An Advance Reader Copy (ARC) is a pre-publication version of a book that authors share with readers in exchange for honest reviews. ARCs help build early buzz and reviews before a book's official release date.
Yes! ARC Platform is completely free for both readers and authors. We believe in connecting the book community without barriers.
Browse available ARCs, find one that interests you, and click "Apply." The author will review your application and approve or decline it. Having a complete profile with your reading preferences helps authors make their decision.
Each ARC listing shows its available format. Most are digital (EPUB or PDF), but formats vary by author. You'll see the format before you apply.
While reviews aren't technically mandatory, they're the whole point of the ARC exchange. Authors share their work early in exchange for honest feedback. If you can't finish a book, you can submit a DNF (Did Not Finish) report instead.
You can post reviews anywhere — Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, your blog, social media, or any combination. When submitting your review on ARC Platform, you'll paste links to where you posted it.
Spice level indicates the heat/romance content: 0 (Clean) has no explicit content, while 5 (Scorching) has very explicit scenes. This helps readers find books that match their comfort level.
Register as an author, then click "New ARC" from your dashboard. Fill in your book details, upload a cover, and publish. Readers will be able to find and apply for your ARC immediately.
Currently, accounts are either reader or author. If you need both, you can create two accounts with different email addresses. We're exploring dual-role accounts for a future update.