Submission Guidelines

Getting a book reviewed is getting harder and harder. Not only do you have to find and build relationships with reviewers and media outlets, but you also have to compete with the thousands of new books being released each month by major publishers – who already have those relationships with reviewers and book review publications.

There are fewer and fewer outlets for book reviews. Only one newspaper has a stand-alone book review section any more. Sacramento and San Francisco Book Reviews are the only independent city book review publications in the country reviewing every genre of book. In October, Sacramento Book Review reviewed 150 books, in 30 categories of fiction and nonfiction and San Francisco Book Review reviewed almost 140. But, we also received more than 800 books, and 1,500 submission requests. With so many books and requests, it’s possible that more than a few great books will get overlooked or lost in the shuffle.

“As an author, reviews are incredibly important and a wonderful tool for marketing your book. My experience with Sacramento Book Review/San Francisco Book Review was nothing short of amazing. I received an honest, timely appraisal of my story and would love to have future novels reviewed by this professional group. Their name, alone, adds credibility and should be on the top of any author’s review list!”

Kaylin McFarren
2008 Golden Heart Finalist
FLAHERTY’S CROSSING

General Submission

If you are a local author submitting a book published in the last 12 months, please send two copies to our office, and put “Local Author” on the outside of the package. If you are not a local author, or are sending a book that was released more than 12 months ago, send two copies to the office, and we will try and have it reviewed. We are unable to make decisions on reviewing books from email solicitations. Books sent to the Sacramento and San Francisco Book Reviews cannot be returned, and reviews are not guaranteed, unless you take part in the Sponsored Reviews Program (see below).

Reviews may appear in the print publication, the website, Amazon.com, or other outlets. Reviews are the opinion of the reviewer only.

Sponsored Reviews Program

SBR Sponsored Reviews is a paid-review service that allows authors and publishers to receive expedited reviews of their book. You are not guaranteed a spot in the print publication, but a Sponsored Review gets your book reviewed by one of our already established reviewers, and the review will be put into our publication pipeline. If we do not use the review in the paper, we will place an ad for the book in the Sacramento or San Francisco Book Review, and we will place the review in our online edition, post it on Amazon, and make it available in our upcoming book review syndication service. You will also be able to use the review in your own marketing efforts.

Standard Turnaround
9-12 weeks $99
Quick Turnaround
5-8 weeks $199
Expedited Turnaround
2-4 weeks $299

What You’ll Get

  1. A 300-word professional review of the same quality and word length offered in the printed newspaper, usable by the author for marketing, sales, or other material (with credit to Sacramento Book Review)
  2. Posting of the review on sacramentobookreview.com, Amazon.com, and in our syndication service
  3. Possible publishing of the review in the Sacramento or San Francisco Book Review papers
  4. Free ad in the paper, if the review isn’t printed:
  5. Standard turnaround = 1/16-page ad in the printed newspaper
  6. Quick turnaround = 1/8-page ad in the printed newspaper
  7. Expedited turnaround = 1/4-page ad in the printed newspaper

If you’d like to purchase a Sponsored Review…

You’ll need to tell us about your book by filling out the form below and mailing (or dropping off) your book to:

1776 Productions
1215 K Street, 17th Floor
Sacramento, CA  95814

First Name: Last Name:
E-Mail:
Phone:
Book Title:
Book Subtitle: