For indie and self-published authors
How to Find ARC Readers and Build Your ARC Team
To find ARC readers, start with people who already enjoy your genre, give them a clear invitation, and collect their interest in one place. An advance reader copy (ARC) lets readers discover a book before release; joining your team should not require a positive review.
Revvue lets you collect ARC reader signups through your author website. Explore Revvue’s ARC signup tools.
The author website is free. Newsletter and ARC signup collection require a Bookworm or Bookworm Pro plan. Read plan FAQs.
Decide who the book is for
Write down your genre, comparable reading interests, book length, available formats, and intended release date. Use those details to describe the opportunity. A small group of interested readers is a more useful starting point than a large list of people who do not read your genre.
Prepare a readable advance copy before inviting people. Identify unfinished elements, such as a cover or final proofreading, so readers know what to expect.
Find readers in places you already participate
- Invite interested newsletter subscribers and readers of your earlier books.
- Share an invitation on your author website and social profiles.
- Approach genre bloggers who explicitly accept advance copies, following their submission instructions.
- Participate in relevant reader communities and ask moderators before posting recruitment links.
Keep the invitation specific: explain the story, who might enjoy it, the format, and the reading window. Avoid sending the same unsolicited message to unrelated accounts.
Create an ARC signup page
Your page should show the cover, a short description, genre, approximate length, available formats, and the planned release date. Explain whether the form records interest or immediately provides access to a copy.
In Revvue, configure the ARC section of your author website, save your changes, and publish the page. Test the reader-facing flow before sharing it. Keep your invitation consistent with the delivery and access options you actually configured.
Keep signup expectations clear
Ask only for information you need to coordinate the advance reading. Explain how you will use the email address. Treat an ARC signup and a newsletter subscription as separate choices; do not assume someone wants ongoing marketing because they requested a copy.
State that feedback should be honest and that a particular rating is never expected. Check the current rules of any retailer where you invite readers to post.
Organize your reading window
- Before sending copies, confirm that your file and reader instructions are ready.
- Send access information and a suggested reading date, allowing room for different reading speeds.
- Keep track of interested readers and questions without repeatedly chasing people.
- When the book launches, share its public link with readers who asked for updates.
Revvue’s Subscribers area lets you view and export mailing and ARC readers. Use that list to organize your outreach; signups do not guarantee completed reads or published reviews.
Quick answers
What is the difference between an ARC reader and a newsletter subscriber?
An ARC reader expresses interest in an advance reader copy of a particular book. A newsletter subscriber asks for ongoing author updates. An author should explain each purpose and preserve those choices when organizing contacts.
Does collecting ARC signups guarantee reviews?
No. A signup records reader interest. It does not establish that someone finished the book, wrote a review, or had that review published by a retailer.