What is an editorial review? Everything authors need to know
Book Award Pro
Introduction to editorial reviews
Getting reviews for your book can feel like an uphill battle. You need social proof to attract readers, but how do you get reviews when you're just starting out?
This is where editorial reviews come in. Unlike the customer reviews that readers leave on retailer sites, editorial reviews are professional assessments that can help establish your book's credibility from day one.
Beyond attracting readers, editorial reviews can open important doors for your book. Bookstores and libraries often consider editorial reviews when making purchasing decisions, and these professional assessments can be the difference between your book being stocked or passed over.
Note that editorial reviews are completely different from Amazon customer reviews, which have their own specific rules and guidelines. Learn more about getting legitimate Amazon reviews while staying compliant.
In this guide, you'll learn what editorial reviews are, why they matter for your book's success, and where to display them for maximum impact.
What is an editorial review?
An editorial review is an objective, professional assessment of your book written by an industry expert, professional reviewer, or recognized authority in your book's genre or subject area. These reviews are written by people with established credibility in the book world, not random readers who happened to purchase your book.
Who writes editorial reviews?
Editorial reviews come from various credible sources, including:
- Professional book reviewers and critics
- Industry publications and magazines
- Book bloggers with established audiences
- Other authors in your genre
- Subject matter experts relevant to your book's topic
- Trade publications and literary journals
The key distinction is that editorial reviews come from people who have expertise or recognition in the book industry, lending more weight to their opinions than casual reader feedback.
How editorial reviews differ from customer reviews
While both types of reviews serve important purposes, they function very differently:
Editorial Reviews:
- Written by industry professionals or experts
- Can be published before your book launches
- Objective and analytical in approach
- Allowed on Amazon's Editorial Reviews section
- Focus on technical elements like craft, structure, and literary merit
- Provide quotable content for marketing
Customer Reviews:
- Written by readers who purchased your book
- Only available after readers buy and read your book
- Subjective and based on personal taste
- Must be left by purchasers on retail sites
- Focus on reading experience and enjoyment
- Build social proof through volume and star ratings
Editorial reviews carry significant influence due to their association with reputable sources and industry expertise, making them a powerful complement to customer feedback. For a comprehensive overview of all types of book reviews and how to use them effectively, check out our ultimate guide to book reviews.
How editorial reviews help your book
Editorial reviews provide multiple benefits that can significantly impact your book's success:
Establish credibility before launch
One of the biggest advantages of editorial reviews is timing. You can display editorial reviews on your Amazon book page before your launch date, giving potential readers confidence in your book even before customer reviews start rolling in. This is especially valuable if you're a debut author who hasn't built a readership yet.
Provide marketing material
Editorial reviews give you professionally written content you can quote in your marketing materials. These reviews act as endorsements of your book and provide social proof that can hugely impact visibility and sales. You can extract compelling quotes for book covers, social media graphics, email campaigns, and promotional materials.
Discover more strategies in our guide on how to use book awards and reviews in your marketing campaign.
Increase discoverability
Having editorial reviews improves your book's "relevancy" and leads to more discoverability on Amazon. The additional text content helps with search algorithms, and the credibility signals can influence how platforms feature your book.
Build professional legitimacy
When a book receives praise from a respected source in the publishing world, it gains a stamp of legitimacy that resonates with both readers and industry professionals. This credibility can open doors to bookstore placements, media coverage, and additional opportunities.
Influence purchase decisions
Many readers specifically look at editorial reviews when deciding whether to buy a book. These reviews help readers understand your book's quality and value, enhancing their trust and interest in your work.
When to start getting editorial reviews
The best time to pursue editorial reviews is well before your book launches. Many authors make the mistake of waiting until after publication to seek professional reviews, but you'll get the most value when you have them ready at launch.
Here's an ideal timeline:
3-6 Months Before Launch: Begin reaching out to professional reviewers, book bloggers, and industry publications. Many reviewers have waiting lists and need advance reading copies (ARCs) well ahead of publication dates.
2-3 Months Before Launch: Follow up with reviewers and provide any additional materials they need. This gives them time to read and write thoughtful assessments.
At Launch: Display your editorial reviews prominently on your Amazon page, website, and marketing materials. These reviews provide immediate credibility when customer reviews are still building.
After Launch: Continue pursuing editorial reviews from additional sources. Reviews received post-launch can refresh your marketing and provide new promotional opportunities.
Starting early ensures you have professional endorsements ready when readers are making their initial decisions about whether to buy your book. This early credibility can make the difference between a book that gains traction and one that gets lost in the crowd.
Where to post your editorial reviews
Once you have editorial reviews, strategic placement ensures they work hard for your book:
Amazon Author Central
The most important place to display your editorial reviews is on your Amazon book page through Author Central. The editorial reviews section appears above the "Product Details" section and is one of the factors that help readers decide whether your book is worth their time.
Metadata platforms and distribution services
Include your editorial reviews in any platform where you can upload metadata about your book. Services like NetGalley, which help you distribute advance copies to reviewers and librarians, allow you to showcase editorial reviews in your book's profile. This ensures that industry professionals see your credibility markers when they're deciding whether to request your book. Other distribution platforms may offer similar metadata fields where editorial reviews can strengthen your book's presentation.
Your author website
Feature your best editorial reviews prominently on your website's homepage or book page. These reviews help establish credibility with visitors who are learning about you for the first time.
Social media platforms
Create graphics highlighting compelling quotes from your editorial reviews. Share these across your social media channels to build excitement and credibility with your followers.
Book covers and marketing materials
Strong editorial review quotes make excellent back cover copy or dust jacket material. You can also include them in:
- Bookmarks and promotional materials
- Email signature lines
- Press releases and media kits
- Book trailers and promotional videos
Email newsletters
Share editorial reviews with your email list to keep subscribers informed about your book's professional recognition and build anticipation for launch or ongoing sales.
How Book Award Pro ensures legitimacy
At Book Award Pro, we understand that the value of editorial reviews depends entirely on their legitimacy. That's why we've built a review service that prioritizes authenticity and compliance.
Our approach includes:
Vetted professional reviewers: We connect authors with real readers and qualified reviewers who have demonstrated expertise in evaluating books. Every reviewer in our network is carefully screened to ensure they provide honest, professional assessments.
Industry authority: As advisors to major independent publishing organizations, we stay current on best practices and maintain the highest standards for author services. Our connections throughout the publishing industry mean we understand what makes a review valuable and credible.
Expert review matching & entries: We identify reviewers who understand your genre and audience, then handle the complete submission process for you. This produces reviews that are both authentic and useful for your marketing purposes.
When you work with Book Award Pro, you're not just getting a review. You're getting a legitimate professional assessment that you can confidently use to build your author platform and attract readers.
Conclusion
Editorial reviews give your book the professional credibility it needs to stand out in a crowded marketplace. They work for you before launch, during promotion, and long after publication, building trust with readers who are deciding whether your book deserves their time and money.
The challenge is knowing where to find legitimate reviewers, ensuring the reviews meet platform guidelines, and displaying them strategically to maximize their impact. That's where Book Award Pro comes in. We connect authors with vetted professional reviewers who provide honest, compliant assessments you can use across all your marketing channels. Our service handles the complexity so you can focus on what matters most: writing great books and reaching the readers who'll love them.
Ready to secure professional editorial reviews for your book? Get started with Book Award Pro and connect with qualified reviewers who can help establish your credibility.