A Wikipedia page provides a permanent, citable record, which lasts beyond a marketing cycle, that continues to educate readers, journalists, and researchers long after it is published. However, Wikipedia does not give entries to books because they have been published. All submissions are evaluated according to strict criteria of “notability,” “sourcing” and “neutrality,” and those that do not meet the criteria are routinely rejected or withdrawn.
The aim of this guide is to help new Wikipedia users build a page about a particular book the right way, including how to check for eligibility and avoid common pitfalls that lead to rejection.
The Notability Guidelines: For Books
Wikipedia does not judge a book by its book-sales or by the hype created in promotion. It assesses a book based on independent and published evidence that shows the book has been noticed. The Wikipedia notability policy states that a book is typically notable if it has multiple (non-trivial) reviews or discussions in credible, independent sources (newspapers, literary journals, academic journals, or recognized review sites). A book might also be eligible if it has received or been nominated for an important literary prize or it is often cited or studied in an academic environment or if the author or content of the book has made a verifiable impact on its genre/field.
Coverage garnered through the publisher, the author’s personal website or reviews by a paying entity is not considered. Wikipedia is not what the subject writes for itself, it’s what independent parties write.
Step 1: Confirm the Book Meets the Notability Threshold
Prior to writing, collect evidence of independent coverage. Ask the following:
- Have prominent newspapers, magazines or literary journals reviewed the book?
- Has it been nominated for any recognized literary prizes?
- Is it covered in academic publications or courses?
- Has the author been interviewed by independent media, particularly regarding this book?
If most of the answers are no, then the book probably is still not up to Wikipedia’s standards, and there’s little chance that it will get submitted.
Step 2: Make a Wikipedia Account
It is generally more important to take a registered editor than an anonymous contributor. An account enables you to create an editing history, save drafts, and share with reviewers. If you are thinking of writing an article, try and make some minor and useful changes to the existing articles prior to submitting something new — this will build up a reputation and make your writing more believable.
Step 3: Write the Text in a Neutral, Encyclopedic Tone
Wikipedia isn’t a marketing channel and promotional language is one of the quickest ways to get a draft rejected. Compare the following:
Don’t use this cliché: “It was a groundbreaking novel that enthralled the world and changed the genre.”
Replace by: “It was favorably reviewed by several of the nation’s leading newspapers, and shortlisted for the National Book Award.”
It is the second version that is factual, sourced and verifiable, which is what Wikipedia’s editorial standards call for.
Step 4: Organize the Page
A good Wikipedia article about a book will contain the following:
- Introduction: Title, author, genre, publisher and publication date and a brief statement about the importance of the book.
- Plot summary: A concise, neutral summary without too much detail or spoilers and presented as fact, not opinion.
- Background: The author’s inspiration, the process or context in which the book was created (where relevant).
- Reception: Critical response, awards and any discussion of academic or cultural nature (citations).
- Publication history: Editions, translations and adaptations (if any).
- References: citations for all substantive claims (Inline).
Step 5: Give Strong, Independent References
Any reference to reception, sales or cultural impact requires a citation from a source which is independent and reliable. A submission gets a boost from reviews by well-known literary critics, features in major newspapers, and receives academic praise. Citations from marketing material provided by the publisher, the author’s personal website or any self-publishing service will not be particularly informative and may create an overall problem with the draft.
Step 6: Submit Through Articles for Creation
If you are not registered as an editor, you must submit a draft version of your article for publication through the Wikipedia’s Articles for Creation (AfC) process. The draft will be reviewed by a volunteer for neutrality, sourcing and notability, and either accepted, revised or rejected based on their findings. Most of the time, a rejection for lack of notability does not mean that the writing itself isn’t up to scratch, but rather that the sources available are not yet of the Wikipedia standard.
Some Common Mistakes You Should Avoid
The common issues found in most rejected book pages are promotional language, using the author/publisher as the main source, using plot summaries as opinions instead of facts, and poor independent coverage. Wikipedia has a conflict of interest with authors and publishers, so it recommends that they make it clear that they are writing about their own work; it also suggests that they ask an unaffiliated editor to review the draft before submission.
Final Thoughts
A Wikipedia page about a book should not be written as a part of a marketing campaign, it should be a factual record of what people have recognized independently. If done patiently, with source materials from trusted sources, and written in a neutral and factual tone, it becomes a long-term resource that book readers and researchers will be able to refer back to for years after its publication.
