Last reviewed by James Mortimer — May 2026
NetGalley is where trade reviewers, librarians and booksellers find their next reads — which makes it powerful and expensive in equal measure. Here's whether it's right for a self-published book.
How it works and what it costs
You list your advance copy; approved members download it and (hopefully) review it. NetGalley reaches a more "professional" audience than other ARC tools — librarians, booksellers, media, and high-output bloggers who cross-post to Goodreads and Amazon.
- Direct self-published listing: roughly $350-599 for a 3-6 month listing (2026).
- Cheaper route: a co-op listing through an author group or service splits the cost.
Is it worth it?
Worth it if: you want librarian and bookseller visibility — NetGalley is the obvious channel for that, and it pairs well with library distribution and getting into bookshops.
Skip it (or use alternatives) if: your goal is launch-day Amazon review volume. For that, cheaper tools win:
- BookSirens — pay-per-download, genre-targeted, strong for fiction.
- StoryOrigin — ~$10/month, run your own review team and cross-promotions.
- BookFunnel — ebook delivery for your own ARC team.
Set realistic expectations
Not every download becomes a review. Typical review rates run 30-50%, so request more downloads than the reviews you need. And reviews are honest — a weak book gets weak reviews, so proofread and polish first.
How to run it well
- List 8-10 weeks before launch so reviews land for launch day.
- Write a compelling listing — the book description rules apply.
- Follow up: NetGalley lets you message members who downloaded.
- Funnel reviewers to Goodreads and Amazon.
NetGalley alternatives at a glance
If the direct listing price is too steep, these cover the same job for less:
| Platform | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| NetGalley (direct) | ~$350-599 / 3-6 mo | Librarians, booksellers, trade reviewers |
| NetGalley co-op | shared listing fee | NetGalley reach at a fraction of the cost |
| BookSirens | pay-per-download | Genre-targeted Amazon review volume |
| StoryOrigin | ~$10/month | Running your own review team + cross-promos |
| BookFunnel | from ~$20/year | Delivering ARCs to your own list securely |
The pattern most indie authors settle on: BookSirens or your own team for review volume, and reserve NetGalley (ideally via a co-op) only when you specifically need librarian and bookseller eyes. See the full ARC platform comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How much does NetGalley cost for a self-published author?
Roughly $350-599 for a 3-6 month direct listing in 2026. Co-op listings through groups or services cost less.
NetGalley vs BookSirens — which is better?
NetGalley for librarian/bookseller reach; BookSirens for cheaper, genre-targeted Amazon review volume. Many authors use BookSirens for reviews and reserve NetGalley for trade visibility.
What review rate should I expect?
30-50% of downloaders typically review. Plan for more downloads than reviews needed.
Is NetGalley worth it for fiction?
Often not at the direct price — fiction authors usually get better ROI from BookSirens or their own ARC team. NetGalley shines for non-fiction and library-targeted titles.
Related guides
- ARC review generation
- ARC platforms compared
- Get book reviews when self-published
- Goodreads for authors
- Library distribution (BorrowBox, Libby)
External references
- NetGalley — official platform
- Alliance of Independent Authors
About this guide
Written by James Mortimer for publishing.co.uk. Last reviewed May 2026.