How we work
Short version: our lists are ours, and nobody can buy a place on them. We make money by doing work for publishers and for groups buying books, and we tell you when something is paid.
How we choose books
Our editors choose every book on our lists and write every note about it. We work from publisher catalogues, library and bibliographic records, and what is known about how a book has been received. We keep facts (who wrote it, how long it is, who published it) apart from our opinions (who it suits and who should skip it). More detail in how we choose books.
How we make money
- Campaigns for publishers. A publisher or author pays us to plan and run a campaign that finds readers for a book, through newsletters, creators, book clubs and reading groups. More.
- Books for teams and groups. Companies, clubs and organisers pay us to choose, source and deliver books for a group. The quote shows what goes on the books and what comes to us. More.
- Retailer links. Some "Find a copy" links may earn us a small referral fee from the retailer. That never decides what we recommend.
What money can't buy here
- A place, a ranking or a verdict in our collections, guides, glossary or reading shortlists.
- A book's way into a team programme. The group's needs decide which books qualify.
- Reviews. We never pay anyone for a positive review, and we don't buy likes, follows or other engagement.
How paid work is labelled
If something on AltBook is there because someone paid for it, it carries a Paid partnership label and names who paid. Partners who work on campaigns with us label their paid posts the same way.
Our directories aren't endorsements
Our creator and bookshop pages are built from public information. Being listed doesn't mean someone works with us or recommends a book, and we never present it that way. Anyone listed can ask us to correct or remove their page through our rights and takedown form.