BookLife FAQs
Frequently asked questions about BookLife, its content and its features.
BookLife also has video tutorials about the site in general, creating an author profile, listing your book and submitting your book for Publishers Weekly review. Click here to see them.
Why should I sign up for BookLife?
BookLife is a great site for helping indie authors get their books noticed -- and you can submit self-published titles for review consideration from Publishers Weekly for free. BookLife also helps indie authors connect with other writers. And, it’s a valuable resource for finding service providers who can help make your book a success.
Is it free for me to list my book on BookLife?
Yes, BookLife provides a free web page for your title where you can post:
- cover artwork
- a description of the book
- on-sale information for all formats
- an excerpt
- reviews
- news items
And, any time you add a news item or review, it gets posted to the front page of BookLife.com.
Does my book need to be finished to be registered for BookLife?
No, you can register for BookLife without a completed book. At BookLife, you can create a “project” page for any title, and indicate where your book is on its self-publishing journey -- we give you three different phases to pick from: create, publish, market. And, you can set your project to "private," if you aren't ready for other people to see it yet.
Is there a limit to the number of books I can post for free on the site?
There is no limit; you can post as many as you'd like.
How do I create an account?
Click the “Register” button in the upper right corner of the site. To get started, all you need to do is enter your email address and create a password. Note: Publicists are welcome to create accounts for their clients, but all accounts must be under the author’s own name.
How do I post a book to my account?
On your account panel, which appears when you first login to the site -- and which sits on the right side of your screen on every page after you’ve logged in -- you’ll see a button titled “Create a Project” under the heading “MY PROJECTS.” Click this button and follow the simple instructions.
Why do I get an “Unauthorized” message when I try to go to my account?
The most common reason people see the “Unauthorized” message is because they’re not logged in when they try to go to their account via a link. Try logging in, then using the link.
Do I need to be a registered user to access BookLife’s content?
No, anyone can access BookLife’s expert advice and content, which are divided into four main sections:
- Create: writing, editing, art & design
- Publish: print, e-books, audio, libraries & retail
- Market: advertising, PR & reviews, social & online, events
- Business: licensing & legal, finance & funding, agents & industry
Also available to everyone are BookLife’s self-evaluations:
- Is your manuscript ready for readers?
- What’s your publishing plan?
- What’s your marketing plan?
- Are you ready to publish your book?
Plus everyone can keep up with the latest news about self-publishing on BookLife’s News page.
What is BookLife's Services Directory?
Our Services Directory puts you in touch with professionals who can help you with every aspect of creating a successful book -- from editing to cover design to marketing. The Services Directory also shows you which professionals have been endorsed by BookLife users. Click here for more information.
What's the connection between BookLife and Publishers Weekly?
BookLife is owned and operated by Publishers Weekly, so the content on the site is backed up by PW's experience and credibility in the world of publishing. Plus BookLife is the way PW accepts self-published books for review consideration -- for free.
You mean it's free for me to submit my book for review consideration from Publishers Weekly?
Yes, it is completely free. For all of the details, click here.
How does BookLife make money?
We sell advertisements for the site and for our e-newsletter, and we offer paid promotional services like PW Select and book fair marketing.
