How To Fix Your Terrible NetGalley Ratio
A Practical Guide on How to Improve Your NetGalley Ratio Without Losing Your Sanity. If you’re wondering how to fix your terrible NetGalley ratio, you’re in the right place.
So, you’ve signed up for NetGalley, and the allure of unlimited free books has pulled you in—hard. You eagerly request all the books, imagining yourself breezing through them in a week, typing out glowing reviews, and being hailed as a bookish hero by publishers and authors alike.
But instead, reality hits: your “To Be Reviewed” shelf is towering like Mount Everest, your ratio is stuck at 32%, and you feel like you’re drowning in ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) you’ll probably never read. You flew a little too close to the sun, my friend!
Never fear! Here’s a practical guide on how to improve your NetGalley ratio while keeping your love for reading (and your sanity) intact.
1. The Great TBR Purge
First things first—let’s face the music. Go to your NetGalley shelf and take a deep, terrifying look at the titles you haven’t touched in… let’s just say “a while.” It’s time for some tough love: will you ever read that dystopian romance novel you requested in a moment of weakness? Probably not. Politely shelve it away in the “Not Going to Happen” mental drawer, and move on.
Pro Tip: Decline or archive the books you realistically won’t review. It’s okay. Publishers won’t hold a grudge against you (or at least, I’m 80% sure they won’t).
2. Set Up a Reading and Reviewing Calendar
Organizing your book life sounds boring, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. Plot out a realistic schedule where you’re reading and reviewing NetGalley titles at a steady pace. Whether it’s one ARC a week or two a month, consistency is key.
Bonus Tip: Mix in some short reads (novellas, anyone?) to crank up your ratio quickly. Shorter books = faster reviews = that sweet, sweet percentage boost!
3. The DNF Dilemma
Not loving a book? Don’t force it! Life is too short, and so is your patience. NetGalley reviewers can and should DNF (Did Not Finish) books if they’re just not doing it for you. But remember to still submit a review explaining why. Publishers appreciate the honesty, and it counts toward your ratio. Plus, no one said your reviews need to be 10 paragraphs long. Even a quick note like, “Just not for me, but the premise is cool!” does the job.
4. Craft Quick & Punchy Reviews
Think you need to write the next great American novel for every review? Nope! Short, snappy reviews are just as valuable. Readers love concise feedback, and so do time-strapped editors. Highlight what worked, mention what didn’t, and call it a day. You can even sprinkle in a little humor for extra charm. Publishers love witty banter, right? (Probably.)
5. Don’t Request EVERYTHING That Shines
It’s tempting, I know. You see a new rom-com with an adorable illustrated cover, and before you can stop yourself, you’ve hit “Request.” Stop. Take a breath. Ask yourself, “Do I have time to read this in the next few weeks?” If the answer is “no,” skip it. Be selective about what you request moving forward. It’ll save you from drowning in future book guilt.
6. Missed the Publication Date? No Worries!
Don’t panic if a book’s publication date has passed! You can still submit a review, even if it’s been a few months (or years—no judgment here). Publishers still appreciate feedback post-launch, and it counts toward your ratio just the same. Better late than never, right?
7. Celebrate the Small Wins
Got your ratio up by 5%? Finished that ARC that’s been glaring at you from your e-reader for months? Celebrating these small victories will keep you motivated. Your NetGalley ratio doesn’t need to be 100%—aim for 80% or higher and remember that everyone (yes, even the superhuman reviewers) started somewhere.
Yes I have four due and a 93% ratio! I’m not perfect!
8. Remember: Reading is Supposed to Be Fun!
At the end of the day, you’re on NetGalley because you love books, not because you need to hit some arbitrary ratio milestone. Don’t stress if your percentage isn’t perfect. Enjoy the journey, find new favorite authors, and most importantly, have fun while doing it!
Now go forth, brave reader, and conquer your NetGalley ratio! And hey, maybe treat yourself to a non-NetGalley book every now and then. Your TBR stack will understand.
Not that I’m trying to tempt you or anything, but here’s a list of October’s most anticipated new romance titles.