Sinking Your Teeth into ARCs and Free Book Treats
Find those feasts of advanced reads and irresistible promotions.
Advanced Review Copies (aka ARCs), sweet promotions, and FREE books—these are things that can elude romance readers. But they shouldn't have to be!
Even if I've said it before, I will keep saying it. Authors want to be found.
Here's a breakdown of where you can find good opportunities. Of course, there will be some stuff specific to my little niche. That is part of the reason you subscribed, right?
Also, none of the following is sponsored. I use or have used all of these methods and liked them.
Maybe you have preferences of your own! Shoot me those recs, folks.
Advanced Review Copies (aka ARCs)
It is important to understand that ARCs are free in the sense that a review is expected if you liked the book. Do not sign up for an ARC unless you intend to review it.
Not leaving a review because you didn't like it? Totally fine. Quietly move on and go read something else.
If you liked it, though? Three stars or more? Show some appreciation and love, folks!
NetGalley
Check It Out: https://www.netgalley.com/
The Lowdown: A prominent platform where readers can request digital ARCs directly from publishers. It's widely used and offers a vast selection across various genres.
Edelweiss+
Check It Out: https://www.edelweiss.plus/
The Lowdown: Similar to NetGalley, Edelweiss+ provides digital ARCs and is a valuable resource for discovering upcoming titles.
Booksprout
Check It Out: https://booksprout.co/
The Lowdown: This service allows readers to access ARCs from various authors and has a decent selection of indie and small press books, primarily in the romance and thriller genres.
BookSirens
Check It Out: https://booksirens.com/
The Lowdown: Like Booksprout, BookSirens connects readers with indie authors and small publishers to access ARCs.
Author Social Media
Check It Out: Inside the pages of your fav books!
The Lowdown: Most of my ARCs are currently from authors I follow via their newsletters and Patreon. This has pros and cons. On one hand, it keeps me on top of writers I know I enjoy. However, it limits my attention to new authors I would probably also enjoy.
Promos and Free Books
Unlike ARCs, these opportunities usually require nothing beyond clicking "Checkout." Frankly, I am unimpressed with most of them.
Monster Stuff Your Kindle Day
Check it Out: https://sykdmonster.wordpress.com/
The Lowdown: This website is curated and maintained by book influencer volunteers. I follow them on Instagram for the metaphorical flag drops throughout the year. I've seen some authors I am fond of participate in them.
FaRoFeb
Check It Out: https://farofeb.com/
The Lowdown: This started as a February-only event that has expanded its social media to include information about promotions throughout the year.
BookBub
Check It Out: https://www.bookbub.com/
The Lowdown: Offers daily emails featuring free and discounted ebooks tailored to your reading preferences. Note that this service's strength is the trads. So, if you're looking for indies, that isn't BookBub's strength.
Author Social Media
Check It Out: Inside the pages of your fav books!
The Lowdown: I may do this backward. My primary method for finding free books I want is to follow the newsletters, discords, social media, etc., of authors I have already read and know I like. The most cost-effective way I can think of doing this is by trying stuff out with Kindle Unlimited, confirming I like an author, and then following the crap out of them.
Housekeeping
For more information about this newsletter’s spice and star system, check out this newsletter’s About Me page.
This is a great post with lots of awesome resources! Thank you! If you don't mind, we'd love to also mention some audiobooks ARC sites. Audiobook Review Haven is a group on FB that offers lots of audiobook review copies from indie authors. And we also love the Stuff Your Earbuds events held over on RomanceAudiobookworms.com. Thank you for spreading the word about ARCs!