Jane Cafarella’s writing radiates warmth and sincerity, and it’s very welcoming. Readers will feel connected from the beginning – as if the story is being shared over a coffee. – Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favourite
Cafarella’s writing is humbling and fearless…Fans of heartfelt memoirs will fall in love with this must-read from the very first page. – Makeda Cummings for Readers’ Favourite
…poignant and inspirational. …a must-read for readers looking for fortitude to overcome their deep-seated trauma and move out of the darkness into the light. – Richard Prause for Readers’ Favourite
Read the full reviews here:
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/cleaved
I am thrilled to have received three five-star reviews from Readers’ Favourite – an international book review company especially for self-published authors.
I’ve been very fortunate to receive lots of unsolicited spontaneous reviews from readers via email and Facebook, but this is the first time I’ve actively sought a review from a review company – and paid for it.
So why pay? And are paid reviews legitimate?
More than a million self-published books arrive on the market each year, with a plethora of companies to service them, providing everything from editing and book-cover design to full publishing services.
But the biggest problems for all self-published authors are marketing, distribution and exposure.
Few bookshops will take self-published books, as without the professional services of a traditional publishing company, the perception is that quality is not always guaranteed.
And self-published books are seldom reviewed in the traditional media.
These makes self-published authors vulnerable to scams and vanity schemes offering reviews and awards.
So what should you look for when considering a review service?
I looked at how long the company had been offering the service, author reviews, whether the company was endorsed by others in the industry and an accredited business, and what other services it offered to help market the review.
I also considered the price. Some services, such as Kirkus reviews (established in 1933), offer reviews by professionals, such as librarians and nationally published journalists – but at a higher price, starting at $450.
I considered various companies, including Kirkus, and Literary Titan, which offers one review for $59USD, five for $275 and 10 for $550, and which had many positive reviews from happy authors.
In the end I chose Readers Favourite because it is well established (17 years), is endorsed by traditional publishing companies, and primarily offers free reviews.
Reviewers are volunteers, but a small monetary “gift” is paid for “express reviews”. The paid reviews start at one for $59USD, three for $129 and five for $199.
I opted for the package that offered three reviews for $129USD, as I felt three reviews would be a better test of both my book and the service. I was curious to see what independent reviewers in a completely different market from Australia might say. This option also allowed me to enter the RF 2025 book award into two categories for free.
Of course, there is the question of whether reviewers who are paid even a small amount might feel more inclined to say something positive, but I was reassured by the fact that while the company only posts reviews from books that receive four or five-star reviews, that doesn’t mean a four or five-star review is guaranteed.
As it says on its website, if you receive a poor review, the reviewer will point out the problems to help you improve it. Authors can then resubmit the revised version for another free review.
You also get to review the reviewers, to ensure the review you receive is accurate. You can also read their bios. All are required to write well, and to provide a description of the plot, as well as a critique. Most are ordinary people from all walks of life who love to read, which in my view is the perfect reviewer, as it’s ordinary people who will be picking up your book in a bookshop.
The other attraction for me was that RF creates a “review page” for you on its site and on social media, broadening your exposure.
I found the service prompt and professional and the reviews thoughtful and insightful – even if the superlatives did make me blush and wonder why I hadn’t won the Pulitzer!! And, as you can see, they also provide digital award stickers for those who receive five-star reviews. (Authors can purchase print stickers).
Who knows whether this translates into sales?
That would be nice, but the benefit of a using a review service is not just in the possibility of finding another market for your book: it’s in the value of having an independent reader, who doesn’t know you, giving honest feedback – and, as an author, discovering whether your intention regarding the story you wanted to tell was realised.
Want to read CLEAVED? More information and purchasing options here:
Have you paid for a review? Comment here to share your experience.
Want to know more about me and how I wrote my memoir, CLEAVED? If you’re in Ballarat, Victoria, on Tuesday 18 February please join me at 6pm at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute (BMI), in conversation with Alisoun Downing for Northern Books. Can’t make it to Ballarat? Invite me to your book group or social group.
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