Where Can Indie Authors Submit Their Books for Reviews?
A guide to review options, contests, and credibility for self-published authors
If you're an indie author wondering where to submit your book for reviews—or whether it's worth the time or money—this guide lays out the main options. It includes editorial reviews, reader-driven platforms, and contests ranging from meaningful to mostly marketing. I’ve included direct links, context, and cautionary notes so you can make informed choices without wasting energy or resources.
If you’re publishing independently, one of the most common questions is: Where can I get reviews that matter? It’s a reasonable question—and a complicated one.
Book reviews can lend credibility, increase discoverability, and offer social proof for potential readers. But not all review options are created equal. Some services provide honest, editorial-style reviews. Others lean more toward pay-for-praise models. Still others operate through community engagement or reader networks.
This article outlines the major review paths available to indie authors—paid and unpaid, professional and peer-based—and offers a few notes of caution along the way.
Why Seek Book Reviews?
A well-placed review can:
Offer credibility in a crowded market
Provide blurbs for marketing materials
Strengthen metadata (especially when added to your product description or editorial review section on Amazon)
Help potential readers understand whether your book is for them
But it’s worth noting that not all reviews lead to sales—and not all review services are respected.
Editorial Review Services (Unbiased but Paid)
These are professional reviews that offer honest critique. They’re often used by libraries, booksellers, and agents to assess quality. They can be expensive—and occasionally harsh.
BookLife Reviews (Publishers Weekly) – Arguably the best value in professional indie reviews. BookLife reviews are thoughtful, detailed, and editorial in nature. The BookLife Prize is a separate submission, but entering both can result in two strong, independent reviews.
Kirkus Indie Reviews – Still recognised, but quality can be inconsistent. Known for blunt reviews. Expensive. A positive review carries industry weight, but criticism can be sharp.
Clarion Reviews (Foreword Magazine) – Balanced, professional reviews with visibility in Foreword’s network.
BlueInk Review – Credible editorial reviews focused on indie books.
The Historical Fiction Book Company – Niche reviews specific to historical fiction.
Pay-for-Play Review Services (Usually Positive)
These services charge a fee and tend to produce mostly positive reviews. They're not editorial in nature, but some authors use them for marketing blurbs or Amazon content.
Reader’s Favorite – Offers both free and paid reviews. Many authors display their awards on book covers or Amazon listings.
IndieReader – Paid reviews with a marketing spin. Often used for short-form endorsements.
The US Review of Books – Paid reviews for promotional use.
Free & Community-Based Review Platforms
These don’t guarantee placement, but they can yield thoughtful, reader-driven reviews—especially when combined with platform engagement.
Reedsy Discovery – Charges a $50 submission fee. While placement isn’t guaranteed, books that get picked up can receive reader-driven reviews and community support.
Online Book Club – Offers free reviews, but promotional services are also available.
Midwest Book Review – Accepts indie books, though two print copies are required for consideration.
Non-Fiction Review Opportunities
Many of the platforms above accept nonfiction as well, but these specialise:
BookLife (Publishers Weekly) – Offers a chance for indie books to be reviewed by Publishers Weekly editors.
San Francisco Book Review – Accepts a wide range of genres.
Self-Publishing Review – Paid reviews for fiction and nonfiction.
Book Awards and Contests for Indie Authors
Contests can offer marketing leverage and external validation—but some are more credible than others.
Prestigious Awards That Welcome Indie Books
IPPY Awards – Independent Publisher Book Awards; one of the most recognised contests for indie authors.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards – A reputable competition with real reach.
Eric Hoffer Book Award – Focuses on independent and small press books.
Foreword INDIES – Judged by the editorial team behind Foreword Reviews.
Historical Fiction-Specific Awards
Historical Novel Society Indie Award – Prestigious and selective.
The Chaucer Awards (Chanticleer Reviews) – Focused on historical fiction.
Coffee Pot Book Club Awards – Another historical fiction-specific contest with reader reach.
Less Prestigious or High-Yield Contests
Some contests tend to grant awards to a large percentage of entries, making them useful for marketing but less meaningful in terms of industry credibility.
Reader’s Favorite Book Awards – Many entrants win in some category.
International Book Awards – Broad-based and often result in multiple winners.
Before You Pay: A Quick Gut Check
Cost vs. Benefit – Most paid reviews and contests cost between $100 and $600. Ask yourself what you hope to gain—and whether it’s worth the investment.
Prestige vs. Exposure – A Kirkus review may be valuable even if it’s harsh. A Reader’s Favorite medal might look good in ads but won’t sway a librarian.
Editorial vs. Pay-for-Play – Editorial reviews (Kirkus, Clarion, BlueInk) carry weight. Pay-for-play reviews tend to read more like endorsements.
Contests and Credibility – Some contests open doors; others just offer a sticker. That’s not inherently bad—but know what you’re paying for.
Final Thoughts
A positive review from a reputable outlet—like Publishers Weekly’s BookLife, Kirkus, or Clarion—can be validating, but it’s important to keep expectations realistic. Even a glowing review or a prestigious award is unlikely to sell books on its own. What it can do, however, is give you a credible editorial excerpt to include in your marketing or help boost your confidence in how your book is being received.
That said, the value of a professional review often lies in the feedback more than the praise. A well-written critical review—especially from an editorial source—is worth studying. You may learn more from a thoughtful critique than from a dozen kind but vague endorsements. Sometimes a less-than-glowing review reveals blind spots or inconsistencies you hadn’t noticed.
It’s natural to feel vulnerable when someone dissects your work, especially if you’ve paid for the critique. But resist the urge to take it personally or to blame the reviewer. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for authors to react by confronting review sites, demanding revisions or retractions. And since many of these sites are businesses that rely on author goodwill, some do comply. Still, that doesn’t mean the reviewer was wrong.
Instead of treating a tough review as a betrayal, consider it hard-won information. If something stings, ask why. If a point feels unfair, set it aside. But if a critique rings true—even if it's difficult—there may be something worth revising.
And here’s something worth keeping in mind, especially if you’re a new author without a loyal fanbase: if one or more professional reviewers—whose livelihood depends on not alienating authors—delivers a blunt or critical review, take a step back and think about what that might mean for your readers. Editorial reviews aren’t the most important currency in indie publishing. Reader reviews are.
Readers, protected by anonymity, can be far harsher than professionals. If they dislike a book, the best you can hope for is silence—or a quiet 1- or 2-star rating. At worst, they’ll eviscerate the book publicly on Amazon or Goodreads. And unlike professional reviewers, they aren’t economically incentivised to soften their feedback.
So if a reviewer who is paid, who has every reason to be diplomatic, tells you something is off—it’s likely worth considering. Some authors respond to criticism by attacking the reviewer or demanding the site change or remove the review. And occasionally, because these platforms rely on author goodwill, they might comply. But that doesn’t mean the critique wasn’t valid.
What’s more useful is to set ego aside and see what you can learn. You paid for information—don’t waste it.
You don’t need to pay for a review or enter a contest to succeed as an indie author. Often, strong reader reviews, word-of-mouth, and smart marketing do more for your long-term reach.
If you do decide to invest, choose opportunities that align with your goals. Go for substance over sizzle. And remember that the best reviews come from readers who genuinely connect with what you’ve written.
In short: credibility matters. Choose wisely.
If this was useful, feel free to share it with other authors who are sorting through the same questions. In a future post, I’ll talk more about how to handle both editorial and reader reviews—especially when the feedback stings. As always, questions are welcome.