How to Submit Your Book to Book of the Month Club

Book of the Month Club (BOTM) is one of the most coveted placements in publishing. A single BOTM selection can catapult an unknown author into bestseller territory, moving tens of thousands of copies in a single month. It's the kind of exposure that transforms careers — and it's not as out of reach as you might think.

In this guide, we'll break down exactly what Book of the Month Club is, how their selection process works, what they're looking for, and how you can position your book for consideration. Whether you're traditionally published or indie, understanding this process is essential for any author serious about scaling their reach.

What Is Book of the Month Club?

Book of the Month (BOTM) is a subscription service where members receive curated book selections each month. Founded in 1926, it's one of the oldest and most respected book recommendation platforms in the world. The modern version, relaunched in 2015, has grown to over 1 million active subscribers.

Each month, BOTM's editorial team selects five books. Subscribers choose one (or more) to receive as a hardcover. The selections span genres — literary fiction, thrillers, romance, nonfiction, and more — but they share a common thread: they're books the editorial team believes will resonate deeply with readers.

According to Publishers Weekly, a BOTM selection can drive 30,000 to 100,000+ copies sold in a single month, depending on how prominently the book is featured. For many authors, it's a career-defining moment.

How the Selection Process Works

BOTM's selection process is editorial-driven, not algorithm-driven. A team of editors reads hundreds of books each month and selects five that meet their criteria. Here's what we know about the process:

Who Decides

BOTM employs a team of full-time editors and readers. They receive submissions from publishers, agents, and occasionally directly from authors. The team reads widely across genres and prioritizes books that will spark conversation and emotional connection among their subscriber base.

What They Look For

• Compelling storytelling. Above all, BOTM selects books that are genuinely great reads. The writing quality needs to be exceptional.
• Broad appeal. The book should resonate with a wide audience, not just a niche market. BOTM's subscriber base is diverse in taste but united in wanting books that deliver.
• Conversation starters. BOTM loves books that people want to talk about — books that generate discussion, debate, and emotional reactions.
• Timeliness. Books that connect to current cultural conversations or themes often have an edge.
• Author platform. While not the primary factor, BOTM considers whether the author has an audience that will amplify the selection. Social media presence, existing reviews, and media coverage all factor in.

The Timeline

BOTM typically considers books 3–6 months before their publication date. This means you need to be pitching or submitting well in advance of your launch. If your book publishes in October, BOTM would need to see it by April or May at the latest.

How to Submit Your Book

Traditional Publishing Route

If you have a traditional publisher, the submission process typically goes through your publisher's sales or marketing team. Most major publishers have existing relationships with BOTM and submit titles they believe fit the profile. Here's how to ensure your book gets submitted:

• Talk to your editor and marketing team early. Ask specifically about BOTM submission as part of your marketing plan.
• Provide early galleys. BOTM needs advance copies well before pub date. Make sure ARCs are available and sent to the right contact.
• Build your case. Give your publisher ammunition: early reviews, media coverage, a growing social following, and any data points that show your book has momentum.

Indie and Self-Published Route

This is harder but not impossible. BOTM has occasionally selected indie titles, particularly when those titles have significant buzz or have been previously successful in other formats. To position yourself:

• Build undeniable momentum first. Strong Amazon sales, substantial Goodreads ratings, media coverage, and social media buzz all signal to BOTM that your book has commercial potential.
• Get professional reviews. Professional book reviews from Accessory to Success give your book the kind of third-party credibility that makes editorial teams take notice. BOTM editors are looking for quality signals, and professional reviews are one of the clearest.
• Work with a publicist or agent. Even if you're self-published, a literary publicist with BOTM connections can get your book in front of the right people.
• Enter book awards. Awards and nominations (even as a finalist) add legitimacy to your submission.

Alternative Book Subscription Services

BOTM isn't the only subscription service worth targeting. Understanding the landscape helps you find the right fit:

• Literati. A curated book subscription with celebrity-endorsed clubs (Oprah, Malala, etc.). High-profile but very selective.
• The Bookish Box. Focuses on YA and fantasy with themed merchandise. Great for genre authors.
• Uppercase Box. Surprise book selections with literary gifts. Appeals to the gift-giving market.
• Amazon First Reads. Amazon editors select books for Kindle Unlimited and Prime members. More accessible for indie authors and can move serious volume.
• LibraryReads. Librarians vote on their favorite upcoming titles. Getting on the LibraryReads list drives library acquisitions and word-of-mouth.

Each of these services has its own submission process, and targeting multiple services increases your chances of landing a placement. For more on leveraging book promotion platforms, check out Jane Friedman's comprehensive book marketing guide.

Building the Foundation for Selection

Whether you're targeting BOTM or any curated book service, the foundation is the same: your book needs to be undeniably good, professionally packaged, and backed by social proof.

Professional Production

• Cover design. Subscription services are visual. Your cover needs to stand out in a lineup and look stunning in hardcover format.
• Editing. The writing must be polished. BOTM editors read hundreds of books — they can spot an under-edited manuscript in pages.
• Format options. Having your book available in hardcover (not just paperback or ebook) is important for services that ship physical books.

Review Infrastructure

Before you pitch to any curated service, your book needs reviews. Editors check Goodreads, Amazon, and professional review sources before considering a title. A book with zero reviews signals risk — and curated services are risk-averse.

This is where building your review base matters enormously. Professional reviews provide immediate, credible social proof. Reader reviews from your ARC campaign add volume. Together, they create the review profile that makes an editor confident in selecting your book.

For strategies on building that review foundation, explore the Accessory to Success blog for guides on ARCs, review outreach, and more.

Media and Buzz

BOTM editors don't select books in a vacuum. They monitor publishing industry chatter, social media buzz, and media coverage. Building pre-publication momentum through:

• BookTok and Bookstagram engagement
• Podcast appearances and interviews
• Blog tours and reviewer coverage
• Local media and HARO placements

All of these create the kind of industry signal that puts your book on an editor's radar before it even hits their desk.

The Ripple Effect of a BOTM Selection

Getting selected by BOTM doesn't just sell books that month. The ripple effects can last years:

• Bestseller lists. The volume spike from a BOTM selection can land you on the New York Times or USA Today bestseller lists.
• Foreign rights. International publishers watch BOTM selections as market signals. A BOTM pick can trigger foreign rights deals.
• Film and TV. Hollywood scouts monitor bestseller lists and book subscription picks for adaptation potential.
• Backlist sales. If you have previous books, a BOTM selection for your new title drives sales of your entire catalog.
• Future deals. A BOTM selection dramatically strengthens your negotiating position for future book deals and advances.

According to BookBub, authors who land major promotional placements see sustained sales increases for 6–12 months after the initial spike — especially when the placement is backed by strong reviews and reader word-of-mouth.

What to Do If You Don't Get Selected

The reality is that BOTM selects only 60 books per year out of thousands submitted. Not getting selected doesn't mean your book isn't good — it means the competition is fierce and the slots are limited.

If you don't get selected:

• Target other subscription services. The alternatives listed above can move significant volume and build credibility.
• Double down on other marketing. Use the pitch materials you prepared for BOTM to approach bookstores, libraries, media outlets, and corporate buyers.
• Keep building momentum. Strong sales, reviews, and buzz can lead to BOTM considering you for future titles.
• Consider resubmission. If your book gains significant traction after initial submission, there may be an opportunity to resubmit with updated sales data and reviews.

A Submission Checklist

Before you submit to BOTM or any curated book service, make sure you have:

• A professionally edited, publication-ready manuscript
• A stunning cover design
• Availability in hardcover format
• At least 10–20 professional and reader reviews
• An active author platform (website, social media, email list)
• Advance praise or endorsements from known authors
• A one-sheet or sell sheet with book details, reviews, and author bio
• A publication date at least 3–6 months out
• A publicist or agent contact who can facilitate the submission

Final Thoughts

Book of the Month Club represents the pinnacle of curated book discovery. Getting selected can transform your career in ways that years of marketing can't replicate. But even if BOTM isn't in the cards for your current title, the process of preparing for submission makes you a better marketer and positions your book for success across every channel.

The foundation for any submission — to BOTM or anywhere else — is a book that's professionally produced, critically reviewed, and backed by genuine momentum.

Start building that foundation today. Get a professional book review from Accessory to Success and give your book the credibility that opens doors to every opportunity in publishing.