Getting ARCs

ARC = Advanced Review Copy or Advanced Reader Copy

Helps authors obtain reviews, helps readers read affordably while helping authors and their books succeed. Everyone wins.

Sources for finding ARCs:

Book Sirens

Pros:

• Good searching and tagging system
• Good selection of books
• Many are on Kindle Unlimited
• Connect with authors in a more direct level, as usually authors self upload
• Have found some of my favorite books and authors on the site
• Is very widely used

Cons:

• Less expensive, budget friendly option means it’s more accessible.
• More AI books found.
• Authors without knowledge of appropriate behaviors online with readers can sign up and it can be dangerous for readers. This can happen with any of the website and being online in general

go there

Hidden Gems

Pros:

• More books?

Cons:

• I haven’t found a book I enjoyed on there
• You get emailed daily rather than having the option and control of browsing. This means up to 40 separate emails from them daily.

go there

Facebook Groups

Pros

• Moderated
• Connect directly with authors
• Cool opportunities

Cons

• Have to find the right groups
• Avoid AI and spam
• Feel bad if you don’t enjoy the book due to closer connection made
• May not be accepted into Facebook group if account isn’t eligible
• May be asked to do additional labor, may have FTC violations broken, fewer regulations with a middle party website. Less protection for readers.

Net Galley

Pros

• Badges, percentage points, cool widgets, add links and more to your bio. Cool abilities with profile. Book sirens also does this well.
• Usually getting books from publishers
• Way less AI
• Really cool opportunities
• Covers are cooler
• Easier to sort through due to simplified design
• More protection for readers
• Community

Cons

• Have to get approved for many of the books. This requires a goodreads account usually.
• When you get really excited for a book and get rejected. This can happen any sure you have to request on though and you can just buy the book once it comes out.

go there

Edelweiss

Pros:

• More books from publishers (see books that are only going to librarians, bookstores, etc)
• They have a read now section
• Very wide selection

Cons:

• Website is confusing
• Only booksellers and librarians get approved for most reads
• Books are almost never formatted for e-readers
• Pricing is not accessible for independent authors

go there

PR Agencies

Pros:

• More personal
• Goody bags and physical copies sometimes but if you read out to a publisher or author you can usually try to get this anyways. If you have a large following, it’s just about connections.

Cons:

• You may be required to do more labor, breaking FTC violations. You may also be asked to post specific pictures to show your association with the agency or even change your profile picture. You might be asked to create an account on what’s app discord etc.
• Can be toxic

Social Media Searches

Pros:

• Potentially find cool books

Cons:

• Need to know where to look and get lucky.