Ways To Get ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies)

Thursday, December 23, 2010


I've gotten a few emails from readers asking how to get ARCs, so I was thinking I should write up a blog post about it. There are probably different ways to obtain advanced novels, but this is a simple check list of how I got mine.

1. Read A LOT of novels in the genre you most enjoy. I'm a Young Adult writer, because I absolutely LOVE that genre. I've been pretty much a strict YA reader since 2008.

2. Blog about every book you read. This means start a blog if you don't already have one. You can do that free using Blogger, like me. Soon the number of your reviews will add up. Even if you don't get a ton of comments, they're getting read.

3. Touching a little on number one again, read all SUB GENRES in your genre. What I mean is, don't just read YA paranormal, add some contemporary in the mix. Publishers notice, believe me.

Now, I know what you're thinking: That's it? My answer is a simple yes. I started out just blogging about every book I read, which meant all these books were already out. After I got around fifty books under my belt, I joined ARC tours.

Dark Faerie Tales
Around The World ARC Tours
Star Book Tours
We Love YA Tours

Most of these require at least 30 reviews posted on your blog for acceptance. You also have to be able to read a novel in less than a week, because you have seven days before you have to mail it on to the next person. The danger here is signing up for a ton of tours and getting stuck with more than one book to read in a week, but it is doable. Also there is the mailing cost, which currently sits around three bucks plus 80 cents for a delivery conformation, per book.

Joining these tours increased my blog traffic though, and got me more invitations via email from publishers to read ARCs for them. I also get a lot of publicists contacting me now offering up books for reviews.

A lot of publishers are offering up digital ARCs now. Simon & Schuster (Galley Grab) is one I read for. I got an invitation to read for them and ran out and got an ereader just to download novels. LOL

Speaking of digital downloads, here are a couple of places that offer up ARCs. But you have to be approved here too:

NETGALLEY 
Early Reviewers/Library Thing

If all else fails and you don't get ARC offers after all this, contact the publishers directly. Here's a couple to get you started.

Penguin
Simon & Schuster

So now you have some ideas to get you started on a path of ARC readership. Go forth and conquer!

20 comments:

Remilda Graystone said...

This is a great post for people who want to get ARCs. I'd do it myself except I'm not sure I could keep it up. Better to spare everyone, then.

Thanks for the information!

Annie McElfresh said...

Glad it helps! :)

Anonymous said...

I've gotten my hands on a few ARCs through Netgalley and contests. But I feel like slowing down since I have too many books at home waiting to be read.

Aleetha said...

Thanks for sharing

Akoss said...

Hello, I wanted to say thanks for sharing this with us. I'm still wet behind the ears when it comes to blogging but I'm gearing up for 2011 (reason why I found your blog). Hopefully by mid year I would have 30 reviews posted.
:)

get answers to any question said...

kool..

Carly said...

I just started my own blog because of you:)

-Carly
www.lisleslivres.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I've been wondering for a long time how this works! Thanks so much. I usually read 3 books a week and very book I read I hand write a review in a journal. Needless to say my journals are huge, but now I'll start using Blogger. Thanks so much again...

http://realityescapistallday.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

This was an interesting post. I kept hearing about people having read ARCs, but never knew how to do it. This post helped, thanks!

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Unknown said...

This is a fantastic post! I know even still there are many people out there who are curious how to get arc's. And you are absolutely right, review, review, review.
Thanks for this wonderful post!

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Alexia Boesen said...

This was a great post. I am relatively new to the book blogging world so far but am working on this.

Unknown said...

This is really a good help! (for someone like me, though) I'm really new to this book blogging. Thanks for the tips!

Anonymous said...

That is a good way to go and also try shelf-awareness.com you can enter to get arcs on their website and try edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com they
have digital review copies or drc's and they have a ton of ya digital arcs on their. you have to register and do a profile like netgalley. com but its worth it and they do notice.

Anonymous said...

Great blog! Thank you for the tips!

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Book Talk With Bonnie said...

Great tips. This information is so helpful!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I had the same questions regarding arcs since i just started my blog :) Glad i stumbled upon yours
www.alittleofeverythingilove.blogspot.com

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