Indies Today

Indies Today combines two complementary tools: a paid editorial review and a free directory of 300+ active book bloggers who specifically accept indie submissions. The combination — affordable professional review plus a curated outreach list — makes it one of the more practical starting points for authors building a review strategy.

What You Get#

• Editorial review ($89 / $129 bundled): Written by Indies Today's in-house team. As of January 2026, Indies Today stopped using contracted reviewers (including former lead reviewer K.C. Finn) and brought reviewing fully in-house "to ensure that your book is read and reviewed by a real person." Reviews consist of two paragraphs — a content summary and an analytical section with quotable endorsements suitable for marketing use. Books receiving 5 stars earn a digital recommendation badge.
• Free blogger directory: 300+ reviewers filterable by genre, posting frequency, and review platform (Amazon, Goodreads, etc.), updated monthly (last updated January 2026). All listed bloggers are verified to accept indie submissions without charging fees.
• Annual book awards: 24 genre categories. Grand prize winner receives $500 cash, a trophy, year-long homepage feature, digital badge, and judge endorsements; genre winners receive recognition. Entry is $69 standalone ($59 early-bird before December 1), or included in the $129 review bundle — saving $29 versus purchasing the $89 review and $69 awards entry separately ($158 total).

Who It's For#

• Budget-conscious authors: At $89 for an editorial review, Indies Today costs significantly less than IndieReader ($249+), BlueInk ($445), or Kirkus Indie ($399+)
• DIY review outreach: Authors who want a free, curated list of active bloggers by genre — without chasing dormant accounts or fee-charging reviewers
• Authors who want both: The $129 bundle saves $29 vs. buying the editorial review ($89) and awards entry ($69) separately ($158 total)

Strengths#

• Among the lowest entry points: $89 for a professional editorial review is one of the cheapest options for a written review with marketing-quotable content
• Blogger directory is genuinely useful: The posting-frequency filter surfaces active bloggers only — a practical time-saver versus raw blogger lists
• Monthly demand signal: Review slots consistently sell out, suggesting real author interest and reviewer engagement

Limitations#

• Turnaround is six weeks: Longer than older descriptions suggested; plan accordingly for launch timing
• December closure: Reviews are unavailable in December while the awards are judged — avoid December submissions
• Slot availability: Monthly review slots fill quickly; submissions require timing to the start of the month
• Awards prestige: Low-to-medium — not judged by independent industry bodies; the badge has marketing value but doesn't carry the weight of Kirkus Stars or Foreword INDIES

Alternatives#

Readers' Favorite offers a free editorial review tier — lower cost entry, though with less editorial depth and no blogger directory. IndieReader ($249+) provides a longer review (350+ words) with star rating and Amazon/B&N editorial placement. For authors who primarily want a blogger outreach list, The IndieView offers a similar free directory resource.