Dear Authors, Publicists, and Publishers:
Hello and welcome!
I’m so glad you found your way here to the Zone! Book Zone, that is. 😊
A little bit about Book Zone and me: I started helping promote books because, as a self-published Black author, I knew firsthand how hard it could be to get noticed. At the time, there were only a few reviewers or book sites willing to give self-published books a chance, particularly books from authors whose cultural references and experiences might be overlooked or misunderstood. So I decided to become part of the solution.
What started with simple book introductions and author interviews eventually grew into book reviews and other ways of helping authors get discovered.
After being hacked and having to rebuild, I took a good look at what I had been doing and realized I’d been all over the map. I didn’t have to be all things to everyone.
Today, Book Zone focuses on helping authors who write for readers ages 0–17 get discovered.
I will always offer complimentary ways to support authors. That isn’t going away. But I’ve also realized that there are more ways I can help, and doing more takes more time, effort, and sometimes funds.
So, alongside the complimentary support I’ve always offered, I now offer paid author-support services for authors who want or need more help, at a pace I can sustain: one author a month.
Books I Review
Book Zone Reviews specializes in books for readers ages 0–17:
- Ages 0–3
- Ages 4–8
- Ages 9–12
- Ages 13–17
This includes books for babies and toddlers, children’s books, middle-grade books, and clean young-adult books.
For YA books, clean means no explicit sexual content, excessive profanity, or other material that would make the book inappropriate for the intended age group.
Difficult situations may be included as long as they are not glorified and the story ultimately shows meaningful growth, healing, redemption, or change.
What I Will Not Review
I do not accept books containing magic, paranormal themes, atheistic viewpoints, foul language, hate, or abuse of any kind unless difficult subject matter is being used as part of a story that ultimately points toward healing, hope, restoration, or a triumphant ending.
I also reserve the right to decline a book that I don’t believe is a good fit for me or for the Book Zone audience.
If you’re unsure whether your book fits, you’re welcome to submit it. I’d rather take a look than have you guess.
Formats Accepted
I currently accept:
- Audiobooks
- eBooks (PDF or epub)
- Paperbacks
- Hardcovers
For books intended for very young readers, I prefer a physical copy because it's hard to gauge the huggability factor without holding the book in my hands.
Review Schedule
I review books as I receive them. The first book I receive is the first book that I will read.
Who am I kidding? I’m a mood reader, I work four days a week, and I’m diving back into writing another book of my own now.
I’m currently working with about a four-month waiting period.
The exceptions are blog tours and new releases from publishers, publicists, tour companies, or review platforms that I’ve already committed to reviewing within a certain timeframe.
Don’t worry, I’m still using my trusty spreadsheets, several, in fact. 😂
About My Reviews
Regardless of how I acquired a book, my reviews are honest and independent.
As a writer myself, I understand the time, persistence, rewrites, edits, frustration, and heart that can go into creating a book. I respect that.
And because I respect both authors and readers, I also take the quality of the books I recommend seriously. That doesn’t mean every book has to be perfect. It does mean I want the books I share with readers to be ready for them.
When I review a book, I try to be thoughtful, fair, and respectful about what worked for me and what didn’t.
The lowest rating you will generally see on my sites is 2.5 stars. If I find that I’m unable to rate a book at least 3 stars, I will contact the author before posting and give them the option of having the review published or not.
I also reserve the right to stop reading a book if I determine that it isn’t a good fit for me or for the Book Zone audience.
Complimentary Author Support
Along with your review, you may request one additional complimentary feature:
- Author Interview
- Book Introduction
- Character Interview
- Guest Post
Please request your review plus no more than one additional complimentary feature.
Each feature is meant to stand on its own so that the book and author get focused attention.
If you’re looking for a review plus several promotional features, you probably need more than a complimentary review package.
And that’s okay. See below: a Book Blitz or Virtual Book Tour may be a better fit.
Looking for More Support?
Paid author-support services are available for authors who want broader promotion or more hands-on help.
Current promotional options include:
- Book Blitz
- Virtual Book Tour
If you indicate that you’re interested in paid support, I may send you a separate Author Discovery Form.
That form helps me understand what you’re trying to accomplish, what you’ve already done, what may still be missing, and how much help you actually need.
You may need help with everything.
You may need help with a few things.
Or you may discover that you don’t need some of the services you thought you did.
I’d rather help you figure that out before you spend money on services you may not need.
And if the best next step is something I don’t provide, I’d rather point you in the right direction than sell you something just because I can.
Where Reviews May Be Shared
When appropriate, reviews may also be cross-posted or shared on platforms where I maintain an account.
Book and Reader Platforms
- Amazon
- BookBub
- Christianbook
- Goodreads
- StoryGraph
Social Media
- Bluesky
- TikTok
- X
- YouTube
Not every review will appear on every platform.
Ready to Submit?
If you would like me to consider your book for review, please fill out my Review Request Form in its entirety. (Please Note: The above link takes you to our sister site Book Zone Reviews)
The form allows you to request:
- an honest review;
- one additional complimentary feature; and
- paid promotional support, if you’re interested in a Book Blitz or Virtual Book Tour.
Please include an email address. That part is important! It is incredibly frustrating to find a book I would love to review and have no way to tell the author I accepted it. 😂
The information you provide also gives me a head start on preparing your review if your book is accepted.
Unfortunately, not every book will be to my taste or a fit for the Book Zone audience, so I reserve the right to decline certain requests.
Thank you for thinking of Book Zone.
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