Writing editorial reviews is a great way to support the literary community, gain publication credits, network, get free books, and even make a little cash.
Magazines & Websites Publishing Editorial Reviews
The Fiddlehead · The Ampersand Review · Room Magazine · The Seaboard Review · Prairie Fire · The New Quarterly · The Temz Review · The Miramichi Reader · Event · Herizons · Literary Review of Canada · The BC Review · The Dalhousie Review · The Malahat Review · Montreal Review of Books · NIV Magazine · This Magazine · Full-Stop · The Ex-Puritan · Lilith Magazine · The Walrus · Ms. Magazine · Chatelaine · Mom Egg Review · Freefall Magazine · Arc Poetry Magazine · Small Axe · Hippocampus Magazine · Spacing Magazine · The Rumpus · Hamilton Review of Books · Tinderbox Poetry Journal · Heavy Feather Review · Cleaver · Palette Poetry · Wild Roof Journal · The Woodlot · Contemporary Verse 2 · Prism International · Funicular Magazine · League of Canadian Poets · Quill & Quire · Orion Magazine · Plenitude Magazine · Kirkus · Times Literary Supplement · Ancillary Review of Books · The Indiependent
Tips for Finding Books to Review
- Go to the websites of your favourite publishers and check out their catalogues. There is usually a “most recent” filter.
- Alllitup.ca is a fantastic resource for browsing titles from Canadian independent publishers.
- Check out the League of Canadian Poets database.
- Follow authors, publishers, and literary agencies online.
- Attend readings, book festivals, and author panel events. Many of these are also online nowadays!
How to Pitch Review Outlets
- Go to the website of the outlet you’d like to review for and find their submission guidelines. They will usually tell you what kind of books they cover. For example, some places will only review books published in the last year.
- You will most frequently be pitching through a website form, or by emailing the reviews editor directly. In your email/message, include a short greeting, publication credits (if you have any), and two or three books you’re interested in covering.
- Pro tip: for each book, list the publication date and publisher. Bonus points if you can link to the book’s sale page. A sample of a past review can sometimes be a nice touch if you have one to attach/link to—just make sure it’s not behind a paywall!
An Overview of the Review Process
You’ve landed your first review—great! Here is an idea of what the process will look like:
- The editor will email the publisher of the book you are covering to request that a review copy be sent your way.
- You will be told what the deadline for the review is. It’s super important to meet these deadlines—you don’t want to burn any bridges! If you can’t meet a deadline, let the editor know as soon as possible.
- You will submit a draft of your review.
- The editor will get back to you with their editorial suggestions. Once you’ve gone through them, you will send a revised review.
- The editor will typically give you an estimate regarding when the review will be published, as well as when you can expect payment. They will sometimes ask for a bio to be published alongside the review.
WHAT MAKES A STRONG REVIEW
A good editorial review goes beyond just summarizing a book’s plot or contents to also offer the reader a critical perspective that helps them decide whether the book is right for them, and why it matters.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you write:
- Lead with context. Where does this book sit within the author’s body of work, its genre, or a larger literary or cultural conversation? Grounding the book for your reader early on shows you’ve engaged with it seriously.
- Balance summary with analysis. You’ll need to give readers enough of a sense of the book to follow your argument, but resist the urge to retell it. A review is a critical assessment, not just a summary.
- Be specific. The strongest reviews quote sparingly but effectively, pointing to particular passages, images, or moments that illustrate your claims. Vague praise (“the writing is beautiful”) is less convincing than a concrete example that shows why.
- Have a thesis. The best reviews have a clear, arguable central point that goes beyond “this book is good/bad.” What is the book trying to do, and how well does it succeed?
- Avoid spoilers. This is especially important for fiction and narrative nonfiction. You can discuss themes and structure without giving away endings or major revelations.
- Keep your reader in mind. You’re writing for someone who hasn’t read the book yet. Clarity, accessibility, and enthusiasm go a long way.
Selena Mercuri 