8 Years Blogging | 8 Top Tips for Requesting Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs)

Happy Monday my lovely readers. Last week I celebrated 8 years of Never Judge a Book by it’s Cover and when it came to book blogger top tips post, how to request ARCs was at the top. Now whilst I have been blogging for 8 years, I’m still learning everyday to be on mailing lists and I am certainly not on every one. However, I am super grateful and honoured to be on many to request some amazing YA books over the years.

So I’m saying ARC like everyone knows. But you could be a first time blogger or starting out in requesting that you’re not sure:

An ARC is an Advanced Reading Copy. These can also be known as proof copies, or manuscripts both in two forms, physical and digitally (ebook). They are bound copies of the book for review purposes.  

So how do you request ARCs is the big question? I had the same question starting out.

There are two main ways to request ARCs – First via a platform called Netgalley. Which I have to say would be a good starting point due to the current situation a lot of publishers have been moving to more digital ARCs. Longs you have a device that you can read ebooks then it’s compatible.

The second way being via email and contacting the publishers directly. This can be for physical, bound copies. Which some like me may prefer than ebooks.

Now you know the where, here is 8 tips on how to request ARCs. This will apply to both email and Netgalley.

My 8 tips for Requesting ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies)

1. Build your blog 

Like I said in my first 8 tips for being a book blogger, we are a book blogger first and our passion for books and reading is who we are. Whilst ARCs are super exciting and I remember when I got mine, it’s all about building your blog first, with you reviews and posts, to establish yourself within the community, gain those followers and stats as that is what publisher look for. 

2. Build your social media

Following on from your blog, build your social media channels. I started with Twitter. With every review I tagged the author and the publisher. They really love that! If you have Instagram, create a post or story and link them there. It wasn’t until recently that my instagram took off to be honest. It need consistency, regular posting just like your blog. By building your channels they are more than likely to come to you, I know very recently from starting my bookstagram properly that I’ve had messages from publishers and publicists. So like I said it doesn’t always happen straight away, but continuously building your platforms and content works. 

3.  Create/Draft a template email

So when you are successful with finding a contact or email address, it’s always good to be prepared and what to say to them. So I would usually start the email with a bit about you and your blog. How long you’ve been blogging for, who are your favourite books and what genres you love to read. They love this. Be enthusiastic and passionate about books in your email. Include your blog link, name and address, they love this as it’s easier to send it straight out to you. Links to your social media channels with your statistics of the following – blog followers, blogs views, social media followers (Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Facebook etc.)  Save this in your drafts and make a copy so you always have it there. Just make sure you update it before you send it. 😊

Netgalley, use the same template to create your account and add this to your bio. Just make sure everything is up-to-date.

4. Use Twitter, follow Publisher pages

This is what I did…The best thing about Twitter that it’s a community, of bookish people and this includes publishers. At first it might be daunting where to start but I found it helpful when I went via their Twitter pages, they have newsletters for bloggers, so sign up to them and then try contacting them via Twitter. They are so friendly so don’t worry and it’s the best way rather than going through various websites to find the right contacts.

5. If you ready…go for it! (But bear in mind you might get rejected the first few times.)

You’ve got your contacts and your draft email is ready for emailing. Before you go requesting for ARCs, be prepared for rejection. Like with anything, there might be a few set backs but you get knocked,  you get back up and when you first received that approval or the book through the door, it will be worth it, I promise you that.

6. Don’t request so much… (this was my mistake)

When I first started my Netgalley account I couldn’t stop requesting, I kept hitting that button. Don’t forget you if you get approval, you have to read those books. You requested them and they granted your approval now you need to review them. When you get your first email from the publisher to request books, you can’t help but say yes please. Take your time, request the books you would love to review. I wish I did this when I was first started out, that was my mistake. So learn from my mistake please. 😅 Although I have been request happy during lockdown but we are 

7. Promote them and Review them… Keep Going!

You’ve got your first ARC or numerous, it’s a cycle and it keeps on going. Be excited about your first book mail arriving. When it comes to your review, make sure you link and tag the author and publisher across all social media platforms. Add it to Amazon, Netgalley and Goodreads. Keep Going, 

8. Mood Read, don’t feel under pressure…

One of the things that I felt was one of the pressures of book blogging was the review copies. I felt I got swamped to be honest and you do feel like that. I still do! But publishers are lovely and understanding people, so maybe email them. We are all human beings, so don’t get snowed under that you feel pressured, this will lead to a slump. Prioritise your review copies but mood read them at the same time.

Extra tip – one I stand by – Don’t forget, your passion is reading and books, it doesn’t rely on ARCs!

This is what I did when I first started 8 years ago, and also I wish I didn’t request so many either. Ha. But if you are starting out, I hope these tips help you. If you need any help or questions you are more than welcome to chat to me on Twitter or Instagram via DM.