What Is an ARC Book? How to Send Advance Reader Copies and Get Honest Reviews

An ARC (advance reader copy, also called an advance review copy) is a free copy of your book that you send to readers before publication, so they can read it and post honest reviews when it goes on sale. For a self-published author it's usually an ebook file or a printed proof, sent four to eight weeks before launch. Amazon allows reviews from ARC readers, as long as you don't require a review or try to steer what they say.

Key takeaways#

• ARC stands for advance reader copy (or advance review copy). Galley, proof and advance reading edition mean much the same thing.
• The point is simple: real, honest reviews on your book page in launch week, plus a last check from fresh eyes.
• Amazon's rules allow reviews of free advance copies, but you can't make the copy conditional on a review, ask for a good one, or add any other reward.
• An ebook ARC is the cheapest and fastest. Printed proofs from KDP are slower and cost more, so save them for reviewers who matter most.
• Send an edited, near-final copy. Typos in an ARC tend to end up in the reviews.

What does ARC stand for?#

ARC is short for advance reader copy or advance review copy. Both are used and both mean the same thing. You'll also see ARE (advance reading edition), galley and proof copy.

In traditional publishing, ARCs are printed months ahead and sent to booksellers, librarians, critics and reviewers. They're often marked "uncorrected proof" because the final proofread hasn't happened yet.

Self-publishing works differently. Your ARC readers are mostly ordinary readers who will post reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and social media. They judge the book as they find it, so the safest ARC is the edited, formatted version you plan to publish, with the cover in place.

Why self-published authors send ARCs#

A new book with no reviews is a hard sell. Shoppers look at reviews before they buy, and a blank page gives them nothing to go on. ARCs are the honest way to fix that: people who have actually read the book can review it in launch week.

ARCs also do two quieter jobs:

• A final check. A dozen fresh readers will spot the confusing timeline, the character whose name changes, the missing word on page 212.
• Early word of mouth. ARC readers who enjoy the book often tell friends, post about it and become your launch team for the next one.

What ARCs can't do is guarantee anything. Some readers won't finish, some won't review, and some reviews will be lukewarm. That's normal, and it's what makes the good ones believable.

Are ARCs allowed on Amazon?#

Yes. Amazon's Community Guidelines (as of November 2026) say it's OK to review a free or discounted book received from an author or publisher, as an advance reader copy, but "they can't require a review in exchange or try to influence the review." You can read the full wording in Amazon's Community Guidelines.

In plain English, that means:

• No strings. The copy is a gift. Don't say "I'll send it if you promise to review."
• No steering. Don't ask for five stars, and don't say "only review if you liked it." Inviting only the happy readers to post is still influencing the result.
• Nothing extra. Amazon lists cash, discounts, free products, gift cards and refunds as compensation. The exception covers the free or discounted book only, so no gift cards, prize draws for reviewers or bonus goodies.
• No friends or family. Amazon removes reviews from relatives, friends and business associates of the author. Send them a copy by all means, but don't ask them to review it on Amazon.
• No review swaps. A review traded for a review is exactly the kind of exchange the rules are there to stop.

One practical catch: on Amazon.co.uk, a reader must have spent at least £40 on the site with a valid card in the past 12 months before they can review at all, and promotional discounts don't count. Other Amazon stores set their own rules, so a keen reader may still be unable to post.

Should ARC readers say they got a free copy?

Yes, ask them to. In the UK, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act banned fake reviews and reviews that hide an incentive from 6 April 2025. The CMA's guidance counts free products as an incentive and says incentivised reviews must be clearly labelled. In the US, the FTC's Endorsement Guides treat a free product as a connection that reviewers should disclose.

The easy fix is one line at the end of each review, something like: "I received a free advance copy from the author." Put that line in your ARC email so readers can copy it. (This is general guidance, not legal advice.)

How to make an ARC#

You have two formats to choose from, and most authors use both.

An ebook ARC

This is the workhorse. Send an EPUB, which works on most e-readers and reading apps, and a PDF for anyone reading on a laptop. Many authors use a delivery service such as BookFunnel, which handles getting the file onto each reader's device and saves you a lot of "it won't open" emails.

An ebook ARC costs little or nothing to send, reaches readers anywhere in the world in minutes, and is easy to update if you fix something late.

A printed ARC

Some reviewers, bloggers and local press prefer paper. If you publish through Amazon KDP, you can order proof copies before the book is live. According to KDP's help page on proof copies (as of November 2026):

• You approve the book in Print Previewer first, then order proofs while it's still in Draft.
• You can order up to 5 proofs per order.
• KDP emails you a link within 4 hours, and you have 24 hours to complete the purchase.
• You can send proofs straight to reviewers' addresses at checkout.

You pay the print cost and postage on every copy, so keep printed ARCs for the readers most likely to reach other readers.

What to put inside your ARC

• An ARC notice page at the front: "Advance reader copy. Not for sale. Please don't share this file." Add your publication date and where you'd love an honest review.
• The edited text. Reviewers are readers, not proofreaders. If you haven't had a professional pass yet, our guide to what a copy editor fixes shows what readers will otherwise notice for you.
• The cover and blurb. A finished cover makes the ARC feel real and gives reviewers an image to post. If your blurb still needs work, see how to write a book blurb.
• A short thank-you page at the back with the release date and how to reach you.

Where to find ARC readers#

Start close to home and work outwards.

1. 1Your own readers. People on your mailing list or who follow you already like your work. Invite them first.
2. 2Reviewers of similar books. Book bloggers, Bookstagram and BookTok reviewers who cover your genre. Read their review policy before you pitch, and send a short, personal email, not a mass mailing.
3. 3Goodreads groups. There are groups set up for authors to offer ARCs and for readers to find them. Read each group's rules first.
4. 4Review platforms. NetGalley has long been used by publishers to offer digital review copies to reviewers, librarians and booksellers. BookSirens connects authors with readers who want early copies. Both charge authors, so check their current fees and terms on their own sites.
5. 5Local connections. Your library, a book club, a local paper or a bookshop that hosts events.

Steer clear of anyone selling "guaranteed reviews" and of groups that trade reviews between authors. Both break Amazon's rules, and reviews posted that way can be removed.

How to ask: wording you can copy#

Keep it short, friendly and free of strings. Something like:

Hi Sam, my new novel The Salt House comes out on 14 March. I'd love to send you a free advance copy. There's no obligation at all. If you do read it, an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads in launch week would help a great deal, good or bad. If you post one, please add a line saying you received a free copy from the author. Shall I send the ebook?

Notice what it doesn't say: no "if you enjoyed it", no star rating, no reward.

When to send ARCs: a simple timeline#

• 8 to 10 weeks before launch: final edit done, ARC file built, start inviting readers.
• 4 to 6 weeks before: send the ARCs. That gives a busy reader time to finish.
• 1 week before: one friendly reminder with the release date.
• Launch day: send the link to your book page. Make sure your Amazon author page is set up so readers can find all your books.
• 2 weeks after: say thank you. One gentle follow-up at most, then let it go.

Our book launch checklist shows where ARCs fit alongside your cover, pricing and launch-week jobs.

Common ARC mistakes#

• Sending a rough draft. The reviews will mention the typos.
• Asking only fans to review. It breaks the spirit of Amazon's rules and makes your reviews less believable.
• Sending too late. Two weeks before launch is rarely enough for most readers.
• Chasing too hard. A reader who feels pressured is less likely to review, not more.
• Not keeping track. A simple spreadsheet of who got a copy, in which format, and whether they reviewed saves a lot of guesswork next time.
• Expecting everyone to review. Plenty won't. Invite more readers than the number of reviews you hope for.

How many ARC readers should a first-time author aim for?

Shaheer Ahmed

Advertising Strategist at HMD Publishing

Expert answer

Aim for a small group of readers who genuinely read your genre, rather than a big list of strangers. Twenty readers who love cosy mysteries are worth more than a hundred who signed up for any free book. Expect that some won't finish or won't post, so...

Read full answer

Shaheer Ahmed is available at HMD Publishing

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Getting your book ARC-ready#

An ARC is only as good as the book inside it. If you'd like a second pair of eyes before readers see it, start with a free sample edit of up to 1,000 words, returned normally within 24 to 48 hours, with no obligation.

If finding and managing ARC readers is the part you'd rather hand over, our Review Management service handles reviewer outreach within Amazon's policies. Review Builder is £197 ($249) for a 4-week ARC campaign with 10+ targeted reviewers. Nobody can promise reviews, and we don't.