What Is an ARC? Advance Reader Copies Explained (for Readers and Authors)

What is an ARC? In books, an ARC is an advance reader copy (sometimes called an advance review copy): a free copy of a book that goes out to readers before it’s published, so they can read it early and share an honest review when it comes out.

That’s the one-line answer. But if you’ve seen “ARC” pop up on Goodreads, BookTok or an author’s newsletter and wondered how people actually get them, what’s expected in return, and whether there’s a catch, read on. I’m Jenny, a nonfiction author with around 50 books published since 2012, and I’ve been on the sending side of ARCs for a long time. I also run AuthorWing ARC Readers, a free ARC club for nonfiction, so I’ll explain both sides: what ARCs mean for readers, and how authors use them.

ARC meaning: the short version

• ARC stands for advance reader copy, or advance review copy. Both mean the same thing.
• It’s free. Readers don’t pay for ARCs.
• It comes before publication, usually a few weeks to a few months early.
• The idea is an honest review around launch time. Not a good review: an honest one.
• Most ARCs today are ebooks, often called eARCs. Big publishers still print some paper copies for bookshops, libraries and press.

ARC vs galley vs proof vs eARC

You’ll see a few different words thrown around. They overlap a lot, and people often use them interchangeably (PublishDrive), but here’s roughly what each one means:

Term	What it usually means
ARC	An early copy sent to readers and reviewers before publication
eARC	An ARC as an ebook file (EPUB or PDF) or a private download link
Galley	Originally an early typeset version used for proofreading; today often just another word for an ARC
Uncorrected proof	A label printed on many ARCs, warning that the text hasn’t had its final edit
Proof copy	A test print the author or publisher orders to check the physical book

Why do authors give away ARCs?

Because reviews sell books, and a brand new book has none. Imagine you’re on Amazon looking at two books on the same topic. One has 30 reviews, the other has zero. Most people buy the first one, even if the second is better. ARCs fix that problem: if readers get the book a few weeks early, their reviews can be there in launch week, when the author is doing all their promotion.

There are other reasons too:

• Early feedback. ARC readers often spot the odd typo or confusing bit that everyone else missed.
• Word of mouth. A reader who loved a book tells friends, posts about it, or recommends it in a Facebook group.
• Getting into libraries and schools. Librarians and teachers who read an ARC may order the finished book.

What does an ARC look like?

An ARC is usually very close to the finished book, but not always identical. It might still have a few typos, a temporary cover, or a note at the front saying it’s an uncorrected proof and not for sale. Many eARCs are also watermarked or personally stamped with the reader’s name or email, so the author knows each copy went to a real person. On AuthorWing, for example, every copy has the reader’s email and a tracking code printed in it.

For nonfiction, there’s one more thing: facts and figures in an ARC can still change before the final version. If a statistic looks off, it’s worth mentioning to the author.

Who gets ARCs?

In traditional publishing, ARCs go to professional reviewers, journalists, booksellers, librarians and influencers (PublishDrive). That’s still true, but these days a huge number of ARCs go to ordinary readers, especially from independent authors. You don’t need to be a famous book blogger. You need to like reading in a particular area and be willing to share your honest opinion afterwards.

In my experience, the best ARC readers for nonfiction are often:

• Teachers, homeschooling parents and librarians, especially for children’s nonfiction
• People who know the subject, like a keen gardener reading a gardening book
• Regular Amazon and Goodreads reviewers who enjoy writing about what they read
• Curious people who just love learning something new

When do ARCs go out?

It depends on who they’re for. A typical pattern looks like this (PublishDrive):

Before publication	Who usually gets ARCs
3 to 6 months	Trade reviewers, major media, librarians, booksellers
6 to 12 weeks	Bloggers, podcasters, online reviewers, book clubs
2 to 6 weeks	Launch teams, existing readers, social media creators

Most independent authors are in that last group, sending ARCs four to six weeks before launch. That’s what we aim for on AuthorWing too.

How to get ARCs as a reader

If you like the sound of free books before anyone else, here are the main ways in:

1. ARC sites. Sign up, pick what you like to read, and claim books. For nonfiction, AuthorWing ARC Readers lets you choose topics like history, science, animals, health, business and children’s nonfiction. Fiction readers have more choice, including NetGalley and BookSirens.
2. Author newsletters. Lots of authors offer ARCs to their mailing list first. If you love an author, sign up.
3. Goodreads groups. Many groups run “read and review” programmes (Reedsy).
4. Asking directly. Some authors and small publishers are happy to send a copy if you ask politely and show you’ve reviewed similar books.

A tip that makes a big difference: write a few reviews of books you already own, on Amazon or Goodreads, before you apply anywhere. Authors and ARC sites look at your reviewer profile, and a handful of thoughtful reviews makes you much more likely to be approved.

What’s expected from ARC readers?

Not much, honestly. But the few things that are expected really matter:

• Only claim books you’ll actually read. Every ARC is one less copy for someone else.
• Leave an honest review if you can, ideally within a few weeks. Three thoughtful stars are worth more than five vague ones.
• Say you got a free copy. A simple line like “I received a free advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily” does it.
• Don’t share or sell the file. It’s the author’s work and income.
• If it’s not for you, say so. On AuthorWing you can release a book in the first 7 days so someone else can have it.

One practical thing: on Amazon, you can usually only post a review once the book is actually out. Goodreads lets you review earlier. So if you finish an ARC before launch, note down your thoughts and post on Amazon when the page goes live.

Is being an ARC reader worth it?

For the right person, absolutely. You get free books, often on subjects you’d have bought anyway, and you read them before anyone else. Authors genuinely read and appreciate your reviews, and a thoughtful one can make a real difference to a small author’s launch.

The honest trade-off is time. If you claim more books than you can read, it starts to feel like homework. My advice is to start with one or two books in topics you already love, see how it fits into your life, and build up from there. That’s also why AuthorWing only lets readers have two books open at a time: it keeps reading fun rather than a chore.

Are ARCs allowed on Amazon?

Yes. Giving readers free copies of a book is allowed. What Amazon doesn’t allow is requiring a review, telling people what to say, paying or rewarding them for it, or getting reviews from close friends and family (summary of Amazon’s wording). That’s why a good ARC never comes with a “you must leave five stars” condition, and why “get paid to review books” offers are best avoided. Amazon’s own Community Guidelines have the full details.

For authors: how ARCs work for nonfiction

If you’re on the author side, ARCs work a little differently for nonfiction. Fiction readers read a whole genre; nonfiction readers read a topic. So the trick is getting your book in front of readers who already love your subject, rather than the biggest list you can find. I’ve compared the main options in my guide to the best ARC sites for nonfiction books, and written about whether BookSirens works for nonfiction and how Pubby compares.

ARC questions people ask

Are ARCs free?

Yes. A real ARC never costs the reader anything. If someone asks you to pay for an “ARC”, it isn’t one.

Do I have to leave a review?

Reviews are always voluntary; Amazon doesn’t allow authors to require them. That said, the whole point is to share your honest opinion, so most ARC programmes, AuthorWing included, prefer readers who review most of what they claim.

Can I sell or give away an ARC?

No. ARCs are not for resale, and ebook ARCs shouldn’t be shared. If you want to pass a book on, recommend it instead.

What does eARC mean?

An eARC is an electronic advance reader copy: an ebook version (usually EPUB or PDF) instead of a printed one. It works on Kindle, phones, tablets and e-readers.

Are ARCs only for novels?

Not at all. Nonfiction authors use ARCs too, from history and science to self-help, business and children’s books. It’s just harder to find nonfiction ARCs, which is exactly why I started AuthorWing ARC Readers.