For avid readers, the opportunity to receive Advance Review Copies (ARCs)—pre-publication copies of books—offers early access to the latest reads while allowing you to influence the book’s success through thoughtful reviews. Getting ARCs, however, can sometimes feel overwhelming if you’re unsure of where to start or what is expected from you.
In this guide, we’ll explore where and how you can get ARCs, the requirements for different platforms, and how to develop a smart ARC-reading and reviewing strategy. Additionally, we’ll cover the importance of maintaining honesty in your reviews, even in the face of pressure, and how to handle ARCs that you don’t enjoy.
What Are ARCs?
Advance Review Copies (ARCs) are early versions of a book distributed to reviewers, bloggers, influencers, and media outlets ahead of the official release. Publishers rely on reviews to generate buzz, increase pre-orders, and build momentum before the book hits the shelves. ARCs can be provided in print or digital format and are generally available a few months prior to the release date.
Where to Get ARCs: The Best Sources for Readers
1. NetGalley
NetGalley is one of the most popular platforms for receiving digital ARCs. It’s free to join, and you can browse a wide range of genres and publishers, requesting ARCs that interest you. However, publishers often grant ARCs based on your profile and activity.
Requirements:
Follower Count: While there’s no strict follower count required, it’s highly beneficial to have a social media following or blog where you consistently post reviews. A follower count of 1,000+ on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter can increase your approval chances.
Review History: Publishers look for a history of regular, thoughtful reviews on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, or a personal blog.
Feedback Ratio: A feedback ratio of at least 80% (meaning you’ve reviewed 80% of the books you’ve received) improves your chances of future approvals. Publishers want to know you’ll follow through.
Pro Tip: Keep your profile up-to-date with links to your review platforms, and be selective with your ARC requests. Request only books you intend to read and review, as this helps maintain a strong feedback ratio.
2. Edelweiss+
Edelweiss+ is another platform similar to NetGalley, offering access to digital ARCs. It’s widely used by industry professionals like booksellers and librarians, but bloggers and influencers can also request books.
Requirements:
Follower Count: Like NetGalley, no specific follower count is required, but a strong online presence with consistent reviews is preferred.
Professional Profile: Edelweiss+ caters to industry professionals, so it helps to present yourself as a serious reviewer with a clear profile. If you have an established blog, strong social media presence, or are a frequent Goodreads reviewer, you have a higher chance of approval.
Review History: Similar to NetGalley, publishers on Edelweiss+ prioritize those with a proven track record of posting reviews across different platforms.
Pro Tip: Be clear about where you’ll post reviews—whether it’s Goodreads, Amazon, or a blog—as publishers often grant approvals based on your reach.
3. Publisher Websites
Many publishers offer direct ARC request forms on their websites. Look under the “For Reviewers” or “Contact Us” sections. These are available for both physical and digital ARCs, depending on the publisher.
Requirements:
Follower Count: Publishers often prefer reviewers with at least 1,000-2,000+ followers on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube (BookTube). They may also ask for links to past reviews.
Platform Diversity: Publishers prefer reviewers who are active on multiple platforms—blogging, Bookstagram, YouTube, and Goodreads are popular outlets for reviews.
Consistency: Regular, detailed reviews and consistent activity on your platforms significantly increase the likelihood of receiving ARCs.
Pro Tip: Smaller or indie publishers may have more lenient requirements, so reaching out to them directly can be a great way to start getting ARCs without needing a massive following.
4. Bookish Influencer Programs
Many publishers, such as HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Macmillan, run influencer programs where you can sign up to receive ARCs in exchange for social media promotion and reviews. Building a presence on platforms like Instagram (Bookstagram), TikTok (BookTok), or YouTube (BookTube) can lead to opportunities for joining these programs.
Requirements:
Follower Count: Most influencer programs require a minimum of 2,000+ followers, though the more you have, the better your chances of being selected for exclusive ARCs.
Engagement: Publishers often look at how engaged your audience is, so high engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) are just as important as follower count.
Content Quality: Consistent, high-quality content with creative book photography, engaging videos, or thoughtful captions can set you apart from other influencers.
Pro Tip: Build relationships with publishers by tagging them in your posts or participating in their social media campaigns. Consistently sharing high-quality, book-related content will help you get noticed.
5. Book Tours and Review Teams
Authors and publishers organize virtual book tours and form review teams for upcoming releases. Joining these teams gives you access to ARCs in exchange for posting reviews on your blog, social media, or Goodreads.
Requirements:
Follower Count: Many book tours and review teams look for participants with 1,000+ followers, especially on Instagram or Twitter.
Review Commitment: You’ll be expected to post a review by a specific deadline, often close to the book’s release date. Some authors also request reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
Social Media Presence: A visible and active social media presence is crucial for participating in book tours, as the goal is to generate buzz.
Pro Tip: Follow authors and book tour companies on social media to stay updated on upcoming tours. Engaging with their content and sharing your enthusiasm can improve your chances of being selected.
6. Goodreads Giveaways
Goodreads frequently hosts giveaways where readers can win physical or digital ARCs. The competition can be fierce, but it’s a great way to get free books if you’re lucky!
Requirements:
Follower Count: None required.
Active Profile: Having an active Goodreads account with regular reviews and updates can improve your chances of winning.
Engagement: Participating in Goodreads groups or interacting with authors on the platform can also help.
Pro Tip: Enter giveaways for genres you frequently review, as this increases your visibility to publishers and authors who may check your profile before awarding ARCs.
7. LibraryThing Early Reviewers
LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program offers ARCs to members in exchange for honest reviews. It’s a lesser-known platform but is great for getting started with reviewing if you’re still building your audience.
Requirements:
Follower Count: None required.
Review Commitment: You must review the ARC you receive, even if you didn’t enjoy it, to maintain eligibility for future ARCs.
Active Profile: Consistently posting reviews on LibraryThing can increase your chances of receiving more ARCs.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming blog post where we write about all of the ARC programs available in detail so you have a one-stop-shop to view all ARC programs!
Building an Effective ARC Reading and Reviewing Strategy
Once you’ve started receiving ARCs, managing your time and reviews efficiently is crucial to ensuring you keep up with deadlines and maintain your integrity as a reviewer. Here are some key strategies:
1. Set Realistic Reading Goals
It’s easy to over-commit when you're excited about getting ARCs, but requesting too many at once can lead to missed deadlines and stress. Be realistic about how many books you can read in a given time frame and limit your requests accordingly.
2. Keep Track of Deadlines
Most ARCs come with an expectation that you’ll post a review around the release date. Use a calendar or planner to track each book’s release date and your review deadlines. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling at the last minute.
3. Monitor Your Feedback Ratio
Platforms like NetGalley track your feedback ratio, which measures how many books you’ve reviewed compared to how many you’ve requested. A feedback ratio of at least 80% is ideal for getting future approvals. Make sure to submit reviews for the majority of ARCs you receive to maintain a high ratio.
4. Prioritize Honest Reviews
Publishers and authors sometimes subtly pressure reviewers to post positive reviews, but your credibility is at stake. Always provide honest, constructive feedback. If you didn’t enjoy the book, it’s okay to explain why and provide balanced, thoughtful criticism. Trust from your audience is built on authenticity.
5. Don’t Feel Obligated to Finish Every ARC
If an ARC isn’t working for you, don’t feel pressured to finish it. Instead, write a short review explaining why it didn’t resonate with you, providing feedback that could still be helpful to both the publisher and potential readers. This way, you maintain your commitment to reviewing without forcing yourself to struggle through books you aren’t enjoying.
Writing Thoughtful ARC Reviews
To maintain your reputation as a trusted reviewer and get more ARCs, make sure your reviews are meaningful and helpful to both the publisher and your readers. Here are a few tips:
Give a Summary: Start with a brief overview of the plot, without giving away spoilers.
Highlight the Positives and Negatives: Talk about what worked for you and what didn’t, whether it’s the characters, pacing, or writing style.
Consider the Book’s Audience: Mention who would enjoy the book—this helps other readers decide whether it’s right for them.
Provide Content Warnings: If the book covers sensitive topics, consider adding content warnings to your review.
To learn more about writing the perfect review, check out our blog post Crafting the Perfect Fiction Book Review for Instagram: A Comprehensive Guide.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey
Receiving and reviewing ARCs is an exciting opportunity for book lovers. With a thoughtful strategy and the right approach, you can build strong relationships with publishers, provide valuable feedback, and establish yourself as a trusted voice in the book community. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you’ll not only get free books but also contribute meaningfully to the success of authors and their stories.
Happy reading—and happy reviewing!
Are you an author? We want to talk to you! We are developing a program to not only connect you with influencers to read, review, and post about your upcoming book, but to connect you with the RIGHT influencers. No more endlessly messaging influencers who may or may not be a good fit to read your ARC, just one seamless platform to handle it all for you.
Shoot me an email at gavin[dot]smith[at]getpoln[dot]com if you're interested in boosting your pre-publication publicity efforts with influencers!