Field Note
By Romi Adamka
No secret handshake required. Here is what ARCs are, where indie authors are looking for readers, and how to make yourself easy to say yes to.
Published 2026-08-08 · Reviewed 2026-08-08
If you have spent ten minutes on Bookstagram and wondered how everybody except you seems to have books that are not even out yet, hello. You have found ARCs.
ARC means advance reader copy. It is an early copy of a book sent out before publication so readers can review it, talk about it, and help it find its people. It might be a paperback, an ebook, or an audiobook. It might also contain typos, unfinished cover art, or a note begging you not to quote from it yet.
And just so we get this out of the way: an ARC is not payment for a five-star review. You still get to have opinions. That is rather the point.
Okay, but where do I actually find them?
Start with ARC Library’s Open Bookcase
Inside Open ARCs & Book Catalog, the Open Bookcase keeps active ARC opportunities in one place. A lot of these come from indie authors who are actively looking for readers. Some applications happen right inside ARC Library through Review & apply. Others take you to the author’s own form through Open form.
This is quite literally why we built the shelf. Indie ARC forms have a habit of appearing in a Story at 11:47 p.m. and disappearing into the internet by breakfast. Now you have somewhere to actually look for them.
Follow indie authors where they already hang out
Instagram, Threads, and TikTok are full of indie authors, PAs, and publicists posting ARC calls. Search for phrases such as ARC readers wanted, ARC applications open, or join my ARC team, and follow authors writing the genres you already love.
When you find a call, read the whole post before applying. Check the deadline, available formats, countries, content warnings, and what the author is asking for. If the post says “apply through the form,” please use the form. Their DMs are probably already fighting for their lives.
Try the bigger request platforms too
NetGalley and Edelweiss carry books from publishers of all sizes. Publisher newsletters, author mailing lists, and launch teams are worth watching too. You do not need to pick one magical route. Most ARC readers find books through a slightly chaotic mixture of all of them.
Your Reader CV is much more useful than “trust me, I read”
You do not need ten thousand followers. You do need to make it easy for an author or publisher to understand who you are and what you actually read.
Your shareable ARC Reader CV in ARC Library puts your reading stats, favourite genres, reviews, and social links together on one public profile. Publish it, keep it honest, and share that one link in applications or direct requests. It gives authors a real picture of you without making them hunt across six apps and a Goodreads account last updated during the Bronze Age.
A useful profile says:
- which genres and age categories you genuinely read
- where you post reviews and book content
- which formats work for you
- where you live, when postage or territory matters
- what your recent reviews actually look like
Small accounts absolutely get ARCs. A reader with a clear taste, thoughtful reviews, and a habit of following through can be far more useful than a huge account that requests everything with a pretty cover.
Request books you actually want to read
Before you apply, ask yourself: Would I still want this if it arrived with no approval email and no exciting little badge?
Check the synopsis, genre, publication date, review expectations, format, and your current pile. Being approved feels excellent for about six minutes. Then it becomes a book you need to read.
If you are contacting someone directly, short and human is enough:
> Hi! I’m a [genre] reader and reviewer on [platform]. I’d love to be considered for [title] because [one actual reason]. Here is my Reader CV / recent review link: [link]. I can read [format] and expect to share an honest review around [date]. Thank you!
You got one. Now what?
Add it to your library before the approval dopamine wears off. Record the publication date, the actual review deadline if there is one, the format, and any embargo. Do not share the file. Review honestly and say clearly that you received a free copy. In the United States, the FTC says free products are a material connection that should be disclosed; follow the rules that apply where you live and post.
And if you get rejected? Welcome to ARC reading. Sometimes it is your location, limited copies, campaign plans, or simply two thousand requests for fifty books. It is not a referendum on whether you are a Real Reader. Keep reviewing, keep your Reader CV fresh, and try again when the right book appears.