If you’ve ever noticed a book stacking up reviews on Goodreads weeks before it’s even published, you’ve seen ARC readers at work. Advance reader copies (ARCs) are one of the book world’s best-kept secrets — and one of its most rewarding opportunities for passionate readers.
This guide answers every question you’re likely to have about ARC reading, whether you’re just discovering the world of early reads or trying to level up as a reviewer.
What is ARC reading?
ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy (sometimes called Advance Review Copy). It’s a pre-publication version of a book sent to readers before the official release date. The purpose is straightforward: authors and publishers want honest reviews live on the internet by the time the book launches, so they give early access to readers who commit to reviewing.
ARCs come in several formats:
- Physical ARCs — printed copies, usually with a plain cover and “not for sale” stamped on them. Less common now, typically reserved for high-profile titles or influential reviewers.
- eARCs / DRCs — digital review copies, the most common format today. Usually delivered via PDF, ePub, or through platforms like NetGalley.
- ALCs — advance listener copies, the audiobook equivalent.
You may also hear the terms galley or uncorrected proof used interchangeably with ARC — they all refer to the same thing.
How do I become an ARC reader?
Anyone can become an ARC reader. You don’t need a large social media following, a book blog, or any credentials. What you do need is a genuine commitment to reading the book and leaving a review.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Sign up for review platforms. NetGalley and Edelweiss are the two biggest. NetGalley in particular is beginner-friendly and hosts titles from major publishers. Create a profile that clearly describes the genres you love and where you post reviews.
2. Follow authors directly. Many indie and self-published authors run their own ARC programmes. Sign up for their newsletters or follow them on social media — they often announce ARC calls there first.
3. Join bookish communities. Facebook groups, subreddits like r/Fantasy or r/RomanceBooks, and BookTok/Bookstagram communities regularly share ARC opportunities.
Wings & Words is an ARC reader community that loves to read indie authors!
4. Use dedicated ARC platforms. Beyond NetGalley, platforms like BookSirens, Booksprout, and Reedsy Discovery connect readers with authors looking for reviewers.
Where can I find ARCs?
ARC opportunities are everywhere once you know where to look:
- NetGalley — the industry standard for publisher ARCs
- Edelweiss+ — popular with independent bookstores and librarians, but open to readers
- BookSirens — good for indie authors
- Booksprout — another strong indie author platform
- Reedsy Discovery — curated indie titles
- Author newsletters — often the first place ARC calls go out
- Social media — search #ARCReaders or #ARCCall on Instagram and TikTok
- Wings & Words — an ARC reader community with lots of ARC opportunities
Do I have to leave a review?
Yes — that’s the core agreement. An ARC is given in exchange for an honest review, it’s not a chance to score a free free book. If you consistently take ARCs without reviewing, organisers will stop approving your requests and authors will remove you from their lists.
That said, life happens.
If you genuinely can’t finish a book or can’t meet the deadline, let the author or organiser know. Most will appreciate the communication and don’t punish ARC readers just because life got in the way.
Does my review have to be positive?
Absolutely not. The entire point of an ARC is to get honest feedback. A thoughtful critical review is more useful to potential readers — and more credible — than wall-to-wall five-star praise.
A good ARC review goes beyond “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it”. Aim to comment on:
- plot and pacing
- character development
- writing style
- what worked and what didn’t
- who you’d recommend it to
What you should avoid is a review that’s purely negative for personal reasons unrelated to the book’s quality — disliking a trope, for example, isn’t the same as the book being poorly written.
Can I sell or share my ARC?
Absolutely not. This is a hard rule.
ARCs are provided for review purposes only, and selling or sharing them is both unethical and potentially illegal. Physical ARCs are typically stamped “not for resale” for exactly this reason. Digital ARCs sometimes include unique watermarks or identifying information to track sharing.
Do I need to disclose that I received a free copy in my review?
In many places, yes. In the US, FTC guidelines require disclosure when you’ve received something of value in exchange for a review. In practice, most ARC readers add a simple line like “I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review” to their posts.
This is also just good practice for transparency — readers appreciate knowing where a review came from.
When should I post my review?
The short answer: as soon as possible after finishing the book, ideally before or on publication day, but this really depends on the organiser. So, follow whatever instructions of whoever you got your ARC from.
Here’s why timing matters:
- Pre-publication reviews create buzz and can drive pre-orders
- Publication-day reviews help the book’s visibility in retailer algorithms
- Post-publication reviews are still valuable but have less impact on launch momentum
If you finish well before the publication date, you can write the review and schedule it to go live on release day. Many reviewers also post to Goodreads immediately after finishing (which is fine) and then post to Amazon once the book is available for purchase.
Where should I post my review?
The more platforms, the better — but if you can only do one, prioritise Amazon and Goodreads, as these are the two sites most readers check before buying.
Other great places to post:
- StoryGraph — growing fast and popular with readers moving away from Goodreads (me among them)
- BookBub — strong visibility with readers
- Your blog — great for longer, more detailed reviews
- Instagram / TikTok — video or photo reviews are hugely valuable for discoverability
- NetGalley — if that’s where you got the ARC, always leave your review there too
How long does my review need to be?
There’s no minimum word count. A genuine, specific two-sentence review is worth more than a padded ten-paragraph one. What matters is that your review gives a potential reader something useful — a sense of the tone, the themes, who might love it, and any caveats.
On Amazon and Goodreads, even a few sentences with a star rating counts. On your blog or social media, you have more space to go deeper, and that’s where you can really build your reputation as a reviewer.
What’s the difference between an ARC and the final book?
The core story is almost always the same — major plot or character changes between ARC and final publication are rare. What you might see changed:
- typos and grammar corrections
- reworded sentences and general polishing
- minor cover updates (a blurb added, a book club sticker)
- occasionally, chapter titles or minor structural tweaks
Because of this, it’s worth mentioning in your review that you read an advance copy. This explains any minor discrepancies and is standard practice in the reviewing community. But an ARC has already been edited and is ready to be published, so the difference should be negligible.
What if I spot typos?
If you’re reading an ARC from an indie author, they often want to know about typos — it’s one of the reasons they send early copies. Many will include a note in the ARC itself asking you to flag errors.
For traditionally published ARCs from major publishers, the manuscript may still go through additional editing after the ARC stage, so typos are expected and you don’t usually need to report them.
What format will I receive my ARC in?
Most ARCs today are digital — typically ePub files sent via email, or delivered through a platform like NetGalley (which has its own reading app) or BookFunnel. Physical copies exist but are increasingly reserved for major releases or high-profile reviewers.
If format matters to you, check the listing before requesting. Some platforms let you specify your preferred e-reader so files are sent directly to your device.
A note on being a good ARC reader.
Authors and publishers notice the readers who show up consistently. If you want to keep getting early access to books you love, the best things you can do are:
- finish what you request (or communicate if you can’t)
- post your review on time — ideally around publication day
- tag the author when it’s okay to do so – check how or if the author wants to be tagged before doing this (some authors don’t want to be tagged at all, some only in 5-star reviews, some in 3-star and above reviews etc.)
- be honest — a credible reviewer is a valuable one
- let the author or organiser know when your review is live — a quick email goes a long way but check with each campaign how they want you to communicate with them
ARC reading is a genuinely wonderful corner of the book world. You get early access to stories, you support authors at a critical moment, and you become part of the publishing process. Do it with integrity and you’ll find ARC doors opening quickly.
For indie authors, ARC reviews aren’t just helpful — they’re make or break.
Unlike traditionally published authors who have marketing teams, publicist relationships, and publisher clout behind them, indie authors arrive on launch day with only what they’ve built themselves. Retailers like Amazon actively surface books that accumulate reviews quickly in their first weeks, meaning an indie title with zero reviews on launch day can effectively disappear before readers even know it exists.
Yet building an ARC team is one of the hardest things an indie author faces.
They don’t have the publisher name that gets a NetGalley request approved, the newsletter list built over a decade, or the PR budget to reach book influencers.
Many turn to Facebook groups and cold-messaging bloggers, only to send out 30 ARCs and hear back from three.
The readers who do show up consistently — who finish the book, post an honest review across platforms, and let the author know it’s live — become genuinely invaluable to an author’s career in a way that’s hard to overstate. For a debut indie author especially, a handful of reliable ARC readers can be the difference between a launch that gains traction and one that quietly fades.
If you love indie books and want to support more of them getting a chance in a crowded market place, come join the Wings & Words ARC reading community that specialises in indie authors!
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One snake bite. One moment of clarity she really didn’t ask for. Sasha Barrett has survived two years at the Praetorian Academy — turns out her captain was always going to be the most dangerous thing in the field.
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