Free Books: How Do Book Reviewers Get Them?

Not all book reviewers are paid for their reviews by a publication.  They post their reviews on their blogs.  With the vast amount of books published each year, a book reviewer could read books from their “to be read” aka TBR pile and be a few years behind the current releases.  The best way to create a buzz about a book is word of mouth, reviews and interviews with the author.  It’s easier to do this when a book is newly released or about to be released in another format.

So how does the book reviewer get newer books?

1. Reach out to the author.  I know that sounds silly but newer authors are usually happy for all the publicity they can get.  If you stop by their site or email them about reviewing a copy of their new book they are usually happy to help.  Their publisher often has a set amount of advance reader copies (ARCs) available to share with the author or provides the author with an electronic copy for giveaway purposes.  Electronic copies are popular giveaways during a real-time chat with the author.  If you promise to do a review of the book then be sure to do it!  (You don’t want the author to not trust the next potential reviewer who approaches them.)  Some reviewers will make it known on their blogs that they will accept emails from authors and publishing houses regarding book reviews and interviews.
2. Register with the publisher.  Some publishers have early review programs or offer contests and book giveaways on their sites.  Sometimes this results in being added to a newsletter or mailing list in addition to an entry for a free book.  Linda Formichelli has a great database available on her site of publishers and who to contact for review copies. 
3. Sign up at a book swap site.  At BookCrossing books are “released” into the wild by their owners and the book’s progress is tracked.  If you’re interested in how far a book has traveled this could be a lot of fun.  BookMooch allows you to trade your books directly with other people.  Sometimes ARCs are made available for swapping.  I’m sure the list of book swapping sites is nearly endless but these are the two I hear about most often.
4. Other book reviewers.  Once in a while two copies of a book will be sent to a book reviewer.  When this happens, the book reviewer will often make the extra copy available to their blog readers. 

These are just a few ways the internet book reviewer obtains copies of current releases.  Even though the books are free there is still work involved in getting the book.