ARC Readers—reviewers who read books before they’re published—are an important asset for any self-published author. From providing important feedback to adding a layer of credibility, they can be critical to a book’s success. 

What Are ARC Readers?

The answer is hidden in the acronym. ARC stands for advanced reader copy, which is the term for a book that is publish-ready but not available to buy just yet. ARC readers are the people who read those pre-published copies and provide last-minute feedback before the book hits shelves. Much like beta readers, ARC readers are usually unpaid, where the reward for their time is a free copy of the book.

Why Are ARC Readers Important?

ARC readers provide an essential function in both the traditional and self-publishing industries by providing insight as well as reviews and quotes for promotional use.

You’ve probably seen it before: a newly released book that somehow already has review blurbs—sometimes in the book description itself. Those come from ARC readers, and they can be critical to adding credibility to your book. It’s pretty simple: people feel more confident reading a book that someone else has vouched for. This can be especially true for indie authors, where gaining name recognition can be difficult.

But ARC readers are good for more than blurbs for your listing. Sometimes they’re the last line of defense for plot errors or story inconsistencies. By using ARC readers, authors can also capture any other errors or missteps that were missed by previous editors, beta readers, or sensitivity readers. 

ARC vs. Beta Readers

You might be thinking that ARC readers are sounding more and more like another group of publishing heroes: beta readers. However, there is a distinct difference between the two. While both ARC and beta readers provide pre-publishing feedback, they support different phases of the process. Beta readers are often engaged earlier in the process when feedback may focus on critical areas of improvement. ARC readers are brought in after the drafts and edits are done to provide feedback on the “finished” product before last-minute adjustments.

Where Do I Find ARC Readers?

A common question among self-published authors is, How the heck do I even find people to read my ARCs? Luckily, there are a couple of ways you can make this happen:

Find ARC-Focused Reading Groups

Search out ARC reading groups on social media websites like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. There is even a dedicated subreddit, r/ARCreaders, where authors can promote their work for reviews.

Use a Service

There are a number of businesses and organizations that offer ways to connect authors with advanced copy readers. Voracious Readers Only allows authors to submit applications to give twenty copies of their book to VRO’s exclusive ARC reader list. There are also sites such as NetGalley, BookSirens, and BookSprout that can connect authors and ARC readers. However, some of these options ask for compensation up front, so it’s important to consider cost as you plan.

Start a Newsletter

A newsletter, or mailing list, can be fertile ground for finding ARC readers. If someone wants to sign up for your newsletter, they’re probably interested in your writing. Don’t shy away from putting yourself out there and building a community of your own. You’ll get better support for your future work because of it.

Trade Reviews with Fellow Authors

One tried-and-true way of getting a solid ARC review is to find other authors in need of the same. Don’t hesitate to seek out writers in your genre and ask if you can swap ARC copies. They get a review, you get a review, and your network grows in the process.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose to go grassroots or pay for a service, finding ARC readers is essential to positioning yourself credibly as an author. Find the path that works best for you and run down it. But whatever you do, don’t ignore this critical step.

Looking for More?

Brush up on your self-promotion skills and get your book seen by an even wider audience by checking out our promo guide for self-published authors.

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