Deanna's World: Review Policy

For the longest time, this page was called a "Blog Policy." It was a functional, practical page born from a time when I was primarily a book blogger, fielding dozens of review requests a week. It had lists and rules and steps—a necessary framework for that phase of my career. It served its purpose well.

But things change. My career has evolved, my focus has shifted, and frankly, the way I interact with the book world has deepened considerably. I've moved from being a reviewer on the outside to a publishing partner on the inside, working hand-in-hand with authors to bring their stories to life. With the recent launch of the Deanna's World Advance Readers team, it felt like the right time for a refresh. This isn't just a new title; it's a reflection of a new reality.

So, welcome to the new Review Policy. It’s less about rules for authors asking me for reviews and more about sharing my philosophy on reviewing with you, the community, and setting out the guiding principles for our wonderful new ARC team.

But before I do that, let’s focus on why you’re here.

An Open Invitation for Authors

This brings me back to my roots. I started in this industry as a blogger and reviewer, and one thing that was really important to me in launching the Advance Readers team was to keep a door open for authors who aren't my clients. I know how hard it is to get visibility, and I want to continue helping new and upcoming authors find their audience.

So, while I personally no longer have the capacity to review most unsolicited books, that doesn't mean I can't help. This is where the power of our community comes in.

If you are an author and would like to have your book considered, you can submit it to me via the website contact form or via email. I will personally assess each submission. If I feel your book is a good fit for my community and readers, I will present it to the Deanna's World Advance Readers team as a review opportunity.

Now, it's very important to understand how this works. My team is built on a foundation of choice and no pressure. This means there is absolutely no obligation for any team member to accept or review your book. It is offered to them as an option, and it is entirely up to them if they want to pick it up. Think of it as putting your book on a special shelf in a community library for passionate readers to discover.

To submit your book for consideration, please be ready to provide the following details in the contact form:

Your name, the book title, and the series title (if applicable).
A compelling book description or blurb.
If your book is written in FIRST or THIRD person (this matters a lot to some readers).
The book's status: Is it an advance copy or already published?
Your ideal timeline for reviews.
If it's already published, is it available on Kindle Unlimited? If so, please provide the link.
If it's on KU, are you able to provide an ebook copy (EPUB) for team members who may be interested but don't have a KU subscription?

This process allows me to continue supporting the broader author community in a way that is sustainable and honors my origins, all while giving my amazing team access to even more potentially great reads.

One final thing, authors are readers too, so you’re welcome to join the advance readers team for new, exciting books to read in the future. If you’d like to join the team, you can do it here.

So, that's how you can get your book in front of my community. Now, let me properly introduce you to the incredible team who might be reading it.

The Heart of It All: The Advance Readers Team

The biggest shift in my world is the creation of the Advance Readers team. My time is now almost entirely dedicated to my author clients, which means I rarely have the capacity to accept unsolicited review requests anymore. Instead, my focus is on providing incredible new books from my clients directly to a dedicated team of passionate readers.

For those of you who have joined the team (or are thinking about it!), you are now part of an inner circle. That comes with a level of trust and a few shared understandings that are essential to making this work for everyone. Think of these less as rules and more as our community's code of conduct.

A Partnership in Trust and Confidentiality

This is the most important guideline of all. When you receive an Advance Reader Copy (ARC), you are being trusted with an author's work before the rest of the world sees it. It’s a privilege, and with it comes the responsibility of confidentiality. Please do not share the file, plot details, or spoilers publicly before the book's official release date. That trust is the foundation of this entire team.

The Art of the Honest, Compassionate Review

I will never, ever require a minimum star rating. Your review should always be your honest opinion. However, I do ask that we all remember there is a human being on the other side of that book—someone who has poured months, or even years, of their life into it. If a book isn't for you or you have criticisms, I encourage you to express them constructively and compassionately. The goal is to share a genuine reader's perspective, not to tear down an author's hard work.

Life Happens, Just Communicate

Each ARC will come with a review deadline, but I am a realist. Life gets in the way. If you can't meet a deadline or find that a book just isn't for you (what we call a DNF or "Did Not Finish"), that is perfectly okay. The only thing I ask is that you let me know! A quick, private message makes all the difference. In fact, DNF feedback is incredibly valuable for authors to better understand their audience. Communication is everything.

Where to Share Your Thoughts

For every book you read with the team, a review on Goodreads is required. If you are able to post on Amazon, that is a massive help to the author, but I understand that Amazon has its own set of rules that can make this difficult for some. Any other platform—BookBub, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.—is a fantastic and much-appreciated bonus!

My Personal Reviews and Ratings

Of course, I'm still a reader first and foremost. A friend loves to tease me about it: "You read for your job, and then you read for fun. What is this life you live?" She's not wrong. While I no longer take on many formal review requests, I still share my thoughts on the books I read for pleasure.

For those of you who follow my personal reviews, you'll know I use a rating system to give a quick snapshot of my thoughts. I figure it’s helpful to lay out what those ratings mean to me.

The Star System

A five-star book, to me, isn't just good; it's breathtaking. It's a book that stays with me long after I've finished, one I know I will recommend to absolutely everyone.

A four-star book was great. I enjoyed it immensely, found it hard to put down, and will happily recommend it to friends.

A three-star book was a decent, solid read. I enjoyed it and might still recommend it, though it might not have had that extra spark that pushes it to the next level.

A two-star book was just okay. I finished it, but it didn't fully capture my attention or make me eager to read more from the author or series. I’m likely not going to recommend it to anyone.

A one-star rating is rare for me. It means I struggled to finish the book and it likely made me a bit ranty. I typically only assign this if I feel strongly about a particular issue within the book.

And a zero-star rating? I don't think I've ever given one publicly. If I dislike a book that much, I generally prefer to simply not finish it and move on.

Candle fire heart divider

The Heat Rating

Because I read so much in the romance genre, I also like to give a "heat rating" to give you a heads-up on the steam level. It’s a simple five-flame scale. Five flames mean it's incredibly steamy, with lots of descriptive sex. One flame means it's a sweet read with no sex, maybe just some kissing and sexual tension. Everything else falls somewhere in between.

A Final Word on Integrity

It’s important for me to be crystal clear on a few final points. My reviews, whether on this blog or on retail sites, are my own honest opinions. I am never paid or compensated for a review. While I do receive free copies of books for the purpose of my work and for the ARC team, this never guarantees a favorable review.

You may also notice that I use Amazon Affiliate links in my posts. This means if you click a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Thank you for being part of this community and for your passion for books and the authors who write them. This journey is so much more rewarding when it's shared.