I’m a fiction reader and reviewer based in Australia. My reviews are published on this site alongside my own writing. If you’re a publisher, publicist, or author looking for a thoughtful, honest review from an Australian perspective, here’s what you need to know.
What Books I Review
I review fiction, and I’m drawn most to:
- literary fiction
- speculative fiction
- science fiction
- dystopian fiction
That said, I read widely across all fiction and I’m open to pitches outside those categories. If it’s fiction and it’s well written, it’s worth a conversation.
I don’t review non-fiction.
Formats I accept
I’m happy to receive physical ARCs, eARCs (PDF or EPUB), or finished copies. I have no preference, so send whatever works for your timeline.
Please note: I don’t have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
How I Decide What Gets Reviewed
I only publish ARC reviews for books I would rate 3 stars or higher. Here is how a pitch moves from inbox to published review.
- You send a pitch through the contact form.
- If the book sounds like a fit, I reply and ask for a copy. I can’t accept every request.
- I read the first 15%. If the book isn’t for me, I stop there and let you know privately.
- If I keep going, I finish the book.
- If I would rate it 3 stars or higher, I publish a full review.
- If it lands below 3 stars, I tell you privately and nothing goes on the site.
Turnaround
I aim to publish within four weeks of receiving a book. I do receive a lot of requests, and will let you know my availability at the time.
What My Reviews Include
Each review is a full post: a spoiler-free synopsis, my honest critical take, a star rating out of five, a breakdown of what worked and what didn’t, and a practical where-to-read guide for Australian readers.
I don’t write promotional copy dressed up as reviews. If I have significant reservations, I’ll say so and explain why.
What Do I Charge?
I don’t charge for reviews.
What I ask in return
If I publish a review, I ask that you help readers find it in at least one of these ways.
- Link to the review from your website. A press, reviews or news page is ideal.
- Mention it, with a link, in your newsletter.
- Share it on your social channels and tag me.
If you quote the review anywhere, please credit it as “KJ Gurney, kjgurney.com”.
I also run the occasional short author Q&A alongside a review. Tell me in your request if you would like to do one.
None of this affects my rating or what I write.
Do I Post on Social Media?
Yes, happily, if I loved the book. You can find me on Instagram and TikTok.
You can also see my reading history and ratings at goodreads.com/kjgurney.
The Fine Print
- Every review is my honest opinion. A free copy doesn’t buy a kind one.
- Sending a copy doesn’t guarantee a review.
- Every ARC review states that I received a free copy, and notes any arrangement with the author.
- Because of the 3-star rule, ARC reviews on this site are a filtered set. Books I choose for myself are reviewed regardless of the rating.
Get in Touch
Use the contact form to send your pitch. Please include the following.
- Title, author and genre
- A brief synopsis
- Your preferred format
- Publication date, and whether you want the review held until then
- How you can help share the review if I publish one
- Also, let me know if you’d like to do a Q&A, and/or provide special information for the review, such as fun facts about yourself, the inspiration behind the book, and more.
I’ll reply as soon as I can.