Applying for ARC Campaigns
How to find, apply for, and participate in ARC (Advance Reader Copy) campaigns as a reader — get free books in exchange for honest reviews.
ARC campaigns give you free, early access to upcoming books in exchange for an honest review. It's one of the best ways to discover new authors and build your reviewer reputation on BookAuth.
What You'll Learn
- What ARC campaigns are and how they benefit you
- How to find available campaigns
- How to write a strong application
- What happens after you're accepted
- How your reviewer reputation affects your chances
What Are ARC Campaigns?
ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy. Authors distribute free copies of their upcoming books to readers before the official launch. In return, you read the book and submit an honest review by a specified deadline.
Key points:
- ARCs are completely free — you never pay for an ARC copy
- Reviews must be honest — authors cannot require positive reviews
- You have a deadline to submit your review (typically 2-4 weeks)
Finding Available Campaigns
From Your Dashboard
Your Reader Dashboard may show ARC campaigns from authors you follow in the main feed.
From the ARC Page
- Navigate to "My ARCs" in the sidebar
- Click "Browse Campaigns" or visit the ARC discovery page
- Filter by:
- Genre (Romance, Fantasy, Thriller, etc.)
- Review deadline (how much time you have)
- Status (accepting applications)
From Author Profiles
Visit any author's profile page to see if they have active ARC campaigns.
Applying for a Campaign
- Click on an ARC campaign to view its details
- Review the campaign information:
- Book title, genre, and synopsis
- ARC reader limit (how many spots)
- Review deadline
- Any special requirements
- Click "Apply"
- Wait for the author's decision — you'll receive a notification when accepted or rejected
What Authors See in Your Application
Authors evaluate applicants based on:
| Factor | What It Shows | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Reputation Score | Your overall reliability | Complete your ARC reviews consistently |
| Completion Rate | % of past ARCs reviewed | Always submit reviews for accepted ARCs |
| Review Quality | How helpful your reviews are | Write thoughtful, detailed reviews |
| Timeliness | % of reviews submitted on time | Submit reviews before the deadline |
| Genre Match | Whether your preferences match the book | Set accurate reading preferences in your profile |
| Reviewer Tier | Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum | All of the above combined |
Pro Tip: Complete your reader profile with accurate genre preferences. Authors look for genre-matched readers because they're more likely to enjoy the book and write relevant reviews.
After Acceptance
When you're accepted into an ARC campaign:
- Download the book — go to "My ARCs" and click "Download" next to the accepted ARC
- Read the book by the deadline
- Submit your review by clicking "Write Review" on the ARC in your list
- Optional: Cross-post — BookAuth prompts you to copy your review to Amazon or Goodreads
Your ARC Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Applied | Waiting for author's decision |
| Accepted | Ready to download and read |
| Downloaded | File accessed, reading in progress |
| Review Submitted | You've posted your review ✅ |
| Overdue | Deadline passed without review ⚠️ |
| Rejected | Author didn't accept your application |
Writing a Good ARC Review
ARC reviews don't need to be essays. Here's a simple structure:
- Opening — what drew you to this book (1-2 sentences)
- What you liked — characters, plot, writing style (2-3 sentences)
- Constructive feedback — what could be improved (1-2 sentences, optional)
- Recommendation — who would enjoy this book (1 sentence)
- Star rating — your honest 1-5 star rating
Example ARC Review
"I was drawn to The Shadow King by the premise of political intrigue mixed with dragon lore. The world-building is exceptional — the magic system feels fresh and well-thought-out. Prince Alaric's character arc from reluctant heir to decisive leader was compelling, though the pacing slowed slightly in the middle third. Fans of Brandon Sanderson and Robin Hobb will love this. 4/5 stars."
Building Your Reviewer Reputation
Your reputation directly affects your acceptance rate for future ARCs:
How to Build a Strong Reputation
- Always submit reviews — even a short review is better than none
- Submit on time — don't wait until the last minute
- Write thoughtfully — detailed reviews earn higher quality scores from authors
- Be honest — authors respect honest feedback more than fake praise
- Diversify — apply for campaigns across different genres to show range
Reviewer Tiers
| Tier | Score | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 0-2.5 | Basic access — may be filtered out by selective authors |
| Silver | 2.5-3.5 | Good standing — accepted by most authors |
| Gold | 3.5-4.5 | Priority consideration — authors prefer Gold reviewers |
| Platinum | 4.5-5.0 | Top tier — first to be accepted, exclusive campaign access |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many ARC campaigns can I apply for at once?
A: There's no limit. However, only apply for books you're genuinely interested in and have time to read.
Q: What happens if I don't submit my review by the deadline?
A: Your status changes to "Overdue" and your completion rate drops, lowering your reputation score and future acceptance chances.
Q: Can I extend the review deadline?
A: Deadlines are set by the author. You can submit late, but your timeliness score will be affected.
Q: Am I required to give a positive review?
A: Absolutely not. ARCs require honest reviews. Authors who request only positive reviews violate BookAuth's guidelines.
Q: Can I keep the ARC copy after reviewing?
A: Yes. Your downloaded ARC file remains in your library.
Related Articles
- Your Reviewer Reputation & Trust Score
- Writing Book Reviews
- Getting Started as a Reader