Synonymous with high-quality independent books, Indie Reader has been shining a spotlight on indie authors for over a decade. Amy Edelman, who boasts over twenty years of experience with public relations and marketing, founded Indie Reader in 2009. In their earliest days, the site described itself as, “a venue for you to find and purchase books published and produced by the people who wrote them,” and it featured recommended independent books on their site and in a monthly magazine. By 2012, Indie Reader fell into the groove that you’re likely more familiar with, that of focusing on editorial book reviews and their annual Discovery Awards. While they also assist authors by means of book distribution, book marketing, and an active blog, this article will consider the specifics of their two most popular services.
Indie Reader Editorial Book Reviews
While Indie Reader’s price of $275 for a review is higher than some other companies appealing to self-published authors, such as Indies Today and Readers’ Favorite, their editorial reviews are longer and are generally more comprehensive and insightful. Thus, when compared to the price point of more notable editorial reviewers like Kirkus, Indie Reader reviews still prove to be a good value for many authors. Highly rated books also get considerable attention. If a book receives a rating of 4 to 5 stars, it is considered “IR Approved”, and is shared with the site’s ten thousand subscribers.
The Indie Reader Discovery Awards
When a book recieves the honor of winning a literary award, it is not only a great achievement for the author, but it also offers them an excellent opportunity for promotion and marketing. This is certainly true for books that win the esteemed Indie Reader Discovery Awards contest, which focuses specifically on recognizing books written by independent authors. Authors can enter a book in the contest for just $149, and their book will be considered by an Indie Reader professional reviewer before the top-rated books are judged by an array of publishing industry leaders. Readers recognize award-winning books as being of a higher caliber than the rest, and a good placement in the Discovery Awards can be just what it takes to give your book the professional edge, setting your title apart and increasing its discoverability.
