What do I need to submit to run a promotion?
Submitting your book for a Red Herring Reads promotion is quick and straightforward. We don’t require your manuscript — just the key details we need to build your book listing and promo materials.
Here’s what you’ll need to provide:
📖 Book Title
✍️ Author Name
🕵️ Genre & Subgenre(s) (e.g., Cozy Mystery, Psychological Thriller)
💰 Promotional Price (must be $0.99 or Free during the promo)
🔗 Amazon Purchase Link
🖼️ High-Quality Book Cover Image
📝 Book Description or Excerpt
🎧 Narrator Name (if submitting an audiobook)
⭐ Amazon Rating & Review Count (minimum 5 reviews and 3.5+ stars)
✅ Agreement to our editorial guidelines and Terms of Service
Once submitted, our team reviews your listing for quality and genre fit. If approved, your book will be scheduled and promoted to our growing audience of mystery, suspense, and thriller fans.
Can I schedule a promotion in advance?
Yes — and we encourage it! You can schedule your Red Herring Reads promotion in advance to align with:
A book launch or re-release
A price drop or Kindle Countdown Deal
A promo stacking strategy across multiple platforms
During submission, you’ll be able to request your preferred promo date. While we do our best to accommodate all requests, earlier booking gives you a better chance of locking in your ideal slot — especially for featured placements or bundles.
Need flexibility? Just let us know. We’re happy to work with your timeline when possible.
Can I promote a series or box set?
Yes! We accept series starters, full series, and box sets — as long as they meet our editorial standards.
Here’s how it works:
Series Starters: These are great for drawing in new readers. If Book 1 is priced at $0.99 or free, it’s eligible for our standard promos.
Box Sets: You can promote bundled books (e.g., a 3-book collection) as long as the set is priced at $0.99 or free during the promo period.
Full Series Listings: If you’re running a multi-book promo or offering deep discounts across several titles, we recommend our Series Bundle Add-On for increased exposure.
Be sure to clearly note in your submission that the book is part of a series or a box set so we can promote it effectively.
Do you promote audiobooks or print books?
Yes — with some format-specific guidelines:
🎧 Audiobooks:
We do promote audiobooks! Your title must be professionally narrated and available for purchase or credit through platforms like Audible or Apple Books. To increase visibility, you can also choose our Audiobook Spotlight Add-On, which highlights your narrator and includes a sample clip if provided.📱 eBooks:
This is our primary format. All eBooks must be priced at $0.99 or free during the promotion and available on Amazon. We also accept wide distribution, but Amazon must be included.📚 Print Books:
We do not currently promote standalone print-only books. However, if your book is available in both print and eBook or audiobook formats, we’ll include a mention of the additional formats on your promo page.
What if my book isn't free or $0.99?
Our standard promotions are reserved for books priced at $0.99 or free during the promo period. These low-price promos consistently generate the highest engagement and conversion from our readers — which is why we prioritize them.
📈 Want to promote a higher-priced book?
We do offer limited premium promo options for full-priced books (e.g., $2.99–$4.99), especially for audiobooks, new releases, or boxed sets with strong appeal. These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may include:
Editor’s Pick Add-On
New Release Spotlight
Author Bundle or Series Features
If your book is not currently eligible but you’d still like to explore options, we encourage you to submit it. Our team will review and let you know what promotional paths might be available.
How many readers will see my book?
While exact numbers can vary based on the promo type and category, most featured books are promoted to thousands of mystery, thriller, and suspense readers through:
Our highly targeted email list
Your dedicated book page on our website
Optional upgrades like social media features or Editor’s Picks
We focus on quality over quantity — our readers are highly engaged genre fans who open, click, and buy. Your total reach will also depend on the promo tier and any add-ons you select.
Want a rough estimate? Standard email promos typically reach 5,000–10,000+ readers, with higher tiers offering even broader visibility.
Will I get a report or stats after my promo?
Not just yet — but it’s coming soon.
We’re currently working on a system to provide authors with post-promo performance insights, including email opens, click-through rates, and reader engagement data. While we don’t offer individual reports at this time, we understand how valuable this information is and plan to roll out reporting features in the near future.
In the meantime, we recommend tracking your sales and Amazon metrics during and after your promotion to gauge performance.
Can I get featured more than once?
Yes — but to keep things fair and fresh for our readers, we limit features to once every 30 days per book.
You’re welcome to promote multiple books from your catalog, but each individual title must wait 30 days between promotions. This helps maintain strong engagement and ensures every featured book gets the spotlight it deserves.
Have a series or new release coming up? We’re happy to help you plan a strategic promo schedule.
Do you guarantee sales or reviews?
We do not guarantee sales or reviews — and no reputable book promotion service should. Reader response can vary based on your book’s cover, genre, price, description, and overall appeal.
That said, we stand behind the quality of our service. If you’re not satisfied with your promotion, we offer a money-back guarantee. Just reach out and we’ll make it right — no mystery there.
Our goal is to connect your book with readers who genuinely love the genre, and we work hard to give every title its best shot at success.
How will my book be promoted?
When you purchase a promotion with Red Herring Reads, your book is:
Featured in our email newsletter sent to thousands of engaged mystery, thriller, and suspense readers
Displayed on its own dedicated book page on our website
Eligible for optional upgrades like social media features, audiobook spotlights, or Editor’s Picks to increase visibility even further
We make it easy to get your book in front of the right audience — readers who actually love your genre.
How much does it cost to promote?
Our promotion pricing is designed to be affordable and flexible — whether you’re a debut indie author or a seasoned pro.
📚 Standard mystery/thriller promo: Starts at $25
🎧 Audiobook Spotlight: $30
🕊️ Clean & Christian Mystery Promo: $20
🔥 Deal of the Week: $50–$75
✨ First Promo Discount: Just $15
📝 Add-ons like Editor’s Picks, social media features, or urgent booking are also available.
👉 View full pricing and promo options
We believe great books deserve attention — and we’ve made sure the price is never a barrier.
Can I cancel or change my promo date?
Yes — we understand that plans change. You can cancel or reschedule your promo with at least 48 hours’ notice before your scheduled promotion date.
Just email us at hello@redherringreads.com, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.
After the 48-hour window, your promo may already be in production and cannot be refunded or moved — but we’re always happy to work with you when possible.
How do I upload my book?
You don’t need to upload your full book to our site. Instead, you’ll provide us with your book’s metadata — title, author name, genre, cover image, Amazon link, and a few promotional details.
We’ll use that info to create your custom book feature on our site and include it in our newsletter. All reader traffic goes straight to your Amazon page, so you keep full control of your sales and reviews.
Can I update my book after it's uploaded?
Absolutely. You can log into your account at any time to make updates to your book details. Prefer us to handle it? Just reach out and our team will make the changes for you.
We’re here to make it easy, whichever way you choose.
Do you offer editing or design services?
Not yet — but it’s on our radar. While we don’t currently offer editing or cover design, we’re exploring ways to support authors with these services in the future. Stay tuned!
Can I promote my book elsewhere as well?
Absolutely — and we recommend it. Stacking your promotions across multiple platforms is a proven strategy to boost visibility, increase sales, and climb the rankings. Red Herring Reads works great as part of a coordinated promo plan..
Is my content protected from piracy?
Yes — your content is safe with us. We never require you to upload your book files. Instead, we promote your book using your metadata and direct readers to your official purchase link (like Amazon), so there’s no risk of file sharing or unauthorized downloads on our site.
What genres do you accept?
We specialize in Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense — and we welcome all related sub-genres, including cozy mysteries, psychological thrillers, police procedurals, historical mysteries, domestic suspense, and more.
If your story keeps readers guessing, you’re in the right place.
How can I contact support if I have issues?
We’re here to help. If you have questions or run into any issues, you can:
Use our contact form on the website
Email us directly at hello@redherringreads.com
We’re quick to respond and always happy to assist!
