Are you a graduate student looking to enhance your resume or curriculum vitae? Perhaps you’ve realized that your resume or curriculum vitae needs to include some writing samples and publication experience. The best way, and easiest avenue to getting published as a budding writing in your early career is to submit a book review.
What is a Book Review?
The most common places that book reviews are popping up include academic and scholarly journals. These publications are constantly seeking individuals to read books that have been sent to them for review.
Authors of all sorts seek out journals to solicit a review of their book for marketing purposes and to contribute to the field. Most journals have shelves of books awaiting good book reviews and are in need of book reviewers.
Once a book review has been submitted and the journal has accepted it, then usually there is a forecast of when the book review will be published, either online or in the journal’s print edition. Most book reviews are typically reviewed by an editorial staff; therefore expect to make changes and updates to the review throughout the process of editing.
5 Simple Tips for Publishing a Book Review
The most common mistake early scholars make is looking in the wrong places to inquire about writing a book review. Many websites offer advice and articles providing advice and “how-to’s” on publishing a book review, however, those sources will keep you going in circles and at the end of the day you’re still confused and tired of searching.
Go Directly to the Journal
Skip all the middle man work and go directly to the journal's website. You can locate various directories of journal companies through libraries and online sources. Compile a list of journals and their web addresses to start a database for yourself. The Cambridge Journals website offers a comprehensive list of journals and websites for each journal.
Book Review Inquiries
When you finally locate a few journals you’re interested in, browse their website to determine if they are soliciting scholars for book reviews. To do this, check out all the sections within their website relating to submitting proposals or writing for their journal. This important tip will give you the direct, up front information you need and speed up your decision to either continue researching that specific journal or move on.
Submit an Inquiry
When you finally find a journal you’re interested in and they are accepting book reviews, it is time to submit your inquiry. Depending on the journal, some ask you to fill out at form or some just ask for inquiries be sent to them either through the mail or via emai.
When you are submitting an inquiry, be sure to explain that you are very interested in reviewing books for their journal and provide a few sentences on your availability, interests, and credentials. Provided below is an example of a letter of inquiry that could be used to introduce yourself and demonstrate interest as a book reviewer.
Letter of Inquiry Example
”Journal of Interaction and Cognitive Therapy,
I am interested in applying to become a book reviewer with your journal. I am passionate about the field of cognitive therapy and enjoy reading books related to the topic. I have recently acquired a Master of Psychology from XXX University in XXX, State and look forward to enhancing my curriculum vitae by reviewing books.
I am available to begin a book review right away. I am able to dedicate full attention to reading and critically reviewing a book to meet your standards of excellence. I pay close attention to detail and timelines as well as will ensure a professional, thought-provoking review. Please feel free to contact me anytime at (111)123-1234.
I look forward to the possibility of becoming a book reviewer for your journal.
Respectfully Submitted,
Micky Mouse, MA”
Read the Book Immediately
Once you have been accepted, read the terms of the review and after receiving the book, read it immediately! If you wait to read the book a few weeks the review is due, you will lose momentum and drive to complete the task. If you do not complete the review, you will be asked to send the book back and possibly damage your opportunity to write for that specific journal in the future.
Check Back With the Journal
Once you have submitted the review, you can expect the time from when you submitted the review until the time it is published to be well over six months. A reputable journal will review your submission, slate it for a publication date to fit a specific issue in the future, and then you won't hear from them until just shortly before your review is due for publishing. However, check back with the journal every so often, around 1-2 months and confirm your review is still waiting for publication.
Checking back with the journal will not only keep you excited to see your work published, it will also keep the journal abreast of your interest in their journal. You could even ask to start reviewing another book while waiting. Choosing a journal of which you enjoy will not only aid in building a healthy relationship with a scholarly company, it will also add miles to your resume and curriculum vitae!
Jessica McCallister - My name is Jessica McCallister and I live in a little town in Eastern Oregon! I have come to this website to begin my publishing ...
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