Wait—What’s an ARC Reader and Do I Need One? (Spoiler: Yes)
More things to learn when self publishing!
When I first started thinking about publishing my book, I didn’t have a clue what an ARC reader was. I vaguely knew that reviews were important, but I thought they just happened somehow, like magic. Like maybe people would stumble across my book, read it, love it, and flood Goodreads and Amazon with five-star reviews.
Turns out... not quite.
So I started doing some digging. And here’s what I’ve learned about ARC readers, why they matter, and how I’m hoping to build my own little ARC team—maybe with your help.
ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy—basically, it’s an early version of a book sent out before the official release. ARC readers get a sneak peek of the book in exchange for leaving an honest review once it’s out in the world.
They’re not editors or proofreaders (though they might catch a typo or two), and they’re not obligated to write glowing praise. What they do is help authors like me by sharing their real thoughts, which helps other readers decide if a book is worth picking up.
Here’s what I didn’t realize until recently:
Reviews matter more than I thought. They’re the first thing people check when deciding whether to buy a book.
Amazon algorithms notice reviews. The more early reviews a book gets, the more likely it is to be shown to other potential readers.
It’s not enough to just write a book—you need people to talk about it. ARC readers help get that ball rolling.
For indie authors, especially, ARC readers are often the difference between launching into silence and launching with a bit of momentum.
The process of finding ARC readers has been... interesting. I’ve learned that:
I need to find ARC readers… somehow. For now, I’m trying to post to my TikTok and Substack and see if anything happens.
Not everyone who says “yes” will follow through—and that’s okay.
It’s important to ask, to be clear about expectations, and to be genuinely grateful
Start small, then grow
There are also platforms like BookSirens, BookSprout, and even NetGalley that connect authors with potential ARC readers—but I’m also hoping to build something more personal. A little community of people who believe in the kind of stories I want to tell.
So…
If you love rom-coms, character-driven love stories, or just want to support an emerging indie author trying to make some publishing dreams come true—I’d love to hear from you.
I’m putting together a small group of ARC readers for my upcoming book Love at First Flight, and you’d get:
A free digital copy before release
A behind-the-scenes look at the launch process
My endless appreciation
No pressure to leave a glowing review—just an honest one. That’s what helps most.
If you’re interested, reply to this post, DM me, or shoot me an email. I’ll send you all the details.
Thanks for being here, for reading, and for helping me figure this all out as I go. More soon,
— Tracy
