Becoming An ARC Reader...

August 13, 2025

If you’ve ever wondered how book lovers get their hands on early copies of upcoming releases, you’re in the right place. Becoming an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) reader might sound like something only big influencers can do—but trust me, it’s not. I went from having zero knowledge about ARC reading to receiving books from PR companies, publishers, and indie authors, all without a massive following. Here’s exactly how you can start your own ARC journey.

Let’s Chat About…

Becoming an ARC Reader

When I got back into reading in 2020 and started using social media to find book recommendations, I kept coming across posts about ARCs. I knew they stood for Advance Reader Copies, but I had no idea how one actually became an ARC reader. After some quick searches, I figured it probably wasn’t for me—I didn’t think I could write the kind of polished, in-depth reviews I saw on Goodreads. So, I didn’t look into it any further.

In 2021, I opened my bookish shop, Likes and Candles, which I ran for about three years until I got sick. Alongside it, I had an Instagram profile for the shop. While I occasionally posted about my reads, the page was mainly business-focused. On August 31, 2024, I decided to create a separate Bookstagram account so I could share book-related content without mixing it in with my shop posts.

With this new account fully dedicated to books, my feed quickly filled with ARC reviews. Still, I didn’t think I could do it—or even knew where to begin.

Fast forward to October 2025: I received a message from Hambright PR, asking if I’d like to apply to become an influencer for their ARC/ALC program. They work with authors to distribute early copies of books in exchange for honest reviews. At the time, I had fewer than 1,000 followers, so I didn’t think I had much of a chance. But I decided to take a leap and apply. To my surprise, I was accepted.

Almost immediately, sign-up emails started rolling in. And as soon as I followed Hambright PR on Instagram, the algorithm kicked in—other PR companies and publishers began appearing in my feed. Before I could even apply to others, surprise invitations to read and review books landed in my inbox.

I went from knowing nothing about becoming an ARC reader to suddenly being one, with multiple opportunities coming my way. Beyond PR companies, I’ve also been lucky enough to receive books directly from indie authors, which I love because it lets me support their work and help spread the word about their stories.

It’s important to note—I’m not a big influencer with massive numbers. As of August 12, 2025, I have about 2,140 Instagram followers, 2,668 TikTok followers, and 432 on Threads. This just goes to show you don’t need huge numbers to start receiving ARCs.

Where to Start

If you’re new to this, here’s how to set yourself up for ARC opportunities:

1. Choose Your Platform
• Bookstagram (Instagram), BookTok (TikTok), Threads, Goodreads, Lemon8, Bluesky, etc.
• Keep your account niche-specific and set it to public.

2. Create & Share Content
• Post about books you’ve read (start with what’s already on your shelf).
• Share reviews, creative videos, or engaging photos—whichever fits your style.

3. Connect with Authors & Publishers
• Follow and interact with them genuinely.
• Sign up for newsletters and mailing lists—they often announce ARC sign-ups first.

4. Apply Through PR Companies & Publishers

Here are some you can check out:
• Hambright PR
• Grey’s Promotions
• Valentine PR
• Pen Pal PR
• HarperCollins
• Bloom Books
• NetGalley
• Entangled Publishing
• Berkley
• Simon & Schuster
• Saga Press
• The Author Agency

5. Use ARC Distribution Sites
• NetGalley – Most popular, wide range of publishers.
• Edelweiss+ – Great for literary and niche releases.
• BookSirens – Indie and small press focus.
• Booksprout – Especially good for romance and indie authors.

6. Be Reliable
• Meet review deadlines.
• Share reviews across platforms, tagging authors and publishers.
• If you fall behind, communicate—most coordinators are understanding.

Becoming an ARC reader isn’t as intimidating as it might seem. You don’t need a huge following, just a consistent presence and genuine love for books. Your first opportunity could be just around the corner.

In my next blog post, I’ll share what I’ve learned so far, along with some ARC reader do’s and don’ts. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, drop them in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, and Happy ARC hunting! May your inbox be full of bookish opportunities and your TBR pile endlessly exciting.

Until the next chapter, M.

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