ARC TEAM

ARCs status update: ARC reading for Earth Aspect is closed as the book has launched. Please use the form below to express interest in ARCs for future books. If you sign up, you'll be the first to hear when an ARC opportunity arises.

What is an ARC team?

ARC stands for “advanced reader copy” or “advanced review copy.” It is the final version of a book, which is sent out to selected readers (the “ARC team”) for free, in advance of the book’s launch. ARC team members are regular people who like to read and review books, and intend to post an honest review on the book’s release date. This helps other readers determine whether the book might be for them and prevents the dreaded zero reviews product listing.

How can I join an ARC team?

Use the form on this page to express interest in joining an ARC team for a future Nick Scrawls book. When an ARC team is being assembled, you’ll receive an email to explore whether you might be a good fit.

If I join an ARC team, do I have to review the book?

While the intention of ARCs is to get some early reviews, authors understand that life happens. (We’re people too.) As a convenience, you’ll get up to three reminders about it being the time to post reviews, but it’s ultimately up to you. Additionally, there’s no way to require that a review is posted if an author wanted to do that, and requiring or influencing the review is against most review sites’ policies.

What format will the ARC book be in?

Most independent authors offer ARCs in ebook format only, as a way to keep their costs low. You’d be provided with instructions to confirm that you’re able to access it, as part of joining an ARC team.

Can I tell other people that I’m on the ARC team?

Absolutely, you can tell people and/or post on social media. When joining an ARC team, you’ll be given guidance regarding how much you can share about the book before it is published. Generally, anticipate that sharing things like small snippets (such as a sentence or line of dialogue) or which character is your favorite would be okay.

How different is the ARC from the published book?

The biggest differences are that the ARC is free and sent out before the book is published. Content-wise, they may be identical, or in some cases there may be minor finishing touches pending (such as cover art or a final check for typos).

If I did beta reading for a book, can I join the ARC team?

If you are willing to read the full ARC version, then yes. The beta-read manuscript is often significantly different from the published book, so it is not an appropriate basis for an honest review.

How is joining the ARC team different from beta reading?

ARC stands for “advanced review copy” or “advanced reader copy” and is the final version of a book. Beta reading involves a manuscript that is in the middle of the book-writing process (meaning less polish and major differences from the final novel). In beta reading, you get to give input that helps the story take shape, whereas the ARC team focuses on helping the final product find success. You can find information about beta reading for Nick Scrawls here.

Are ARC team members paid to leave reviews?

No. It’s unethical, and against most review sites’ policies, to pay readers for their reviews as this would be considered “requiring” or “influencing” the review. For example, Amazon’s policy states: “It’s OK to review a free or discounted book (advanced reader copy) that you received from an author or publisher. However, they can’t require a review in exchange or try to influence the review.”