New ISBN's Arrived & Review Tips

What an exciting month January has been! Our new ISBN numbers have arrived and we have some titles in the works. The first month of 2008 has been full of excitement and wonder. We are working with a company in Michigan on our new website development so our new look will be out within a few months.

In this blog entry we will discuss a few do's and do not's on getting reviews. As a publisher, and as an author, reviews are so very important and they can make or break a book depending on how important the review is. Over the years we have learned the following things:

• Do NOT send unsolicited materials to reviewers! Do your homework and see what genre the reviewer is seeking. After you find out that your book is appropriate, see their policy on receiving your book. Some reviewers prefer to know about your title before you send it and they also prefer a particular method of contact. Save yourself some time and money by doing it right the first time.

• DO make sure you have a stellar media kit to send out with your book.

• DO send your book in a way that can be tracked. This will help you to know that the book has been received and when to time your follow up.

• Do NOT expect a review from every reviewer you send a copy to. Reviewers receive hundreds of books a day and unless you are paying for the review it could take months for the review to come out.

• DO send your title out with some type of interesting package. Representatives of Midwest Book Review have told us in the past that attractive outer packaging will entice a reviewer to check that book out first. So, be creative and stick with a theme that matches the title and something that will make your book memorable.

In general there are many outlets to get your title reviewed and even the reviews you will gather on sites like Amazon can be helpful. You will use your reviews to help gather other reviews, for new back cover material on your next title or when you reprint, on your site and to help promote you and your work.

As always we are here to help and if you are looking to publish we would be glad to speak with you. Just visit Corn Crib Press for all of our contact information. Good luck and may your book be on the next bestseller list!