NetGalley

This decides who can read your book before it is out and how early, and feedback posted through it frequently reappears as reviews on Goodreads and retailers around publication. Traditionally and hybrid published authors normally ask whether the book will be listed, when the listing goes live, how long it stays up, and who approves requests, and a hybrid author should confirm who is paying. If you publish the book yourself, this is a real expense you choose, and it needs an approval plan, a plan for reading the feedback, and enough lead time, typically three to six months before publication, to be worth anything. Record the listing dates and check that the description and review file match the book you intend people to read.

NetGalley is the main platform for distributing digital review copies before publication. Publishers, and authors through an independent-author package, list a title with a cover, description, and a secured ebook or audiobook file. Members (reviewers, book bloggers, librarians, booksellers, educators, and media) request access; the listing owner approves or declines each request, often based on the member's feedback history and reach, and approved members read in the NetGalley Shelf app or on supported devices and leave feedback.

NetGalley's own description of its pricing is that publishers pay a set-up fee plus a monthly subscription based on the number of active titles, and that a separate package exists for independent authors. Some publishers also list titles through co-op programs run by author organizations and service companies. NetGalley has also launched Booktrovert, a consumer-facing promotion and giveaway product.

Who can read your book before publication and how early, what they see about it, and the stream of early reviews and librarian and bookseller feedback that follows. Feedback posted through NetGalley frequently shows up as reviews on Goodreads and retailers around publication.

If you have a publisher, ask whether the book will be on NetGalley, when the listing goes live, how long it stays up, and who approves requests. Ask what the approval policy is and whether you can suggest reviewers, librarians, or booksellers to invite. Confirm the listing copy matches your approved description and that the file is the current version.

If you self-publish, decide whether the cost fits your goals. An author package or a co-op slot is a real expense, and a listing needs an approval plan, a feedback plan, and enough lead time (typically three to six months before publication) to be useful. Listing a book with no plan produces requests you ignore and reviews you never read.

1. Search the title on netgalley.com (opens in a new tab) to confirm the listing exists and is set to the right audience and archive date.
2. Check the cover, description, publication date, and ISBN on the listing against your identity sheet.
3. Ask the listing owner for the request, approval, and feedback counts and read the feedback.
4. After the archive date, confirm the listing was closed and note which reviews were usable.

NetGalley is a distribution tool for review copies, not a review outlet; a listing is not a review and does not guarantee any. It is not Edelweiss+, which is a catalog and review-copy platform aimed more at booksellers and librarians. It is also not a retailer and does not sell books.