For the past 4 years, I’ve had the most amazing opportunity, which is to work alongside publishing companies as a book reviewer. It is one of the most rewarding ‘jobs’ I have had, which I plan to continue doing for as long as I possibly can (in hopes that it will be forever). As well, it is beneficial to what I plan to do in the future, which is to become an English and History teacher. Here are the most common questions I get asked when I tell people what I do, and even some helpful tips on how to get yourself started as a book reviewer!
What does this mean?
Well, in short, this means that I get free books! The long version is that I contact book companies that have a book I am interested in that will be published in an upcoming month (about 2 or more months) and ask if I am able to review it for them. Nine out of ten times they respond and are able to send me an Advance Reader’s Copy, also known as an ARC. An ARC is a copy of the book that has not been fully corrected, which means that the cover may change, there may still be misspelled words, and an author’s note may be missing from the copy that I receive. In some instances, one can also receive a finished copy, which is a book that is sold in bookstores and has been fully edited and corrected. Once I receive the book, I have about a month to read and write a review of the book and post it on my various social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, and my blog. Once that is done, I get to keep the book and add it to my library. On some occasions, I have the opportunity to participate in Book Blog Tours, which gives me the opportunity to ask the author a question or two that I have in regards to their story, the writing, or the idea that created the story.
What companies do you work for?
I work for a variety of companies, including Raincoast Publishing, Hatchette, Simon & Schuster, Little Brown Books, and Dutton, as well as individual and independent authors that reach out to me to review books for them. I also receive Ebooks via Netgalley from companies that are not able to send a physical book due to living in Canada, or not having enough copies of the book.
Do you get paid to do it?
No, I do not. But, if you were to calculate how many books I have received, some as ARCs, some printed and finished copies, I have over $1000 in free books. Even if I do not get paid to do this, reading is one of my favourite pastimes and has always been a large part of my life, so getting a book in the mail that I DIDN’T pay for is super exciting.
How do I become a book reviewer?
Awesome question! The best way to do this is to contact publishing companies via their ‘Contact Us’ section. It is also important to have some sort of platform in which you will post your review on, such as Youtube (known as BookTube), Instagram (known as Bookstagram), Facebook, a blog, even a Goodreads account. And no, you do not need to have a large follower platform to be a reviewer. I started reviewing when I only had about 50 followers, and that was years ago. As long as you review the book, anyone can be a book reviewer. If you would like to learn more about starting one of these accounts, here are a few of my favourites, including my own and some that are local to the Windsor-Essex area.
Interested in learning more? Check out a few of my favourite accounts!
Booktube (YouTube for book reviewers)
@Hailey in Bookland
Bookstagram
@beautynherbooks
@paperfury
@bookishbronte
Blogs
https://beautynherbooks.wordpress.com
https://lostinastory.blog -> has a whole section on how to contact publishing companies
http://flaviathebibliophile.com