ARCs

[Michael]

I've always been interested in ARCs (Advance Review Copies), do people often get a chance to review a book for your blog before the book comes out? How do you get on the list?

[hollyishere]

I usually email the author/publicists :)

[Brenda]

Register for free on http://www.netgalley.com/ I did, and I was surprised when I received my first one to review without any hassles! I've only been a member since the end of March:)

[Michael]

Good Golly Miss Holly wrote: "I usually email the author/publicists :)"

That seems really forward but I'm sure it works well


Brenda wrote: "Register for free on http://www.netgalley.com/ I did, and I was surprised when I received my first one to review without any hassles! I've only been a member since the end of March:)"

I will register

[Brenda]

Talk yourself up in your profile:)

[Michael]

Brenda wrote: "Talk yourself up in your profile:)"

I don't need to do that ;)

[Kate]

I do love NetGalley. I've gotten a few from them.
My blog isnt viewed by enough people for me to even consider being forward enough to contact a publisher directly.

[Michael]

I think NetGalley is a good starting point

[Brenda]

Agreed!!!

[Philippa (Tea in the Treetops)]

An alternative to Netgalley is Edelweiss (http://edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com/). This has really interesting marketing information from the publishers in there too. The system is a little bit more complicated and clunky to Netgalley but I have found additional titles in there.

I think the most important thing is to be professional and marketing driven in your general request information. I've had quite a bit of success with both systems (23 books approved, 8 declined) even though my blog is less than a month old.

It's either quite easy to get approvals or I've written a good profile - not too sure, perhaps a bit of both!

[Michael]

Thanks Philippa, it's good to explore the options

[Shelleyrae]

I use both NetGalley and Edelweiss.
I am also on a few publishers list - Allen & Unwin, Pan Macmillan, Bloomsbury, Harlequin and occasionally things turn up from Penguin and Simon and Schuster.

I'm not entirely sure how I ended up on them all but Allen & Unwin has a request/catalogue page http://www.allenandunwin.com/default....

[Lauren]

I use netgalley too but I've never heard of Edelweiss.

Like Shelleyrae, I'm on a few publisher lists- Simon & Schuster, Pan Macmillan, Hachette and Allen&Unwin. I can't remember when i started receiving review copies but it would have been after about 6 months or so of blogging and I think i just emailed a few. Gradually i've built up a good relationship with a couple of the publicists but it does take time.

I have now started receiving review copies from Harlequin and Harper Collins which i'm sure i had contacted in my earlier blogging days but never heard anything from them. They seem to distribute some of their review books via an independent publicity agency now and to be honest I have no idea how they got my address or details...books just started showing up on my doorstep.

[hollyishere]

Hey Shelley

Great list of Aussie pubs, I thought I had them all covered but now I'm checking out Harlequin Teen and they look great.

Must sign-up to their mailing list :)

[Lisa]

Firstly ARCs are quite rare in Australia. Most bloggers don't get many or get all, publishers usually just send us finished copies because they're cheaper to produce.

They're usually sent to us around the release date.

To get ARCs - It depends what your stats.

A publisher will invest in your blog if you write quality reviews, if you have large audience and if you get lots of page views each month. This is why most bloggers don't start requesting until they have 6 months experience or so. They also look at your followers.

If you google Tips about ARCs or something - you'll get hits on plenty of blogger discussion posts. I know I've written about 3.

Also depends on publisher, some publishers are more exclusive and selective than others...

[hollyishere]

I thought they were pretty rare too but I've actually received in a few in the past couple years.

[Michael]

Having only just signed up to Netgalley I'm very surprised to get approval for a book I didn't expect (but secretly hoped for). My first ARC is the much anticipated follow up to Glen Duncan's The Last Werewolf; Talulla Rising

[Shelleyrae]

Knowledge Lost wrote: "Having only just signed up to Netgalley I'm very surprised to get approval for a book I didn't expect (but secretly hoped for). My first ARC is the much anticipated follow up to Glen Duncan's The L..."

I hope you enjoy it Michael!

[Michael]

Shelleyrae wrote: "I hope you enjoy it Michael!"

So far so good. I hope I have time over the weekend for it

[Anika]

...books just started showing up on my doorstep.
Omg. I hope, one day, this happens to me xD

[Michael]

Me too

[Philippa (Tea in the Treetops)]

Just wondering out of curiosity what other people feel the ettiquette is with ARCs.

I currently request egalleys sometimes months in advance and then ensure they are read and reviewed within a week of the publication date. I have books approved that aren't released until September for example that I won't be reading until August most likely.

Is this considered ok by publishers or do they expect the book read and a private review completed ASAP from your ARC approval.

Just wondering as I had an acceptance email from Simon & Schuster I think it was saying they like books read and reviewed promptly from bloggers (within 30 - 60 days) even though the book isn't released until much later on in the year.

Am I thinking too hard about all this? How do other people manage their review piles?

[Michelle]

I'm the same as you Philippa, I usually read them so the review can be done for the release date, or a week or so before. But, I've never had a publisher ask for anything else. I guess it is entirely based on the publisher's preferences.

[Brenda]

I've only recently started with NetGalley, but have found that a week to 10 days before publication is best for the review. I do the review when I finish the book, and leave it on my computer, ready to put out there. I really think it depends on the publisher with the reviews.

[Michael]

I think with netgalley It is best to see what the publisher wants. Some of them want it done over 30 days before release or after release while other publishers want it a week before release

[Shelleyrae]

Philippa (Tea, Daydreams & Fairytales) wrote: "Just wondering out of curiosity what other people feel the ettiquette is with ARCs.

I currently request egalleys sometimes months in advance and then ensure they are read and reviewed within a ..."

As a rule I post my reviews for requested titles in the week either side of, or on publication date of the release unless specifically asked for something different.
In the US pre orders are standard practice so I understand them being quite flexible but in Australia long lead times don't make sense since it is much more uncommon.
However is that is what S&S wants then you are best to give it to them, or contact them to ask about the policy. It may be that they want the review early for their own use but may not necessarily insist on having it published until around the release date

[Anika]

So here's a question for people who already receive ARCs from publishers in the mail - do you (or did you originally) get in contact with the publishers at their Aussie offices, or do you contact overseas publishers?

[Michael]

Angelya wrote: "So here's a question for people who already receive ARCs from publishers in the mail - do you (or did you originally) get in contact with the publishers at their Aussie offices, or do you contact o..."

good question, I'd like to be sent books in the mail but no such luck yet. I have been contacted but never heard back from them

[Shelleyrae]

Angelya wrote: "So here's a question for people who already receive ARCs from publishers in the mail - do you (or did you originally) get in contact with the publishers at their Aussie offices, or do you contact o..."

Aussie offices - it is very, very rare that O/S publishers will send ARCs here.

[Anika]

Shelleyrae wrote: "Aussie offices - it is very, very rare that O/S publishers will send ARCs here. "
I suspected as much.. thanks very much Shelleyrae :)

[Shelleyrae]

The Reading Room is now offering Australian residents the chance to access ARC's in exchange for a review on their site.

Register for free and then go choose Book Clubs>Home Page. You can choose from the books listed at right in the sidebar.

I suggest you build up your account a little first to be in with the best chance. The site is similar to Goodreads but based in Australia.

Make sure you friend me! (Shelleyrae)

[Aretha]

i just start to build up my profile and received few arc to review. Anyone here know how to get in touch with the publisher like harlequin? Thx

[Michael]

There is no correct way to do this. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter and comment on their posts, if you have a review policy on your site and you get their attention, that is normally the best way to get their attentions.

[Susan]

Hi Ashleigh, don't be shy. Publishers are looking for bloggers to review their books. Just email them and be sure to let them know your background and where you intend to publish. If they don't reply, keep trying every few months. That's how I started and now I'm on every list of major publisher. It's great. :)

[John]

Anyone want to review my latest novel? I can send you a .mobi file or a PDF.
It's humour with pathos. What's Major Jeremy Billycock-Smythe going to do with 12 illegal immigrants he's accidentally brought into the country?

https://www.amazon.com.au/Major-BS-il...Major BS and the Illegal Immigrants

[Drew]

Salutations All,

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Drew Palacio and my Children's Book Shrieks and Sounds and things Abound! (The Quiet Wants of Julien J.) is set to launch worldwide May 9th and can be found across most mediums including Booktopia-AU.

The title is the first in a series (Second title to release in 2023) and is in the process of being promoted via my publisher, as well as through online book blogger reviews, social media reviews and promotion, and via live interview on the children's literature podcast Buttons & Figs.

The title is also strongly endorsed by award winning children's book author Junia Wonders.

That said, I would love to hear what the literati of Australia think about my little scribbles!

I would be more than happy to send not only an electronic ARC to bloggers interested as well as a signed hardcover :)

If you're at all interested please drop me a line at:
Drewpalacio@gmail.com

Thank you again!
-Drew