All reviews have the untainted credibility of Kirkus behind them

Just saw something somewhat distressing in Publisher's Lunch, an email newsletter I subscribe to. It seems that the august pages of Kirkus Reviews has decided that standards are overrated, and is trying to cash in with it's new Kirkus Discoveries program.

Kirkus Reviews is putting their 71 years worth of "credibility, integrity, and pedigree" up for sale to "self-published, e-published and POD authors. Any publisher seeking greater exposure for a title can gain awareness through our network of influential readers and buyers."

Under a new program called Kirkus Discoveries, authors and publishers are invited to "commission a review," for $350. Those reviews will be displayed at KirkusDiscoveries.com (which currently points to the main Kirkus home page), and "the best submissions" also will get included in monthly e-mail newsletters.

Call me crazy, but it seems the only thing Kirkus is discovering here is a new way of generating revenue streams. They're also starting up another pay-for-attention program called "Kirkus Reports." I seem to remember something similar to this having a specific name associated with it... oh, yeah. "Paid advertising." I'm certain people are going to be lining up to read these new publications, the same way they're lining up to buy iUniverse titles.

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