Kirkus Reviews
Virginia Kirkus left Harper & Brothers in 1932 after the company eliminated her children's book department. She launched an independent service that year to review books before they hit shelves. Her initial operation relied on galley proofs for about twenty titles each week. This modest start grew into a weekly intake of hundreds of books over the following decades. Louise Raymond, the secretary Virginia hired at Harper, had successfully argued to restore the division before Virginia departed.
The publication began as Bulletin by Kirkus' Bookshop Service from 1933 through 1954. A change took effect on the 1st of January 1955, when it became Bulletin from Virginia Kirkus' Service. Editors shortened the name again with the 15th of December 1964 issue to read Virginia Kirkus' Service. The title shifted once more in 1967 to simply Kirkus Service. It finally adopted its current identity, Kirkus Reviews, starting with the 1st of January 1969 issue. These changes marked nearly four decades of rebranding efforts.
Anne Larsen joined the magazine as fiction editor in 1985. She soon assumed full editorial control and remained the head until 2006. Larsen modified the review format to improve readability and concision. Her edits also aimed for greater accuracy and impact within each critique. This leadership period spanned two decades of steady growth for the publication. Her tenure ended just before the company faced ownership challenges in the late 2000s.
Kirkus Reviews sold to The New York Review of Books in 1970. Barbara Bader and Josh Rubins later purchased the magazine from that group. James B. Kobak acquired the business in 1985 through a deal involving a magazine consultant. David LeBreton bought Kirkus from Kobak in 1993. Dutch publisher VNU then took over the operation in 1999. Herbert Simon purchased the journal on the 10th of February 2010, after operations were set to end at the close of 2009. Terms regarding this final sale remained undisclosed by all parties involved.
The traditional program offers reviews without requiring payment from authors. An Indie program allows book creators to purchase a review instead. Authors cannot modify or influence the content of these paid critiques. They may choose whether to publish the result on the Kirkus website. Published pieces might also appear in the monthly magazine or email newsletter based on editor discretion. This dual system creates distinct pathways for different types of submissions.
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Common questions
When did Virginia Kirkus leave Harper & Brothers to start her own service?
Virginia Kirkus left Harper & Brothers in 1932 after the company eliminated her children's book department. She launched an independent service that same year to review books before they hit shelves.
What was the original name of Kirkus Reviews and when did it change to its current title?
The publication began as Bulletin by Kirkus' Bookshop Service from 1933 through 1954. It finally adopted its current identity, Kirkus Reviews, starting with the 1st of January 1969 issue.
Who served as fiction editor for Kirkus Reviews from 1985 until 2006?
Anne Larsen joined the magazine as fiction editor in 1985 and assumed full editorial control shortly thereafter. She remained the head until 2006 while modifying the review format to improve readability and concision.
On what date did Herbert Simon purchase Kirkus Reviews after operations were set to end?
Herbert Simon purchased the journal on the 10th of February 2010, after operations were set to end at the close of 2009. Terms regarding this final sale remained undisclosed by all parties involved.
How does the Indie program differ from the traditional review program offered by Kirkus Reviews?
An Indie program allows book creators to purchase a review instead of receiving one without payment. Authors cannot modify or influence the content of these paid critiques but may choose whether to publish the result on the Kirkus website.