How to Get More Book Reviews — Even Years After Your Book Launch
If you’ve been writing and publishing for a while, you already know the harsh truth:
Getting reviews is hard.
Getting reviews years after your book launches? Even harder.
I’ve been publishing for over a decade, and my two top-performing books have 35 and 51 reviews, respectively. And that’s after years of organic promotion, reader love, and a whole lot of hustle.
So if you’re feeling stuck or discouraged about the lack of reviews on your backlist titles, I’m here to tell you two things:
You’re not alone.
It’s still possible to get more reviews — organically, ethically, and effectively.
Here’s how.
1. Relaunch an Old Book with New Energy
Just because your book isn’t new doesn’t mean it can’t feel new.
Repackage it. Refresh the cover. Rewrite the blurb. Add a foreword. Call it a “10th Anniversary Edition” or a “Reader-Favorite Re-release.”
Then give readers a reason to take another look:
Share your emotional connection to the book
Create a limited-time free or discounted promo
Ask readers to leave a review if the story still resonates
“To celebrate 10 years of this book, I’m inviting readers to revisit it — or discover it for the first time — and leave an honest review if it moved you.”
2. Reframe How You Ask for Reviews
“Please leave a review” is easy to ignore. Readers don’t always understand how important reviews are for discoverability and indie visibility.
Try this instead:
“Your review could help the next reader find this story.”
“If this book made you feel something, your words matter.”
“Authors rely on readers to keep books alive after launch day.”
End of story? Add a heartfelt postscript in your back matter:
“Even a single sentence review helps other readers find this book — and helps me keep writing more stories like it.”
3. Ask Your Newsletter — Yes, Even Years Later
Your newsletter is your most direct connection to people who already care. And yes, it’s absolutely okay to talk about an old book.
Frame it with nostalgia:
“This book changed my life when I wrote it. If it impacted you when you read it, I’d love it if you’d leave a quick review.”
Want to incentivize it? Run a giveaway:
Ask readers to leave an honest review
Have them email or DM a screenshot to enter
Offer a prize like a signed copy, or even naming a future character after them
This isn’t just about gathering reviews — it’s about rekindling reader connection.
4. Talk About Your Older Books Like You Still Believe in Them
We often put so much energy into our newest release that we neglect the books that built our careers.
Instead of promoting an old book like a leftover, make it feel special again:
Share quotes or character art
Create mini “Then vs. Now” author reflections
Spotlight older titles in themed posts (Tropes, Vibes, Locations, etc.)
End every post with a gentle nudge:
“If you’ve read this one, I’d love to hear what it meant to you. Reviews are everything for backlist books.”
5. Connect with Book Influencers Who Spotlight Hidden Gems
Not all BookTokers or Bookstagrammers want only the newest titles. Many love discovering older, underappreciated books — especially if they’re:
Character-driven
Part of a completed series
Indie or under-the-radar
Take the time to see what book influencers would match with your book. Follow them and then, over time, interact with their content and show you value their content.
That’s what matters.
Reach out directly. Be human. Let them know why this book still matters to you and offer a copy for an honest review.
And if they love it? Reviews and buzz will follow.
6. Start or Join a Review Swap Circle
Gather a few trusted authors with older books you admire. Set up a casual swap system where each of you reads one another’s books — at your own pace — and leaves thoughtful, honest reviews.
Think long-term: one review a month per person adds up, and it’s a great way to build relationships with authors who get it.
7. Share Reader Reviews on Social Media (Then Ask)
If you’ve gotten even one meaningful review, share it:
“This review made my whole week…”
“I didn’t expect this book to hit me like that.”
Then invite others to share theirs:
“If you’ve read this book too, I’d love to hear your thoughts.”
Reviews Take Time. But They Can Grow Over Time.
It doesn’t matter if your book came out last year or 10 years ago. As long as it’s available, it has the chance to reach new readers — and those readers can absolutely leave reviews.
Here’s your action plan:
Pick one book from your backlist to spotlight this month
Share a personal story about it in your newsletter or on social
Ask for reviews in a way that speaks to the reader’s identity
Keep it consistent, not pushy
Your reviews might not explode overnight. But if you stay intentional, they will grow.
And in this game? Slow growth is still growth.