ARC
Also known as Advance reader copy · Advance review copy · Galley · Proof
An ARC is an advance reader copy, an early version of a book sent out before release so reviewers can read it and spread the word.
Publishers send ARCs to reviewers, booksellers, librarians and journalists months before a book comes out, so there are reviews and buzz ready for release day. They’re usually uncorrected proofs. Typos, missing art and placeholder covers are normal, and the text can still change before the final version.
These days most ARCs are digital. Readers request them through sites like NetGalley and Edelweiss, and the publisher approves or declines. Printed copies mostly go to people in the industry, or to readers with a following, often through an author’s street team.
There are a few ground rules. Mention in your review that you got an ARC. Don’t quote the text as if it’s final, because it might not be. Stick to any embargo date you agreed to. And don’t sell it. ARCs are marked “not for resale”, and selling one is a quick way to stop getting them.
ARC: common questions
How do you get ARCs?
Most people start with NetGalley or Edelweiss. You set up a reviewer profile and request books. Publishers look at your review history and reach, and reviewing reliably and on time counts for more than follower numbers.
Do you have to review an ARC?
You’re expected to, and your approval rate depends on it. It doesn’t have to be a positive review, though. Publishers want honest ones.
Can you sell an ARC?
No. ARCs are marked not for resale, and selling one breaks the terms you agreed to when you got it.