A print publication recently e-mailed me with the offer of paying $100+ for an online review of one of our new books.  The publication had requested the book from our catalog and more recently requested a second review copy to send to a reviewer. Unfortunately, the book didn’t make the cut for the print publication.  However, the book’s content was good enough to be reviewed on the magazine’s website, if we paid over $100.

Given that the book was recently reviewed for free by Publishers Weekly and the Washington Times, and the authors have been interviewed (again, for free) by a variety of Chicago media outlets including Chicago Public Radio, WGN-TV and WGN Radio, we’re going to pass on the paid review.

I just don’t get the business model. Either review it or don’t.  But, please don’t ask us to pay.