I just finished reading a great book on self-publishing, largely on promotions, called The Well-Fed Self-Publisher. One of the big things the book recommends is sending out lots of review copies (think hundreds ). Even on a smaller scale, this seems like a solid strategy to me, so I've been looking for places to send review copies.

The author says you can find reviewers and sites that might be interested in review copies by doing Google searches for keywords related to your book (which may be easier for nonfiction). I've been working on that for my two books, Finding the Core of Your Story and A Purple and Gold Afghan and other stories.

What I've done is created a document of keywords to search on. (The Well-Fed Self-Publisher also has some links to magazines and such that might do reviews.) For example, I made this list for A Purple and Gold Afghan:



As I searched those terms and found some sites that might work for my book, I found some websites with big lists of review sites that note what genres are accepted.

First, I found Step-By-Step Self-Publishing's huge, very helpful, largely up-to-date list. Small warning: They have reviewers listed from all beliefs and things like that, so be prepared to see some sites listed that only take, um… let's say less savory genres. But just don't click those links and you'll be fine. I found it easy to just do a find command on my web browser and look for anyone reviewing Christian books, but don't paint yourself in a corner if your book isn't blatantly Christian. http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net ... -list.html

And then I'm not sure how up-to-date this one is, but another good list I haven't yet gotten to look at fully is The Indie Book Reviewers List. Similar disclaimer as above. They have a search box on their list so you can narrow down results easily. http://www.theindieview.com/indie-reviewers/

I've also discovered that it may be worthwhile to search for Goodreads groups looking for reviews. Again, watch out, 'cause Goodreads allows pretty much anything. But maybe searching for Christian reviewer groups could turn something up. I've not explored this one very fully yet, but here are three groups I'm going to check out when I get a chance:

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/461 ... ve-reviews
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/53- ... an-readers
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/717 ... n-bloggers

So that's my process as of right now. Anyone else have ideas for finding reviewers? I'll try to come back and update with other findings as I go.

This is fantastic. I really need to get a handle on this myself in regards to my own books, so I'll get back to you when I get my act together. Thanks for compiling all this information!

Thanks, Jordan. Those goodreads groups look promising.

That site I posted about above, Step By Step Self Publishing, just redesigned and is much, much nicer. They also have a book coming out at the end of the month that is a roundup of all the reviewers listed, plus information on how often they post, and so on. The e-book is $4. Seriously considering buying it, because that looks like a steal considering the amount of crucial reviewer information available.

At any rate, they also have a monthly newsletter that lists updates to the reviewer list. That's free, and I am definitely subscribing.

Oh, and check out their author resources page for a free download of a review request letter template.

That sounds useful. I'll have to check those options out. One of the things I need to figure out is where to send books for review, and how to find those sites, so this info is much appreciated. I'm interested to see if anyone else has experiences to share in this area.

Okay, here's an interesting one. Midwest Book Review, which gives priority to self-published or small publisher titles. The part where it gets interesting is that they accept reviews from volunteers.

There's nothing that says that your review will definitely be published, but it looks like it could be worth a shot. Of course, one shouldn't review one's own book, so I'm wondering if some of us could do review trades.

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/revinfo.htm

I'm willing to submit a review to Midwest Book Review for somebody in trade for them submitting a review of my book Finding the Core of Your Story. PM me if you're interested.

Found another website that lists book review blogs. This one looks really promising for leads. http://bookbloggerlist.com/

Here's another list that look easy to use. Click a genre to find bloggers who like your kind of book. http://indiebookreviewer.wordpress.com/index/

Wow. Thanks so much for all of these, Jordan. I'm nowhere near that stage myself, but if/when I get there, this will be very, very useful.

Goodreads is a great place to connect with like minds. Have you considered starting your own group designed for your target audience? Then send out invites to people with similar interests. Before long, you have a group that is growing with people (readers) who like your type of story.
I'm a member of a number of GR groups--I get emails notifying me of all kinds of activities, releases, events etc.

Your list of searchables is for Christian romance reviews, but not for Christian romance or romance. Depending on how inclusive your search was, you might be overlooking those who read Christian works, but haven't reviewed. You might coax a reader to make a review on Amazon or on their blog...by showing them simple steps (akin to your book on finding the core) to writing a review and validating that their opinion is equally as valuable as professional reviewers.

I'm a member of SavvyAuthors. They have specialists who offer low cost marketing courses designed for authors. Quite a number of Christian writers post in romance groups etc. If you joined, you could start your own group there and develop it, with the design of reviewing each other's works. I suspect you could create a quick following of mutually interested Christian romance authors. BTW, I have no interest or anything to gain for promoting Savvyauthors. I genuinely like it.

There are also facebook and twitter groups that could be tapped or created. Join them and post frequent info about writing (of which you are well versed), or about the type of things (keywords) that relate to your books, to grow the interest. Are you posting frequently to twitter and facebook? Ask for RTs. I am amazed at the times I have retweeted something I had not thought to RT simply because they asked: "RT this." LOL

A marketing guru acquaintance (multi-millionaire online guru) said you must 'give away' at least 3 good ideas for every promo you give. Giveaway 10 is better/promo ratio. People will follow you to learn your ideas. Once they like you, they'll be interested in buying your book because you've given them value.

BTW, your three amazon reviews don't help you as much as they could. One sounds like a friend--since they comment about following you at the beginning. When I read 'friend reviews' I discount them. So do most readers.

The third review was a mixed bag--the individual liked the stories but felt it was more like the first three chapters of a novel, and less like stand alone short stories. This undermines the interest in buying a short story.

Serialized short stories can be very salable. Amanda Hocking built her million readers on the serialized short story and serialized novels. So if you are planning to continue writing the story, advertise it is a serial story, so people know they can expect the next installment. Having the 'beginning' offered without a 'follow up' in the wings undermines your sales. People don't want to get invested without the prospect of the future solution.

I'm a moderator over at Savvy Authors and have seen many classes offered on marketing--much extremely good. In addition, I spent a business weekend at a seminar learning about marketing (everything, not just writing). However, I am as far from brilliant at this as can be--not being particularly tech savvy--but I share the pittance I learned, hoping it can be of value to you.

I wish you well.

Lyn

Found another directory of book bloggers! http://directory.kaysbookshelf.com

I found a bunch more sites today. Here are some of the more useful ones:

This one's not as useful for me, but I know a lot of authors here on HW write YA fiction. This is a huge list of YA book bloggers: http://yabookblogdirectory.blogspot.com ... -list.html

Also, this list of children's and YA book bloggers: http://www.kidlitosphere.org/bloggers/

This is another general book reviewers list: http://www.fsbmedia.com/book_blogger_search.php

Midwest Book Review has a list of other places that review books: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/links/othr_rev.htm

And one more list of book reviewers, but this one seems to include some publications as well as blogs: http://robinmizell.wordpress.com/book-reviewers/

Calix sent me this as a possibility for my books: http://www.bookbusinessmag.com/blog/cal ... ublishers# I sent Xander an email and he said that, although he hadn't read religious fiction before, he "would love to try it." Also he loves alternate history and HF. So I'll be sending him my books.

Here's a specifically Christian books site where authors can submit books they are willing to give out review copies of. Might be worth a look: http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/su ... or-review/