Editorial consideration
Midwest Book Review
Community and academic librarians, booksellers, and general readers of its online review publications
In short
Midwest Book Review publishes monthly online review publications for community and academic librarians, booksellers, and general readers, and it gives priority to small presses and self-published authors. Its reviews are indexed in library reference tools, so coverage can reach collection staff who would not otherwise see an independent book. Authors submit directly: two finished printed copies, a cover letter, and a press release, with 12 to 14 weeks before the book is even assigned to a reviewer. Treat it as an after-publication step.
Submission does not guarantee coverage. The outlet decides whether and what it publishes.
Midwest Book Review is a Wisconsin-based organization that publishes several monthly online review publications aimed at community and academic librarians, booksellers, and general readers. It gives priority to small presses, self-published authors, academic presses, and specialty publishers, which makes it one of the few review outlets that actively welcomes independent titles.
The free track is for finished print books. Send two copies of the published book, a cover letter, and a press release that includes an email or postal address for notification, to 278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129. Expect 12 to 14 weeks before the book is considered for assignment to a reviewer, and no review is guaranteed.
Ebooks, PDF files, prepublication manuscripts, galleys, uncorrected proofs, and advance reader copies are handled on a separate track with a $50 Reader Fee, and the page indicates that track takes 10 to 12 weeks. Download links, digital files, and digital media burned to discs are not accepted for the free track; audiobooks, music, and films are accepted only as physical CD, MP3-CD, DVD, or Blu-ray.
Why it may matter
Midwest Book Review's publications circulate to librarians and are indexed in library reference tools, so a review can put an independent title in front of collection-development staff who would not see it otherwise. It is best treated as an after-publication step: the free track needs finished print copies, and the wait is measured in months.
Do not confuse this with
Midwest Book Review's two tracks are easy to mix up because they come from the same address.
- Free track: two finished print copies, no fee, no guarantee, 12 to 14 weeks before consideration.
- Reader Fee track: $50 for an ebook, PDF, galley, advance reader copy, or prepublication manuscript. The fee covers the reader's time for a digital or unfinished file; it is not a way to buy a positive review.
An earlier submitting.htm address this record pointed to no longer exists; the current guidelines live at get_rev.htm, linked above.
Rules and deadlines change. We last checked this information on September 13, 2026. If you see something that needs updating, please tell us.
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