Advance Reader Copy Readers - The Treasures in an Author's Tool Box.

An Advance Reader Copy (ARC) reader is an author’s friend for a book launch. You get to read the book before it is published. Then help it into the bookish wild by talking about it to friends and, most importantly, leaving a review. You are joining a loyal author support team and as such, will be truly valued. Without reviews the author goes unnoticed on Amazon. In fact, they need over fifty for Amazon to even begin to notice their book.

What on earth is an Advance Reader Copy?

• An ARC is a pre-release version of a book, shared before the official publication date.

• It can be digital (on your e‑reader, tablet, phone) or a physical copy through the post. I’m using Book Funnel to handle registering and sending out my digital ARCs.

• It’s important to note that they are usually very close to the final version, but may still have the odd typo or formatting wobble lurking in the shadows.

In other words, you’re getting a sneak peek before everyone else – like seeing the bride’s dress before the big day.

What does an ARC reader actually do?

Here’s the typical “job description”. In the spirit of Seller & Son it involves honesty and integrity. There’s no actual contract, and the author is banking on you keeping your side of the bargain. You’ll be pleased to know pyjamas are acceptable workwear, though.

• Read the book before or around launch day.

• Leave a review on at least one site (for example, Amazon or Goodreads), and ideally copy-paste that review anywhere else you use such as your preferred book shop, your blog, or in social media groups. I’m not sure if you think this is truly ethical, but if I really struggle with a book, I let the author know and don’t leave a review. I’d like them to get the feedback, but don’t want to slay them with a one star.

• Mention the book on social media if you use it. A quick post, a story, a TikTok, a photo of the book next to your tea and biscuits all count as “buzz”.

• Spread the word. “Read anything good lately?” Remember you are fulfilling a vital part in this book’s progress into the hands of many more appreciative readers.

Please note, you’re not being asked to edit, rewrite chapters, or produce a dissertation. Your main superpower is your genuine reaction as a reader.

Ready to jump in and join my ARC Team? Click here.

Simply written with useful information for potential buyers

ARC reader vs beta reader (and why that matters)

People often lump all “early readers” together, but they’re doing slightly different jobs. Here’s the sausage making process a book usually goes through:

• A zillion edits by the author until they send to the editor.

• Editor can deep-edit – that’s a dramatic sift through the whole book. Chapters, paragraphs, flow, style of writing, story content etc., you name it, it gets a good sorting. The author bounces it back and forth with his/her editor until it all looks tidy, flows and feels as right as it ever will be. (No more tweaking now!)

• When the editor has had their deep tidy up, I usually send to a beta reader for detailed feedback, such as, “this chapter drags”, “I got lost in this scene”, “I love this character, give me more of them.” Then it goes back to the editor for a final dust and polish.

• The book is now pretty much in shape. Now a proof-reader reads through for grammar, punctuation, and formatting because both the editor and the author have lost the will to live and are now word blind. In truth, the author has probably completely gone off the story and decided to write 'something better’.

• Coaxed back to the original project the author, filled with trepidation, releases it to the ARC Team. Their focus is on experiencing the story and then reviewing it, not on structural surgery – believe me, enough book (and author) blood has now been spilt, we don’t need any more.

If you find the odd escaped typo as an ARC reader, you’re welcome to mention it to the author if they’ve said they’re happy to receive notes – but your main task is not proofreading – it’s reading, reacting, and reviewing.

How the ARC reader process usually works

This is the kind of journey you can expect if you sign up as an ARC reader for a book from sarafoxauthor.com

• Sign-up

  
  

  You add your name and email to an ARC list or respond to a call for volunteers. There may be a simple form asking what format you prefer (ebook vs paperback) and where you usually leave reviews. In my case, all ARCs are digital unless a reader struggles with digital copies.

  
  

• Welcome & instruction

  
  

• You’ll get an email explaining the timeline: when you’ll receive the book, when it launches, and the ideal window for reviews. It will also include handy links (Amazon, Goodreads, etc.) so you’re not hunting around on release day.

  
  

• Receiving your copy

  • Ebook: a file or download link lands in your inbox.

  • Paperback: a physical copy turns up in the post, which you are absolutely allowed to sniff appreciatively.

    
    

• Reading time

  You read at your normal pace – this is meant to be enjoyable, not homework – keeping the suggested review date in mind. If life happens and you’re delayed, it’s perfectly fine to let the author know.

  
  

• Writing your review

  
  

  A good ARC review can be just a few sentences. Helpful bits to include:

  • What you enjoyed (characters, setting, plot, atmosphere).

  • The vibe: “cosy and heartwarming”, “gritty and tense”, “slow burn that pays off”, etc.

  • Who might like it: “Perfect if you enjoy Victorian‑era mysteries” or “Great for fans of…”.

  • Whether you are looking forward to the next in the series, or gutted because it is now over.

• 

  Very simple and you can be anonymous too

  
  

You don’t need to summarise the whole plot – the blurb already does that. Your honest reaction is what future readers care about.

• Posting your review (the important bit!)

  • Post on the main retailer (often Amazon).

  • Copy the same review to Goodreads or any other platform you use.

  • I have started to ask reviewers to use Google because I’ve linked this to my website (when I can get it to work again). That means that the reviews stay with the book and the author, no matter what drama unfolds on Amazon etc.

  • If you share on social media, you can tag the author so they can quietly squeal with delight and leave a grateful thank you, then share the living bejeezus out of it.

    
    

• Optional extras

  
  

  If you loved the book, you can:

  • Pre-order or buy a finished copy. My ARC Readers receive a signed and embossed copy.

  • Ask your library to order it in.

  • Recommend it to your book club. This is my favourite for ARC readers to do. My books are such great Book Club material, I love finding out readers’ views on events and characters.

    
    

None of these are required, but every little nudge helps a new book find its readers.

FAQs you might secretly have

“Do I have to love every book?”No. The agreement is for an honest review, not a glowing one. If it wasn’t for you, you can say so kindly and explain why – ideally in a way that helps other readers decide (“Too dark for me”, “I prefer faster-paced stories”, etc.).

“What if I don’t finish in time?”Life happens. Just drop a quick note to the author – most would rather know you’re running behind than lose you entirely. Your review is still valuable even if it appears a bit later.

“Do I need fancy photos or a huge social media following?”Not at all. If you enjoy taking photos of your reads or chatting about them online, that’s brilliant. If you’d rather quietly read and leave a straightforward review, that’s just as valuable.

If you're ready to join the gang and become one of my treasured ARC Readers, click here.

Some reviewers are pros but you don't need to compete. It's your honest view that is important.

Extra Reading for New ARC Readers

If you decide to become an ARC reader, you’re not just getting early access: you’re joining the special team which helps a story step out bravely into the world. And ideally, you get a good tale and a warm drink along the way. I often have 121 chats with ARC readers about the nitty gritty stuff – what’s true and what’s fiction, that sort of thing.

If you’re new to reviewing, here are some prompts to help get you going. You don’t have to cover everything, just pick 3 or 4 points that resonate with you. Imagine you’re writing back to the author or a friend. This is not a dissertation for your English Literature degree.

Whole book impressions

• What kind of reading experience did this feel like (cosy, intense, emotional, funny, slow-burn, fast-paced)?

• What three words would you use to describe this book?

• How did you feel when you finished it (satisfied, gutted, hopeful, thoughtful, cheated of sleep)?

  
  

Plot and pacing

• What is the book about in a couple of lines, in your own words?

• Did the story hook you quickly or take a while to get going?

• Were there any points where you found it hard to put the book down?

• Did the ending feel earned and satisfying, or rushed / too neat / too abrupt?

  
  

Characters

• Which character stuck in your mind the most, and why?

• Did any character feel especially real, relatable, or infuriating (in a good way)?

• Did you care what happened to the characters, or could you have walked away?

• Did any relationships (friendships, romances, family dynamics) feel particularly well done?

  
  

Setting and atmosphere

• What stood out to you about the setting (time period, place, atmosphere)?

• Could you clearly picture where the scenes were happening?

• Did the setting add something special to the story (mood, tension, charm, grit)?

  
  

Writing style

• How would you describe the author’s writing style (lyrical, straightforward, chatty, darkly funny)?

• Was the book easy to follow, or did you need to concentrate hard?

• Were there any lines or scenes that were especially memorable or beautifully written?

  
  

Themes and ideas

• What ideas or themes did you notice (family, grief, justice, secret romance, loving and heart-centred, second chances, found-family, class, etc.)?

• Did the book make you think about anything differently or more deeply?

• Were there moments that felt particularly powerful or thought-provoking?

  
  

What you liked (and didn’t)

• What did you enjoy most about the book (a character, twist, setting, feeling, message)?

• Was there anything that didn’t work for you, and why (too slow, confusing timeline, not enough closure)?

• Who do you think would enjoy this book (fans of a certain author/series, people who like a particular trope or era)?

  
  

Practical details

• Did the book contain anything readers might want a heads-up about i.e. violence, grief, abuse, strong language, etc? (I was recommended a pre-WW2 book to read in which there was no warning at all about the Victorian noir porn with graphic descriptions which appeared unexpectedly two-thirds of the way through the book. I would have liked a warning, as I wouldn’t have read it!)

• How did the length feel – just right, too long, or too short for the story it was telling?

  
  

Ending your review

To wrap up, you can use a prompt like:

• “Overall, I’d recommend this to readers who…”

• “This book was perfect for me because…”

• “I enjoyed this, but it will especially suit readers who don’t mind…”

Anyone can write a review, even a Border Collie, if you hold the pen for them

If you’re a fan of character-driven historical fiction come and join my ARC Team. You can sign up here and find out more about me first on my website. I give a little insight into my characters in my blog More Than Ink And Paper.

You can sign up for my newsletter here and receive a free Chapter 1 of A Legacy Forged to get you going. That link takes you to the home page. Scroll down to the bottom and enter your email address.