An ARC, or advance review copy, is a copy of your book given to readers, bloggers, journalists, and librarians before or around publication, so they can read it and, if they choose, review it. Most ARCs are digital, and a good ARC campaign helps your book have reviews and buzz when it goes on sale.
Below is how ARCs work, where to find readers for one, and how to run a campaign that stays within the rules. It's one piece of the Book Reviews 101, if you want the fuller picture.
They're often confused, but they serve different purposes.
| Beta reading | ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Before the manuscript is final | When the book is finished or nearly finished |
| Purpose | To improve the book | To generate reviews and buzz |
| Feedback goes to | You, privately | Public: blogs, Goodreads, retail sites |
If you're already sending ARCs, your window for beta reading has closed. Beta reading comes first. See the Complete Guide to Beta Reading.
The main draw is timing: reviewers who read before launch can post soon after the book goes on sale, instead of your listing sitting empty for weeks. ARCs also extend your reach, since bloggers, librarians, journalists, and ordinary readers each bring their own audience with them. And the reviews themselves do double duty. They're social proof for anyone browsing your listing, and every so often a reviewer writes a line good enough to quote in your own marketing.
ARC readers get a free copy and choose whether to review it. They're not obligated to post a review, and they're not obligated to like it. Keep that in mind: an ARC is an invitation, not a transaction.
Reviews come at the reviewer's pace, and not every reader will finish or post. Industry guides often estimate that only around 30 to 50 percent of ARC readers post a review, so send to more people than the number of reviews you hope for.
Send the best version you have. ARCs are usually .epub or PDF files. The book should be edited and proofread, since reviewers will judge what they read. See Beta Readers vs. Critique Partners vs. Editors.
Reviewers need time to read, so send ARCs well before your publication date. Many authors start several weeks ahead. Retail sites such as Amazon typically only accept reviews on or after publication day, so give readers a launch date and a reminder.
Start with your own audience: newsletter subscribers, social followers, and readers of your earlier books. Your beta readers are also a natural next step, since they already know the book. Beyond that, look at reader communities and groups in your genre (follow each one's rules), and reach out directly to bloggers, journalists, librarians, and other reviewers who cover your genre. If you'd rather not build the list yourself, ARC services and platforms such as NetGalley, or Entrada's own ARC review service, put your book in front of a wider pool of reviewers.
Include the genre, length, publication date, a short summary, the format you'll send, and the deadline. Say clearly that you're asking for an honest review, not a positive one. Ask readers to mention that they received a free advance copy.
Give a realistic reading window and tell readers how to reach you.
Send a friendly reminder when the book goes on sale, with links to where readers can post a review (Goodreads, retail sites, or their blog).
Thank readers whether or not they posted, and add reviewers to your list for future books.
Amazon allows reviews of free advance copies as long as the author doesn't require a review or try to influence it. See Amazon's Review Rules for Authors and Are Paid Book Reviews Legitimate?
If building a reviewer list yourself sounds like a lot, a service can help you reach reviewers. Entrada's ARC review service is similar to NetGalley:
Digital copies are preferred. Hard copies can be sent to reviewers who want them, but they cost more and take longer.
Put Your Book in Front of Reviewers
Entrada's ARC review service offers your book to bloggers, journalists, librarians, and other influencers who match your genre. One-time fee: $155.
Want a review you can quote? Get a professional book review →
Advance review copy, sometimes called an advance reader copy: a copy of a book given to reviewers before or around publication.
An ARC is usually the final or near-final text. Digital ARCs are common and are usually identical to the published version.
No. Readers choose whether to review, and you can't require it. Plan for only a portion to post.
Several weeks before publication, so readers have time to read and are ready to post when the book goes on sale.
No. Paying readers for reviews violates retailer rules. You can pay a service to help you reach reviewers, but reviewers should never be paid for their opinion.
There's no set number. Because many won't post, authors often send to more people than the number of reviews they want.