Starting a book blog is exciting, and the prospect of receiving free advance reader copies (ARCs) from publishers can feel like hitting the literary jackpot. However, many new bloggers stumble when it comes to requesting review copies, potentially damaging relationships with publishers before they’ve even begun. Here are five common mistakes that can derail your efforts to build a successful book review platform.
1. Requesting Books Without Establishing Your Platform First
The biggest mistake new bloggers make is reaching out to publishers immediately after creating their blog, often with just a handful of posts and minimal traffic. Publishers receive countless requests daily and need to see that you have an established audience who will actually read your reviews.
Before requesting ARCs, focus on building your foundation. Write at least 20-30 quality reviews of books you’ve purchased yourself, develop a consistent posting schedule, and grow your social media presence. Publishers want to see evidence of engagement—comments on your posts, shares on social media, and a growing follower count. This demonstrates that your reviews will reach real readers, not disappear into the void.
Consider joining book blogging communities and participating in reading challenges to increase your visibility. The more established your presence appears, the more likely publishers are to take your requests seriously.
2. Sending Generic, Unprofessional Requests
Nothing screams “amateur” like a copy-pasted email that begins “Dear Publisher” or fails to mention specific titles you’re interested in reviewing. Generic requests suggest you haven’t researched the publisher’s catalog or taken time to craft a personalized message.
Your request email should be professional, concise, and tailored to each publisher. Include your blog’s URL, social media handles, and brief statistics about your readership. Mention specific titles you’re interested in and explain why they appeal to you or fit your blog’s focus. If you specialize in certain genres, highlight this alignment.
Keep your email to three paragraphs maximum. Publishers are busy, and lengthy emails often go unread. Include your media kit or a brief bio that establishes your credibility as a reviewer, but avoid overselling yourself or making inflated claims about your influence.
3. Requesting Too Many Books at Once
Enthusiasm is wonderful, but requesting fifteen books in your first email suggests you don’t understand the commitment involved in reviewing. Publishers track which bloggers actually follow through on their promises, and requesting more than you can handle is a quick way to get blacklisted.
Start small by requesting one to three titles maximum. This shows respect for the publisher’s investment and demonstrates that you understand the responsibility involved. Publishers would rather work with a blogger who consistently reviews two books per month than someone who requests dozens but only reviews a few.
As you build relationships and prove your reliability, you can gradually increase your requests. Publishers will begin offering you books proactively once they trust you to deliver quality, timely reviews.
4. Ignoring Genre Boundaries and Publisher Guidelines
Many new bloggers cast too wide a net, requesting everything from romance to horror to academic texts without considering whether these align with their blog’s focus or their genuine interests. Publishers can tell when you’re not passionate about a genre, and lukewarm reviews help no one.
Define your niche early and stick to it. If you love contemporary fiction, don’t request fantasy novels just because they’re popular. Specialized blogs often have more engaged audiences than those trying to cover everything. Publishers appreciate knowing exactly what kinds of readers you’ll reach.
Additionally, always check publisher submission guidelines before reaching out. Some publishers only accept requests during certain periods, require specific information, or prefer contact through particular channels like NetGalley or Edelweiss. Ignoring these guidelines immediately marks you as someone who doesn’t pay attention to details.
5. Failing to Follow Through Consistently
Perhaps the most damaging mistake is inconsistency in following through on commitments. Accepting a review copy creates an obligation, and failing to review books or posting reviews months after publication dates damages your reputation permanently.
Publishers maintain databases tracking blogger performance. If you consistently fail to deliver promised reviews, you’ll find yourself unable to access new titles from that publisher—and word spreads quickly in the industry.
Before requesting any book, honestly assess your reading speed and schedule. If you typically read two books per month, don’t commit to reviewing more than that. It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver than to create unrealistic expectations.
When life intervenes and you can’t meet a deadline, communicate proactively with the publisher. Most are understanding if you explain the situation and provide a new timeline, but simply going silent is unforgivable.
Building Long-Term Success
Remember that book blogging is about building relationships, not just collecting free books. Publishers want to work with reliable, professional bloggers who genuinely love books and can connect with readers. By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on quality over quantity, you’ll establish yourself as a trusted voice in the book community.
The most successful book bloggers didn’t build their reputations overnight. They invested time in creating quality content, engaged authentically with their communities, and treated their relationships with publishers as professional partnerships. With patience and dedication, you can build the same lasting success in the book blogging world.
