I have previously mentioned arcs in many post.
What Are ARCs?
ARCs are pre-publication copies of books given out by publishers to generate early buzz. They’re free, but in exchange, publishers expect honest reviews, social media promotion, or feedback.
One common way to receive ARCs is by signing up for publisher newsletters. Many publishers host giveaways or send out early review copies to subscribers. If you follow up and submit a review for the books you receive, you may be selected to receive more in the future.
Additionally, if you have Amazon Prime, you can use Amazon First Reads, which allows you to choose a free pre-release book each month. However, these selections are not considered ARCs, since they are final versions intended for general early access—not for review purposes.
NetGalley
🔹 What It Is:
A platform where publishers list digital ARCs. Reviewers (bloggers, influencers, booksellers, educators, etc.) can request or auto-approve ARCs.
🔹 How to Get ARCs:
- Create a complete and professional profile:
- Include your review platforms: Goodreads, Bookstagram, BookTok, blog, YouTube, etc.
- Provide follower counts and engagement metrics.
- Mention genres you love and read regularly.
- Keep it updated!
- Start with “Read Now” titles:
- These require no approval.
- Build your feedback ratio (target: 80% or higher).
- Be selective when requesting:
- Only request what you truly want to read.
- Don’t overload your pending requests.
- Post reviews:
- Review both NetGalley ARCs and other books you’ve read.
- Link your Goodreads or blog so publishers see your track record.
- Use social:
- Share your reviews across platforms.
- Mention authors and publishers in tweets, posts, etc.
🔹 Pro Tips:
- Publishers like Tor, HarperCollins, and Berkley often review your feedback ratio, follower counts, and review quality.
- Follow publishers on NetGalley for alerts about their new titles.
- Maintain 80% review rating
Edelweiss
🔹 What It Is:
A platform for booksellers, librarians, and professionals, but reviewers can also access ARCs.
🔹 How to Get ARCs:
- Create a profile:
- Detail who you are, where you review, your audience, etc.
- Request access from publishers:
- You often need to give a reason for the request (ex: “I review on Goodreads and my blog, which gets 10K views/month”).
- Write personalized requests:
- Keep them short, polite, and relevant.
- Explore the “Review Copies” tab:
- This shows available ARCs for request.
- Leave reviews directly on Edelweiss:
- Boosts your credibility on the platform.
🔹 Pro Tips:
- Use Edelweiss for access to big 5 publishers (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, etc.).
- Unlike NetGalley, it’s more manual and gate-kept, so build trust slowly.
Goodreads Giveaways
🔹 What It Is:
Publishers and authors run giveaways to promote books—often for both ARCs and finished copies.
🔹 How to Get ARCs:
- Enter giveaways regularly:
- Especially ones that offer multiple copies.
- Optimize your Goodreads profile:
- Show you’re an active reviewer.
- Add all your social links (Instagram, blog, etc.).
- Write high-quality reviews:
- Detailed, honest, and insightful reviews make you stand out.
- Mark books as “To Read” before entering:
- Helps your visibility in the Goodreads algorithm.
🔹 Pro Tips:
- If you win, leave a review to increase chances of future wins.
- Add the book to your TBR list on Goodreads when you request it
Direct from Publishers or Authors
🔹 How to Request ARCs:
- Find the right contact:
- Visit publisher websites under “Contact Us” or “Publicity” or “Press”.
- Look for Publicists for specific imprints (ex: Tor Teen vs Tor).
- Email a professional pitch:
- Include:
- Who you are (brief bio)
- What platforms you use (with stats)
- Why you’re interested in the book
- Your mailing address if requesting physical ARCs
- Include:
- Use your platform to build relationships:
- Tag publishers/authors in reviews.
- Consistently support their books online.
- Join Publisher Influencer Programs:
- Examples:
- Simon & Schuster’s Bookstagrammer/Reviewer Program
- Penguin Teen Influencer List
- Wednesday Books Street Team
- Sign up for publisher newsletters—they often recruit there!
- Examples:
🔹 Pro Tips:
- Keep it short, professional, and polite.
- Don’t request books if you aren’t confident you’ll review them.
Social Media ARC Programs & Opportunities
🔹 Where to Find Them:
- Twitter/X: Use hashtags like
#ARCreview,#ARCrequest,#bookish,#BookTwitter. - Instagram: Follow publishers and authors; they sometimes post ARC calls in stories or captions.
- TikTok: Publishers run ARC giveaways for book influencers.
- Discords/Reddit:
- Bookish communities like r/YAlit, r/books, or ARC-specific Discords often post opportunities.
Indie & Self-Published Authors
Many indie authors are eager for reviews and will provide ARCs happily in exchange for honest feedback.
🔹 Where to Connect:
- BookSirens (platform for indie ARCs)
- StoryOrigin (used by indie authors)
- Direct outreach via Instagram, Twitter, or email
🧠 Tips to Improve Your ARC Approval Odds
| Tip | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Keep a high feedback ratio | Especially important on NetGalley (80%+ ideal) |
| Post honest, thoughtful reviews | Publishers value quality over glowing praise |
| Share across platforms | More exposure = more value to publishers |
| Don’t request too many at once | Helps keep your ratio and reputation solid |
| Be consistent | Regular reviews and bookish content help you stand out |
| Engage with the book community | Builds your credibility and visibility |
Other ways to obtain arcs
BookSirens
🔹 Best for: Indie authors & small publishers
🔹 Free or pay-per-book if new reviewer
Tips:
- Reviews must be submitted within a deadline.
- You’ll be suspended if you don’t review, so be selective.
- The algorithm shows you books based on genres and review speed.
Link: www.booksirens.com
5. StoryOrigin
🔹 Best for: Indie authors, newsletter swaps, beta reading
🔹 Often used for ARC teams and launch support
Tips:
- Join mailing lists for early offers.
- Offer reviews on multiple platforms.
Link: www.storyoriginapp.com
BookSprout
🔹 Best for: Romance, fantasy, indie
🔹 Some titles free, some paid tiers
Tips:
- You’ll be given a due date for reviews.
- Multiple platforms required (Amazon, Goodreads, etc.).
- Strike a balance — too many late reviews can get you blocked.
Link: www.booksprout.co
LibraryThing Early Reviewers
🔹 Best for: Physical & digital ARCs
🔹 Smaller community, good for literary fiction
🔹 Monthly batch system
Tips:
- More likely to be selected if you’ve reviewed past books.
- Include your genre preferences in your profile.
Link: www.librarything.com/earlyreviewers
The Library Review Programs
If you’re a librarian or library worker:
- ALA Booklist ARC Program
- LibraryReads
- Shelf Awareness Pro Edition
These offer physical or digital ARCs for collection development and recommendation.
Publisher ARC Mailing Lists / Street Teams
Many publishers have reviewer programs, especially for YA, romance, and speculative fiction.
Examples:
| Publisher | How to Join |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Books | Newsletter sign-up, IG stories |
| Penguin Teen | Apply via their influencer form |
| Sourcebooks Fire | Look for outreach via NetGalley |
| Tor Books | Sign up for their mailing list, reply to ARC calls |
| Harlequin | Regularly posts ARC team invites on social |
| Entangled Teen | Street team recruitment is public via their blog |
Tip: Always be checking publisher newsletters, social media, and posts tagged #ARCreview, #BookMail, #ReviewTeam.
Facebook ARC & Review Groups
There are MANY active book ARC groups where authors recruit reviewers. Look for:
- 📘 “Young Adult ARC Team”
- 📘 “Romance ARC & Review Crew”
- 📘 “Author & Reader ARC Exchange”
Search:
- “ARC Reviewers Wanted”
- “Beta readers & ARC requests”
Reedsy Discovery (For Reviewers)
🔹 Best for: Professional indie reviews
🔹 You get early access to books, and reviews are featured
Link: https://reedsy.com/discovery
12. Amazon Vine (Invite-Only)
🔹 Best for: Top Amazon reviewers
🔹 You must be an active reviewer to be invited
Tips:
- Review consistently on Amazon (not just books)
- Use your real name and photo to increase credibility
✍️ Review Tips That Make You Stand Out
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Use a consistent review format | Builds trust, readers know what to expect |
| Mention tropes, pacing, and tone | Helps match the book to the right readers |
| Be honest but professional | Don’t bash books; explain why it didn’t work for you |
| Include quotes or content warnings | Adds depth and value |
| Cross-post everywhere | Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, TikTok, StoryGraph, blog |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Requesting too many books at once and not reviewing
- Posting vague reviews like “I liked it”
- Not disclosing it was an ARC (FTC requires disclosure)
- Ignoring publisher due dates (especially with indie authors)
Building Credibility as a Reviewer
- Create a reviewer hub: Blog, Linktree, or Bookstagram
- Build consistent branding: Same name across platforms
- Engage with the book community: Comment, like, follow authors
- Post regularly: Keep your feed active
- Highlight past collaborations: It builds trust with new publishers
Avoid Getting “Blacklisted”
- Don’t request books you can’t review.
- Don’t ghost on physical ARCs (expensive to ship).
- Be polite in emails (even if rejected).
- Don’t badmouth publishers/authors on social (critique the book, not the people).
- Never sell ARCs (serious offense).
⭐ ARC REVIEW TEMPLATE:
Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Release Date:
Format: ARC (Digital/Print) from [Source]
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Genre:
Tropes/Keywords:
Review:
Start with a personal reaction, then expand on the writing, pacing, characters, worldbuilding, etc. Include 1-2 quotes (no spoilers).
Would I recommend it?
Yes, to fans of [similar titles/authors/themes].
Where I shared this review:
Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | TikTok | Blog
ARC Etiquette: A Note on Reviewing Advance Reader Copies
Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) are pre-publication versions of books, often distributed for early review or promotional purposes. These copies are not final and may contain typos, formatting issues, or content that changes before the official release.
Because of this, reviewers should:
- Avoid quoting directly from the ARC unless confirmed with the final copy.
- Refrain from criticizing minor typos or formatting issues, as these are often corrected before publication.
- Do not share or distribute the ARC publicly, including screenshots or full excerpts.
- Be mindful that the final book may differ in pacing, content, or structure.
Most importantly, don’t mention in your review that the book had typos or was “unfinished” — unless those issues significantly affect your ability to follow or understand the story.
✅ Pro Tip:
Always include a note in your review (usually at the top or bottom) like:
“I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.”
This keeps things transparent and compliant with FTC guidelines.