It's simple: Browse → Apply → Read → Review → Build Your Reader Portfolio.

Browse available ARCs, apply for the books that interest you, and once an author approves your application, download your ARC using the link they provide.

After reading, post your honest review wherever you normally review books, then submit your review links through StoryLyft to build your Reader Portfolio.

An Advance Reader Copy (ARC) is a pre-publication version of a book that authors share with readers before its official release. ARC readers get an early look at upcoming books while helping authors gather honest feedback and introduce their stories to new readers.

No. Reviews are always voluntary.

If you choose to review the book, your review should reflect your honest experience, even if that experience isn't five stars. Respectful, honest reviews help both authors and future readers.

DNF stands for Did Not Finish.

Sometimes a book simply isn't the right fit, and that's okay. If you decide not to finish an ARC, you can mark it as DNF and share your reason with the author. Your reason for marking a book as DNF is shared only with the author and is never displayed on your public Reader Portfolio.

Browse available campaigns and apply to the books that interest you. Authors review each application individually, so approval isn't automatic.

Completing your Reader Portfolio — including your reading preferences and review links — helps authors get to know you and decide whether you're a good fit for their book.

Wherever you normally review books. Many readers post on Amazon, Goodreads, or other social platforms. After posting, simply paste your review links into StoryLyft.

Complete your Reader Portfolio! A thoughtful Reader Portfolio helps authors get to know you. Consider:

• Completing your Reader Portfolio.
• Linking reviews you've written.
• Keeping your reading preferences up to date.
• Applying only to books you're genuinely interested in.
• Communicating honestly if your plans change.

No. StoryLyft supports human storytellers. Books that are primarily AI-generated are not permitted on the platform. Authors may use assistive tools, but the story itself must be written by the author.

Launching a book involves enough moving pieces already. StoryLyft was built to simplify one of them.

Create your campaign, let interested readers apply directly to you, choose who joins your ARC team, and manage your campaign from one place.

Because launching a book should feel like building excitement around your story, not managing spreadsheets.

An Advance Reader Copy (ARC) is a copy of your book shared with readers before release so they can read it early and, if they choose, share an honest review or recommendation.

Important: an ARC is not a book given "in exchange for a review."

❌ Avoid: "I'm giving you a free copy in exchange for an honest review."

✓ Better: "I'd love to offer you a complimentary advance copy. If you choose to review it, I always welcome your honest thoughts."

You provide the book. The reader decides whether to review it and what that review says.

Register as an author, click Create New ARC Campaign, complete your campaign details, and add your download link. Approved readers will use that link to access your ARC.

A good starting point is 4–8 weeks before release. This gives readers enough time to receive, read, and review your book without feeling rushed. Longer books may benefit from additional time.

Already closer to launch? That's okay. A smaller campaign can still introduce your book to new readers.

Before publishing your campaign, have:

• Cover and title
• Genre and subgenre
• Short blurb
• Tropes (if applicable)
• Content warnings (when appropriate)
• Approximate length
• Available formats
• Publishing date
• Requested review date (if different than publication date)

The clearer your campaign is, the easier it is for the right readers to find it.

Readers browse available campaigns and apply directly through StoryLyft. You'll review each application and decide who you'd like to invite onto your ARC team.

StoryLyft Reader Portfolios help you look beyond numbers. Instead of choosing readers based only on how many books they've reviewed, you can see the person behind the application, including:

• Favorite genres
• Tropes they love
• Review examples
• Social media and creator links
• Books they've supported

Find readers who genuinely fit your story, not just readers who've reviewed the most books.

Once you've accepted a reader, it's time to send your ARC using your preferred delivery method. StoryLyft helps you keep your campaign organized so you can focus on communicating with readers and building lasting relationships.

No. Readers are never required to leave a review. Any review they choose to share should always reflect their honest experience. This aligns with Amazon's review guidelines, which require reviews to be voluntary and authentic.

Sometimes a book simply isn't the right fit, and that's okay. If a reader doesn't finish your book, they can mark it as DNF (Did Not Finish) and privately share why. Those notes are visible only to you and the reader, giving you honest feedback while encouraging respectful communication.

A review cannot be resubmitted simply because it's critical or has a low rating. You may only request a resubmission if the review link is broken, the wrong review was submitted, or the review does not match your book.