Wikimedia Commons photo
Nothing ruins your chance for a great review faster than a reader’s poor first impression of your work. It’s crucial to make every effort to stand out when asking readers to review your book. At YarnSwoggle, you’ll submit your book review request by filling out a form. Let’s go over the details of that form so you’ll fully understand it, and then we’ll look at an example submission to see how all the parts fit together.
To submit a book for review, ensure you have an Amazon Kindle version available on Amazon.com and have the URL for that book ready. The cost of your Kindle book is important. Ideally, your book should be included in the Amazon Unlimited program so many readers can read it without making a separate purchase. Alternatively, you can set the price of your book to zero for a period, allowing potential reviewers to read it without buying. If you are hoping for a “Verified Purchase” review, we suggest temporarily setting the price at $2.99 or less.
Please note that YarnSwoggle members are not required to write a review or post it here or on any other platform, but we anticipate many readers will.
Here’s what you’ll see on the form.
The next part of the form is a big empty paragraph box. Here is where you enter the bulk of your review request. We’ll assume that the book description (the blurb) you wrote when you published your book represents some of your best writing, so that may be all you need to start filling the box. If you feel your blurb is still weak, take this opportunity to work it over and get it as concise and sharp as possible. This pitch is your first and maybe only chance to capture your reader’s interest.
Here are a few off-site links with sound advice for writing a book blurb.
Kindle Direct Publishing
Jane Friedman
How to Write a Back Cover Blurb (YouTube)
All of your blurb and more go in the textbox below. TIP: Make sure the reader knows from your blurb what makes your story unique and in which genre your book belongs.
After the blurb, add a few short excerpts from your book. These snippets should give the reader, your reviewer, the flavor of your writing and provide your reader with some ideas for showcasing your work. Be sure there is action in the scene. Mention a few well-known novels (title and author) that are similar to your story.
Next, choose some words or phrases from this list (or from your list) that the reviewer may select to help emphasize your story and writing style.
Adventurous, Atypical love story, Candid, Captivating, Clever, Comical, Compassionate, Descriptive, Emotional, Engaging, Entertaining, Fast and easy read, Fast-paced, Formal, Heartwarming, Imaginative, Insightful, Inspirational, Intense, Intimate, Lighthearted, Modern-day classic, Nostalgic, Optimistic, Passionate, Playful, Powerful, Realistic dialogue, Romantic, Satisfying ending, Spiritual, Tear-jerker, Tragic, Unexpected Twists, Well-written page-turner, Witty.
Be judicious in choosing the words and phrases you add. The above possibilities are not meant to be keywords but ideas the reviewer might use. Of course, be honest. Don’t say it is romantic if it’s not romantic. Overselling puts the reader off.
Check everything over (do this more than once) to ensure it is the best you can do. Then, proceed to upload the cover image. The cover image should have a maximum dimension of 500×500 pixels.
Remember, you are only allowed to post a request for a review for the same book once per week. Each submission must have a unique title, so if you are reposting a request for a book previously posted, be sure to number the posts.
For example, Through Both Eyes 01, Through Both Eyes 02, etc.
You’re done!
EXAMPLE: I’ve used my first novel, The Scarlet Kingfisher, as an example of how to format your request for a book review.
Author’s Name: Robert Henry Benson
Your email address: benson.farm@gmail.com
Book Title: The Scarlet Kingfisher: Discovery of a new species
URL for the book at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N1WO2NK
The price on Amazon is: $2.99
Genre selected from the pulldown menu: Suspense/Thriller
Book Description: Nothing could excite Dr. Beach O’Neill more than the dream of discovering an unknown species in some exotic rainforest. His and his girlfriend’s world is flipped out of control when a ranch hand reports seeing a strange red bird on the banks of an isolated Texas river. When Beach discovers a mutilated body, things turn ugly, and the sheriff thinks he’s the killer. Thus begins a reckless contest between O’Neill and an array of despotic villains who wish to be the first persons on Earth to possess a “Scarlet Kingfisher.” Unsavory characters want Beach and his girlfriend Becky out of the way and off the trail of this unique avian rarity. O’Neill is torn between his obsessive desire to capture and present the bird to science and Becky’s wish to let it remain in its river home as nature intended.
Excerpt 1: Becky greeted Beach at the door with a hug and a kiss. In her professional setting as an Associate Professor at a major university, she was reserved and careful to comport herself with a quiet dignity that fit her long-developed conception of academic life. Being alone with Beach in his apartment was a different matter. She focused on being the image of an equal, supportive partner that Beach O’Neill could envision as his life mate. She wanted to be his life mate.
“Sweetheart, what happened? Why were you locked out?”
“I don’t really know. Evidently, the ranch owner told the foreman to change the combination on the gate lock and that I was not allowed on the place. That’s what he said. He mumbled about not wanting me to find something. It didn’t make any sense. This really screwed up my weekend.”
“Ah, but look at the bright side. Now we can hide here and play for two whole days. How can that be bad?” Becky poured Beach a glass of cold white wine. She sat next to him on the sofa. “I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding. They won’t kick you off the ranch right in the middle of your work. That would be stupid.”
Excerpt 2: Philip could see Butts’ old truck parked at the house. Good. This meant he must be at home, probably in the back, feeding his menagerie. A small flock of laying hens wandered around the yard, well out of range of the chained pit bull. He pulled up to the house and stopped. Butts appeared from behind the barn.
“What the hell do you want around here? D’you come to cheat me out of some more money?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Butts; we paid you in full for those Aplomados.”
“Yeah, but I saw that pimp-headed guy you came out here with. He would’ve paid a lot more than a thousand for those birds. I got cheated.”
“Come on, Butts, a deal is a deal, and I need to hire you for another job.”
Involuntarily Butts yelled at the barking dog but made no real effort to shut him up. “Well – I’m not working for that kind of money anymore. There’s just too much risk.”
“There is going to be a big payout for this one,” Boyle lied. “You’ll get to fool with a bird like you’ve never seen before.”
“I’m not interested in that bullshit. I do work for money. That’s it.”
“Okay, this job pays 5K. How does that sound?”
“Ten sounds a lot better to me. I’m not doing anything for you without at least ten. And, I want half up front.”
“Look, Butts, I’m not going to get paid until we catch this bird. I’ll give you the ten, but you’ll have to wait until it’s delivered.”
Butts pulled up his dirty shirt and scratched his hairy belly. “Nope. I get five now and five on delivery. That’s it, Boyle. That’s the only way I’m working for you assholes again.”
It isn’t easy to find a book similar to The Scarlet Kingfisher. Here are two fast-paced, top-selling suspense novels that might be judged similarly to mine.
Endangered Species by Nevada Barr
No Plan B by Jack Reacher
Here are some descriptive words and phrases that might describe the writing.
Engaging
Fast easy read
Intense
Powerful
Realistic dialogue
Unexpected twists
Well-written page-turner
This example should give the reviewer starting points for writing the review you need.