Last updated: September 14th, 2025
Fully‑Booked.ca exists to help readers discover books they’ll love and understand the culture around them. These Publishing Principles outline how we select what to cover, how we review, and the standards we hold ourselves to across accuracy, fairness, independence, and transparency.
Quick Summary
- Editorial independence: Reviews and coverage are made by our editors; advertisers and partners don’t influence our verdicts.
- Disclosures: We mark sponsored content and share financial relationships (e.g., affiliate links) clearly.
- Verification: We fact-check, cite sources, and correct errors promptly, marking them with visible notes.
- Reviewer ethics: No paid positive reviews. ARCs/galleys never guarantee coverage.
- Diversity & inclusion: We aim for broad representation in what we cover.
- Contact: Corrections or concerns? Contact Us.
TL;DR: Our loyalty is to readers. We disclose, verify, label, and correct.
1) Our Mission & Values
- Service to readers: Help you spend time and money on books that are worth it.
- Curiosity & care: We approach authors, publicists, and readers with respect.
- Trust: Trust is earned through clear standards, transparent processes, and consistent enforcement.
2) Editorial Independence & Ownership
- Fully‑Booked.ca is an independent publication. Editorial decisions (what we cover, how we rate it, when we publish) are made by the editorial team, not by advertisers, sponsors, or affiliate partners.
- Business teams (advertising, partnerships, affiliates) are separated from editorial decision‑making.
- When a piece is created as part of a paid partnership, it is clearly labeled.
3) Coverage Selection: What We Cover & Why
- News, features & best book lists: Adaptations, trends, interviews, best book lists, and explainers that serve reader interest and the cultural moment.
- Reviews: We cover titles based on editorial merit, reader interest, and staff expertise. Receipt of a galley/ARC does not guarantee coverage or a positive review.
- Timing: We respect embargoes and note when we’ve reviewed an advance copy.
- Conflicts: If a contributor has a material relationship with a subject (e.g., works for the publisher/imprint/agent), they won’t cover it; a different contributor will.
4) Sourcing, Verification & Fact‑Checking
- We attribute and link to primary sources (publisher pages, author sites, press notes, public records) wherever possible.
- Names, dates, spellings, and factual claims are verified before publication.
- Quotes are presented in context and labeled if edited for clarity/length.
- When aggregating other outlets’ reporting, we credit them with a clear link and avoid reproducing their unique value wholesale.
- Data (ranks, release dates, awards) is timestamped or labeled with a date when relevant.
5) Review Policy & Rating Rubric
Scale (★ to ★★★★★):
- ★★★★★ Essential — We’ll buy it, gift it, and reread it; exceptional craft and impact.
- ★★★★☆ Strong — A standout title with minor caveats; widely recommended.
- ★★★☆☆ Good/Mixed — Solid but uneven; likely to appeal to specific readers.
- ★★☆☆☆ Weak — Significant issues; not recommended for most readers.
- ★☆☆☆☆ Not for Us — Substantial concerns; we advise skipping.
DNF (Did Not Finish): If we do not complete a book, we’ll say so and state the approximate percentage read and why.
ARCs & Galleys: Advance copies from publishers/NetGalley/etc. do not guarantee coverage or a favorable rating.
Author Relationships: Staffers do not review books by close friends, family, or clients.
6) Conflicts of Interest & Personal Conduct
- Staff and contributors must avoid assignments where their judgment could reasonably be questioned.
- Gifts over a nominal value are declined or disclosed. We do not accept payment for editorial coverage or reviews.
- Travel/lodging provided by third parties is disclosed if it’s material to coverage.
7) Images, Excerpts & Copyright
- Book covers & stills: Used under fair use; we credit rights holders when required.
- Photography/illustration: We use free-to-use assets or create our own and list credits/captions where feasible.
- Excerpts: Quoted material is limited, attributed, and used under fair‑use guidelines.
8) Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliate Links
- Labels:
- “Sponsored” or “Paid Partner” — Created with/for a brand or publisher who paid for the piece.
- “Partner Message” / “Advertisement” — Display ads managed by our ad stack.
- Affiliate links: Some links may earn a commission (e.g., Bookshop, Amazon). We never alter our verdicts because of affiliate relationships. A standard disclosure appears near the bottom of pages that include such links.
- No pay‑for‑play: We do not sell reviews or guaranteed placements in editorial lists.
9) Corrections, Updates & Takedowns
- Corrections: If we publish an error, we’ll fix it quickly and add a Correction note at the start of the article describing what changed and when.
- Updates: Substantive post‑publication changes (e.g., new release date, new award) are marked as Updated with the date.
- Takedowns: We rarely remove content; if we do (e.g., legal or safety concerns), we’ll consider a public note stating why.
- How to request a correction: Contact Us with a link, the error, and a source.
10) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- We aim to reflect the breadth of authors, genres, and readerships.
- We actively commission and solicit titles across identities, regions, and publishers (Big 5, indie, small press).
- We are attentive to harmful stereotypes and will contextualize sensitive content where appropriate.
11) Community Standards (Comments & Social)
- Don’t harass, defame, or dox anyone. No hate speech.
- Keep criticism specific and respectful.
- Moderation decisions are at our discretion; repeat violations may lead to bans.
12) Data, Privacy & Cookies
- We collect limited analytics and advertising data to improve the site.
- For details (what, why, retention, opt‑outs), see our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
- To the best of our abilities, we follow applicable laws (e.g., GDPR/CCPA).
