Introduction

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of popular book promotion sites, assessing their value for independent authors and publishers. The analysis is based on a survey of community sites, author boards, and blogs over the past 18 months, with a focus on cost, requirements, and perceived efficacy. This module is designed to help authors make informed decisions about where to invest their promotional budget. The sites are ordered from best to worst value based on community consensus and available data.

Key Findings and Best Practices

Before diving into the list of sites, it’s crucial to understand a few key tactics for maximizing the impact of any book promotion.

• Timing is Everything: To help a new book launch, timing your promos is critical. Many authors recommend a “promo stack,” where you run promotions on multiple sites over a few days. The goal is to create a concentrated spike in downloads or sales, which can push your book up the Amazon or other retailer’s charts. This increased visibility can lead to organic sales and a higher, more sustained rank after the promo period ends.
• Price is a Major Driver: Most book promotion sites require a significant discount, often to $0.99 or even free. The community consensus is that free promos are excellent for building your email list and getting your book in front of new readers, while $0.99 promos can be a great way to generate sales and increase your book’s ranking.
• Quality Matters: A compelling, professional cover and a well-written, error-free book description are essential. Most of the top-tier sites have an editorial team that will reject books that don’t meet their standards. A high number of positive reviews (often 10 or more) is also a common requirement and a strong indicator of a book’s potential success.

Assessment of Book Promotion Sites (Best to Worst Value)

This list is based on a general consensus of what authors consider to be the most effective sites for their investment.

1. BookBub:

• Value: Widely considered the “holy grail” of book promotion. A featured deal on BookBub can lead to thousands of sales and a dramatic increase in your book’s visibility. It is the gold standard for book promotion sites.
• Cost: Highly variable. The cost depends on the genre and the discount level (free vs. paid). It can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
• Requirements: Highly selective. BookBub requires a deep discount (at least 50% off the predominant recent price), a professional cover, and a significant number of positive reviews. They are known for their strict editorial standards, and many submissions are rejected.
• Status: In business and thriving.

2. Fussy Librarian:

• Value: A strong contender, often cited as a reliable and cost-effective alternative to BookBub. It has a large, segmented email list that allows for targeted promotions.
• Cost: Varies by genre and the number of subscribers in that category. The cost is generally much lower than BookBub.
• Requirements: Requires a discount, and they have an editorial review process to ensure quality. The site focuses on free and discounted books.
• Status: In business and popular with authors.

3. BargainBooksy / Freebooksy:

• Value: These sister sites are known for their large and active reader base. BargainBooksy focuses on discounted books, and Freebooksy is for free books. They are often used as part of a promo stack.
• Cost: Pricing is genre-specific. For BargainBooksy, costs can range from $20 to over $200 for a “Deal of the Day” spot.
• Requirements: Books must be discounted (BargainBooksy) or free (Freebooksy). They have editorial guidelines to ensure books are well-written and have professional covers.
• Status: Both are in business and actively used by authors.

4. Robin Reads:

• Value: A well-regarded site, particularly for genre fiction. Authors report good results and a solid return on investment.
• Cost: Pricing varies by genre and deal type (free vs. $0.99).
• Requirements: The site promotes free or $0.99 books and has editorial standards.
• Status: In business.

5. Books Butterfly:

• Value: Unique for its guaranteed results model, where it promises a certain number of downloads or sales and offers a prorated refund in store credit if the goal isn’t met.
• Cost: Packages range from around $90 to several hundred dollars, with different tiers offering varying levels of reach and guarantees.
• Requirements: They have specific packages for free and $0.99 books.
• Status: In business.

6. ENT (Ereader News Today):

• Value: A long-standing and respected promotion site, often mentioned as a good, lower-cost option.
• Cost: Fees are between $45 and $120, depending on the book’s genre and price point.
• Requirements: The book must be available on Amazon and meet editorial criteria.
• Status: In business.

7. Book Adrenaline:

• Value: A genre-specific site that focuses on mystery and thriller books. It can be effective for authors in this niche.
• Cost: Some reports on community sites suggest a fee of around $20 for a single promotion, with stack options available for higher prices.
• Requirements: Specific to the mystery and thriller genres.
• Status: In business.

8. Awesome Gang:

• Value: A popular site for authors on a tight budget. While it may not provide the same dramatic results as the top-tier sites, it’s a very affordable way to gain some exposure.
• Cost: A “featured listing” costs around $10.
• Requirements: There is no requirement for a book to be free, but the site is popular with readers looking for free or discounted books.
• Status: In business.

9. BookRunes:

• Value: A mid-tier option that offers a solid promotional opportunity for a reasonable price.
• Cost: $40 for a “Free Book of the Day” and $25 for other genres.
• Requirements: Books must be priced at $2.99 or less on Amazon US.
• Status: In business.

10. BookCave:

• Value: A useful site with a unique focus on content ratings (swearing, heat, violence). This can help authors connect with a very specific reader base.
• Cost: Varies, but generally in line with other mid-tier sites.
• Requirements: Books must be free or $0.99 (or up to $2.99 for box sets) and must meet minimum page count requirements. Authors must accurately rate their book’s content.
• Status: In business.

11. Ereader IQ:

• Value: A site that offers a daily deals and steals promotion. It has a loyal following and can be a good option for authors with well-rated books.
• Cost: Varies by genre and subscriber count, but generally a lower-cost option (e.g., $15-$40).
• Requirements: Requires a minimum of 5 reviews and a high overall average.
• Status: In business.

12. BookBasset:

• Value: Offers a “Guaranteed Freebie” promotion. It is a solid choice for a free promotion to gain downloads and reviews.
• Cost: Not specified on the submission page, but it is known to be a paid service.
• Requirements: The site promotes free books.
• Status: In business.

13. Booksends:

• Value: A good site for budget-conscious authors, often used in conjunction with other promotions.
• Cost: Varies, but generally a low-cost option.
• Requirements: Promotes free and discounted books.
• Status: In business.

14. Kindle Nation Daily:

• Value: A long-standing site that can be effective, though some recent reports suggest the value has diminished compared to the top players.
• Cost: Pricing information is less transparent online, but it is a paid service.
• Requirements: Promotes discounted books.
• Status: In business.

15. ManyBooks, Litnuts, LitRing, BookDealio, GenrePulse, Early Bird Books, Just Kindle Books, BookRaid, Free Kindle Books:

• Value: These sites are generally considered to be lower-tier options. They may not have the same audience size or promotional power as the top sites, but they can be useful for authors with a very limited budget or those looking to add more exposure to a large promo stack.
• Cost: Some may be free to submit, while others have low fees.
• Requirements: Vary by site but generally require a discount.
• Status: Most of these appear to still be in business, though some have less recent community chatter than others. BookRaid is noted for offering a “free submissions” option initially, but now has paid partner options.