An ARC (advance reader copy) campaign sends free pre-release copies of your book to selected readers who agree to post honest reviews around launch day. To set one up for your self-published book, you need to build an ARC team, prepare a clean review copy, distribute it through a platform like BookFunnel or StoryOrigin, time your Goodreads listing and retailer pre-order correctly, and follow up with readers after launch. The entire process typically starts four to six weeks before your publication date.
What Is an ARC and Why Does It Matter for Launch Day?
An advance reader copy is a pre-publication version of your book sent to readers before the official release date. The goal is to have honest reviews posted on Amazon, Goodreads, and other retail sites within the first few days of launch. Books that launch with reviews tend to convert better in search results because potential buyers use review count as a trust signal when deciding whether to purchase from an unfamiliar author.
ARCs are not the same as beta readers. Beta readers provide feedback on your manuscript during the editing process; ARC readers receive a finished (or near-finished) book and commit to posting a public review. Some authors use their beta readers as the starting core of an ARC team, but the two roles serve different purposes at different stages.
The term “advance reader copy” is standard across traditional and independent publishing. You may also see it written as “advance review copy.” Both refer to the same thing.
How Do You Build an ARC Team from Scratch?
Your ARC team is the group of readers who receive your pre-release copy and agree to leave an honest review. For a first book, a realistic starting team is 20 to 50 people. New authors can expect roughly 20 to 40 percent of ARC recipients to actually post a review, so sending to 30 readers might yield 6 to 12 reviews on launch day.
There are several places to recruit ARC readers. Your existing email list is the highest-conversion source; if you have built a reader magnet and email list, those subscribers already know your writing. Social media groups dedicated to your genre (Facebook groups, Reddit communities, Bookstagram) are another source. Some authors post ARC sign-up forms on their website or include a call for reviewers in the back matter of a previous book.
When recruiting, be transparent about what you are asking. State that you will provide a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review posted on Amazon and/or Goodreads by a specific date. Avoid language that implies the review must be positive; both Amazon and the FTC require that reviews reflect the reader’s genuine opinion.
What Should Your ARC Copy Include?
Your ARC copy should be a fully edited, proofread manuscript. Sending a draft full of errors undermines the purpose of the campaign; readers will mention the quality issues in their reviews. The only acceptable difference between an ARC and the final published version is minor last-minute corrections (a typo caught after distribution, a slightly revised acknowledgments page).
Include a brief note at the front of the ARC copy that identifies it as a pre-release review copy. A single paragraph is sufficient: state the expected publication date, note that the reader received this copy for free in exchange for an honest review, and provide the Amazon or Goodreads link where you would like the review posted. This front matter note also helps with FTC compliance, which requires disclosure of the free-copy relationship.
Format the ARC as an EPUB or MOBI file (for Kindle readers) or PDF, depending on what your distribution platform supports. Most ARC distribution platforms handle format conversion automatically.
Which ARC Distribution Platforms Are Available?
Several platforms specialize in delivering ARC copies to readers. Each handles the logistics of file delivery, download tracking, and (in some cases) reader discovery differently.
- BookFunnel is the most widely used platform among indie authors. It hosts your files and provides readers with a download page that delivers the correct format for their device. BookFunnel plans start at $20 per year for basic delivery. It does not find ARC readers for you; it handles distribution to readers you have already recruited.
- StoryOrigin offers ARC management as part of its author toolset. It includes features for group promotions and reader discovery alongside ARC delivery. Plans start at $10 per month.
- BookSprout focuses specifically on ARC management, including tracking which readers have posted reviews. It has a free tier for small campaigns and paid plans starting at $10 per month.
- NetGalley is used primarily by traditional publishers, but indie authors can list titles through their self-serve option. NetGalley exposes your book to a large pool of active reviewers (librarians, bloggers, media). However, the cost is significantly higher (around $450 per title for a six-month listing), making it more suitable for authors with larger marketing budgets.
- BookSirens connects authors with a pool of verified reviewers. It charges per download rather than a flat monthly fee, which can work well for smaller campaigns.
For most self-published authors running their first ARC campaign, BookFunnel or BookSprout offer the best balance of cost and functionality. The choice depends on whether you need just file delivery (BookFunnel) or want built-in review tracking (BookSprout).
What Is the Right Timeline for an ARC Campaign?
Sequencing is where many authors get confused, especially around how Goodreads listings, retailer pre-orders, and ARC distribution interact. Here is a typical timeline working backward from launch day.
Six to eight weeks before launch: Finalize your ARC team. Send sign-up forms or invitations to your email list and social channels. Set up your distribution platform account and upload your ARC file.
Four to six weeks before launch: Distribute ARC copies to your team. This gives readers enough time to read the book before launch day. At this point, your book description should be finalized, because you will need it for pre-order setup.
Three to four weeks before launch: Set up your pre-order on Amazon KDP. Amazon allows pre-orders up to 90 days before publication. When you create a KDP pre-order, you must submit your final manuscript file at least 72 hours before the release date, or Amazon may remove the listing and restrict your pre-order privileges for one year. Draft2Digital allows pre-orders up to 12 months in advance. Also create your Goodreads listing around this time; the book needs to be findable on Goodreads before launch so ARC readers can post ratings and reviews there.
One week before launch: Send a reminder to your ARC team with the specific links where you want reviews posted (Amazon product page, Goodreads page). Confirm the publication date and thank them for participating.
Launch day and the first week: Monitor incoming reviews. Send a brief, polite follow-up to ARC readers who have not yet posted. Make sure your Amazon backend keywords are optimized so that the early review momentum translates into discoverability.
How Do You Follow Up with ARC Readers for Reviews?
Following up is essential; without it, many ARC readers will read the book but forget to post a review. The key is to be polite, specific, and brief.
Send your first follow-up email on launch day or the day before. Include direct links to the Amazon product page and the Goodreads book page. Make it as easy as possible: the fewer clicks between reading your email and posting a review, the better your conversion rate.
If a reader has not posted after one week, send one additional reminder. After two follow-ups, stop. Repeated emails will irritate readers and make them less likely to participate in future campaigns. Some readers simply will not post, and that is normal; the 20 to 40 percent response rate accounts for this.
Track who posts reviews and who does not. Platforms like BookSprout automate this tracking. If you are using BookFunnel (which does not track reviews), maintain a simple spreadsheet. Over time, you will identify your most reliable reviewers, and these readers become the core of your ARC team for subsequent books.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to give away free books in exchange for reviews?
Yes. Giving away free advance reader copies in exchange for honest reviews is a standard publishing practice used by both traditional and independent publishers. The FTC requires that reviewers disclose they received a free copy, and Amazon’s terms of service require that the review reflect the reader’s genuine opinion. The review cannot be contingent on being positive.
Can ARC readers post reviews before the book is officially published?
On Goodreads, yes; readers can rate and review a book as soon as its listing exists, regardless of publication date. On Amazon, reviews can only be posted once the book is live for sale. This is why Goodreads is valuable for pre-launch social proof and why your Goodreads listing should be created before ARC distribution begins.
How many ARC copies should you send for a first book?
For a debut title, 20 to 50 ARC copies is a reasonable target. With an expected review rate of 20 to 40 percent, this should yield 4 to 20 reviews around launch. As you publish more books and build a reliable ARC team, you can scale up.
Do you need a different file format for ARC copies versus the published ebook?
Not necessarily. Most ARC distribution platforms accept EPUB files and convert them to the reader’s preferred format automatically. The content should be identical to your final manuscript. The only addition is a brief ARC disclaimer in the front matter noting that the reader received a free pre-release copy for review purposes.
What happens if an ARC reader leaves a negative review?
Nothing. Negative reviews are part of the process. ARC campaigns are explicitly for honest reviews, and attempting to suppress or remove negative feedback violates both Amazon’s review policies and FTC guidelines. A mix of ratings also looks more credible to potential buyers than a wall of five-star reviews.
