Rave Book Reviews? How Important Are Reviews?

A great book review can make or break the chances for success of a new book, especially if the author is relatively unknown. When the publisher of the Malia and Teacup series, Barringer Publishing approached a county librarian to order the Malia and Teacup series for the children's library, the main librarian stated that she only orders books based on reviews.

But here is the catch. The majority of reviewers have two very large hurdles for new authors. Many of the larger review publications do not want to see a POD (print on demand) book and/or they want to see the manuscript, not a book, three to four months before you are published. Once you are published they will not even look at your book - even if it is a terrific book. Barnes and Noble has its own gate-keeping procedure. A title must be approved by the Small Print department. Most books can be entered into the Barnes and Noble database and purchased on line, but almost no store will purchase the book for the shelves if you are listed as a POD book. The only way around this is to create huge demand for your book before they will consider placing your book on the shelves.

Amazon and many of the large chain bookstores allow you to upload reviews onto your book's page. According to reports, reviews make the biggest difference  in a a purchasing decision. Search the web for reviews of books that are similar to your book and contact the authors of the reviews to see if they will consider reading your book. Be sure to sell your book's unique features to the reviewers and be very, very nice to them. Be prepared to wait months without any feedback and do not annoy them with multiple inquires. Google your book frequently and treasure the reviews that you do receive. Use any positive review as a mailer or e-mail blast  to create a little buzz about your book.

The Children's Christian Book Review recommended the Malia and Teacup series as Very Good and Phil Jason of Florida Weekly Magazine said the Malia and Teacup books "are the kinds of books that parents and teachers, as well as kids, have been seeking." These kinds of  rave reviews become the stepping stones to reach more children's book reviewers. Be sure to send a thank you and accurately cite the reviewer's words.

Dr. Molly Barrow http://www.drmollybarrow.com holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is the author of Matchlines for Singles, Matchline for Couples, and Malia and Teacup: Awesome African Adventure and Malia and Teacup: Out on a Limb, http://www.maliaandteacup.com. As an authority on relationship and psychological topics, Dr. Barrow is a member of the American Psychological Association, Screen Actors Guild, and Authors Guild and is a licensed mental health counselor. Dr. Molly has appeared as an expert in the film, My Suicide, documentaries Ready to Explode and KTLA Impact, NBC news, PBS In Focus, WBZT talk radio, and in O Magazine, Psychology Today, Newsday, New York Times, CNN, The Nest, MSN.com, Yahoo, Match.com, Women's Health, Harvard Business School, Women's World, has a radio show on blogtalkradio.com and is a columnist for Menstuff.org.

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