pronouns in different contexts.

Meanwhile, if your character is currently “in transition,” how do they feel about their gender and body? How do others understand (or fail to understand) their changes? Are others aware that changes are happening? What does the trans person want them to know? Does the trans person care what others think?

11. Don’t forget your character’s ongoing life changes

When someone first acknowledges and accepts their sexuality or gender, it may coincide with other life changes like:

• leaving their parents’ house
• dropping out of high school or college
• switching jobs or career paths
• divorcing
• ending friendships
• quitting religion
• moving to a new city
• meeting new friends and lovers

Some people continue with huge changes every year. Others settle down. A character comes out as bisexual…and what they do next is up to them.

12. Let them screw up

Our identities are no guarantee that we’re enlightened, that we have solidarity, nor even that we’re polite. We screw it up with each other. We make mistakes. Gay men can be misogynist; lesbians can be rude and hurtful to men. A bisexual person can pressure a trans person to get surgery; a trans person can assume a bisexual person is “confused” about themselves. Friends disappoint each other. Coworkers “out” each other. That’s real life.

As real people, we’re obligated to clean up our messes. But in fiction, it’s more complicated. You’re free to show a character doing something wrong, making no reparation, and feeling no remorse. If you do, show us, please, why that’s important to the story.

Spreading negative ideas about LGBTQ people, even in fiction, can have real-life effects, so evil LGBTQ characters remain controversial. Learn about the history of “homosexual villain” tropes. You’re free to write unsavory queer characters—and to receive the consequences of doing so.

13. Who is on your character’s “naughty and nice list?”

A queer/trans person remembers to whom they’ve come out: friends, family, colleagues, neighbors. They may have renegotiated relationships based on others’ reactions. They know who knows they’re gay, or at least they have a good sense of it. They also have a list of everyone who doesn’t deserve to know.

14. Ignore the haters

In a homophobic and transphobic climate, authors and publishers are sometimes nervous about writing LGBTQ characters provocatively. But making those characters tame and uncontroversial may not be the best solution for your novel.

You may want to achieve “balance” of some sort for artistic or commercial reasons. However, there’s no compromise to be struck with homophobes and transphobes—they’ll always be unhappy and they’ll give you nothing in return. You’re free to tell them where to go.

15. “LGBTQ” can move beyond dictionary definitions

Personal epiphanies—a moment of insight or growth—can feel tied to LGBTQ identity. A person is at a rock concert, a philosophy class, having lunch with a friend, praying in a house of worship, breaking up with a lover, buying an outfit. Suddenly, an insight hits.

Often, it’s hard to explain why the insight should feel queer or trans, since a straight, cisgender person could have a similar insight.

To answer that, look at the character holistically. Even if individual stepping stones don’t seem to be about gender or sexuality, each one is part of the person’s path. The character is LGBTQ every day, so anything they experience can feel related to their gender or sexuality.

Their thoughts and feelings occur in a broader context, connected to other thoughts and feelings. The person has metaphorically saved these thoughts to the “trans/queer” folder on their mental hard drive. Their insights have LGBTQ flavor and significance for them. 

It doesn’t matter what being LGBTQ means objectively or according to the dictionary. It matters what it means to this character.

16. Visibility or privacy can be a strategic choice

LGBTQ people are affected by interpersonal prejudice and marginalized by larger systems. Each person has their own preferred ways of negotiating risks and living their life. 

Visibility or privacy can be a strategic choice. One person may come out to many friends so they have allies and can swiftly assert their dignity whenever it’s challenged. Another may stay tightly closeted to avoid becoming the target of hate and discrimination. See how this plays out in the 2023 novel And Then He Sang a Lullaby by Ani Kayode Somtochukwu, in which young gay men in Nigeria must stay under the radar of police.

Visibility or privacy can also be part of someone’s personality. Their preference may not vary by situation, and they may not game it out ahead of time. They may manage or express their identity more or less in the same way everywhere they go, no matter the risks or lack thereof.

In fiction, ask: How does the character’s choice work out in their story? Are their expectations met, or does something else happen? 

And Then He Sang a Lullaby by Ani Kayode Somtochukwu

17. Understand what “good LGBTQ representation” means

When writing LGBTQ characters, the idea of “representation,” and thus what it means for rep to be “good,” varies.

“Good LGBTQ rep” can mean that the author:

• Clearly labels a character’s sexual or gender identity
• Describes or discusses sexualities, bodies, or identities
• Ensures that all references to LGBTQ people or issues are complimentary and supportive
• Gives a character at least one realistic LGBTQ experience or trait (even if it’s an exceptional or unusual one)
• Bases a character on a typical LGBTQ person
• Challenges harmful stereotypes
• Draws from existing LGBTQ fictional narrative tropes or literary archetypes
• Sets up an important LGBTQ character as an exemplary human being
• Omits hate and violence that isn’t essential to the story
• Delivers a happy ending for all LGBTQ characters

Furthermore, “good LGBTQ rep” can mean that a reader:

• Learns something about some aspect of LGBTQ identity
• Personally relates to one of the LGBTQ characters
• Feels emotionally comforted
• Agrees with the book’s message or takeaway
• Generally likes the book

However, not all fiction strives to be educational, relatable, comforting, correct, or popular. Some novels achieve something else.

You know why you’re writing your book. Define your goal, and you’ll discover how to achieve it well. If the term “good LGBTQ representation” feels confusing or irrelevant, you’re free to use another term to describe your goal for this novel.

18. Seek help!

Writing a novel is a huge undertaking. You’ll grow as a person and as a writer too. As you do, your book will improve.

You don’t have to do it alone. Set aside a budget—this is an important investment—and hire the right people.

Sensitivity reader or cultural consultant

Hiring a sensitivity reader is a good idea even if you’re writing a character with an identity or experience similar to your own (called “own voices”). For example, I’m a transgender man, and I hired a trans sensitivity reader to see what they thought about my transgender character and my book as a whole. They wrote up a hundred reactions, and I adjusted my book. No two people have the same knowledge base and perspective. Salt and Sage keeps a roster of sensitivity readers.

Beta readers

When you have a complete, clean draft of your story and you’re still willing to accept feedback, beta readers can help. With no prior knowledge of your novel or your writing process, they serve as an early audience, reading and reacting to your story. You can hire a team of beta readers through Independent Book Review.

Cover artist

While you’re at it, support an openly LGBTQ artist! Find artists in directories like Queer Cartoonists Database or under the latest social media hashtag for queer/trans artists. 

19. Manage your own author identity your own way

Publishers and marketers often ask for “LGBTQ books.” This can mean various things. They may seek:

• an openly LGBTQ author
• a main character with a specific identity
• a genre (e.g., romance)
• a theme (e.g., how nightclubs are policed)

That’s what they may have in mind. But how do you see it? What does writing LGBTQ characters mean to you?

Do what’s right for your story. No one story can fit every publisher’s call for LGBTQ books.

Disclose your own information carefully, and name your boundaries regarding how it’s used. Keep that in mind as you phrase your bio and book description—and as you write the story itself.

20. Be who you are

Writing LGBTQ characters in fiction, selling those books, and putting them into eager readers’ hands depends on political conditions. We ourselves need the freedom to be LGBTQ in our real lives. Be who you are, and help create a world where others have that freedom too. 

What are your favorite books with LGBTQ characters? Let me know in the comments!

About the Author

Tucker Lieberman is the author of the metafictional Most Famous Short Film of All Time (tRaum Books, 2022). Being a transgender man has been a big, weird part of his life. He’s married to another man, the Hugo-longlisted fan writer Arturo Serrano, author of the multiply queer alternate history To Climates Unknown (2021). They live in Bogotá, Colombia.

Thank you for reading Tucker Lieberman’s “20 Tips for Writing LGBTQ Characters!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Book reviews are for all of us.

Readers need to know whether books with the best covers are worth the time they’re about to put into it. They find it helpful (and fun!) to check out reviews after reading the books, too, so they can see what other real-life humans had to say about it.

Authors & publishers need to get book reviews to build buzz and credibility for their product. Librarians & booksellers need to hear from trusted sources that the book they are about to buy for their collection has the capability to get picked up & to satisfy. 

Book review sites have transformed the book-recommending landscape.

We can write reviews on product pages, on social media apps, and some of us, for publications that have been around since before the internet. Book reviewing has changed. But maybe it also hasn’t.

What kind of book review sites are you looking for? Chances are, this list has you covered.

Here are 30+ book review sites to read, write, and bookmark. 

1. Independent Book Review

Does this logo look familiar? (Hint: You’re sitting on it).

IBR, the website you’re on RIGHT NOW, is all about indie books. There are so many books in the world right now, but if you feel like you keep seeing the same ones recommended over and over, start reading indie!

Independent presses & self-published authors are doing some incredible work right now. IBR reviews books, curates lists, does indie bookstore round-ups, and uses starred reviews & best-of-the-year lists to show which books are going to blow your mind.

2. Book Marks

Lit Hub rules. You already knew this.

But do you know about Book Marks? They’re a branch of the Lit Hub network, and they are an excellent way for booksellers and librarians to get shorter recaps from multiple sources and voices.

Their staff peruses book review sites and shares pull-quotes from them in book lists & more. By reading all of these sites, they can give the book a rating based on the average: “Rave, Positive, Mixed, or Pan.”

My favorite book-buying platform, Bookshop, uses Book Marks’ scale for their books’ ratings, and I love getting access to that.

3. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly has been around since 1872. By now, they’re a review churning machine. They cover so much of the book industry in so many different ways, reviewing nearly 9,000 books per year and providing publication announcements, agency announcements, industry job listings, bestseller lists, industry stats, a self-publishing partner, and more. 

4. Kirkus Reviews

Another one that’s been around since before the internet! 1933 to be exact. Kirkus is a widely recognized publication that book buyers & librarians follow carefully. I dare you to find a bookstore or library that doesn’t have multiple books with Kirkus Reviews plastered on their front and back covers.

5. Booklist

The American Library Association runs Booklist, a platform dedicated to helping libraries, educators, and booksellers choose books. They’ve got a magazine (since 1905!), book reviews, lists, awards, and one of my favorite bookish podcasts out there: Shelf Care.

6. Library Journal & School Library Journal

As you might be able to guess, Library Journal & School Library Journal focus on librarians too! They review a ton of books, and they write often about library-related news, collection management, technology, programs, and more. If you’re an author hoping to land your book in libraries, these are essential targets.

7. BookPage

You may have seen BookPage in your local library or bookstore. Some shops provide it for free so that patrons can look through it to find which books to buy in-store. Their website is clean and intriguing and always full of the most up-to-date releases and bestsellers.

Speaking of libraries! Have you seen our gifts for librarians?

8. Foreword

Foreword is such an enthusiastic and dedicated champion of indie books, and they’ve been doing it since the 90s! I love how much attention university presses get here too. Their reviews are well-written & thorough, in both print & digital, and I always find something to speed-purchase once the Foreword Indie winners come out.

9. LoveReading

LoveReading is a top book-recommendation website in the UK. They’ve got starred reviews, lists, staff picks, a LitFest, eBooks, and they even donate 25% of the cover price of their books to schools of your choice. It’s reader-friendly and apparent how much they appreciate the wonder of books. 

10. Washington Independent Review of Books

What’s not to love about The Independent?

Back in 2011, a group of writers & editors were frustrated by newspapers dropping book review sections and decided to do something about it. The Washington Independent Review of Books is quite a lovely something! This nonprofit posts every day: from reviews to interviews to essays and podcasts. They host events too!

11. Book Riot

Try being a reader and not finding something you love on Book Riot. Book lists, podcasts, personalized recommendations, newsletters, book deals—this site is a haven.

It doesn’t post solo book reviews like other sites, but they do share mini-reviews in book lists and talk about reading in unique & passionate ways. The Book Riot Podcast is such a winner too! I love listening to Jeff & Rebecca laugh about the latest in books & reading.

12. Electric Lit

From novel excerpts to original short fiction & poetry, they might not only be a book review site,  but they do offer a lot in the world of book recommendations. Their Recommended Reading lit mag features unique staff picks and short, insightful book reviews.

13. The Millions

The writing in The Millions is something to behold. They are an artful source for all things book reviews & recommendations. They write stunning essays about books & reading and long reviews of new and old books. They’ve got some of my favorite Most Anticipated lists too.

What are the biggest benefits of reading?

14. Bookforum

Did you hear? Bookforum is back! This book review magazine announced in December 2022 that they were closing, and my heart sank a little bit. This company means so much to the publishing industry and has for 20+ years, so when I saw (last week!) that they are returning, I did more than a few jumps for joy.

Welcome back, Bookforum! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got coming for us in book world coverage.

15. BOMB

BOMB is in it for the art. Art, literature, film, music, theater, architecture, and dance. There are reviews and interviews, and the literature section is a real delight. The reviews are like poignant essays, and the author interviews are in-depth and feature some fascinating minds.

16. The Asian Review of Books

The only dedicated pan-Asian book review publication! It’s widely cited and features some of the best in Asian books and art, so booksellers and librarians have a source to trust to stock their collections with high-quality pan-Asian lit.

Have you seen our gifts for book lovers yet?

17. Chicago Review of Books

I love so much of what Chicago Review of Books does. They have a clean & sleek design that features some of the buzziest books as well as plenty of hidden gems from our favorite indie presses. I’m a particularly big fan of the spotlight they put on books in translation.

18. Rain Taxi

I love Rain Taxi’s style! They champion unique books, publish their own fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and put a real emphasis on art for their magazine covers. It’s a beautiful print magazine to subscribe to, but they also share free online editions & digital archives. They even run the Rain Taxi Reading Series & Twin Cities Book Festival if you’re a real-lifer in Minnesota!

19. The Rumpus

Oh, The Rumpus! This mostly volunteer-run online magazine publishes reviews, interviews, essays, fiction, and poetry. The reviews are in-depth and personal and heart-melting, and in addition to the site, they’ve got cool perks like the Poetry Book Club and Letters in the Mail. The book club is where you get a pre-release book and meet the poet via Slack with other club members at the end of the month, and Letters in the Mail are actual postcards sent in the mail to you twice a month from your favorite authors.

20. Book Reporter

The selection in Book Reporter is carefully curated & enticing: hot new releases, forthcoming books, major presses, & indies. And there are plenty of unique ways to learn about them, like video interviews and monthly lists & picks. It launched in 1996 and is in The Book Report Network, which includes Reading Group Guides, a super useful resource for book clubs.

21. BookTrib.

BookTrib does such a great job of making their site browsable. The different ways you can enjoy what they offer—from book lists to giveaways to ebook deals—are difficult to keep your purchase finger off of.

23. Lit Reactor

Writers & readers—where bookish people meet! LitReactor’s book reviews are in the magazine portion of their website, and they’ve got plenty of them! Reviews, interviews, lists, introspectives, writing tips, and reading discussions. I’ve found some really unique content on Lit Reactor, like this ranking of literary parents. The website is a haven for writers especially, as there are workshops, writing blog posts, and even a forum to participate in.

24. Crime Fiction Lover

Dark alleys. Stray bullets. Hard-boiled detectives. Runaway thrills. If you’re a mystery-thriller reader, you’ve got to know about Crime Fiction Lover. They’ve got a passionate group of readers and writers talking about the best books in the genre and the ones that are soon to come out too.

25. SF Book Reviews

Speculative fiction fans unite! SF Book Reviews has been reviewing sci-fi and fantasy books since 1999, and while they’re a relatively small staff, they publish regularly, feature books of the month, and work wonders for their fantastical community.

26. Historical Novel Society

For all you historical fiction fans out there, the Historical Novel Society has reviewed more than 20,000 books in its twenty years. This one works like a membership for “writers and readers who love exploring the past.” You get a quarterly print magazine as a member, and if you’re a writer, you can join critique groups and ask for book reviews.

27. The Poetry Question

The Poetry Question writes about poetry published by indie presses and indie authors. They are a small passionate team dedicated to showing the world why indie presses continue to be a leading source for award-winning poetry.

28. Goodreads

Did you know that there are over 125 million members on Goodreads? When users review books, they can have conversations with fellow readers and follow reviewers too. If you’re looking for the biggest community, there’s no doubt Goodreads is the one. I like using sites like this because it helps you catalog books, one of my favorite ways to build a strong reading habit. 

29. The Storygraph

A big community of active users that’s Amazon free! Come review books, use half & quarter stars (!), and complete reading challenges. You got this.

29. Bookwyrm

Bookwyrm is small (around 5,000 members at the time of this writing), but doesn’t that sound kind of nice? There are active members and a genuine collective goal in talking books. Grow with it. I think you’ll be comfy here. There are other communities within the Bookwyrm umbrella too, like Bookrastinating.

30. Reedsy Discovery

I hold a special place in my heart for book review sites dedicated to helping writers! I got into this business as a book marketer, and I experienced first-hand, through hundreds of books, how hard it was to get exposure & validation for small press and self-published authors. 

Reedsy Discovery is a branch of Reedsy (the author resource company) that connects authors & reviewers so that people can read free books, sometimes receive tips for it, and authors can get more reviews in the process. Readers can choose from the latest books as well as the ones that are getting the best reviews.

31. Netgalley

Netgalley is a book review site for pre-released books. Reviewers sign up for a free account, request galleys from publishers and indie authors, and get to read them before they’re published so that they can leave reviews for the book, preferably on Amazon, Goodreads, or their blog. They also run Bookish, the editorial arm of Netgalley, which has book recommendations, interviews, and more.

32. Online Book Club

This review site combines a bunch of cool things! The 4-million member community gives me a lot of Goodreads vibes, especially with the Bookshelves app. But Online Book Club is a place for you to get eBook deals and talk about books in reviews and forums.

What are your favorite book review sites to follow? Let us know in the comments!

Thank you for reading “Top-Notch Book Review Sites for Readers & Writers!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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by Joe Walters

Getting beta readers can be intimidating.

When you send a manuscript to someone else for critique, you send pieces of yourself out with it. Your thoughts, ideas, images, knowledge, tastes. You chose each word on each page with purpose. It came only from you.

But it’s not for you, is it? Or at least not only you.

If you’re seeking publication with your writing, it’s also for readers. Each and every one of them. It is their time, and they are choosing to spend it by reading what you have to say.

So, writers: Write that thing, revise it, revise it again, edit it. Give it your all. 

But before you hit publish or submit, get feedback on it from trustworthy readers.

Why?

You are only one person. You can make mistakes and improvements. You have the chance to make this thing absolutely incredible. So do it.

Here are 20 common (and not so common) questions about getting beta readers. 

1. What are beta readers?

A beta reader is a person who reads a writer’s work prior to publication and provides feedback on it. This person is meant to represent the experience of an average reader in the writer’s target audience.

For example, a good match as a beta reader for a literary fiction manuscript would be a person who reads and enjoys literary fiction. Historical fiction about WWI? Your history teacher friend (who likes to read!) might be a good choice.

But not every writer has those people in their lives, so they often have to get creative. (Big task, I know). Which leads us to our next question.

2. Who can you ask to be a beta reader?

People you know in real life:

• Other writers 
• Former critique partner & workshop co-members
• Friends who read
• Family who reads

People you don’t know in real life:

• Critique websites like Scribophile
• Online critique partners & workshop co-members
• Professional beta readers
• Book reviewers
• Social media friends & acquaintances
• Beta reading & writing groups on social media like Facebook & Goodreads

3. Can friends and family really be good beta readers?

Honestly…yes. They totally can. But not all of them. And not always. And definitely not without proper guidance going in.

If you’re going to ask friends or family members to beta read your work, they need to know beforehand that you are NOT looking for empty praise. They should know that if they want to be the most helpful they can be, they should share the good things they found in it AND the things that they didn’t think were so good. Which plot points felt weak? Which storylines didn’t you care about? Which characters? 

But even with this caveat, you should be aware that the people who love you most are probably going to be nicer to you than those with some distance. You can totally use your friends and family members as beta readers, but they should not be the only ones.

4. How many beta readers should you get? 

More than two for sure! But also, probably no more than about six per draft.

It’s great to get a lot of different feedback from a lot of different, unique readers with different, unique interests, but you’re going to have things to work on after the first 5 or so. This is why I think 5 is a good sweet spot per draft so that you can save the additional willing readers for a later draft. 

5. When should you get beta readers?

You can get beta readers at any point after you’ve finished a manuscript. While you can definitely find value in getting beta reader feedback directly after your first draft, it’s often beneficial to make your book the best it can be prior to getting beta readers.

Why?

Because you don’t want your beta readers bringing up issues that you are already aware of. Try to fix those issues before you send it so that your beta reading team can catch things you aren’t already conscious of. 

6. Should you be worried that a beta reader will steal your work?

You should definitely be aware of the possibility. Book piracy happens, and it can really suck. So do some vetting before you send books out to people that you don’t know personally. If you found them on Facebook or Goodreads, check out their profiles. See how long their online imprint goes back. Feel positive that they are a real human.

I don’t want anyone to steal your work, now or in the future. It is difficult to turn an unpublished manuscript into a bestseller, even for established publishing houses, so it could not be much of an issue in the end. So you can definitely breathe a little bit.

But also, do work on your part to try to make sure it doesn’t happen or react appropriately when it does. One of my favorite ways is to send it in .pdf. Then, set up a Google Alert for your book title and author name. Since you have written this book (on your .pdf, with a date), you have a paper trail proof that it is your book. This is a good thing. Here’s more on what you can do if it happens.

7. Where do you find beta readers online?

Unpaid beta readers:

• Scribophile
• betareader.io
• Writing workshops (like Gotham)
• Writing forums (like LitReactor)
• Facebook groups (like mine!)
• Goodreads groups

Paid beta readers:

• Independent Book Review
• Fiverr
• Reedsy
• Upwork
• Facebook groups
• Goodreads groups

8. How do you ask people to beta read?

This varies from situation to situation. If you’re writing an email to a personal comrade from your workshop days, you should start out personally. If you are posting on a Facebook group or in a Goodreads group, it’s most important to communicate clearly what your book is about and what you are asking of them. I also think using lists are helpful for people scrolling these sites.

Social media pitch sample:

9. What are the most effective strategies for getting more beta readers?

• Have an interesting book description that makes them want to read it.
• Offer to swap with other writers.

10. Should you pay for beta readers?

It’s not always easy to get beta readers. It takes literal time to read and provide feedback, and some books are more difficult to find readers for than others. If the book is a sensitive topic and/or over 100k words, you could have fewer offers to beta read than you’d hoped. In other cases, you could get the feedback but not necessarily feel like you agree with what the reader is saying and/or feel like they didn’t provide enough feedback.

This is where paid beta readers come in. This way, you can orchestrate the amount of time it’s completed beforehand and have a wider pool of more experienced readers to choose from. 

That’s not to say every beta reader you pay is guaranteed to be what you’re looking for.

The best you can do is research, believe in the people, and agree on something that works for the both of you. Even though you don’t usually think about it in terms of per-hour payment, when you consider how long it takes to read a book and acknowledge that every reader reads at a different pace, you can see that it’s not usually too much. $100 for a book that takes 10 hours is $10/h. Then, add in note-taking, writing, & editing time. You could see fees anywhere from $5 for a whole book to $250 & beyond for solo readers. Be realistic and strategic about your budget for sure, but recognize that you’ll probably get different work expectations (& quality) from a $5 service.

What you want them to do is what they do best: read, pay attention to their feelings, and communicate with you at a high level about your book.

I’m definitely biased, but…I take a lot of pride in IBR Group Beta Reading. We all like different books and have different specialties, and we’re mad-hat, book-crazy reviewers, bloggers, librarians, booksellers, book marketers, editors, and authors. Wanna know how readers would feel if this book came out today? Ask the people selling, lending, writing, and working with the published ones!

11. Should you ask the beta readers questions or have them read it fresh?

This is one of my favorite questions of this whole list.

Why?

It’s different for everybody! I love working fresh as a beta reader because it allows me to comment on what I believe to be the most important positives and negatives of the book. “[This] is the biggest reason why I would only give the book 3 stars if it was published today.” This way I’m not influenced by what they asked—I’m merely a reader.

But a few specific questions can go a long way in getting what you’re looking for, too. You should definitely still ask the big question (was it good, bad, or in-between, and what are the reasons why?), but if you truly don’t know what to do about that one character and want to see what your reader thinks of them specifically, you can get that answer, especially from paid beta readers. 

Some authors even like to use long questionnaires, which can be excellent and comprehensive if asked correctly. They might only require the questionnaire and a few long-form answers within it. This can be good, but they can also be detrimental if you don’t ask the right pointed questions. Here’s a big list of ideas. It’s best to be specific.

12. How long should you give beta readers to read it?

This depends on length and the reader’s availability. For a full-length fiction manuscript (50k to 100k words), I like asking for four to five weeks. It’s not a pressing timetable for most. If you want them quicker, keep an eye out for some paid readers who will allow you to expedite the service.

A note on lateness: Some readers may need more time either at the onset of your request or around the due date. If it’s a free beta reader, give them that time and thank them for letting you know. You can check in one more time probably (kindly!), but if they don’t, just let them go. If it’s a paid beta reader, ask for a partial refund if you find it appropriate.

13. How should I send my manuscript to my beta readers?

I like email the best. You can definitely attach a file over Facebook messenger if that’s where the bulk of your communication has been thus far, but getting an email is another form of vetting. The more they prove they’re real and ready to read, the better.

In the email, I’d recommend including the following:

• “Thanks for offering to read my book!”
• Attach the book as .pdf to the email.
• A request like, “As I’m sure doesn’t need to be said, please do not share anything about this manuscript or your reading of it online or elsewhere. Could you agree to that term in your reply to this message?”
• Ask for confirmation on the expected turnaround time.
• Include any questions you’d like covered in their beta report and/or another reminder that you’d simply like for them to share what they consider to be the most important feedback, positive and negative.

14. What type of feedback should you expect from a beta reader?

Beta readers are meant to provide big-picture feedback. This storyline works, while this one doesn’t; this character works, while this one doesn’t. Beta reading isn’t copy editing. They may leave copy editing or proofreading notes, but that’s not primarily what the task is for. If you’d like to double-down to make sure they don’t spend time leaving notes like that, you can say that in your initial request or in your email with the book attached. 

15. What do you do with your beta reader feedback?

Ah, the age-old question and the age-old answer!

Sit on it.

Read the letter and breathe and read the letter and breathe and read the letter and breathe.

Thank the beta reader for their time and consideration, even if something they said makes you upset. Sit and breathe some more. If you have additional questions on something they’ve written and they offer to keep chatting with you, ask those questions. 

Then, after you’ve breathed a lot, jot down all of the notes that you believe in the most and start planning how to improve your book. It’s time to revise, not just rewrite. Be open to cutting that book open and throwing a ton of good stuff into it. Your work isn’t done yet. But it is getting closer to being awesome if you’re willing to keep working.

16. What if you don’t agree with something your beta reader said?

Then fuhgeddaboutit!

Not only are beta readers wrong sometimes, they can communicate it ineffectively too. Now, if three of five beta readers all say the same problem, then maybe you should look into it more. Find out why they’re wrong but you kind of are too. Be vulnerable and willing to be honest with yourself and your work. Your book deserves it.

17. What’s the difference between a beta reader and critique partner?

A critique partner is someone you develop a relationship with over time by sharing and critiquing each other’s work. It’s a partnership, not just a one-off beta reading request. You’ll want to allot time to critique their work if you are seeking a critique partner. 

18. What’s the difference between a beta reader and a sensitivity reader?

A sensitivity reader is someone who reads for a specific potential issue, like offensive content in your representation of race, sexuality, culture, and more. If you wrote a bisexual main character, it could be good to get a sensitivity reader who can read those aspects of the book to help you achieve authentic representation.

19. Should you mention your beta readers in the acknowledgments of your book?

Yup! Or not! Totally up to you. I do like it though. It can feel special for those readers to see their names in published books. If that helps convert them into reviewers on Amazon or Goodreads, even better.

20. Can I ask my beta readers to leave a review for my book once it’s published?

Yup! I couldn’t get you out of here without at least a little book marketing advice! Your beta readers have already read your book, and they’ve already shown that they’re willing to support you.

When your book goes live, I’d recommend dropping them a line with the book link to Amazon, Goodreads, or both, and asking if they’d be willing to write a short review for you. Getting book reviews is extremely beneficial (and time-consuming), so any shortcut helps.

Happy revising!

About the Author

Joe Walters is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review. When he’s not doing editing, beta reading, or reviewing work, he’s working on his squirrel novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

Thank you for reading Joe Walters’s What Are Beta Readers & Where Do You Find Them? 20 Questions Answered About Getting Feedback If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post What Are Beta Readers & Where Do You Find Them? 20 Questions Answered About Getting Feedback appeared first on Independent Book Review.