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Both! What determines whether a book makes the shelf is The Criteria, not who published it. We carry indie and traditionally published titles side by side, because a good book is a good book.

Soon-to-be published author of fantasy romance! Stay tuned ;)

It's the question that matters around here. When a reader asks "Did it pass?" they're asking whether a book made it through The Criteria. You'll hear it in Discussion Panels and in the community. It's the shorthand for the standard we hold.

We specialize in adult fantasy romance, paranormal romance, and science fiction romance. This is where we live. Our curation is deep and deliberate inside these genres — we don't do a little of everything.

The Slow Burn Reader is a curated adult romance bookshop. Every book on the shelf has been read, evaluated, and approved before it ever reaches you. Not skimmed. Not algorithm-sorted. Read, by readers, with a non-negotiable standard. You can browse knowing the hard work is already done.

The Slow Burns is the reader community that lives inside The Slow Burn Reader. If you're here, you're already one of us. The community gathers around Discussion Panels on each book page, through our newsletter and blog, and across social channels.

Every book on this shelf passed The Criteria — a real vetting standard built around writing quality, character depth, pacing, and payoff. No book earns a shelf spot because it was trending or because an author paid to be here. The shelf is earned. That's the whole difference.

The Slow Burn Reader was founded by K.L. Warner, a lifelong reader and soon-to-be author. This shop was built because readers deserve better than the gamble of an over-hyped shelf. We are readers first and shopkeepers second.

We instruct users to be mindful of spoilers in Discussion Panels so readers can see if a book is for them or not without it getting ruined. Spoilers should be obviously marked so you can make the decision on whether or not you want to reader that comment.

Yes. Harassment, hate speech, or repeated bad-faith behavior will result in removal. The Slow Burn Reader community is a good-faith space.

Discussion Panels are how we handle reviews here. We don't use a traditional star rating system — we think the conversation is a better reflection of how a book actually lands.

Yes. You'll need to be logged in to leave a comment or reply in a Discussion Panel.

Discussion Panels are the conversation spaces on each book's product page. We replaced star ratings with them because "4 stars" doesn't tell you that chapter 14 will absolutely wreck you. Discussion Panels are where the real talk happens.

Log in to your account and visit the "Downloads" tab — your download links are stored there. If you're having trouble accessing them, contact us and we'll help.

The license covers personal use. Sharing the file is a violation of the author's copyright. If your friend wants to read it, please send them our way.

No. Ebooks from The Slow Burn Reader are DRM-free, which means you can read them on any device or app you choose without restrictions. We trust our readers. The files are licensed for your personal use — please don't share them, since that directly takes money out of the author's pocket.

Amazon's "Send to Kindle" service lets you email epub files directly to your Kindle. Alternatively, you can use the Kindle app on any device and sideload the file. We recommend reaching out to Kindle for support.

After checkout, a download link is sent to the email address on your order. Check your inbox (and your spam folder if you don't see it within a few minutes). The link is secure and time-limited, so download your file promptly.

Email us at hello@theslowburnreader.com with your order number and we'll resend a fresh link. Please check your spam folder first.

Epub files work on most e-readers (Kobo, Nook, Apple Books) and reading apps. Mobi files are designed for Kindle devices and the Kindle app. Epub is the more universally compatible option.

Ebooks are available as epub or mobi, depending on the title. Each product page specifies the available formats.

Yes. The Slow Burn Reader operates on a non-exclusive basis. You can sell your work anywhere.

Yes. Visit the "Become a Seller" page to apply. You'll need to own full digital rights to your work. All submissions go through The Criteria before any decision is made.

Payouts are processed weekly. Earnings are released every Monday for the prior week's completed sales. Payments are made via PayPal.

Email us at hello@theslowburnreader.com with "Author Partner" in the subject line. We'll get back to you within 3 to 5 business days.

It means the title didn't meet The Criteria at this time. We'll communicate specifically what fell short for us. You're welcome to revise and resubmit, or to submit a different title in the future. A pass decision isn't a statement about you as a writer.

For ebook distribution, we require epub format. Mobi is accepted as well.

Adult romance, romantasy, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and science fiction romance. If your book falls outside of these listed genres, still apply! We're willing to open up other genres if they're romance-adjacent.

Our team reviews your application and, if it looks like a fit, requests a review copy. We read it. If it passes The Criteria, we'll reach out to complete your author profile and arrange the listing. The full process takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks once a copy is received.

Author partners earn 70% of the net sale price on every ebook sold through the platform. The Slow Burn Reader retains 30% to cover platform operations, curation, and marketing.

Yes. When your order ships, you'll receive a tracking email with a link to follow your package. You can also find tracking information in your account under Order History.

SBR Members receive free standard shipping on orders over $55. Non-members will have shipping calculated at checkout.

No, we currently don't ship to P.O. boxes.

Standard shipping within the US typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Expedited options are available at checkout for most titles. Some items are print-on-demand, which adds processing time of 3 to 5 business days before shipping.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your location, the weight of your order, and the shipping method you select. Members receive free standard shipping on orders over $55.

We're sorry about that. Email us at hello@theslowburnreader.com with your order number and a photo of the damage. We'll arrange a replacement or refund right away.

Check your tracking link first. If tracking shows it was delivered but you haven't received it, check with neighbors and your building first — carriers sometimes misdeliver. If tracking shows it's still in transit or hasn't moved, email us and we'll investigate with the carrier.

We currently ship within the United States.

No. You can check out as a guest. That said, creating an account lets you track orders, re-access ebook downloads, save books to your Bookmarks, and access your loyalty points in the form of store credit!

Store credit remain active as long as your account sees activity within a 12-month rolling window. If your account has been inactive for 12 months, your balance may be reset.

Log in to your account and visit the Orders section. Your order history, tracking links, and digital download access are all there.

Click "Sign In" at the top of the site and select "Create Account." It takes about a minute.

Every dollar spent on the store earns you store credit. Additional credit can be earned by leaving reviews, referring friends, and other activities you'll find in your account dashboard.

Store credit applied automatically at checkout. No additional work needed on your part!

Bookmarks is your personal wishlist. When you're browsing and spot something you want to remember, tap the Bookmark icon on the book page to save it to your account. Your list lives in your account dashboard and only you can see it.

Every purchase earns you store credit , which you can redeem on future orders. You earn store credit automatically when you shop — no separate sign-up needed beyond having an account.

All purchases made through The Slow Burn Reader are final. We do not accept returns or issue refunds on the basis of:

-A change of mind or buyer's remorse

-Dissatisfaction with the story, writing style, pacing, or content of a book

-An expectation that was not met but was also not promised in the product description

-A book that was the wrong fit for you personally

-Any reason related to personal preference rather than a verifiable product defect

We curate with care and our editorial notes exist to help you make an informed decision before you buy. We encourage you to read them.

All purchases made through The Slow Burn Reader are final. We do not accept returns or issue refunds on the basis of:

-A change of mind or buyer's remorse

-Dissatisfaction with the story, writing style, pacing, or content of a book

-An expectation that was not met but was also not promised in the product description

-A book that was the wrong fit for you personally

-Any reason related to personal preference rather than a verifiable product defect

We curate with care and our editorial notes exist to help you make an informed decision before you buy. We encourage you to read them.

All sales of digital products — including ebooks and any other downloadable content — are final and non-refundable under all circumstances without exception.

Once a download link has been accessed or a file has been delivered to your account, no refund will be issued regardless of the reason. This applies even if the file goes unread after download.

If you experience a technical failure that prevents you from accessing a digital product you purchased — such as a broken download link or a file delivery error — contact us at hello@theslowburnreader.com with your order number. We will resolve the issue with a replacement download.

Technical access issues are not grounds for a refund but will be remedied promptly.

We do not accept returns of physical books for any reason. Books that have been delivered are not eligible to be sent back for a refund or exchange regardless of condition, unless a return is specifically requested by us as part of a damage claim resolution.

The only circumstance under which a remedy will be considered for a physical book is if the item arrives in a condition that is materially damaged or physically defective as a result of a fulfillment or shipping error.

To be considered, you must meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Contact us at hello@theslowburnreader.com within 7 days of the confirmed delivery date as shown by carrier tracking;

(b) Provide your order number and the name on the order; and

(c) Provide clear photographic evidence of the damage or defect as received.

Requests submitted outside the 7-day window will not be considered under any circumstances.

Yes, you sure can! They're separate products at checkout. Add both to your cart and check out together.

For physical book orders, contact us at hello@theslowburnreader.com as quickly as possible. If your order hasn't shipped yet, we can modify it. Once it's shipped, we can't make changes.

For ebook orders, because the file is delivered immediately after purchase, we cannot cancel or issue a refund once the download link has been accessed. If you have a technical issue with your file, contact us and we'll sort it out.

When a title is available for pre-order, that option appears on the product page. You'll be charged at time of purchase and your order will ship or deliver on the release date.

Yes, if you purchase a Membership then you will automatically get a gift card sent to your inbox to utilize for anything in the shop!

Use the filters! You can search by spice level, tropes, content warnings, series vs. standalone, length, and format. We built the filters so you can search the way your brain actually works — not the way an algorithm thinks you should. If you want to browse instead, every book on the shelf has already been vetted, so you can trust whatever calls to you.

Add your items, enter your shipping information (for physical products) and a valid email address (for digital products), and pay. We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and Shop Pay.

We aren't able to verify outside purchases, so we can't offer a discount for matching formats. If you want both formats, both are available at full price here.

Depending on the title, books are available as ebooks (epub and mobi), paperback, or hardcover (audiobooks coming soon!). Each product page shows which formats are available for that specific title. Not every format is available for every book.

Log in to your account and visit Account Settings. Shipping addresses can be updated there. If you need to update the email on your account, contact us directly.

Try resetting your password first (see above). If you're still having trouble, email us at hello@theslowburnreader.com and we'll sort it out.

On the Sign In page, click "Forgot your password?" and enter your email address. You'll receive a reset link within a few minutes. Check spam if it doesn't arrive.

Email us at hello@theslowburnreader.com. We respond within 3 to 5 business days.

Try a different browser or device first. If the error persists, email us with a screenshot and a description of what happened. We'll either fix it or complete your order manually.

Check your spam and promotions folders first. If you use Gmail, check the Promotions tab. If you still can't find it, log into your account — your order history is there regardless of whether the email arrived. If something looks wrong with your order, contact us.

Try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then reloading. If you're on mobile, try the desktop version. If the issue persists, let us know your device and browser so we can investigate.

Yes! Submit recommendations through the form on the About page. We read every submission and will evaluate it against The Criteria. We can't guarantee a timeline, and we can't guarantee every submission will make the shelf.

Absolutely. If you're looking for something specific and can't find it in the catalog, use the "Can't find it?" link in the footer or email us. We'll let you know if it's already on our review list or if we'll add it.

Rarely, but yes. If we learn that metadata was significantly misrepresented (spice level, content warnings) or if a title has been withdrawn by the author or publisher, it may come off the shelf.

No. Bestseller status, TikTok virality, and Goodreads rating are not criteria. A book earns its spot by passing The Criteria, or it doesn't. We've passed on plenty of hyped titles.

They don't appear on the shelf. Full stop. We don't list books we wouldn't hand to a friend personally.

The Criteria is the vetting standard every book on this shelf has been evaluated against. It covers writing quality, character depth, pacing, payoff, and accurate metadata (spice, tropes, content warnings). Every title is read in full before a decision is made. No exceptions.

The founder, K.L. Warner, and the editorial team at The Slow Burn Reader. The Criteria is applied by readers who read everything in the genre seriously and without shortcuts.

Not directly through checkout at this time. If you'd like to gift a membership to someone, email us and we'll walk you through it.

Log in to your account, navigate to the Membership section, and select "Manage Membership." You can cancel there. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing period — you keep your perks until then.

Visit The Membership page and click "Join." Membership is billed annually at $99.

Make sure you're logged in to the account you used to purchase the membership. If perks still aren't showing, email us at hello@theslowburnreader.com with your order number and we'll get it sorted quickly.

Membership fees are non-refundable after the billing date. If you cancel, your perks remain active until the end of the period you've paid for.

Membership perks include free standard shipping on all orders over $55, early access to new additions to the shelf, exclusive member content, and a complimentary gift sent to your front door every year. Full perks are listed on The Membership page!

The SBR Membership is The Slow Burn Reader's annual membership tier. For $99 per year, members get a suite of perks designed around readers who take their reading life seriously.

Your membership renews automatically on your annual renewal date. You'll receive a reminder email before your renewal processes. You can manage or cancel your membership in your account.

No. The Shelf Dispatch is editorial. We don't accept payment to feature books, and advertisers don't influence what appears there. The shelf earns its place. So does everything in the newsletter.

Sign up using the email capture on the homepage. That's it!

Every email has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. Clicking it removes you immediately.

The newsletter goes out twice a month. The blog publishes ongoing, as content warrants it.

The Shelf Dispatch is The Slow Burn Reader's editorial newsletter and blog. It covers new additions to the shelf, reading recommendations, reader culture, and the occasional strong opinion about pacing. It's written in the same voice as everything else here — no hollow content, no sponsored picks.