A pre-publication copy of your book sent to reviewers, bloggers, and booksellers to generate early reviews and buzz before launch.
An advance reader copy is a pre-publication edition of a book distributed to reviewers, media outlets, bookstagrammers, librarians, and booksellers before the official release date. The text is usually final or near-final, though the physical copy may lack the finished cover or include a disclaimer about minor corrections still to come. In traditional publishing, the publisher handles ARC distribution. Indie authors typically manage it themselves through services like NetGalley or BookSirens, or by sending copies directly.
Books live or die by early momentum, and advance reader copies are how you build it. A book that launches with thirty reviews on Goodreads and a handful of BookTok videos already has social proof working in its favor. A book that launches with zero reviews is asking readers to take a gamble. ARCs also help you catch any remaining errors before the final print run and give you pull quotes for marketing materials.
Galley proofs are for proofreading and catching errors. ARCs are for marketing and generating reviews. They look similar but serve completely different purposes.
Send ARCs at least six to eight weeks before your publication date. Reviewers need time to read, and you want reviews posted around launch week, not three months later.
A polite reminder a week or two before launch can significantly increase the number of reviews that actually get posted. Many readers intend to review but forget without a nudge.
Write the text for your ARC's disclaimer page (the one that says the copy is pre-publication and may contain changes). Then draft a one-paragraph pitch you'd include in the email when sending the ARC to a reviewer. Focus on what makes your book worth their time, not a plot summary. Keep it under 100 words.