Melanie Rockett

Marketing and Publicity for Authors and Publishers

ARC or Advance Reader Copy Book Reviews: What, Who, Where and HOW

by 5 Comments

ARC reviews can help you sell and promote your books. This is HOW to get them.

What is an ARC or Advance Reader Copy?

An ARC, or Advance Reader Copy, is an early, pre-publication version of a book that is produced by a publisher and distributed to a limited number of readers, often prior to the official release date of the book.  ARCs are typically used to obtain reviews and to generate buzz and publicity for a forthcoming book.
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ARCs may differ from the final published version of the book in a number of ways, including cover design, formatting, and even content, as changes may be made between the ARC and final versions of the book based on feedback received from early readers.

ARCs can help self-publishers get their book in front of more people and increase their chances of building a loyal fanbase. They can also be used to generate early reviews (and feedback), which can help boost sales and visibility on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads.

Self-publishers should make sure their book is as polished as possible before sending out ARCs, as negative feedback could harm their reputation and potentially damage sales.

 

How To Distribute ARCs

Self-publishers can distribute or send out ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) by:

  1. Sending out digital copies: Self-publishers can send out digital ARCs in formats like PDF or EPUB via email or file-sharing platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive.  The biggest challenge of sending out digital ARCs is in protecting the content of your book.  NEVER send docs and be very careful about who you send digital ARCs to.  Several of the services below help authors distribute ARCs safely.  Some of them do this for FREE.
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  2. Printing physical copies: Self-publishers can print physical ARCs using print-on-demand services like Amazon’s CreateSpace or IngramSpark, which will print and ship copies to reviewers and other potential readers. This can end up being a very expensive option especially when you take the percentage of reviews you will get (yes, even with a FREE paper copy).

ARC Services

ARC services make the whole process of sending out ARCS and getting reviews easier.  The service providers normally have a large (or huge) audience of readers who love to get free books and write reviews.

Some ARC services thoroughly vet their readers to make sure they are not just grabbing free books and never writing a review.  Some services allow authors and publishers to review each potential reader in order to pick and choose the readers they want to send their books to.

Some services allow you to contact your reviewers and collect their emails. This can be a big plus in helping you develop promotion lists.

Carefully review exactly what an ARC service offers, including whether readers are monitored. Check to see if statistics of any kind are provided and of course make sure that the services fit within your budget.   There ARE budget choices of all kinds from a $20 one book service to more comprehensive services starting at $450 or more.

 

BookSirens is an ARC book review service that offers authors an opportunity to get their books reviewed by a wide range of readers from around the world. Authors can choose from a variety of packages that include both physical and digital ARC copies, as well as access to the BookSirens Reviewer Network. The network includes over 20,000 active reviewers, and authors can request specific genres or locations for their reviews. They also have the option to share their ARC copies on social media, or to use  promotional tools to boost their reach. Authors can also track their reviews in real time with their BookSirens dashboard.   FREE ARC distribution service available.
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This is one of the services I highly recommend because for the most part … the reviews are excellent!  And the price is MORE than attractive.   Read my BookSirens Review here.
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StoryOrigin.  While this site does not have tens of thousands of “vetted” reviewers, it DOES have some really interesting and unique services.  The basic service is $9 a month and includes all books under one pen-name.  One of the most unique services is an author e-mail swap … which will help you rapidly build your list.  FREE ARC distribution service.
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BookSprout – Booksprout is a great way for authors to spend more time writing and less time organizing and administering ARCs.   Build your own ARC team.  Prices start at $9 per month for one book.
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Voracious Readers Only – Voracious Readers Only is dedicated to helping readers discover new authors AND to help authors find readers who will love their work, write reviews, and help them build word of mouth.
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Hidden Gems Books – a service that helps authors find reviewers for their ARCs in a wide range of genres.
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ProlificWorks – is a service that will help you build your contact list and reach out to new readers.  Readers can find you through their recommendation engine, newsletter features, and social media accounts.  Prices are on the high side from limited free services to $20/month and $50/month services.
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NetGalley – a popular platform for publishers to distribute digital ARCs to reviewers, bloggers, librarians, and media professionals.  Many mainstream publishers use NetGalley and the prices involved (per book) reflect that.  Check it out if you have a good solid main stream title. If you are a first time self-publisher there are easier and less costly choices.
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Need even MORE Reviews?
Check out  7 Ways To Get Those All Important Reviews For Your Kindle Book

 

 

 

Comments

  2. Hi Melanie,

    You have provided a great platform for both Authors and Readers alike.
    Coming in contact with you via Fiverr was one of the great opportunities I ever had on that platform.

    I have sent my eBooks for reviews to BookSirens, and looking forward to contacting more platforms.

    I look forward to great feedback from them for my ARC.

    Thanks so much. Keep in touch.

    Johnson J. Kongor
    (Romance Stories Author, amazon)

  4. Hi Melanie,
    I have worked for a long time to edit and correct my books since June 2023. But I may still have to do more. What a mess. Since I focus on working out those mistakes, not all, I will do those later, 2 or 3, as three were unpublished.
    I keep thinking of these articles but need help finding them.

    I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been working hard on editing and correcting my books since June 2023, but it seems like there’s still more work to be done. It can be frustrating, but I’m trying to focus on fixing the most important mistakes first. There are two or three unpublished books that I’ll get to later.

    I’ve been thinking a lot about your articles lately, but I’m having trouble finding them in the archive. You’re the only one I can seem to locate. I think you could really help me out with your expertise.

    I recently read an article by Jonhson J. Kongor, and he had nothing but great things to say about your work and the platform you use. I’ve signed up for WordPress.com and bought three sites, which I’ve also linked to on social media. However, I’m struggling with writing reviews for my books. I know you were right when you said that my initial drafts may not be good enough. I just need to take the time to read over them again and let the ideas sink in.

    Thanks for your help, and I hope to hear from you soon.

    Best regards,
    Roselyn Van Dyk

  5. Hi Roselyn, As you have discovered, writing is an ongoing process. AND book marketing is a huge learning curve and a never ending process. You have stepped up your game, just by making those realizations.

    Keep on going! ~Melanie

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