Join the Berkley Influencer Programs

We are currently accepting applications for our 2025 Berkley Pub and Berkley Romance Influencer Programs! Before applying, we encourage you to read the updated FAQ below to ensure the program(s) you are applying for is the best fit for you. 📚  

To apply for the Berkley Pub Influencer Program, click HERE.
To apply for the Berkley Romance Influencer Program click HERE.

The deadline to apply is October 18, 2024 at 12:00pm ET.

FAQ: The Berkley Influencer Programs

About the Programs

What are the Berkley Influencer Programs?

Berkley offers two influencer programs.

The Berkley Pub program offers digital review and finished copies of all the books Berkley publishes excluding romance. This includes book club fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. If you are primarily interested in reading our romance books, this is not the program for you.

The Berkley Romance program offers digital review and finished copies of Berkley's romance titles only.

How do the Berkley Influencer Programs work?

Approximately once a month, members receive an email from us with access to early digital review copies and finished copies of our books.

Digital copies via NetGalley is our main method of review copy distribution, and members are sent a select number of digital offerings each month.
For finished copies, members have the opportunity to select three books they are interested in receiving each month, and we do our best to honor top choices.

Additionally, influencers also get access to exclusive virtual events and exclusive galley giveaways as a member of either program.

Do you have a program for Ace books?

We do not currently have a separate program for Ace books; however, Ace books are offered in our Berkley Pub and Berkley Romance influencer programs.

Applicants

What are you looking for in an applicant?

We're looking for active influencers with an engaged following. Ideally, we want someone who posts thoughtful reviews, shares their excitement for upcoming and new releases, and utilizes the various features and tools available on Instagram and TikTok. We do understand life happens and that the capacity in which you're able to post about our books will not always be the same.

What are the requirements to apply?

You need an active, public Instagram or TikTok account, to live in the US or Canada (excluding Québec), and to be 18 years-of-age or older.

Are the programs open to international influencers?

Due to world rights and restrictions, the Berkley Influencer Programs are only open to applicants based in the U.S. and Canada (excluding Québec).

If you are located outside of the U.S. or Canada, we recommend you first check with your local publisher. You can also reach out to internationalpublicity@penguinrandomhouse.com to check on the rights restrictions and availability of review copies on a title-by-title basis.

How is Berkley prioritizing diversity and inclusion when selecting influencers for their programs?

As an imprint of Penguin Random House, we publish voices reflecting the full spectrum of genres and the diversity of our world, and we want the influencers we work with to be a reflection of that. We strongly encourage BIPOC reviewers and reviewers of historically underrepresented groups outside of race or ethnicity to apply.

Please note we take the privacy of our program members and applicants very seriously, and as such, we do not require data on identity and diversity for our database, nor do we store this data. If you are comfortable and want to share, we do invite applicants to self-identify as someone from a historically underrepresented community and to let us know if there is a certain type of book or voice they would like to prioritize on their platforms.

For additional opportunities for influencers from marginalized and underrepresented communities, visit the "Berkley Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices" page.

I'm a current member. Do I need to apply?

Yes! We refresh our program every year, so even current members need to submit an application.

How often do applications open?

Applications open once a year, typically in the fall. We encourage you to watch this space and to follow us on social for updates.

I applied! When will I hear back?

It typically takes us 4 - 6 weeks to review applications, and due to the volume of applicants, only influencers that have been accepted into the program will be contacted.

Active Members

Will I receive digital or physical galleys of your books?

Digital copies via NetGalley is our main method of review copy distribution, and program members are sent a select number of digital offerings each month. There are opportunities to receive physical galleys as part of our program exclusive giveaway series.

What is a galley?

A galley is an early version of the book. These early digital copies are not proofread and are subject to minor spelling, grammatical, and format changes. The terms “galley” and “ARC” are interchangeable.

Will I receive finished copies of your books?

Yes! Program members have the opportunity to receive a minimum of three finished copies each month. A finished copy is the final print version of a book.

When can I expect to receive my finished copies?

We do our best to get finished copies to you 2 – 3 weeks pre-publication. Due to volume, we are unable to provide shipment confirmation or tracking information.

Can I be notified of which books I’m receiving each month?

Due to volume, we are unable to notify you of which book selections you will be receiving. We do our best to honor your top choices.

What do I do if I need to update my mailing address?

When you fill out a book selection form, please provide the best mailing address for you at that time. If your address should change before you receive your books for the month, please ensure you are set up to have your mail forwarded. And should all else fail, please send us an email at berkley@penguinrandomhouse.com.

I don’t see a book available for request in the program. Now what?

Review copies are limited and not available for all titles. If there is a title you are interested in that is not offered in the program, please email berkley@penguinrandomhouse.com with your interest.

What accounts should I tag and what hashtags should I use in my post?

If you choose to post about a complimentary book you received from Berkley, you must disclose our relationship within each relevant post, as required by the FTC. This disclosure must occur at the top of your post before any “expand” or “read more” button. Please use at least one of these two mandatory disclosures:

“Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance or @acebookspub for the free book!”
Tag the imprint and use the imprint's Partner hashtags: #BerkleyPartner #AceBooksPartner

Does Berkley offer compensation for posting about books?

In accordance with Penguin Random House influencer policy, we work with influencers in the following ways:

Penguin Random House does not offer monetary compensation for buzz mailings that have no posting requirement. For buzz mailings, we will provide you with complimentary books and give you the opportunity to read and review them, but you are under no obligation to do so.
Penguin Random House does offer monetary compensation for sponsored content where posting is required. These paid posts will be within specific parameters, including timing and content guidelines, and potentially content approval.

Additional Resources:

Penguin Random House Influencer Policy

Penguin Publishing Group Influencer FAQs

Last updated October 11, 2024.