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 how hard it is for authors to get thoughtful reviews for their books from people in publishing. Asking for reviews and blurbs can be uncomfortable for everyone— authors, agents, editors, and publicists. It puts both the author and the people the author asks for endorsements in a potentially awkward position. You cast a wide net and end up with reviews from a middle-aged man for a YA romance novel!
Regardless, blurbs and reviews play a crucial role in a book’s success. Nowadays, securing a full feature review or quality blurb is increasingly difficult, with a limited number of slots available for the hundreds of thousands of books published each year. More and more big-name authors are turning down blurb requests as well. In this scarcity of critical coverage, blurbs and reviews become essential.
We noticed this issue, and we did what we always do. We set out to make the publishing world make sense.
At CANREADS, we're brave so you don't have to be awkward.
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 from their target market.
Book buyers are very, very, different from authors. You’d be surprised to learn how little some authors actually read. And they’re 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 and editors—the people who review your book are part of the groups who will actually buy your book and refer your book to others! We are highly selective of who we hire as reviewers, so you can ensure your review will be genuine and professional. You can even request reviewers based on age and other demographics to ensure the most relevant and impactful feedback. We offer Canadian city-specific bylines to promote regional interest in sales.
Our vetted reviewers include avid readers in your genre, book influencers, former and present Indigo employees, and publishing industry professionals who know the 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
Along with sponsored blurbs and reviews, our annual CANREADS Book Awards remain a focal point, celebrating outstanding literary achievements. Each 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. Authors who purchase a blurb or review are automatically entered for free.
CANREADS is accessible to everyone, both self-published and traditionally published. With our unique approach, we aim to revolutionize the way books are reviewed and recognized, providing valuable insights for authors and publishers while promoting literary excellence in major Canadian cities.
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