Review outlets
Review outlets: who chooses, who guarantees one, and who just delivers the copy.
Trade outlets choose which books they review, so coverage isn't guaranteed. Paid-review services guarantee a review, not praise. Advance-copy platforms get books to reviewers but don't review the books themselves. This directory keeps those models separate and shows who can submit, when, what it costs, and who may see the result.
This directory feeds the checklist step Build the trade review submission plan. Set a status on any outlet and it joins your checklist.
Still deciding whether to bother? How review submissions actually work and Is a paid review worth it work through it.
| My status | Outlet | When |
|---|---|---|
| Publishers Weekly Booksellers, librarians, agents, and publishing professionals | Adult titles three months, preferably four, before the first day of the publication month; children's titles at least four months before publication | |
| BookLife submission to Publishers Weekly Booksellers, librarians, and publishing professionals who read Publishers Weekly | Before or after publication; allow six to twelve weeks for a decision, so submit at least three months before you need a review in hand | |
| BookLife Reviews Independent authors who want a professional review on a known timeline; readers and retailers who see the published review | Any time before or after publication; allow six weeks for delivery, or four weeks with the expedited option, plus up to one week of slack | |
| Booklist Public and school librarians selecting books and audiobooks | Prepublication. Booklist's current guidelines are not publicly readable, so no lead time is stated here. Do not calculate a deadline from a third-party figure. | |
| Library Journal Public and academic librarians buying adult books | Review copies should arrive about 6 months before publication | |
| School Library Journal School and public youth librarians selecting books for children and teens | Not stated on the official submissions page. Submit before publication, but do not calculate a deadline from a third-party figure. | |
| Kirkus Reviews (editorial program) Booksellers, librarians, agents, film and rights scouts, and book media | Digital galley at least four to five months before the publication date | |
| Kirkus Indie Independent authors and publishers who want a Kirkus-branded review; readers and retailers who see the published review | Any time before or after publication; allow seven to nine weeks for standard delivery, or four to six weeks for express | |
| Foreword Reviews magazine Booksellers and librarians who follow independent and university press publishing | At least four and a half months before publication; late submissions are not considered | |
| Foreword Clarion Reviews Independent authors and publishers who want a professional review; booksellers, librarians, and readers who encounter the licensed review | Any time, including backlist. The official page says the four to six week turnaround starts when your book arrives. That is delivery time, not a deadline. | |
| Choice Reviews Academic librarians and faculty selecting for undergraduate and college collections | Send a finished copy as soon as it is available and within three months of publication | |
| Midwest Book Review Community and academic librarians, booksellers, and general readers of its online review publications | Primarily after publication for finished print books; allow 12 to 14 weeks for the free track. Prepublication files are accepted only with the $50 Reader Fee and take about 10 to 12 weeks. | |
| AudioFile Magazine (now part of Kirkus Reviews) Librarians, audiobook producers, and listeners who follow audiobook reviews | Not published for audiobooks. Kirkus states a 4 to 5 month lead time for digital galleys and ebooks, but that line is not written about audio, so do not calculate an audiobook deadline from it. | |
| The Horn Book Children's and young adult librarians, educators, and booksellers | In advance of the publication date, preferably three months, in the words of the official page | |
| Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Children's and young adult librarians, educators, and award committees | Review copies at least three months before the publication date | |
| NetGalley Reviewers, librarians, booksellers, educators, and media who read prepublication copies | List the title several months before release so review journals, library programs, and early readers can use it; four months or more is typical | |
| Edelweiss+ Booksellers, librarians, publisher sales reps, and media who use Edelweiss+ catalogs | Build into the prepublication sales cycle; post the DRC when the season's catalog goes live, typically four to six months before publication | |
| LibraryReads Public library staff and the adult readers they recommend to | Galley on Edelweiss+ or NetGalley at least two months before publication; nominations close on the first day of the month before the publication month |