A trade journal is a journal or magazine written for members of a particular profession. You’ve probably heard of medical journals, but did you know that the publishing industry has its own set of trade journals? Publishing trade journals have articles, interviews, and book reviews that provide librarians, agents, and booksellers information about new releases, industry trends, and awards. Do you want your book to end up in libraries and bookstores? Submitting your manuscript for a review is the best way to make that happen because it increases your book’s visibility. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re self-publishing or using a hybrid or traditional publisher—there are trade journals covering every type of publication. Today, we’ll discuss where you can find trade journals, when you should submit your book for a review, how much reviews cost, and what steps you can take to get your book ready for a review.

Where Can I Find Trade Journals?

The first step to getting your book into a trade journal is research. Think about your target audience, resellers, and genre. You want to submit your book to journals that cover your genre or reach your desired buyers. This is a great time to use your local library’s databases. Your library system may subscribe to multiple trade journals, letting you see how the reviews look for comparable books. You can review submission guidelines and find the journals that best fit your book.

Not all journals review self-published or independent authors, but many journals have related services that cover self-published books, or the journal will have a section dedicated to self-published works. Publishers Weekly mostly covers traditionally published books, along with a small selection of indie books. BookLife Review is Publishers Weekly’s main platform for reviewing self-published works.

If you want international coverage, consider submitting to trade journals based outside the US or with a focus on the global book industry. For example, The Bookseller is a UK-based book industry magazine. Publishing Perspectives offers worldwide coverage of book news, information, and connections.

Remember, you don’t need to get a review in every journal; get reviews in the right journals for your book. Doing your research now will pay off.

When Should I Submit My Book for Reviews?

Timing is important here. Marketing and writing are two different things, and both take preparation and time. Submitting your book for a trade journal review is part of your marketing plan. You could wait until your book is complete—but not published—before you start the submission process. However, most journals take at least four to six months to process submissions, and trade journals won’t cover a book that has already been published. That means you’re better off working on this well before your launch date. Generally, once you have an advance reader copy of your book, that’s when you’re ready to send it for a review.

What if I Miss the Deadline or My Book Isn’t Selected?

Trade journals generally select only one out of ten books for a review. If your book isn’t selected, or if you miss the window for submitting your book to a journal, don’t lose hope. You can still get a review—it just won’t be free. Some trade publications, like Clarion Reviews, offer fee-for-review services. These paid-for reviews are written by the same reviewers who write the journal’s free reviews, so you’ll still receive an objective, high-quality review. Plus, in most of the pay-for-review publications, space is less of an issue, so the reviews can be longer. The pay-for-review publications are syndicated to wholesalers, making this a great marketing opportunity.

How Much Do Book Reviews Cost?

Submitting your book to a trade journal is free. However, 90 percent of the books submitted for review do not meet the journal’s criteria or are not selected by the managing editor for a review. Because of that, including book reviews in your publishing budget is a good idea. Most pay-for-review services run around $400–$600. If you want reviews featured in multiple publications, those expenses will add up quickly. That’s one reason you want to do your research to find the journals and publications that best fit your book. Keep in mind, though, that these reviews are an investment in your book. Bookstores and libraries watch these journals and publications. A good review will lead to more interest in your book and higher sales, so don’t let the expense deter you.

What if I Don’t Like the Review?

Submitting your book for a review can be nerve racking. There’s always a chance of a poor review. Some trade publications, like Kirkus, allow you to kill their review if you don’t like it.

This is another area where fee-for-review publications come in handy. Getting a paid-for review is a great way to see what reviewers think of your book before you submit it to a trade journal. You can use the reviewer’s feedback to tweak your book, then submit it to trade journals.

What Do I Submit to a Trade Journal?

Each trade journal has different requirements for its submission process. But no matter which journal you go with, you must provide two items.

1. Your book

Your investment in your book shows. The managing editor at a trade publication will reject submissions that aren’t professional. If an author has skipped steps in the editorial or design processes, and it’s evident in the copy submitted for review, it’s unlikely that the book will get a review. Reviewers pick up on gaps in the story, poorly edited work, and design issues, all of which can affect a review. This is when you see returns from your investment in cover art, interior design, and expert editorial advice! You want to submit the cleanest, most polished advance copy of your book possible. That will increase your chances of getting selected for a review and getting a favorable review.

2. A tip sheet

A tip sheet (also known as a sell sheet) covers the general information about your book, which lets review editors and publishers quickly categorize your submission. This is a critical part of your book’s marketing campaign. An unprofessional tip sheet is a red flag for many review editors and agents, so don’t skimp on this step. Having a succinct sell sheet helps busy editors evaluate if your book is a good fit for their publications. This also helps make sure your book gets into the hands of the right reviewer.

Your tip sheet is where you’ll include your author bio, education, awards, etc. If this is your first book, lead with “debut.” People get excited about discovering new authors, so don’t be shy about admitting that you haven’t published before. Share what you’re excited about regarding your book. Just remember to keep it brief. Your book should be able to speak for itself.

The required information will vary by publication, but you can expect most to ask for these items:

Takeaways

Trade journals are a critical component of an author’s marketing plan. More reviews equal more exposure for you and your book, so start researching trade publications while you’re still editing your book. Find the right journals to help you reach your target audience and resellers. Quality is key for reviewers, whether it’s for your book or your tip sheet. Increase the chances of getting your book selected for review by investing in professional editing and design services. If you need help to get your book ready for a review, contact me! I’d love to learn more about your project and show you how my formatting, copyediting, and proofreading services can help make your book bulletproof.