# Indies Today

> Affordable in-house editorial reviews starting at $89, plus a free directory of 300+ active book bloggers filterable by genre and posting frequency.

Source: https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/book-reviews/indies-today
Website: https://indiestoday.com
Category: Book Reviews (https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/book-reviews)
Pricing: freemium — $0–$129
AI-powered: no
Tags: editorial-reviews, directory, affordable, book-awards, blogger-directory, reader-reviews
Last verified: 2026-05-13
Best For: Authors who want a free basic review with optional paid expedited and featured placement options
Genre Focus: all-genres
Review Type: Editorial, Blog Reviews
Reviews Posted To: Platform Only
Turnaround Days: 42

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.