ARC Reading · Book Reviews · Publishers · Publicists · Independent Authors
Review Policy
A clear guide to how I select, read and review books; the genres I am actively looking for; the material I do not accept; how submissions work; and the standards that protect the independence of every review published by Lupe Farkas.
The Foundation
How I review
This review space exists to help readers discover books worth talking about and to give authors and publishing professionals thoughtful, independent editorial coverage.
No purchased opinions.
A complimentary copy, ARC, publisher relationship, sponsorship or commercial collaboration never purchases a positive review, rating or editorial opinion.
Not every book is accepted.
I choose books I believe I may genuinely connect with so that every title I accept receives proper attention instead of becoming part of a volume-driven review machine.
Honesty does not require cruelty.
A review may be thoughtful and critical without becoming personal. I discuss the work rather than the worth of the person who created it.
Before You Submit
Book review submission policy
Authors, publishers, publicists and literary teams.
I consider submissions from independent authors, traditional publishers, small presses, publicists, imprints and established ARC platforms.
Fiction first. Give me another world.
My strongest interests are fantasy and romance in all their forms: dark romance, gothic romance, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, witchy romance, cozy romance, romantasy, dark fantasy, gothic fantasy, cozy fantasy, urban fantasy, historical fantasy, paranormal fantasy, myth-inspired fantasy and supernatural fiction.
I also actively welcome women’s fiction of all kinds, cozy and bookish fiction, bookshop and library stories, magical small towns, found family, gothic and paranormal fiction, horror for adult readers, speculative fiction, selected science fiction, mythology, folklore, and books by Asian authors or stories rooted in Asian cultures, settings, traditions, mythology, spirituality, history or contemporary life.
Selected nonfiction is welcome when it focuses on witchcraft, Wicca, traditional or folk magic, green witchcraft, herbalism and plant lore, spellcraft, rituals, pagan traditions, tarot, divination, astrology, occult history, folklore, mythology or related esoteric subjects.
Some subjects fall outside my review space.
I do not accept books containing child abuse, exploitation or violence against children, whether those elements appear on the page, as backstory, as recurring trauma or as a central plot device.
Memoirs, autobiographies, biographies, inspirational life stories and general narrative nonfiction are outside my current reading focus.
Digital, physical and audio
- Digital ARCs and finished eBooks
- Paperback and physical advance review copies
- Audiobooks when the project is a strong fit
- Titles supplied through established ARC platforms
Please wait for confirmation.
Sending an unsolicited book, download link or advance copy does not automatically create an obligation to review it. A title enters my reading queue only after I confirm that I am accepting it.
Publication dates matter.
If your request relates to an embargo, publication date or launch campaign, please include the relevant timing in your first message. I only confirm deadlines I genuinely believe I can meet.
I do not publish reviews below my minimum public-review threshold.
This platform is built around books I can meaningfully recommend or discuss. When a book falls below that threshold, I generally prefer not to publish a public review rather than use my platform to dismantle a book I did not enjoy.
Multilingual Review Coverage
Languages currently accepted
I read in English, Italian and Brazilian Portuguese. Books written in Italian or Portuguese are especially welcome across fiction genres, while biographies, memoirs and autobiographies remain outside my current reading scope. The content boundary regarding abuse or violence against children applies in every language.
Editorial Coverage
Where a review may appear
Coverage varies according to the book, timing and editorial fit. Additional visibility is never automatically included with a review request.
LupeFarkas.com
LupeFarkas.com is the primary home of my longer editorial-style book reviews and literary coverage.
Goodreads & retail platforms
Reviews may also appear on Goodreads and, where appropriate, Amazon or another relevant reader-facing platform.
Imperfect Rebel
Selected authors and books may become part of a longer conversation on the Imperfect Rebel podcast when there is something worth exploring beyond the review itself.
Features & other coverage
Newsletter mentions, interviews, articles and additional editorial opportunities are selective and never guaranteed simply because a book has been accepted for review.
Submission Process
How to submit a book
Introduce the book
Include the title, author, genre, synopsis, publication date and any relevant content notes, especially where a book may approach one of my boundaries.
Tell me the format
Let me know whether you are offering a digital ARC, physical copy, finished eBook or audiobook.
Include the timing
Mention publication dates, embargoes or launch windows when relevant.
Wait for acceptance
A title enters my review queue only after I confirm that I am accepting it.
Frequently Asked
Review policy FAQ
Do you accept self-published books?
Yes. Independent authors are welcome alongside traditional publishers, small presses and publicists. Selection is based on the book and its fit with my reading interests, not the size of the publisher.
What genres are you looking for right now?
Fantasy, romance, women’s fiction, witchy and cozy fiction, gothic and paranormal stories, bookshop and library fiction, mythology, folklore, speculative fiction, selected science fiction, and books by Asian authors or rooted in Asian cultures are all strong fits. Selected witchcraft, Wicca, occult, herbal, folklore and mythology nonfiction is also welcome.
Are there subjects you do not accept?
Yes. I do not accept books containing child abuse, exploitation or violence against children, including when those elements are used as backstory, recurring trauma or a central plot device. Memoirs, autobiographies, biographies, inspirational life stories and general narrative nonfiction are also outside my current reading focus.
Do you accept witchcraft or occult nonfiction?
Yes. I welcome selected nonfiction about witchcraft, Wicca, folk and traditional magic, green witchcraft, herbalism and plant lore, spells, rituals, pagan traditions, tarot, divination, astrology, occult history, folklore, mythology and related esoteric subjects.
What about books in Italian or Portuguese?
Books written in Italian or Brazilian Portuguese are welcome across fiction genres. Biographies, memoirs and autobiographies remain outside my current reading focus, and the same content boundaries apply in every language.
Can an author or publisher pay for a positive review?
No. Reviews are not for sale. Sponsorships and commercial partnerships, when accepted, remain completely separate from ratings and editorial opinions. Commercial opportunities are handled separately through Work With Me.
Do you guarantee positive reviews?
No. Acceptance means I am interested in reading the book; it does not guarantee a particular reaction, rating or opinion.
Can I request a particular review date?
Yes. Include your preferred date or campaign window in the initial enquiry. I will only confirm it when I believe I can realistically meet it.
Do you accept international submissions?
Yes. Authors, publishers and publicists from around the world are welcome to submit books in English, Italian or Portuguese.
Submit For Consideration
Think your book belongs on my reading desk?
Read a few published reviews first, then send the title, genre, synopsis, publication information, available format, relevant content notes and timing. Independent authors, publishers, publicists and small presses are welcome.
Editorial independence: complimentary books, advance review copies, publisher relationships, sponsorships and commercial collaborations never purchase or influence a review, rating or editorial opinion.