Kirkus Reviews Exposed: Rip-Off or Legit for Novelists? The Answer Might Surprise You

Devlin Blake Author

Kirkus Reviews: Pros, cons, and alternatives. Make an informed decision for your novel promotion. Save time, money, and frustration.

Transcript:

If you’ve been in the writing industry for a few years, then you’ve probably heard of Kirkus. If not, than you don’t really need this video, but if you’re wondering about it, then this video is for you.

Hi novelteers, I’m Devlin Blake, Novel Writing & self publishing Expert, Coach, published author, and former ghostwriter of over 200 books. If you’re writing a book, be sure to check out my Novel Writer’s Club, featuring self directed courses, ask me anything, group coaching and more. You can find out more about it at the link below.

In case you’re still here and aren’t sure what the heck I’m talking about, Kirkus is a paid review site. It predates the internet, and it used to be highly sought after by traditional publishers.

A good review from Kirkus used to be a career maker, but that is no longer true. Here’s why.

Kirkus, is and always was, a PAID review site.

Back in the days prior to the internet, this did not matter.

Professional critics get paid. This has always been true. They were paid by the channel or publication they worked for, like a magazine or a newspaper.

However, traditional publishing houses paid these companies to have their reviewers review their book/movie. The reviewer did not get to pick what they wanted to review. This was the assignment, and it was the assignment because the company got paid to do it.

None of this had to be disclosed, because it was such a common practice in the industry, everyone, including the FTC, just assumed that everyone knew that’s what was going on. Besides, you couldn’t pay to get a good review, just a review in general, and if you remember those days, critics were not always kind to the stories they reviewed. In fact, they could be downright brutal.

This changed with the internet. With random people so eager to give opinions on things without any kind of compensation, any review that is considered ‘paid’ is suspect by the general population.

So a Kirkus review is no help there.

But what about bookstores and libraries who still value Kirkus reviews?

Are they worth it for that?

Not really. When the average indie author pays for a Kirkus review, they expect their books to just magically end up in bookstores and libraries.

That’s not how it happens. Now, if you have a genuine, solid marketing plan to end up in bookstores and libraries, then a Kirkus review might tip the scales in your favor. But it’s simply one brick in your marketing house. It might affect it if it’s missing, but a single brick alone doesn’t build a house.

If you have a plan for Kirkus, then you should get a review. If your only plan is to get one and let it’s ‘work its magic’ it’s a waste of money.

YOu’re better off spending that $500 on ISBNs or editing, but that’s another video.

If you’d like to learn more about publishing, check out my Novel Writer’s club at the link below.

This is Devlin Blake saying Write On

Download your FREE guide now

Step-By-Step Plan Your Best Selling Novel in One Hour (or less) 

… so you’re Amazon 'hit-publish' ready

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

Categories: : storycrafting, writers marketing