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How to become an ARC reader: free books before they're out

By R. S. Breed · Updated

An ARC, or advance review copy, is a free copy of a book that its author gives to readers before it comes out. You get to read it first. The author gets early readers, honest feedback, and, if you'd like to write one, a review ready for launch day.

Anyone who loves reading can be an ARC reader. You don't need a blog, a following, or a publishing job.

What you get, and what authors hope for

You get the book, free, before anyone else.

In return, authors hope you'll read it and tell them what you thought. Many would love an honest review once it's out. That's a hope, not a condition: Amazon's rules say authors can give free copies to readers "as long as you do not require a review in exchange or attempt to influence the review." Amazon's community guidelines also say readers can review free advance copies from authors or publishers, and that the author can't require a review or try to influence your opinion.

So: read it, be honest, and review it if you want to. A fair three-star review that says who the book suits can help other readers more than a vague five.

If you do review it, say you had a free advance copy. It's good practice, and it helps other readers weigh what you say. On Bervet, reviews from advance-copy readers are labelled "Got a free or advance copy" automatically.

Where to find advance copies

On Bervet, free

Bervet's free advance copies page lists books authors are giving away before release. You read them in your browser, on any device, and it keeps your place. There's nothing to install.

Some authors let you straight in; others choose their readers, and you'll get an email if you're in. Either way it's free, and there's a quick reaction at the end of each chapter if you want to tell the author what you think as you go.

Straight from authors

Author newsletters are one of the first places authors offer advance copies. If you love an author, join their list, and you'll hear about the next book early. On Bervet, following an author gets you an email when they list a new book or open an advance copy.

Social media and reader groups. Authors often post invitations on their own accounts and in genre reader groups on Facebook.

Other services

  • NetGalley is free for members. It says anyone who is "a reviewer, blogger, librarian, bookseller, educator, journalist or other member of the media" can use it "for free to request, read, and recommend books before they are published." Publishers approve requests, and it says they "tend to approve requests from members who have a history of providing feedback for books they've accessed, and who can demonstrate their reach." So it can take a while to get approved when you're new.
  • BookSirens is free for readers too. You download the book to your device. Once you've read it, BookSirens asks you to "leave an honest review (or 'did not finish')" on BookSirens, and to copy your review to the author's chosen site once the book is out.

How to become the reader authors say yes to

  • Pick books you'd choose anyway. Ask for advance copies in genres you already love. You'll enjoy them more, and your feedback will be more useful.
  • Say a line about yourself when you ask, if there's space: what you like to read, or why this one caught your eye.
  • Finish what you start, or say why you stopped. Authors learn as much from "I stopped at chapter six because it slowed down" as from a finished read. On Bervet you can say you're not going to finish and why, in one tap.
  • Only take what you'll read. It's better to finish two than to start ten.
  • Keep it to yourself. An advance copy is for you. Don't share or copy it; every Bervet advance copy carries a hidden mark, so a leak can be traced to the reader it was shown to.

Start here

Browse free advance copies, and join Bervet free to ask for a place. Pick your favourite genres and switch on the weekly email, and new advance copies in those genres come to you.

Sources

Platforms change their rules often. If something here is out of date, tell us in the forum and we'll fix it.

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