To get your book reviewed by Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly (PW), you must follow distinct submission pathways depending on whether you are traditionally published or self-published. Both publications are highly selective for free editorial reviews, requiring long lead times before your book’s publication date.
Comparison of Review Pathways
| Feature | Kirkus Reviews (Standard) | Kirkus Indie (Self-Published) | Publishers Weekly (Standard) | PW / BookLife (Self-Published) |
| Cost | Free (Consideration only) | Paid ($399–$450+) | Free (Consideration only) | Free (Consideration) or Paid (Guaranteed) |
| Lead Time | 4–5 months before pub date | None (any time) | 3 months before pub month | 3–4 months before pub date |
| Format | Digital galley / E-book | Digital, paperback, or hardcover | Digital galley (+ 2 physical if available) | Digital galley |
| Guarantee | No guarantee of review | 100% Guaranteed review | No guarantee of review | Only guaranteed if using paid tier |
How to Submit to Kirkus Reviews
1. Traditional Pathway (Free Consideration)
If you are traditionally published or running a small press, you can submit for a standard editorial review.
- Timeline: You must submit your book 4 to 5 months prior to the official publication date.
- Submission Materials: Submit a digital galley or e-book copy. Kirkus considers new adult fiction, general-audience nonfiction, and children’s/YA books.
- Selection: Reviewers are assigned based on merit or potential interest; there is no guarantee your book will be selected.
2. Self-Published Pathway (Kirkus Indie)
If you are an indie author, you must use the Kirkus Indie Reviews program, which guarantees a professional, unbiased review.
- The Cost: Standard turnaround (7–9 weeks) costs $399 for a 200-word review, while expedited options cost $450.
- Control Your Privacy: If the review is negative, you can keep it private. If it is positive, you can publish it for free on the Kirkus Website to gain visibility among agents, librarians, and consumers.
- Award Eligibility: Publishing your indie review makes you eligible for the annual Kirkus Indie Awards.
How to Submit to Publishers Weekly
1. Traditional Pathway (Free Consideration)
Traditionally published authors and established publishers submit directly to PW using their proprietary system.
- Timeline: Submissions must be sent at least 3 months prior to the first day of the publication month.
- Process: Create a free account on the Publishers Weekly GalleyTracker platform. Upload your digital galley and title metadata to track its status.
2. Self-Published Pathway (BookLife)
Indie authors can submit their books for free consideration via PW’s dedicated indie channel, BookLife.
- The Free Option: You can set up a free profile on BookLife and submit your upcoming book for a free PW editorial review. Like the traditional route, this is highly competitive—essentially an “editorial lottery”.
- The Paid Option: If you want a guaranteed review, you can pay BookLife for a dedicated marketing and editorial review rather than relying on the free lottery system.
Authors searching Kirkus Reviews Publishers Weekly should use Kirkus Indie for a paid assessment and BookLife to request Publishers Weekly consideration. However, confusing a submission fee with a purchased review can waste a launch budget. The solution is to choose the correct route, submit a finished manuscript, and allow enough time for review.
Key Takeaways
- Kirkus Indie accepts self-published books before or after publication.
- Publishers Weekly selects books editorially; paying the submission fee does not secure coverage.
- A paid BookLife Review is a separate product.
- Final files, accurate book details, and realistic schedules matter.
- Payment never guarantees praise.
What does a Kirkus Reviews Publishers Weekly search leave unclear?
The key distinction is between editorial selection and a paid assessment. According to Publishers Weekly’s GalleyTracker FAQ, a BookLife Review differs from a Publishers Weekly review, even though a PW reviewer writes it. (Publishers Weekly)
| Route | Intended applicant | What submission provides |
| Kirkus Indie | Self-published authors | A paid critical assessment |
| Publishers Weekly through BookLife | Individual author-publishers | Consideration for editorial coverage |
| Publishers Weekly through GalleyTracker | Publishing companies | Consideration for editorial coverage |
| BookLife Reviews | Eligible authors and publishers | A paid assessment with marketing guidance |
Therefore, a professional book review should be chosen by purpose. Publishers Weekly serves booksellers and librarians, while BookLife Reviews focuses on helping authors reach readers. (booklife.com)
What should authors prepare before submitting?
Authors should prepare a finished book and check its submission details before paying. According to BookLife’s submission guidelines, self-published books face the same professional standards as traditionally published books. (booklife.com)
First, unresolved writing problems belong in the revision stage. Authors considering Editing and Proofreading Services should complete that work before uploading the review copy. A useful preparation checklist includes these steps.
- Confirm the author name, title, publication date, and book identifier.
- Select the final manuscript, including required illustrations.
- Prepare a clear description and identify the intended readership.
- Check that the uploaded file opens and reads correctly.
Moreover, BookLife advises checking the information populated from the author’s profile before submission. A polished manuscript cannot correct an inaccurate project record.
How does an author order a Kirkus review?
An author orders a Kirkus review through Kirkus Indie, then supplies the manuscript using the instructions received after payment. According to Kirkus, an editor matches the book with a reviewer familiar with its genre and subject. (kirkusreviews.com)
According to Kirkus Reviews, its standard Traditional Review option lists a regular price of $450 and a turnaround of seven to nine weeks. Express service lists $599 and four to six weeks, measured from receipt of the submission. Promotions may change the checkout price. (Kirkus Indie Reviews)
However, “Traditional Review” here names a Kirkus Indie product. It should not be confused with Kirkus’s separate submission program for traditionally published books.
According to Kirkus’s publisher guidelines, that separate program requires submission at least four to five months before publication and excludes self-published titles. In contrast, Kirkus Indie has no publication-date restriction. (kirkusreviews.com)
How can self-published authors request a Publishers Weekly review?
Self-published authors request Publishers Weekly consideration through a BookLife account and book project. According to BookLife’s submission instructions, the review form lets applicants choose Publishers Weekly consideration, a paid BookLife Review, or both.
First, the author selects the intended review option and checks the book information. Then, the author provides the digital review copy and completes the submission. (booklife.com)
For this route, authors should prepare a PDF or EPUB that reviewers can access without signing in. If the exported file is difficult to read, Book Formatting Services may be useful before submission.
According to BookLife’s Publishers Weekly FAQ, consideration costs $25 and can take six to twelve weeks. After selection, publication can take another twelve weeks or more; therefore, that first waiting period is not a promised review delivery date. (booklife.com)
Meanwhile, publishing companies use GalleyTracker. According to Publishers Weekly’s submission policy, those submissions must be set up three months, preferably four, before the first day of the publication month. (Publishers Weekly)
How much does a paid BookLife Review cost?
A paid BookLife Review has separate charges for the assessment, faster delivery, and optional magazine placement. According to BookLife’s August 2026 FAQ, the base price is $399 with a six-week turnaround.
According to BookLife, books over 100,000 words carry a $100 surcharge, and expedited delivery costs another $150 for four-week service. However, the FAQ warns that high volume can add up to one week, including on expedited orders.
In addition, according to BookLife, authors who make their review public can pay $100 for placement in the BookLife Reviews section of Publishers Weekly. That placement remains distinct from a PW editorial review. (booklife.com)
The assessment also includes comparison titles, meaning similar books or authors, and production grades for presentation elements. Therefore, it can provide feedback on how the book is positioned as well as how it reads. (booklife.com)
How should authors use a completed review?
Authors should check publication and excerpt rules before using review wording in publicity. According to Kirkus’s Indie Excerpting Policies, the complete review must appear on its website before any excerpt is used elsewhere.
Furthermore, Kirkus requires attribution to Kirkus Reviews and prohibits changes that distort the assessment. A favorable phrase should retain the meaning it had in the original review. (kirkusreviews.com)
For authors considering a Professional PR Publication Service, the planning question is where an approved excerpt will be used. The brief should identify the audience, the review source, and the specific publicity material.
FAQs
Can an already published book receive a review?
An already published book can qualify for Kirkus Indie or submission through BookLife. According to Kirkus, its Indie program has no publication-date restrictions. Similarly, BookLife accepts eligible English-language books already available for purchase in the United States, as well as books approaching publication. (kirkusreviews.com)
Does paying guarantee a positive review?
Payment does not guarantee a positive professional book review. According to Kirkus, an Indie assessment can be favorable, unfavorable, or mixed. Similarly, BookLife states that its reviewers provide honest criticism. Authors should therefore budget for an independent opinion rather than assume the outcome will be praise. (Kirkus Indie Reviews)
Can authors keep an unfavorable review private?
Kirkus Indie and paid BookLife Reviews allow authors to keep an assessment private before publication. However, a Publishers Weekly editorial review does not offer that control. According to BookLife, a public BookLife Review cannot later be made private, so authors should consider approval carefully. (kirkusreviews.com)
Can a declined book be submitted again through another platform?
A book declined for a Publishers Weekly review cannot be resubmitted through the other submission platform. According to BookLife’s guidelines, changing the ISBN or ASIN also does not permit another attempt. Therefore, authors should check whether a publisher or publicist has already submitted the title. (booklife.com)
For the next planning step, authors can consult Why Book PR Services Are Critical for Self-Published Authors. That discussion belongs alongside decisions about how a review will support the book’s publicity.
Conclusion
A Kirkus Reviews Publishers Weekly search should lead to a submission route that matches the author’s publishing status and goals. Final files, realistic timing, and clear expectations make that choice easier. Authors preparing a submission can discuss their manuscript needs with Canadian Ghostwriters before ordering a review.