ARC Reader Terms

What is an ARC?

ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy. It's an early edition of a book sent to readers before the official release date. ARC readers get to read the book first, and in return, they post an honest review when the book goes live. It's one of the most important things a reader can do for an independent author -- reviews are how other readers find us.

What you agree to

By accepting an ARC from me, you're agreeing to the following:

• Post a review on Amazon within 5 days of the book's release date. This is the most impactful thing you can do for discoverability.
• Post a review on Goodreads anytime after reading -- before or after the release date is fine.
• Be honest. Your review must be your own genuine opinion. I want to know what you actually thought.
• Don't share the file. The ARC is for your personal reading only. Don't upload, distribute, or forward it.
• Avoid major spoilers in your review. Vague references are fine ("there is a scene involving a birthday cake that broke me"). Chapter-by-chapter summaries are not.

What you don't have to do

I want to be clear about this:

• You are not required to give a positive review. Honest is better than flattering. Always.
• You are not required to use specific language or talking points. Your words, your way.
• You are not required to post on social media. If you want to, wonderful. But it's never expected.
• You are not required to finish the book. If you start and decide it's not for you, just let me know so I can offer the spot to someone on the waitlist. No hard feelings.

How the file is delivered

If your application is accepted, I'll send you an email with a download link for the ARC in your preferred format (EPUB, MOBI, or PDF). The link will expire after a set period, but you can re-download if needed. The file is for your personal use only.

Acceptance is not guaranteed

I review every application personally. I'm looking for readers who are genuinely interested in the genre and have a track record of posting reviews. Submitting an application doesn't guarantee a spot on the ARC team -- but I appreciate every single person who applies.

Removal from the ARC team

I reserve the right to remove readers from the ARC team if the terms above are violated -- particularly sharing the file or consistently receiving ARCs without posting reviews. This isn't about being strict. It's about being fair to the readers who do follow through, and sustainable for me as an independent author.