I write book reviews for authors on my blog page: http://www.mjbookreviews.blogspot.com.

I am a five-time (soon to be seven!) published author with years of book reviewing experience. If you'd like a review, the cost is $25. Your review will be posted on the blog, at the Book Marketing Network, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever else you would like it.

Teeka,
I'm interested in having a review done by you. Get ahold of me at
chn11@cebridge.net
www.memoirofamindtoy.webs.com

I will get in touch with you. Thanks so much!

Author/Editor
Martha Jette

Never, ever pay for a book review. It's unethical for a reviewer to ask for money and an author should never pay. Ever. No exceptions.

The author can offer to send the reviewer a free copy of their book, which is fine (though usually the publisher does).

I could explain why paying for a review is bad but it boils down never, ever paying for a review. Ever.

I agree, kdu.

Things are changing, I suppose, but traditionally, reviewers worked for newspapers and magazines and were paid a salary that compensated for the time spent doing the review.

Now, of course, the review draws readers to a blog or website and the free copy of the book makes for additional compensation.

Malcolml

I'm sorry but I must disagree with you. I know many people who have friends or relatives write a review for free and of course, it will be a flattering one.

I used to work in newspapers and magazines as an editor, in fact, for many years and yes, the pay was compensation at that time. Now, I am on disability and simply supplementing my income with a small reviewing fee. I find that serious authors will pay to have a professional review of their book so they can receive an honest opinion of their work.

I have reviewed many books for just $25. I don't think that is too much to ask and apparently, neither do the authors with whom I've worked.

I feel that someone who is paid for a review will feel obligated to give a good review. Is that an honest review?

Sorry, but I do not feel that way at all and it would be a disservice to the author. An author needs to know what they're doing both right and wrong, so the same mistakes will not be made in the future.

Over the years, I have reviewed books, movies, plays, bands, opera and other forms of entertainment. During that time, I was often told that constructive criticism was very much appreciated, so that he, she, they could improve in the future.

Here is why it's a bad idea to pay for a book review:

A review from a friend or family member (unless said person is a well known author) is useless. No one knows your friend or relative, and even if they did, their subjectivity would be called into question.

No matter how well intention this reviewer is, paying for a review is unethical. No publisher or author should ever pay for a book review.

A book reviewer who asks for money has an inherent conflict of interest. If he doesn't post good reviews, less authors will use said service. A reviewer trying to pay for their bandwidth, or whatever, cannot do so by charging for reviews. It's like a real estate agent charging you to see a house.

Finally, posting such review on your website, or on the back of your book, will lead people to find out that you paid and by doing so, they will disregard the review.

Total waste of money to pay for a review.

Teeka,
Paying someone for an honest critique with suggestions/instructions for improvement makes sense. Paying someone with the sole intent to use it for promotion suggests a positive review is expected. And as kdu mentioned, it will backfire.
A reviewer publishes his reviews. Will the reviewer publish a bad review if he was paid?

If you check out my book review site at: http://www.mjbookreviews.blogspot.com you will find that I have written positive and negative reviews. I do not play favorites. I expect the author to be professional about the resulting review - not a child.