Dana Lynn Smith

How to Get Your Book Reviewed is an information-packed book for both the debut author and the seasoned mid-lister. Some authors are more pro-active about their careers, which compels them to research relevant marketing techniques. Marketing one’s book is a part-time job in itself, and it is no longer the sole responsibility of the publisher. Successful authors must devote plentiful time towards promoting their own books.

In the virtual marketplace, the internet, more books are being published then ever before. Authors seeking to make a splash with their books are up against the Big Name Authors and the super self-promoters. For those authors who tend towards introversion, marketing oneself can be a tough gig. One solution, purported by Dana Lynn Smith, is to get your book reviewed for coveted publicity.

Book reviews speak louder than an author spam-shouting on Twitter, “Buy my book!” Quality book reviewers abound, but how can the amateur author locate these people? How can the new authors coax the inundated reviewers to pick up their specific book?

Dana begins the book by showing the benefits of book reviews to one’s writing career. She explains the book review process and teaches how to submit review copies. One learns what can go wrong with book reviews through the Potential Pitfalls section. She explains the difference between blurbs, endorsements, testimonials, and customer reviews. Discover how the author can use each to its full advantage. A few chapters provide dozens of links to review sites, book blogs, virtual reader communities, book review journals, print media, and other book review sources. There’s even a chapter about how to write solid book reviews. The last part of the book ties all the information together into a brilliant book review marketing plan.

As a result of my reading this book, I feel confident to venture into the marketplace with my debut novel. I understand the best methods to reach my potential audience and the proper book reviewers for my work. What once was a mysterious process now makes perfect sense. Dana knows just how to speak the author’s language by appealing to our longing for long-term writing success. How To Get Your Book Reviewed is the On Writing of obtaining and implementing quality book reviews.… (altro)

Just how important is a book review and why should writers bother with them? The benefits to any author are mind-boggling in terms of the potential reviews have to boost an author from obscurity into the stratosphere. Dana Lynn Smith’s How to Get Your Book Reviewed opens many possibilities that encompass not just reviews and their benefits, but also the add-ons of marketing and promotion.

How to Get Your Book Reviewed is a step-by-step method to creating a winning book marketing strategy. Beginning with understanding the book review process and why many submitted books do not get reviewed, this guide takes the writer through the entire process. Given the hundreds of thousands of book published each year, the author stresses the need for writers to make sure their product meets the industry standards. This book also offers great tips on the extras that can draw positive attention and ensure their book is chosen above others: a media kit, a good press release and sell sheet—simple elements that are actually a valuable tool to further publicity.

Each chapter is laid out in user-friendly fashion, with details that will save a writer time and money: how to search for favorable outlets, how to approach potential reviewers, timelines attached to review publications, and details on print and online options. The guide also explores the formal (literary and review journals, newspapers, magazines etc.) and informal avenues (blogs, book and author sites, virtual reader communities) available to the writer seeking reviews. Approaching people or experts for endorsements and testimonials is also covered. Interspersed throughout are the succinct savvy tips for which Dana Lynn Smith is renowned. The author also provides many useful web links to review sites, and explains the process of getting reviews uploaded. A section on Amazon gives great advice on how to successfully utilize the Amazon tool.

This gem is the definitive guide for any writer who wants to get their book out there. I highly recommend this publication!… (altro)