How To Request a Review (And How Not To)

While I won’t be accepting many review requests again this year, I still get quite a few. Most are well written and professional, but occasionally I get requests that.. could be improved. So with that in mind, here are a few suggestions of what to do, and what NOT to do, when requesting a review of your novel.

Do Include:

• Your book cover if you have one. A picture really is worth a thousand words and a good cover sells. If you don’t have one yet that’s ok, but I’m surprised by the number of authors who decide not to include their gorgeous covers.
• A synopsis of your book. I cannot stress this enough. While I will check your website (if you have one) or Amazon to figure out what your book is about, it’s much easier for me (and gives me more good will towards you) if the information I need is in the email you’ve sent me. And please make sure that your synopsis mentions the book’s actual plot. I’ve seen a few where the synopsis was all back story or setting and I was left with no idea of the plot or characters (or at times even the subgenre it’s in).
• A link your website (if you have one) and the on sale date of your book (including if the book is already published). This helps me plan my reading schedule. I personally prefer getting books 1-3 months before publication (different reviewers have different lead times).
• What genre/sub-genre this is. Not strictly necessary, but helpful (especially if you didn’t include a synopsis).  

Don’t:

• Mock or insult the genre you’re writing in or other authors’ books. I read these genres because I love them. I won’t read your book if you talk smack about books I’ve loved in the past or the genre I support now. Negging isn’t a good tactic in this or any other relationship.
• Tell me this is the first/only/best book to do X. Often I’ll read those comments and immediately think of 2 or 3 books that did exactly what you’re trying. Comments like this make me want to re/read those books instead.
• Compare your book to bestsellers that don’t relate to your book. Comparison books can be helpful but only if they’re done right. Telling me your book is like 4 unrelated bestselling kids books won’t make me believe your adult sci-fi//horror/mystery mash-up is good. Agents want comparison titles. I’m more interested in what your book is - rather than what other books your book is like. 
• Be unprofessional. I treat reviewing as an unpaid job. My time is precious to me and you’re asking me to spend a week or more of it reading your book. Treat me with respect and I’ll treat you the same way.
• Take rejection personally. Different books are for different readers. There are a lot of reasons I reject books, the biggest simply being time. I don’t have as much time for reading as I used to and I already own more unread books than I can read in my remaining lifetime. My preferences have also changed over the years and I’ve become pickier about what I’ll try. One of my policies is to email the author/publicist where I stopped reading if the book doesn’t work for me. I don’t enjoy doing this, so if I’m on the fence about a book I’ll usually say no upfront (and sometimes get it myself later). Also, to keep things in perspective, I’ve said no to books I desperately wanted to read but knew I couldn’t finish by the publication date, as well as books by bestselling authors. 
• Query about your draft or work in progress. Have a finished novel. If I’m devoting time to your book I don’t want my review to become defunct because you’ve drastically changed it.  

Final notes:

I like to showcase new authors and the first book in a series. If you’re querying a sequel, check to see if I’ve reviewed the first book. If I haven’t, I’m more likely to review book 1 and mention that the sequel is out/coming soon rather than read two+ books.

My current reading preferences include the following. I like unconventional fantasy (for setting, characters, plot). Some examples of books I’ve loved to give you an idea of what I mean: City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett, The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson, Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone, Transformation by Carol Berg, Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw…

I’m no longer interested in quests, portals to fantasy worlds (or vice versa), grimdark (I read fantasy for the sense of hope when the good side wins. Grimdark brings the dread of the real world into fantasy, and if I want to feel crappy about life I’d watch the news). I don’t read much urban fantasy and you’ll need a very original idea to make me consider it.

I prefer psychological horror to slasher fiction.

Because I read a lot less science fiction growing up I’m more lenient with this category. I enjoy young adult dystopian (I read a lot of adult dystopian as well, though I’ve found I don’t necessarily enjoy it, but I’m continually fascinated by it), post-apocalyptic, apocalyptic, space opera, etc. I’m less interested in near future SF. I still like superhero fiction, though the market seems to be becoming saturated with them.

I like romance as side plots but only rarely as the main story. I especially like romance when coupled with comedy (or snarky back and forths). A few examples of romance I’ve enjoyed: The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn. 

In all cases I’m looking for diverse casts, well-rounded characters, interesting, well-constructed worlds, and thought-provoking stories. I also like books with political intrigue.