Dear Author Book Reviews

Dear Author,

I welcome you to take part in our book review service. Our reviews are designed to be different. Your review will be in the form of a personal letter directly addressed to you. Writing a letter offers a thoughtful, potentially transformative way to engage readers. The review/letter grabs the reader’s attention, making them feel like they’re sneaking a peek at a personal message.

Our approach provides fair and honest feedback while also conveying the book’s emotional impact on the reviewer. Our reviewers do not summarize the book. Readers can find that information in your book blurb, on Amazon, or on your website. Our specially written reviews allow readers to relate to personal experiences or emotions the book evokes, which may resonate more powerfully than a traditional review.

Our pricing is affordable because I understand the significance of having high-quality reviews to promote your work. I’m thrilled at the opportunity to join you in that venture.

I look forward to sharing your book with our review team and audience.

With Warm Regards,

Pat

Highlights:

Process: Upon receiving your manuscript, we will assign it to a qualified reviewer who will read the entire book and write a 250-300-word Dear Author review. We pair your book with a reviewer who is well-versed in your genre, has experience with similar styles, and enjoys books like yours.

Our Review Team: Our review team consists of more than 50 experienced literary professionals, including editors, authors, reviewers, journalists, booksellers, agents, publishers, librarians, professors, and avid readers worldwide. Each member is carefully chosen for their expertise in specific literary genres and has been vetted to include sample reviews. Like an editorial review, the reviewer and author have no direct contact, which helps eliminate bias.

Publication Dates: All publication dates are accepted.

Timeframe: Depending on the workload and availability of the reviewer, you can expect a review within 4-6 weeks and often less. We will inform you in advance of the expected timeframe for your book. Please let us know if you have a deadline, and we will try to expedite the review.

Genres Accepted: We accept all genres, including poetry, children’s books, and audiobooks. Please do not submit anything that is AI-written, erotica, excessive adult content/pornography, propaganda/extremist literature, excessive violence or gore, hate speech, blatant misogyny, racism, or other forms of discrimination—you get the idea.

Publication and Promotion: We will obtain your permission to publish and promote your review on our website and social media channels. Once granted, we have the right to publish, promote, and distribute your review without any limitations. If you’re not satisfied with the review or would prefer it not to be published, we completely understand and will respect your wishes.

When you approve, we will create a dedicated page on this website to showcase your review, author photo, and book cover. Additionally, we’ll include a website link of your choice (usually Amazon or your website). We promote your review in our monthly newsletter and on social media platforms using personalized graphics and hashtags.

Excerpting: All excerpts must be attributed to “Dear Author Reviews – Speak Up Talk Radio” in italics, and proper excerpting must be followed.

  • No words may be added to or deleted from the review.
  • Do not alter the language of the excerpt. If you need to omit parts for brevity, use ellipses (…), but ensure the intended meaning is not distorted.
  • Maintain the context. The integrity of the review may not be altered.
  • Choose excerpts that are representative of the review as a whole rather than focusing on isolated statements that may misrepresent the reviewer’s opinion.
  • Ensure that the excerpt does not mislead the reader about the reviewer’s overall opinion or analysis.

Refunds: Refunds are not permitted once the book is assigned to a reviewer. Please ensure your book is review-ready and has undergone thorough editing before submission.

Disclaimer: This book review service is part of our Author Partnership Initiative. While we oversee the review process, the individuals reviewing the books are independent and not affiliated with the Firebird Book Awards. To maintain impartiality and prevent potential conflicts of interest, our book reviewers do not serve as judges for the awards.

Samples: Read and listen to the written and audio samples at the bottom of this page.

Get Started

Choose your review package below, make the payment, and check your inbox for a personal email confirming your request. (usually in less than 24 hours) At that time, you will also receive further instructions on submitting your manuscript and the expected timeline for completion. Please also fill out the form below.

Pricing:

One written review – $59.00

One written review and professionally recorded audio version of the review – $79.00

Are you looking for an engaging way to captivate your audience? This is perfect for those who crave auditory experiences. Whether for your website, social media, or media kit, it will surely leave a lasting impression. Listen to the sample at the bottom of this page.

One written review, recorded audio version, and accompanying video highlighting your book cover – $99.00

Experience the full package with a comprehensive written review, an engaging audio review, and a quick, shareable video highlighting your book cover to amplify your presence across all your social media platforms.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW

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Be sure to hit the ‘SUBMIT’ button above.

Sample Review

Dear Author, Helen Winslow Black,

I recently finished reading “Seven Blackbirds” and wanted to express my admiration for your powerful, nuanced storytelling. From the gut-wrenching opening scene where Kim Baltakis holds her infant as her husband beats her, I knew I was in for an emotionally charged journey. Kim’s path from an abused wife to an independent woman is handled with intelligence, dexterity, and deep emotional insight.

Having witnessed close friends navigate emotionally complex relationships, I found Kim’s narrative both heart-wrenching and familiar. Your portrayal of Kim as an accomplished lawyer and cellist, rather than a stereotypical victim, was a refreshing and original aspect of the novel. Similarly, Larry, her abusive husband, did not conform to the typical mold, adding complexity and depth to the story. By steering clear of clichés, you provided readers with a fresh perspective on the complexities of domestic abuse, showing that it defies the simplistic narratives we often encounter.

I was particularly struck by your skill in making the settings feel like characters in their own right. From Kim’s modest single-mother apartment in Tulsa to the family’s lakeside vacation house in Wisconsin, these places were deeply intertwined with Kim’s internal struggles and eventual transformation, a testament to your attention to detail and the depth of your storytelling.

Despite the dark subject, your humor and wit added a layer of humanity that made the novel feel relatable. Kim’s interactions with new friends and her journey to wholeness felt authentic and free of the usual rhetoric often found in stories about recovery. Instead, we met a capable, resilient woman emerging from a traumatic past with bravery and candor.

My only caveat is that the content may trigger or raise moral issues for some readers.

Seven Blackbirds is a powerful tale of strength and self-discovery, and I am grateful for the depth and care you brought to such difficult material. Thank you for sharing this remarkable story with the world.

With Warm Regards,

“Dear Author Reviews”

Speak Up Talk Radio

 

Click the white arrow on the left to listen to the audio of this review