How Do Advance Reader Copies Work for US Authors?

Last updated: October 18, 2026

Advance reader copies (ARCs) for authors are free early copies of a book sent to reviewers, bloggers, influencers and early readers before publication, so honest reviews and buzz are in place by launch day. They work best when sent two to three months before release to readers who genuinely enjoy your genre. In the US, you can give away free copies, but you cannot require a review, pay for positive ones or let reviewers hide that they got the book for free.

Key takeaways

  • Send ARCs roughly two to three months before publication, earlier for trade reviewers.
  • Choose readers who read your genre and actually post reviews.
  • Ask for an honest review, never a positive one.
  • The FTC expects reviewers to disclose free products, and Amazon prohibits incentivized reviews beyond a free copy.

When should ARCs be sent?

Timing depends on who is receiving them:

  • Trade reviewers and media: often three to four months before publication, because their schedules fill early.
  • Bloggers, bookstagrammers and BookTok creators: around two months before.
  • Street team and early readers: four to eight weeks before, so reviews can go up on release day.

ARCs can be digital (EPUB or PDF) or print. Digital ARCs are cheaper and faster to send. Make sure the text is as close to final as possible. A copyedited version is ideal. See the book launch timeline for how ARCs fit into the bigger plan.

Who should receive them?

  • Readers who have reviewed similar books in your genre.
  • Book bloggers and social media reviewers with engaged audiences.
  • Your newsletter subscribers and existing fans.
  • Authors in your genre who might offer a blurb.
  • Librarians and booksellers, if you are targeting those markets.

Quality matters more than quantity. Twenty engaged readers who post thoughtful reviews are worth more than two hundred who never read the book. See how to contact book influencers.

How do you find reviewers?

  • Build an ARC list through your newsletter, with a sign-up form.
  • Search social platforms for reviewers who cover comparable titles.
  • Use ARC distribution services and review platforms, some of which charge listing fees.
  • Ask other authors in your genre whom they work with.

How do you ask for an honest review?

Keep it simple and clear: "I'd love for you to read my book, and if you enjoy it, an honest review on the platform of your choice would mean a lot. There's no obligation." Never ask for a five-star review, offer anything in exchange for a positive one, or ask people to review books they have not read.

What disclosure and retailer rules apply?

FTC disclosure: the Federal Trade Commission's guidance for social media influencers says creators should disclose when they receive free products, in a way that is clear and hard to miss, and that simple words like "ad" or "sponsored" can work (Federal Trade Commission, 2019). For book reviewers, that usually means noting they received a free copy.

Fake reviews: in 2024, the FTC finalized a rule banning fake reviews and testimonials, including reviews bought or incentivized on the condition that they express a particular sentiment (Federal Trade Commission, 2024).

Amazon: KDP's guidance on customer reviews allows authors to provide free or discounted copies to readers, but you cannot require a review, and offering anything beyond the copy, such as gift cards or payments, can invalidate the review (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, n.d.). Family members and close friends reviewing your book can also run into Amazon's rules. Check current retailer policies before your launch.

How do you track ARCs?

Keep a simple spreadsheet: reviewer name, platform, date sent, format, whether they posted and a link to the review. It helps you follow up politely, thank reviewers and build a reliable list for your next book.

ARCs are one part of a launch plan. See book launch marketing plan. Cihaiyura's Author Launch Package includes launch planning support. Book a free consultation to plan yours.

References

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. (n.d.). Customer reviews. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202101910

Federal Trade Commission. (2019). Disclosures 101 for social media influencers. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers

Federal Trade Commission. (2024, August 14). Federal Trade Commission announces final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials [Press release]. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials

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