In a poll we conducted on readers nationwide, 82% percent of readers said they would trust a book recommendation from their friend or coworker over one from a big-name author. What does this mean?
Blurbs and reviews are important, whether you like it or not.
This poll got us thinking about the struggle authors face in getting thoughtful reviews from publishing pros. Asking for blurbs can be awkward for everyone—authors, agents, editors, and publicists alike. You ask around and end up with a review from a middle-aged true crime author for a YA romance! Still, blurbs and reviews are vital for a book’s success. With only a handful of slots for the hundreds of thousands of books published each year, securing quality endorsements is tougher than ever.
At CANREADS, we do the work for you.
CANREADS doesn’t believe that a blurb from a well-known author guarantees better sales. In fact, a blurb from the wrong author can even ruin an author’s reputation, an agent's reputation, and a publishing house's reputation. It's also painful. For every 50 requests sent out, authors get maybe two “I’ll think about it” replies. Most writers are introverts. We’d rather have our head down in the pages than out pounding the pavement, asking for reviews. It's exhausting, to say the least. That's why we created CANREADS, so we can do the work for you.
Our strength? We pair authors with vetted reviewers and industry professionals from their target market.
Book buyers are often very, very, different from authors, who are not always as tapped into communities or book clubs in the same way as avid, local readers are. That’s why our roster of reviewers goes well beyond authors—the people who review your book are part of the groups who will actually buy your book and refer your book to others, or those who have extensive experience in your genre! We are highly selective of who we hire as reviewers, so you can ensure your review will be genuine and professional. We offer Canadian city-specific bylines to promote regional interest in sales.
Our network of over 50 reviewers includes avid readers in your genre, book influencers, former and present Indigo employees, and publishing industry professionals who know your market best. Imagine the largest online review site for book lovers, except all the reviewers are experts at book promotion and deeply connected to the groups you want to sell your book to.
The CANREADS Awards
Our annual CANREADS Book Awards remains a focal point, celebrating outstanding literary achievements. Every other year, we round up our vast collection of submissions, carefully evaluating them to recognize and honour the most exceptional works. This rigorous selection process helps to elevate the profiles of talented authors, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve. The CANREADS Awards cover a diverse range of 38 genre categories, with eligible pub dates currently ranging from 2015-2025.
Authors who purchase a blurb or review are automatically entered for free.