FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Since I’m paying for the review, will it be positive?

Kirkus Indie reviewers are experienced professionals who give honest, impartial evaluations of the books they receive. The resulting reviews can be positive (even earning a Kirkus Star, one of the most revered designations in the industry), negative or anywhere in between. What we do guarantee is that you'll receive a fair and unbiased assessment of your work and its potential in the marketplace. If the review is negative, you will have the option of keeping it private and simply using the assessment as feedback to improve your craft. If it’s positive, you will be able to use the review to market your book to consumers or to catch the attention of a literary agent or publisher.

Does publication date affect my ability to get a review?

In the interest of introducing consumers and industry influencers to self-published books they may otherwise never discover, Kirkus Indie does not put any publication date restrictions on submissions. You may order a review for a book that’s been on the market for 10 years or for a book that doesn’t even have a publication date set yet.

How does Kirkus decide which Indie reviews get published in the magazine and in the email newsletter?

Our editors select 17-20 reviews to feature in each issue of the magazine, which is published twice per month. The selections are 100% at their discretion, and they typically choose the strongest reviews in a variety of genres. They also choose two Indie reviews to feature in each edition of our email newsletter, which is distributed to more than 50,000 industry influencers and consumers each week.

Will a cover design, marketing plan or any other collateral affect my chances of getting a positive review?

No, our professional reviewers assess merit based on the value of the content and reading experience alone.

Will it hurt my chances of getting a positive review if I publish exclusively in eBook format?

No, our professional reviewers assess merit based on the value of the content, reading experience and market appeal alone.

My book is intended for a niche audience. Will that affect my chances of getting a positive review?

No, we will assign your book to a qualified, professional reviewer who will assess the work’s value to consumers interested in reading your particular type of book. Our editors go to great lengths to match each submission with a reviewer who has deep experience or expertise with the book’s genre.

Does Kirkus Indie review all genres?

Yes, in our Indie program, Kirkus reviews everything from poetry and genre fiction to religious studies and specialized how-to books.

Does Kirkus Indie review audiobooks?

At this time, we do not review audiobooks in any format.

Does Kirkus Indie review foreign language books?

We do not currently review foreign language books, but if you are interested in this service, please email indie@kirkusreviews.com and let us know which language interests you, so we can keep an eye on demand.

I’m not self-published, but my book did not get reviewed by Kirkus prior to publication. May I purchase a review through the Indie program?

Yes. Even if you are not self-published, you may order a review through the Indie program. This is common for authors whose publishers missed the galley submission deadline, whose books did not fall into the categories reviewed through our traditional program or whose books simply weren’t slated for review due to the volume of submissions our editors receive.

How should I format my manuscript before submitting it?

We will accept any format, but here are our preferences:

• Font: 12-point Times New Roman
• Margins: 1” all around
• Spacing: 1.5 or double
• Page numbers: bottom of page, centered
• Printed single-sided
• Please either have your manuscript bound after printing or separate the two copies you submit with a sheet of colored paper.

I own or work for a self-publishing company with multiple titles. Do you have discounts or partnership programs available for companies like mine who purchase multiple reviews?

Yes. Please email indie@kirkusreviews.com for details.

Will you accept payment by check or money order?

This site is secure for credit card payments, and we prefer to process orders online to support an efficient workflow process. If you must pay by check or money order, however, you may email indie@kirkusreviews.com for instructions.