Where to Find ARC Readers

What is an ARC?

An ARC is an Advanced Reader Copy. More specifically, an ARC is a book that is complete but has not yet been published. Authors and publishers often give away free ARCs prior to publication in order build buzz and garner early book reviews.

Why do I need ARC readers?

Reviews are a critical component to selling books. On Amazon, your book will get a "lift" in the rankings for the first 30 days (give or take). That means the traffic on your book sales page will it be at its highest. Great, right?

Only if you have reviews. Book browsers are far more likely to convert to book buyers when your books has social proof, aka reviews. Nobody wants to buy a book with no reviews from an unknown author (to them). Don't believe me? Browse the Kindle Top 100 for your favorite genre.

If you're thinking you'll get lots of organic reviews, you're wrong. I've seen dozens of authors estimate these ratios in popular forums. The cold reality... 1 in every 500 purchasers will review your book (at best).

Now, on to the meat of this article.

What does a good ARC reader recruitment post include?

When you are seeking new ARC readers, you will need to include the following information:

• Book Cover

• Title

• Genre

• Blurb

• Review Deadline (When do you need reviews submitted by? I suggest giving your readers 4-6 weeks lead time.)

• Where do you want them to leave reviews? (If you want reviews on Amazon, don't assume that's where your readers will put them. They might post to Kobo, Google Play, GoodReads, or their blog. Be specific.)

• Tell them how to apply. Make it simple. (Good resources to help you manage this process are StoryOrigin, BookSprout, and BookFunnel. Some authors also use Facebook or plain old email. I prefer StoryOrigin. Bonus, it's free!)

Where can I find ARC readers?

Check out the compiled list below. Please note, inclusion on this list does not indicate endorsement. If you have a suggested group for me to add, please add it in the blog comments.

OTHER

Reddit ARC Readers

https://www.reddit.com/r/ARCReaders/

LibraryThings

https://www.librarything.com/er/giveaway/list

Your Newsletter

Your Social Media Platforms

FACEBOOK

YA Book Stop

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2052321714995808

Fantasy ARC & Beta Readers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasyarcreaders/

Reading Owls ARC Team

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2749394122009843/

ARC Group for Readers & Authors

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1623950861238483/

ARC Readers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/393039901080388/

Indie Alpha, Beta, and ARC Readers for ALL Genres

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IndieABAReaders4ALLGenres/

Beta & ARC Readers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/466019413522302/

YA Fantasy Readers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/485480292199563/

GOODREADS

GoodReads ARC of Authors

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/93438-arc-of-authors

GoodReads Advanced Copies for Review & Book Giveaways

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/58575-advanced-copies-for-review-book-giveaways

GoodReads Read 4 Review

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/96918-read-4-review

GoodReads FREE BOOKS for Book lovers: ARC & Polished Manuscript Readers for Authors

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/205386-free-books-for-book-lovers-arc-polished-manuscript-readers-for-author

GoodReads Authors & Reviewers

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/103713-authors-reviewers

GoodReads Book Review Club

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/71494-book-review-club

PAID

NetGalley (can go through co-op for best pricing)

*This is the resource most traditional publishers use. It is also one of the most expensive in the market.*

https://www.netgalley.com/

Edelweiss (must go through a co-op, cannot post directly)

*This is the resource most traditional publishers use. It is also one of the most expensive in the market.*

https://www.edelweiss.plus/

BookSirens

https://booksirens.com/

Voracious Readers (first book, first 20 free)

https://voraciousreadersonly.com/

BookSprout (free plan available and upgraded plans)

https://booksprout.co/

Did I leave any off the list? Add your favorites in the comments below.

Mystery Writing Prompts

Write a mystery that will keep your readers turning pages. There's only one place to start... the beginning! With the mystery writing prompts below, you can start on your next cozy, hardboiled, suspense, or murder mystery.

Sit down, relax, and give yourself some time to free write. You deserve it. Don't forget all good mystery plots need three things: a crime, a sleuth, and suspects!

Share your mystery ideas, flash fiction, or short stories in the comments below. This is a friendly, encouraging community of writers.

Mystery Writing Prompt #1

Polar Peril

Write a story that includes these three things. A pair of glasses. An overzealous journalist. A polar bear.

Mystery Writing Prompt #2

Photo

Mystery Ideas - Suspect Board

Everything they thought they knew about the case was overturned by a single photograph.

Mystery Writing Prompt #3

The Missing Master

A well-groomed dog with the sweetest disposition and a brand new collar shows up at the local animal shelter. A shelter volunteer is determined to find his owner but finds much more than he bargained for.

Mystery Writing Prompt #4

Ace of Spades

A mysterious new criminal has emerged. His calling card, the Ace of Spades, has been found at three crime scenes in 24 hours.

Mystery Writing Prompt #5

Old News, New News

Digitizing the old newspaper records is the most boring job ever! Until an old story connects to the recent murder of a beloved reporter.

Looking for more story ideas?

Check out 365 Awesome Story Prompts. You'll find 50+ new mystery ideas as well as a sampling of 300+ prompts from fantasy, romance, historical fiction, science fiction, and more. Plus bonus lists to help you with settings and characters. If you prefer a print version with a little space to jot notes and brainstorm, try 365 Awesome Story Prompts: Journal Edition.

You can also sign-up for my newsletter and get prompts sent directly to your inbox! You'll also get my free book, 100 Awesome Story Prompts, for free.

5 Fairy Tale Writing Prompts

Everyone knows the old, familiar fairy tales of evil queens, curses, and heroic princes. Stories like Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, and Snow White have inspired and delighted us for generations. They continue to be popular today. If you're looking for fairy tale writing prompts, look no further!

In recent years, writers have begun to take these old stories and turn them upside down, reworking them for a whole new generation of readers. For instance, the Cinderella story has been reworked in Ella Enchanted (middle grade fantasy), Cinder (YA science fiction), and Geekerella (YA contemporary). Yet, each story has its own unique twist. Yours can too.

You can create flash fiction or even whole sagas from one small writing idea. I suggest taking fifteen minutes to free write using your favorite prompt below. Don't forget to share your work in the comments below!

Fairy Tale Writing Prompt #1

Just One Bite

Design Your Own:

Make up your own prompt, using the photo for inspiration.

OR

Try This One:

The little brat told the whole town that I had poisoned her apple. In truth, the apple was candied, nothing more. A failed attempt to win her affection.

Fairy Tale Writing Prompt #2

Mermaid

Design Your Own:

Make up your own prompt, using the photo for inspiration.

OR

Try This One:

After leaving the water, the mermaid no longer had her magical abilities. She was vulnerable on the land. The kind man, her traveling companion, asked her to wait while he checked the road for bandits. An hour passed, and he still had not returned.

Fairy Tale Writing Prompt #3

Blue Skies

Design Your Own:

Make up your own prompt, using the photo for inspiration.

OR

Try This One:

The castle was picture perfect. A thing of iconic beauty. But what was far more interesting was what its foundation, the mountain below, and what was hidden inside.

Fairy Tale Writing Prompt #4

A Warrior's Heart

Design Your Own:

Make up your own prompt, using the photo for inspiration.

OR

Try This One:

In the tradition of her land, warriors came one by one to petition her father for her hand in marriage. She turned each away. Her father swore that if she did not choose by the 100th suitor, she would marry the 101st. No matter who he was.

Fairy Tale Writing Prompt #5

Mirror, Mirror

Design Your Own:

Make up your own prompt, using the photo for inspiration.

OR

Try This One:

This face was new to her, younger than the one she had before. The cost had been terrible but worth every drop of spilled blood.

Looking for more story ideas?

Check out 365 Awesome Story Prompts. You'll find prompts from fantasy, romance, mystery, historical fiction, science fiction, and more. Plus bonus setting and character inspiration lists. If you prefer a print version with a little space to jot notes and brainstorm, try 365 Awesome Story Prompts: Journal Edition.

Sign up for my newsletter and get prompts sent directly to your inbox! You'll also get my book, 100 Awesome Story Prompts, for free.