How to Get ARC Books to Read Online (A Reader's Guide)

Ever wondered how some readers are posting reviews for books that aren't even out yet? They're reading ARCs – Advance Reader Copies – weeks or months before release. And if the idea of being first to talk about a book sounds like your kind of fun, becoming an ARC reader is easier to start than most people think.

This guide covers what an ARC actually is, how you become an ARC reader, where to actually find books to review before release, and what's expected of you once someone approves your request.

What is an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)?

An ARC is a free, pre-release copy of a book – almost always a digital file, occasionally a physical proof (for bigger releases) – that publishers/authors send out before the book officially publishes. In exchange, they ask for one thing: an honest review, posted around the book's release date.

ARCs aren't the polished, final copy you'd buy in a store. They can still have typos, placeholder cover art, or last-minute text changes on the way. That's part of the deal – you're reading the book in its almost-final form, not the retail version.

How Do You Become an ARC Reader?

There's no certification, application fee, or special qualification – anyone can become an ARC reader. But publishers and authors do look for a few things before approving requests:

1. Build a review history first. Before requesting ARCs, post a handful of honest reviews on Goodreads or Amazon for books you've already read. This is the single biggest factor in getting approved – it's the only real proof a stranger has that you'll follow through.
2. Pick genres you actually read. Requesting outside your usual genres gets rejected more often, and it shows in the review quality too. Stick to what you know and genuinely enjoy.
3. Sign up where those books are listed. Once you have some reviews under your belt, create profiles on ARC platforms and start requesting titles that fit your taste.
4. Be consistent. The more reliably you review on time, the more ARCs you'll get approved for later. Approval is a reputation game as much as anything else.

Where to Find ARC Books to Read

• NetGalley – the biggest ARC platform by far, with the widest catalog. It skews toward traditionally published books, and some publishers are selective about who they approve, but it's worth a free account regardless.
• BookSirens – smaller and more indie-friendly, with genre filtering that makes it easy to find exactly what you like to read.
• StoryOrigin – heavily used by indie and self-published authors, often bundled with newsletter swaps and reader-magnet promotions alongside ARC requests.
• Booksprout – strong specifically in romance and thriller, thinner in other genres.
• Following authors directly – a lot of indie authors run their own ARC teams through their newsletter rather than a platform. If you already like an author's work, check their website or Instagram bio for an ARC sign-up link – this is often the fastest way in, since you aren’t competing with a platform's entire reader pool.

(If you're an author trying to build your own ARC team instead of join one, here's the full guide for that: How to Get Readers for ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for Book Launches.)

What Authors and Publishers Expect From You

Getting an ARC comes with a few unwritten rules worth knowing upfront:

• Review by the deadline. Most requests come with a suggested review-by date, usually close to the book's release. Missing it repeatedly hurts your approval odds everywhere, not just with that one author.
• Post where you said you would. If the request asked for an Amazon and a Goodreads review, post on both, not just whichever is easier.
• Be honest, not just nice. A specific, thoughtful three-star review is worth more to an author than a five-star review that reads like it wasn't read carefully. They can tell the difference, and so can other readers.
• Don't share or pirate the file. ARCs are pre-release copies with real commercial value attached – sharing the file, even with friends, can get you permanently blocked from a platform. And of course, it hurts the author's launch as well.

FAQs about becoming an ARC reader

Q. Are ARCs free?

A. Yes. The "price" of an ARC is your honest review, not money. Be wary of anyone asking you to pay for an advance copy – that's not how legitimate ARC programs work.

Q. Do you need to be a book blogger or influencer to get ARCs?

A. Not really. Most platforms and authors are happy to work with regular readers who have a genuine, consistent review history. You don't even need a large social media following in many cases. You just need to show up and follow through.

Q. Do you get to keep the ARC?

A. Usually, yes, if it's a digital file. Some platforms and authors may ask you to delete the file after the book publishes, especially for higher-profile releases. So, always check the specific terms attached to each request.

Q. How many ARCs should you request at once?

A. Only as many as you can realistically read and review by their deadlines. Requesting more than you can finish is the fastest way to tank your approval rate. A handful of on-time reviews will get you further than a dozen half-finished ones.

Final Thoughts

Becoming an ARC reader is one of the most fun ways to stay ahead of your TBR pile – you just have to treat it like the two-way relationship it is. Build a real review history, request books you'll genuinely enjoy, and follow through on your reviews. Do that consistently, and you'll have more ARCs than you know what to do with.

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