I receive daily emails from authors requesting book reviews. I wish I could say yes every time, but unfortunately, the answer is more often no. I receive a couple hundred books a month and review maybe ten of them if I'm lucky.
Most of the time, I don't end up reviewing a book because I ran out of space, didn't have time to read it, didn't have anything to say about it, didn't finish it, didn't like it, or assorted reasons like that. There are some books, however, that I simply can't review.
In order to save all of us some time, here are some examples of the types of books I can't review:
- Books that have already been released. If your book is available by the time you email me, it's too late. I'm always reading at least a month ahead.
- Self-published or vanity press books. This includes anything from PublishAmerica, iUniverse, Lulu, Author House, Xlibris, etc.
- Books from publishers I've never heard of. This is a more flexible rule, but if the publisher isn't included on the approved list from either MWA or ITW, chances are I can't review it.
- Books available only in electronic form.
- Books that are reprints.
- Books that aren't mysteries, thriller or suspense novels. Occasionally I do review something outside the genre, but it's rare enough that you probably shouldn't get your hopes up.
- Although it's not a rule, the chances are slim that I can review a paperback original (PBO). I review more PBOs than more critics (I think), but it still only amounts to a couple a year. So you can query about them if you want, but be prepared for me to decline.
I've dealt with many of the reasons why I can't review these books in the past, but if you have a question, feel free to post a comment and I'll try to respond.
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