A hot topic around the YA book blogosphere… or really any book blogosphere is Advance Readers Copies. Or as you may or may not know them: ARC. ARCs are bound uncorrected proofs of a book, that usually circulates before the books release, early buzz if you will. You don’t have them, you want them. You have too many of them, the guilt keeps you up night….. Or something like that.
In case you missed last weeks YA Connection, I posted a link to a very informative post by debut author Alexandra Bracken (Brightly Woven) if you haven’t checked it out, you should. Here is the link (Dearest Book Bloggers). It’s a very informative post whether you are a new blogger or not. I also want to mention a post that author Saundra Mitchell (Shadowed Summer) did about ARCs, (How Did You Get All Those Books- The Author Side.)
I’ll occasionally receive emails in the inbox from new bloggers, asking for help, asking for advice, which if you’ve contacted me and I finally got back to you… (sorry I know I am insanely slow about that… I promise I will work on that) anyway, if you’ve contacted me, you know that I’m all about giving out advice, trying to spread my knowledge, if you will. If it’s any good, I really don’t know.
One of the most frequent emails that I’ll get is asking about advance readers copies… asking what they are, and how the emailer can get them too. Let me first start out by saying, that when I respond to these emails my first suggestion is to never starting a book blog solely to get arcs or ‘free’ books. I know people do it, but coming from a (semi) experienced blogger, believe me, it is not worth it! But honestly I wasn’t one hundred percent sure what to tell these emailers. So I decided that maybe I should find out.
I wanted to be informative and reliable when I responded to emails like this, I decided to do some research on the situation. I emailed some publishing houses and some authors. A few of them were kind enough to get back with me and this is what they had to say. I have chosen a few of the answers to quote that I found to be very informative. Overall, they all had similar answers across the board.
I asked the publishing houses three questions:
- How do you feel about bloggers asking for advance readers copies (ARCs)?
- Do blog stats matter to you?
- What is the average cost to produce an advance reader copy (ARC)?
Here’s what they had to say:
How do you feel about bloggers asking for advance readers copies?
Most of them don’t mind getting emails requesting copies. However, they wanted the emails to be short & sweet and professional. They don’t need to know your life story. Be sure to include your mailing address. And also realize that they have a very busy job! They may not get back to you in a timely manner don’t send them ten emails to see what’s taking them so long.
But don’t just take my word for it, here’s what they had to say:
“I’m of two minds. On the one hand, I love book review blogs. I think they reach the average reader in a way that the New York Times simply does not. But, in my experience, there’s an element of professionalism lacking in much of the book blogging community. It’s easy to tell when a blog has been started because the blogger wants free books, not because they want to talk about books in any real way. When I get an email from someone who’s been blogging for two months and asks for an ARC for every single book in our catalog, that’s a red flag for me. Bloggers are not entitled to ARCs simply because their blog exists—they need to provide a service that makes sending those ARCs worth it, in the form of (and I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot, but I’m going to say it again) thoughtful, well-written reviews. And, yes, we appreciate when bloggers post our extra content, like trailers and videos and widgets and so forth—we create much of that content for bloggers, so it makes us feel like that work is worth it.
I don’t mind people asking for advanced reader copies, but I will say a couple of things:
- First, ask for small books as well as big ones—or mostly/only small ones when you’re just starting out.
- DON’T treat your publishing contact like Amazon—just because you ask for a book doesn’t mean it can or will be sent, and furthermore they might not have the time to tell you whether or not you’ll be receiving it. People in publishing are very overworked, it’s important to be gracious and kind to them—and, frankly, that’s the only way you’ll be able to get anything you ask for, because I do not send books to bloggers who harass me. I get some very tetchy, rude emails from people who are angry that the books they requested haven’t arrived, and I stop communicating with those people. It’s not worth it for me to mail books to people who think that my only job is to cater to their whims.
- If someone at the publishing company says “no” to you, DON’T go around asking other people at the house. It will get back to them that you were doing that—publishing houses might seem big, but they’re tiny. If they think someone else might be able to help you, they will direct you to that person or ask them internally.
- Be professional! I can’t say this enough. If you wouldn’t write something in a work email, don’t write it to a publishing contact. Unless you are actually friends with that person, don’t overshare personal information. It’s unnecessary and makes things uncomfortable. Just be nice and clear and say thank you.
- Think about what you are offering to the publisher in exchange for the ARC, and provide that thing. We don’t expect every single book we send out to be reviewed, but if we find that a blogger who asks for a dozen ARCs at a time but never reviews any of them, we will probably stop sending.
- Alert your contact when you’ve posted a review or are giving away a copy of a book from their house. It’s very helpful, and we appreciate it.
- Don’t clog up our inboxes with too many emails—they get lost that way. If you have multiple things to say, one email will suffice.”
“I don’t mind receiving emails asking for review copies, but they must be succinct. A request email should always contain the mailing address and information about the blog (like the stats I’ll mention below). A couple tips: keep it brief, and always be professional. I receive a lot of emails with TMI – anything from how a particular book relates to their past relationships to serious issues like life-threatening illness. I love it when reviewers are friendly, but there’s a line between that and sharing impertinent personal information.
Please understand that publicists work on a ton of titles, so they can’t always get back to you in a timely manner. It’s acceptable to follow up after a few weeks, but saying “I know you’re busy” while sending 10 emails is still stressful! And please don’t argue when I ask for stats or tell you that review copies aren’t available. Unfortunately these are just realities of the job!”
Do blog stats matter to you?
In word word: YES!
“Blog stats do matter in the sense that publicity (online and print) is about reaching as many people as possible. But, actually, what matters MORE to me is the way I feel about that blog and the blogger who runs it. If a blogger is a consummate professional and really tries hard to shine a light on our smaller titles, is always letting me know about reviews and writes great ones that are of value to the community, I’ll probably send them whatever they ask for. It’s about trust and assurance that company assets are being invested wisely. If I trust a blogger, I’ll always try to accommodate them.”
“Blog stats are very important to us, specifically number of monthly unique visitors. Information about other sites where your posts have been picked up is also good. Stats like amount of Blogger followers or RSS downloads aren’t very helpful, since they don’t track all visitors. Since review copies are so limited – finished and ARCs — these are the benchmarks we have to use when deciding to send to a blogger (for the record, we look at this the same way as magazine or newspaper circulation). Unfortunately, no matter how favorable or honest a review is, or how beautifully a blog is designed, or how often it’s updated, we really have to rely on the numbers.”
“Stats are something that we look at, but they’re not the only thing by any means. For every request I get I check out the blog and if it’s well-written, regularly updated and, most importantly, the blogger is obviously someone who loves reading and is passionate about books then the stats are much less of a factor. I also always look as which other bloggers are following the blogger and if it’s people I know and trust then that helps me too!”
What is the average cost to produce an ARC?
Surprisingly enough, ARCs cost a lot more to make than the finished copy of a book. Which honestly was something that I wasn’t even aware of.
“It depends on the ARC (for instance, fancy things like foiling or embossing or glossy covers tend to add cost), but from $16-20 is a pretty normal range. The average BOOK costs a fraction of that to print, because the print run for an ARC is a couple thousand, if that—the print run for a regular book is much higher, and, in some cases, MUCH MUCH higher.”
In addition to the questions I asked they also included other interesting information that I think is beneficial to know as well:
“Because of the economy, many publishers (including us) are cutting down on the amount of ARCs/galleys AND finished books that are sent out to media (Surprisingly, galleys actually cost more than finished books). Usually we send about 20-30 ARCs to reviewers, while we’re able to send many more finished books. Galleys are mostly created for long-lead magazines, which are actually printing their content three months in advance of publication. There are a handful of websites/blogs, radio shows, and newspapers that also need and receive galleys, but the vast majority of blogs must wait to receive finished books (a couple weeks before the pub date).”
“Outside of your questions, I would say that if someone “just started a review blog”, they should NOT be asking for ARCs. If they prove themselves to be good reviewers (meaning they post consistent, well-written, thoughtful reviews, negative or positive), a publicist or online marketing person will probably contact them eventually, most likely asking them if they would be interested in reviewing a book that is small for the house, that isn’t getting a whole lot of marketing or publicity thrust behind it. IF they MUST contact a publicist/online marketing person, here are some things new bloggers should not do:
- Send the same email multiple times (often we get emails that are obviously form emails with just the name of the book and the author name changed—sending one email with a list is preferable)
- Send an email that is formatted weirdly, with insane fonts and colors—it’s just unprofessional
- Send an email that tells their life story—just a brief introduction, the link to the blog, a sentence about how long they’ve been blogging, and what book(s) they are requesting is sufficient
- Send an email without a mailing address! If I get an email from a new blogger requesting a book that doesn’t have a mailing address, I usually ignore it, not because I’m being rude, but because I am very busy and don’t have time to reply asking for a mailing address. The easier you can make it for someone at a house to send you a book, the more likely you are to receive it
- Send an email requesting every single big title for the house in question. We get a limited number of ARCs per title—for some we get 50, for some we get 250, for some we get 15, and it totally depends and is not always based on how important/not important the book is for the house—and if we don’t get very many, we will probably send to the biggest blogs with the highest traffic or people we know and like. But, if a blogger asks for a title we don’t get a lot of requests for, I will send it almost 100% of the time. If you are a blogger who’s only been doing it for a few months, you’re unlikely to get an ARC for a lead title, but asking for an ARC of something that probably won’t get a lot of attention is a sure fire way to ingratiate yourself to us. Now, post a thoughtful, well-written review of that book, send us the link, and you’re well on your way to being a trusted blogger who we’ll send bigger books to.”
But what about the other end of the spectrum… Authors.
I also emailed a few author to see what they had to say on the matter.
I asked them:
- How do you feel about bloggers asking you for advance readers copies?
- Do blog stats matter to you?
- How many advance readers copies do you usually receive?
How do you feel about bloggers asking you for ARCs?
Most of the times authors are flattered when they are asked. Unfortunately, they don’t usually have arcs, which will be discussed in more detail in question three. But most of the time they are happy to forward your request onto their publicist.
Here’s what some authors had to say:
“I love it when bloggers show interest in my upcoming releases, and feelbad that its impossible to have enough ARCs to fulfill all the requests. I admit that I do become frustrated when people ask for “review copies” of a book that’s been out for several years, but I think sometimes newer bloggers don’t understand exactly how the system works. But hey, it never hurts to ask. Just please don’t get angry when we have to say no.”
“I get a lot of this, and while I don’t mind the question, I feel bad about the answer I usually have to give. I don’t get enough ARCs to send out to reviewers, because there are just too many reviewers out there.”
“I feel honored to be asked IF the blogger is a serious reviewer who is fair and thoughtful in their reviews.”
“Well, now my advanced review copies go exclusively out from my publishers, except for the contest copies I receive, so it sort of irks me that they went to the trouble to find my e-mail address and e-mail me when right on my website it says: “If you’d like to be considered as a potential review venue, please send your requests along with your physical mailing address, your blog visit statistics, and a little bit about the popularity of your blog to (an email address would be here… but i’m keeping things anon here.) It’s not hard to find this bit of info — it’s right in the FAQ — but I feel like a lot of bloggers just make a beeline straight for my email without even taking in any of the info on the page. It makes me feel sad and underloved and like they should give me roses and have some foreplay before they ask me for an ARC.
Most bloggers do go through my publishers now, much to my relief, because it was incredibly time consuming to go through the requests, and the ones that don’t . . . it makes me wonder if they’re a newbie, a jerkface, or merely a non-careful reader, in which case, how in depth will their review be?”
Do blog stats matter to you?
Yes they do, but so do a ton of other things!
“Absolutely. What is the point of having a glowing review on someone’s LiveJournal that gets ten hits a week? ARCs are expensive and limited, and you’re basically gambling $7-15 on every ARC you send out, hoping you’ll get a review. So yes, stats matter.
But basically, when I was sending them out myself, I wanted decent traffic. And that means 100 followers for a blogger blog or at least 100 unique hits a day (not repeat hits or internal ones). It’s also nice to see an active commenting community on the blog — I don’t care what the stats are, again, if they have fifteen unique comments on a post, I’m going to send them one, because they have commenters who are likely active on other blogs as well, and that’s worth more than 100 silent readers.”
“What matters more to me is a solid history of book reviews on the blog.”
“While I don’t send ARCs to reviewers, I do sometimes send some of my personal copies (author copies) of the final product to reviewers, and yes, blog stats matter. Those copies are sent out in hopes that the resulting reviews will catch the attention of some readers who have never heard of me or my books, and the bigger the reviewer’s readership, the greater the change that will happen.”
“They don’t really; what matters is the fair and thoughtful review part. But I think they do matter to the publishing houses.”
“Blog stats (as in visitor numbers) matter a lot less to me than content, quality, and appropriateness of the target. I’m more likely to send an ARC to a blog that writes quality reviews, a blog that writes a lot of reviews (as opposed to taking books but never reviewing them), a blog that tends to review books in my specific genre (i.e., don’t send your fluffy chick lit novel to the blog that likes things dark and serious), or a blog whose reviews I agree with and respect. I always want the blogs I read and follow to review my books, because obviously, I care about their opinion. If a blog has liked my books in the past, I think they are a good target for future releases. If a blog has disliked my books in the past, even if they are well-traveled and write quality reviews, I’m less likely to send future books to them. They probably wouldn’t read the book (hereby wasting one of my few ARCs) or like it if they did. I definitely keep a list of the bloggers who have reviewed my book for future inclusion of ARCs, and I hope even if I don’t have enough ARCs to send them all, that I can do something else to let them get a sneak peek of my book.”
How many advance reader copies do you usually receive?
The unanimous answer for this one, is not many. Something to remember when you email an author.
“…author themselves usually has very, very few, and asking them for an ARC is a far more dicey proposition than asking the publisher.”
“With one exception, I’ve never gotten more than five, and I only got one of my latest release.”
“Even before they come, I know I owe five or ten to my agent to send out to the foreign rights people, or I’ve been given the responsibility to distribute ARCs to authors we’re going to ask for blurbs, or etc. I do know that with every single one of my books, I’ve distributed all but one ARC that I kept for myself.”
“I was lucky and got 20. I know authors who have received only one copy.”
So there it is. This isn’t just a post for new bloggers this is just for reviewers in general. I’m not trying to pick on anyone, so don’t take this as a personal attack. I learned so much myself, asking these questions, and hopefully you have too.
Also.. forgot to mention this, but THANK YOU to the authors and pubs that got back to me, you know who you are!
No related posts.
I think this is a fantastically informative point. I am happy that you included comments from both publishers and authors.
Glad I stayed up past my bedtime to read this!
I think this is a fantastically informative point. I am happy that you included comments from both publishers and authors.
Glad I stayed up past my bedtime to read this!
This is a great post. I'm learning so much about ARCs! I've been getting them from the Romance community for several years now but I didn't realize all of this information.
This is a great post. I'm learning so much about ARCs! I've been getting them from the Romance community for several years now but I didn't realize all of this information.
I will be honest here:
I look at it this way. Some bloggers like to review here and there, some take it more seriously and treat their blog like a professional site. Authors, Publicists and Publishers know who to give ARCS to and why. It takes work to ask for a book, but you need to follow through it you do.
How do you feel about bloggers asking you for advance readers copies: I've never had anyone ask me, but it's simple, if you want ARCS email the publisher or even the author. If someone I know wants and ARC and asks me for advice, I give them a contact. it takes time to build up connections. I have 3 years of experience under my belt.
Do blog stats matter to you: I am not going to lie, but I do get excited to see my stats at a certain number. I am more interested in seeing where people are coming from to view my blog because I like to find new blogs, sites or other places to put in my google reader. And again, no one but you know your stats and the amount of comments don't mean anything. About 5% of comments left on my blog is near to what my traffic is. if you give the vibe of having a blog that has a lot of traffic, that's all you need.
How many advance readers copies do you usually receive: I can get up to 50 books in a month. And I am not going to apologize for that. Also Amazon Vine has become a great way to receive ARCS.
I will be honest here:
I look at it this way. Some bloggers like to review here and there, some take it more seriously and treat their blog like a professional site. Authors, Publicists and Publishers know who to give ARCS to and why. It takes work to ask for a book, but you need to follow through it you do.
How do you feel about bloggers asking you for advance readers copies: I've never had anyone ask me, but it's simple, if you want ARCS email the publisher or even the author. If someone I know wants and ARC and asks me for advice, I give them a contact. it takes time to build up connections. I have 3 years of experience under my belt.
Do blog stats matter to you: I am not going to lie, but I do get excited to see my stats at a certain number. I am more interested in seeing where people are coming from to view my blog because I like to find new blogs, sites or other places to put in my google reader. And again, no one but you know your stats and the amount of comments don't mean anything. About 5% of comments left on my blog is near to what my traffic is. if you give the vibe of having a blog that has a lot of traffic, that's all you need.
How many advance readers copies do you usually receive: I can get up to 50 books in a month. And I am not going to apologize for that. Also Amazon Vine has become a great way to receive ARCS.
Thank you so much for putting in the time and effore to do this post Kristi. One agian you have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make an incredibly informative post.
I completely agree with you – just because you have a blog does not mean you automatically earn ARCs. All of the different views you got just brings that idea home.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for putting in the time and effore to do this post Kristi. One agian you have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make an incredibly informative post.
I completely agree with you – just because you have a blog does not mean you automatically earn ARCs. All of the different views you got just brings that idea home.
Keep up the good work!
Hey Kristi, this post is amazing. You've done a fantastic job of addressing the nitty-gritty little-known details of a tough industry. I absolutely loved that we got quotes from actual publishing professionals, and I've learned quite a number of things myself that I am excited to hopefully implement in the future. Keep up your consistently great work!
Hey Kristi, this post is amazing. You've done a fantastic job of addressing the nitty-gritty little-known details of a tough industry. I absolutely loved that we got quotes from actual publishing professionals, and I've learned quite a number of things myself that I am excited to hopefully implement in the future. Keep up your consistently great work!
This is such a great post, Kristi! As a new blogger, I found it incredibly informative – especially getting to read answers from both publishers and authors.
This is such a great post, Kristi! As a new blogger, I found it incredibly informative – especially getting to read answers from both publishers and authors.
GREAT POST! I actually learned so much just from reading that…love all the great quotes from the publishers. WOW.
GREAT POST! I actually learned so much just from reading that…love all the great quotes from the publishers. WOW.
Wonderful post Kristi. It was very informative and having both authors and publishers comments was really great. Thank you for taking your time to get all this information and share it with us!
-Arielle
Wonderful post Kristi. It was very informative and having both authors and publishers comments was really great. Thank you for taking your time to get all this information and share it with us!
-Arielle
I liked this review. I have not asked authors for ARC's. I am a new reviewer and I want to start out slow and learn more about what I am doing. I have been accepted by 2 publishers to do reviews and I know that you get pretty much slim pickins as to what they let you review. That is fine with me. I want to learn and not be pushy about any of this. I blog for fun… Your review was very helpful..
I liked this review. I have not asked authors for ARC's. I am a new reviewer and I want to start out slow and learn more about what I am doing. I have been accepted by 2 publishers to do reviews and I know that you get pretty much slim pickins as to what they let you review. That is fine with me. I want to learn and not be pushy about any of this. I blog for fun… Your review was very helpful..
I'm the one who goes to bed at night feeling guilty!
I'm the one who goes to bed at night feeling guilty!
I think you did really well with this. I learned a lot and I'm sure I will keep coming back to this. I'm actually one of those new bloggers but common sense told me that I shouldn't just go asking for ARC's. I figured that they were hard to come by, especially in this economy. And since I am new I don't have anything to show to them that it would be worth sending me one. I have contacted some authors but never asked for an ARC but instead an interview just to get something different going on the blog. This was very informative, thank you.
I think you did really well with this. I learned a lot and I'm sure I will keep coming back to this. I'm actually one of those new bloggers but common sense told me that I shouldn't just go asking for ARC's. I figured that they were hard to come by, especially in this economy. And since I am new I don't have anything to show to them that it would be worth sending me one. I have contacted some authors but never asked for an ARC but instead an interview just to get something different going on the blog. This was very informative, thank you.
I remember how surprised and happy I was when a publicist emailed me asking if I'd like to receive my first review copy ever – it was Catherine Gilbert Murdock's PRINCESS BEN – and I had been blogging and reviewing for about 5 months. I didn't even attempt to ask a publisher for a review copy until I had been blogging nearly a year (and I was, again, so surprised and happy to get it!).
While I think the book blogging community in general is very supportive of new bloggers, new bloggers have to understand that it takes time and effort to create a blog that's useful to readers, reviewers, and publishers/authors. Put in the effort first, THEN thoughtfully request ARCs once you have a following that'll read your reviews!
And, for the record, I think I missed the In My Mailbox controversy, but I have to tell you that I love that meme. I see it as a way to keep on top of what awesome books are coming out so I can add them to my TBR list and remember to track them down. I always love to see what ARCs people are receiving, whether or not I'm interested in (or able to) requesting one from a publisher.
I remember how surprised and happy I was when a publicist emailed me asking if I'd like to receive my first review copy ever – it was Catherine Gilbert Murdock's PRINCESS BEN – and I had been blogging and reviewing for about 5 months. I didn't even attempt to ask a publisher for a review copy until I had been blogging nearly a year (and I was, again, so surprised and happy to get it!).
While I think the book blogging community in general is very supportive of new bloggers, new bloggers have to understand that it takes time and effort to create a blog that's useful to readers, reviewers, and publishers/authors. Put in the effort first, THEN thoughtfully request ARCs once you have a following that'll read your reviews!
And, for the record, I think I missed the In My Mailbox controversy, but I have to tell you that I love that meme. I see it as a way to keep on top of what awesome books are coming out so I can add them to my TBR list and remember to track them down. I always love to see what ARCs people are receiving, whether or not I'm interested in (or able to) requesting one from a publisher.
Thank you for posting this! I think it will help and answer a lot of bloggers questions!
Thank you for posting this! I think it will help and answer a lot of bloggers questions!
Thanks for doing all the research to put this post together, Kristi. It's a very helpful reference.
Thanks for doing all the research to put this post together, Kristi. It's a very helpful reference.
Fab post, as always, Kristi-la!
Fab post, as always, Kristi-la!
what amazes me also is how many FAQ posts and How To posts you've done on book blogging, and how to get books and people are not reading them and still email you!
what amazes me also is how many FAQ posts and How To posts you've done on book blogging, and how to get books and people are not reading them and still email you!
This is a really excellent post, and I've added a link to it on my Contact page, here: http://www.karenhealey.com/contact/
Thank you for creating a wonderful resource!
This is a really excellent post, and I've added a link to it on my Contact page, here: http://www.karenhealey.com/contact/
Thank you for creating a wonderful resource!
The only criteria I kind of fail at here is the address thing–I think it's because I'm afraid they'll think I'm entitled and I'm like, "Oh, yeah, well, you'll send this to me, here's my address and be quick about it." Now that I know it's easier for the publishers, I'll definetly include it in any future request I send. Thanks, Krisit!
The only criteria I kind of fail at here is the address thing–I think it's because I'm afraid they'll think I'm entitled and I'm like, "Oh, yeah, well, you'll send this to me, here's my address and be quick about it." Now that I know it's easier for the publishers, I'll definetly include it in any future request I send. Thanks, Krisit!
Great post!
Great post!
Super informative – thanks!
Super informative – thanks!
Awesome post!
Personally, I never plan on asking for ARC's if someone approaches me (which has happen) I'll consider it if it fits the reason I blog. I just couldn't come straight out and ask – it's not in my nature.
I am finding that I don't know if I even want to take copies for review. It's a lot of stress because I feel like I HAVE to get them done quick and that they have to be put in front of all the other books I've bought to read. I feel like I'm losing all my time to read books I'm choise to read, not ones I'm being asked to read. And reading what I want is the reason I started blogging!
Wonderful post! Thanks for it.
Awesome post!
Personally, I never plan on asking for ARC's if someone approaches me (which has happen) I'll consider it if it fits the reason I blog. I just couldn't come straight out and ask – it's not in my nature.
I am finding that I don't know if I even want to take copies for review. It's a lot of stress because I feel like I HAVE to get them done quick and that they have to be put in front of all the other books I've bought to read. I feel like I'm losing all my time to read books I'm choise to read, not ones I'm being asked to read. And reading what I want is the reason I started blogging!
Wonderful post! Thanks for it.
Hi Kristi! Thanks for this very helpful post.
I've never e-mailed an author/publisher before to ask for a review copy (unless it's been offered) since I don't always get to post new reviews, but this is a big help if and when I manage to improve my blog (and stats)! 
Hi Kristi! Thanks for this very helpful post.
I've never e-mailed an author/publisher before to ask for a review copy (unless it's been offered) since I don't always get to post new reviews, but this is a big help if and when I manage to improve my blog (and stats)! 
I think is really important to know these things, a very informative and interesting post. Thanks for taking the time
is very helpful.
I think is really important to know these things, a very informative and interesting post. Thanks for taking the time
is very helpful.
Thanks once again, Kristi! It's very true. I've had so many bloggers (both new and established) email me for ARCs and review copies and I do feel guilty when I have to say no — but I don't have a choice! My publisher is actually really great about making ARCs, but they are limited and many are earmarked for ALA and other large conventions.
I received, for instance, 12 author copies of my first book (that's actual copies, not ARCs) plus maybe 20 ARCs. I obviously wanted to keep some for myself.
So deciding where to send out the remainder is rather daunting.
My husband did actually purchase more final copies for me to use for promotions, which many authors do (and also for school visits). I do get an author discount, but they are by no means free (and, if you purchase them that way, they don't count towards your numbers). If you add up all of the things I did promotion-wise (buying more books, buying "book swag", advertising, hosting contests, etc.), my first royalty check was completely taken by promo stuff. A lot of authors have the same experience, but we hope to build a base of readers so publishers will keep wanting to buy our books.
I do think book bloggers are a big part of any (smart) author's promotional arsenal now and I think the vast majority of you guys do an incredible job and you do it for the love of books — which is something every author loves to see. But it's great to see honest, open conversations like this. I'll definitely be pointing people this way!
(of course, I also have a dual persective on this, having been a book reviewer since 1998, back before anything was even called a blog.)
Thanks once again, Kristi! It's very true. I've had so many bloggers (both new and established) email me for ARCs and review copies and I do feel guilty when I have to say no — but I don't have a choice! My publisher is actually really great about making ARCs, but they are limited and many are earmarked for ALA and other large conventions.
I received, for instance, 12 author copies of my first book (that's actual copies, not ARCs) plus maybe 20 ARCs. I obviously wanted to keep some for myself.
So deciding where to send out the remainder is rather daunting.
My husband did actually purchase more final copies for me to use for promotions, which many authors do (and also for school visits). I do get an author discount, but they are by no means free (and, if you purchase them that way, they don't count towards your numbers). If you add up all of the things I did promotion-wise (buying more books, buying "book swag", advertising, hosting contests, etc.), my first royalty check was completely taken by promo stuff. A lot of authors have the same experience, but we hope to build a base of readers so publishers will keep wanting to buy our books.
I do think book bloggers are a big part of any (smart) author's promotional arsenal now and I think the vast majority of you guys do an incredible job and you do it for the love of books — which is something every author loves to see. But it's great to see honest, open conversations like this. I'll definitely be pointing people this way!
(of course, I also have a dual persective on this, having been a book reviewer since 1998, back before anything was even called a blog.)
Great post Kristi. Our blog has learned so much from your post. Congratulations on the 1k+ followers.
~Pixie
Page Turners
Great post Kristi. Our blog has learned so much from your post. Congratulations on the 1k+ followers.
~Pixie
Page Turners
Great post, Kristi!
Lisa
Great post, Kristi!
Lisa
Thank you so much for posting this! It's so informative. I'm going to link it to Tenners as well.
I have way more ARC requests than I will be able to hand out–things like Traveling to Teens are great because the (valuable) ARC can cover more ground.
Side note: I had no idea they cost $16 bucks to print each. I'm running to put mine in a safe.
Thank you so much for posting this! It's so informative. I'm going to link it to Tenners as well.
I have way more ARC requests than I will be able to hand out–things like Traveling to Teens are great because the (valuable) ARC can cover more ground.
Side note: I had no idea they cost $16 bucks to print each. I'm running to put mine in a safe.
Great post, Kristi! Lots of good info.
Great post, Kristi! Lots of good info.
Great post! Very informative, thanks for taking the time to do it for all of us.
Great post! Very informative, thanks for taking the time to do it for all of us.
This post is extremely informative. It also helps us improve how we handle this subject. Definitely, thought me alot.
Makes me want to try harder….
This post is extremely informative. It also helps us improve how we handle this subject. Definitely, thought me alot.
Makes me want to try harder….
What a fabulous post, Kristi! Once again, you've broken a potentially touchy topic down into facts, figures and easy to digest tidbits in your lovely and thoughtful way. You are such a huge asset to the book blogging community (and beyond!).
What a fabulous post, Kristi! Once again, you've broken a potentially touchy topic down into facts, figures and easy to digest tidbits in your lovely and thoughtful way. You are such a huge asset to the book blogging community (and beyond!).
Kristi – great info and I totally agree on the ways to get started – library books or group buy books – get together with 3 or 4 friends you each buy a book and share them (you pay for one – read four).
Robyn Hawk
@ReadingItAll
Amazon Vine Voice: Reading It All
http://booksreadingitall.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ReadingItAllReviews
Kristi – great info and I totally agree on the ways to get started – library books or group buy books – get together with 3 or 4 friends you each buy a book and share them (you pay for one – read four).
Robyn Hawk
@ReadingItAll
Amazon Vine Voice: Reading It All
http://booksreadingitall.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ReadingItAllReviews
Wow Kristi!! Excellent post!
I have to say- Why would you ask for review copies when being asked feels SO good!!?? When I started I was scared at having to review books I didn't want to read. I was curious at how people got books before release, yes; but I was more scared of getting books I didn't want! At some point I got my first email ASKING ME to review a book!! OMG! I still get a huge grin and lifts my self-esteem every time I get one!
I cant imagine what it must be like to ASK for a book and then NOT like it…
Wow Kristi!! Excellent post!
I have to say- Why would you ask for review copies when being asked feels SO good!!?? When I started I was scared at having to review books I didn't want to read. I was curious at how people got books before release, yes; but I was more scared of getting books I didn't want! At some point I got my first email ASKING ME to review a book!! OMG! I still get a huge grin and lifts my self-esteem every time I get one!
I cant imagine what it must be like to ASK for a book and then NOT like it…
Wow. This is great. In the ten or so minutes I took to read this, I learned more about ARCs/blogging in general than I have learned since starting my blog.
I do have a question though, if there is anyone that can answer. I have received a few ARCs from contests/festivals or have borrowed them from fellow bloggers. If I have not been in contact with someone at the books' publishing house, how do I know who to send my review/link to? Would it be too informal to ask whoever runs the houses' twitter account via twitter? Some of the ARCs I have include the email/mailing address for reviews on the back, but not all.
Thanks!
Wow. This is great. In the ten or so minutes I took to read this, I learned more about ARCs/blogging in general than I have learned since starting my blog.
I do have a question though, if there is anyone that can answer. I have received a few ARCs from contests/festivals or have borrowed them from fellow bloggers. If I have not been in contact with someone at the books' publishing house, how do I know who to send my review/link to? Would it be too informal to ask whoever runs the houses' twitter account via twitter? Some of the ARCs I have include the email/mailing address for reviews on the back, but not all.
Thanks!
what a great source for book bloggers! when i started out, i reviewed books from the library or from my own collection.
i've requested two or three ARCs in the last year and am selective with what i accept from authors or publishers. i don't want to over-extend myself and have book blogger guilt!
i may not post as many reviews as some book bloggers, but book blogging is a hobby for me, something i do because i enjoy it. i don't want reading to become a chore or a burden. being weighed down with too many books to read and review will only make me stressed!
what a great source for book bloggers! when i started out, i reviewed books from the library or from my own collection.
i've requested two or three ARCs in the last year and am selective with what i accept from authors or publishers. i don't want to over-extend myself and have book blogger guilt!
i may not post as many reviews as some book bloggers, but book blogging is a hobby for me, something i do because i enjoy it. i don't want reading to become a chore or a burden. being weighed down with too many books to read and review will only make me stressed!
What a great post! Very informative and helpful. As a blogger who is located outside of the US, I'm wondering if you got a sense for how publishers feel about sending review copies to international locations? So far I have one big publisher who does not mind at all and one big publishing house who says that they never send books outside of the US, but many publishers who I have contacted have not responded at all and I'm left wondering if its because they won't send internationally or if they haven't responded for another reason.
What a great post! Very informative and helpful. As a blogger who is located outside of the US, I'm wondering if you got a sense for how publishers feel about sending review copies to international locations? So far I have one big publisher who does not mind at all and one big publishing house who says that they never send books outside of the US, but many publishers who I have contacted have not responded at all and I'm left wondering if its because they won't send internationally or if they haven't responded for another reason.
Kristi, Thank you so much for this post. I searched all over the place for this kind of information before approaching a publisher with a book request. I found good information then, but it was time consuming. This post is much more concise. All new bloggers should read this.
Kristi, Thank you so much for this post. I searched all over the place for this kind of information before approaching a publisher with a book request. I found good information then, but it was time consuming. This post is much more concise. All new bloggers should read this.
Great post!
Awesome research. Thanks for taking the time to do this Kristi.
Great post!
Awesome research. Thanks for taking the time to do this Kristi.
Thanks for this post, Kristi. I will keep this in mind. I have a question for you: how do you get contacts at a publishing house?
Thanks so much!
Thanks for this post, Kristi. I will keep this in mind. I have a question for you: how do you get contacts at a publishing house?
Thanks so much!
Wow, great post!
I'm so glad you wrote about this–as a new blogger, I have no idea how any of this works. I'm too scared to email any publishers or authors for ARCs, because I feel like it's premature, and even rude to do so. So I'm content to review books that are already out. I'd be really excited if I ever got an ARC, but it's not really necessary at this point!
Really great advice throughout–I agree with trying to build your blog up before you start asking for ARCs.
And it's really great that you got actual quotes from people in the industry
Your blogging advice posts are always so informative!
Wow, great post!
I'm so glad you wrote about this–as a new blogger, I have no idea how any of this works. I'm too scared to email any publishers or authors for ARCs, because I feel like it's premature, and even rude to do so. So I'm content to review books that are already out. I'd be really excited if I ever got an ARC, but it's not really necessary at this point!
Really great advice throughout–I agree with trying to build your blog up before you start asking for ARCs.
And it's really great that you got actual quotes from people in the industry
Your blogging advice posts are always so informative!
*applause* Great post!! You always know how to make a post that directly addresses what is going on in teh blogger world. I know many book bloggers want more ARC or expect more, but if you just keep reviewing what you get form the library or from Barnes and Noble eventually an author or publisher will be the one contacting you. Very Informative!!!
*applause* Great post!! You always know how to make a post that directly addresses what is going on in teh blogger world. I know many book bloggers want more ARC or expect more, but if you just keep reviewing what you get form the library or from Barnes and Noble eventually an author or publisher will be the one contacting you. Very Informative!!!
Hi Kristi! As a new blogger, I really appreciate this information!
I have to agree with the majority and say that being a blogger doesn't automatically entitle you to ARC's OR free review copies.
I started my blog barely more than a week ago and while I have certainly starting looking into how to contact publishing companies and authors in regards to reviewing their books, my main focus is to review the books that I am reading now and proving to my FOLLOWERS first and foremost that I am an honest and detailed reviewer.
Without it's followers, a book blog doesn't hold any impact, so until I can prove to authors/publishers that I am worthy of recieving ARC's or free review books from them, my goal is to focus on building a respectable reputation among the book blogging community.
That being said, I couldn't help but to e-mail the agent of one of my absolute favorite authors and offering my services. ~chuckles~ Luckily for me, I must have made an impression and things worked out well in this particular situation.
I think the important thing is that you are genuine, passionate about books, professional and gracious.
Too many book reviewers seem to think they're doing the author/publisher a favour by reviewing their books. Personally, I feel that it is a great honour to be able to do so and am extremely grateful for the opportunity help promote an author's career.
Well, there is my two cents. ~laughs~ You are doing an amazing job at managing this blog Kristi. I can certainly understand why authors/publishers have deemed you a worthy reviewer.
Keep up the great work!
Jessica W. – Book Bound
Hi Kristi! As a new blogger, I really appreciate this information!
I have to agree with the majority and say that being a blogger doesn't automatically entitle you to ARC's OR free review copies.
I started my blog barely more than a week ago and while I have certainly starting looking into how to contact publishing companies and authors in regards to reviewing their books, my main focus is to review the books that I am reading now and proving to my FOLLOWERS first and foremost that I am an honest and detailed reviewer.
Without it's followers, a book blog doesn't hold any impact, so until I can prove to authors/publishers that I am worthy of recieving ARC's or free review books from them, my goal is to focus on building a respectable reputation among the book blogging community.
That being said, I couldn't help but to e-mail the agent of one of my absolute favorite authors and offering my services. ~chuckles~ Luckily for me, I must have made an impression and things worked out well in this particular situation.
I think the important thing is that you are genuine, passionate about books, professional and gracious.
Too many book reviewers seem to think they're doing the author/publisher a favour by reviewing their books. Personally, I feel that it is a great honour to be able to do so and am extremely grateful for the opportunity help promote an author's career.
Well, there is my two cents. ~laughs~ You are doing an amazing job at managing this blog Kristi. I can certainly understand why authors/publishers have deemed you a worthy reviewer.
Keep up the great work!
Jessica W. – Book Bound
Thanks for such a great posts. This one is my fav of all the great posts you've written so far. Now I know how to write an email to the publisher – the things I should include and things I shouldn't. There are also some facts that are surprising to learn: ARCs actually cost more than finished copies, the publishers don't expect bloggers to review each and every single book they send and stats mean really much but it doesn't decide if bloggers are to receive books or not.
To sum up, this is a very helpful and interesting post ^^
Thanks for such a great posts. This one is my fav of all the great posts you've written so far. Now I know how to write an email to the publisher – the things I should include and things I shouldn't. There are also some facts that are surprising to learn: ARCs actually cost more than finished copies, the publishers don't expect bloggers to review each and every single book they send and stats mean really much but it doesn't decide if bloggers are to receive books or not.
To sum up, this is a very helpful and interesting post ^^
Kristi you amaze me over and over. You always have awesome reviews/contests/interviews. But what really sets you apart from the average blog is that you are so nice! You really want to help out other bloggers and you come up with these awesome posts.
I have only asked for a few books but it was helpful in other ways. I have asked for a total of three books in almost a year, and it was when authors posted on their blogs saying that they had ARCs and wanted to know who would want one. Most of the things you said I have thought as common sense, but then again I've only asked for 3 books! I guess I'm a bit shy when it comes asking though. But I found it really interesting that they said to include a mailing address right away. I always thought it would be presumptions to include a mailing address but I see their points! If I ever ask for a book from a publishing house, I'll have to keep that in mind.
Again, thanks for an awesome blog!
Kristi you amaze me over and over. You always have awesome reviews/contests/interviews. But what really sets you apart from the average blog is that you are so nice! You really want to help out other bloggers and you come up with these awesome posts.
I have only asked for a few books but it was helpful in other ways. I have asked for a total of three books in almost a year, and it was when authors posted on their blogs saying that they had ARCs and wanted to know who would want one. Most of the things you said I have thought as common sense, but then again I've only asked for 3 books! I guess I'm a bit shy when it comes asking though. But I found it really interesting that they said to include a mailing address right away. I always thought it would be presumptions to include a mailing address but I see their points! If I ever ask for a book from a publishing house, I'll have to keep that in mind.
Again, thanks for an awesome blog!
what a WONDERFUL post! Thankyou sooo much! It was very informative and as the praises before me said you are so nice! Thankyou for such a great post! LOL I didn't even know what a ARC was! haha so yes this post was extremely informative for me
THANKYOU AGAIN!
what a WONDERFUL post! Thankyou sooo much! It was very informative and as the praises before me said you are so nice! Thankyou for such a great post! LOL I didn't even know what a ARC was! haha so yes this post was extremely informative for me
THANKYOU AGAIN!
You bring up some very interesting points in your post. I can relate to you when you say get books from the library or buy some. I do that and I've been blogging for about 8 months. I have been approached by a couple of authors and I've reviewed their books, but I would never ask for any books. I don't feel very comfortable about it.
You bring up some very interesting points in your post. I can relate to you when you say get books from the library or buy some. I do that and I've been blogging for about 8 months. I have been approached by a couple of authors and I've reviewed their books, but I would never ask for any books. I don't feel very comfortable about it.
Great post! Very interesting. I hope every blogger, new or old, reads this post!
Great post! Very interesting. I hope every blogger, new or old, reads this post!
Wow! That post was so insightful Kristi. Thank you so much for contacting the publishers/ authors and sharing your findings with us. I feel so honoured now to have been sent even one ARC. I actually find it an added pressure to review a book for someone else which is not how reading should make one feel. I'm more comfortable reviewing books that I buy because the chances are I will like them. All the points made were really valid. In my mind the sign of a successful blog is not how many ARCs the blogger receives but how many comments are left by fellow bloggers. These are what I live for and why I review books on my blog. Comments rock!
There is just so much to learn as a beginning blogger and every post like this puts another piece of the puzzle together for me. I need to look at the whole statistics thing. I have no idea how many hits my blog gets per day.
Thanks again Kristi
Wow! That post was so insightful Kristi. Thank you so much for contacting the publishers/ authors and sharing your findings with us. I feel so honoured now to have been sent even one ARC. I actually find it an added pressure to review a book for someone else which is not how reading should make one feel. I'm more comfortable reviewing books that I buy because the chances are I will like them. All the points made were really valid. In my mind the sign of a successful blog is not how many ARCs the blogger receives but how many comments are left by fellow bloggers. These are what I live for and why I review books on my blog. Comments rock!
There is just so much to learn as a beginning blogger and every post like this puts another piece of the puzzle together for me. I need to look at the whole statistics thing. I have no idea how many hits my blog gets per day.
Thanks again Kristi
I have been reviewing for an e-zine for two years now (and counting) and even after doing it for years, I'm still LOATHE to ask for ARC's. Seriously, I can count on one hand the number of times I've done. I just hate it and I don't do it.
I don't think bloggers should be asking at all. Not the ones who have been doing it for less than a year OR the ones that have been doing it for years, either!
I have been reviewing for an e-zine for two years now (and counting) and even after doing it for years, I'm still LOATHE to ask for ARC's. Seriously, I can count on one hand the number of times I've done. I just hate it and I don't do it.
I don't think bloggers should be asking at all. Not the ones who have been doing it for less than a year OR the ones that have been doing it for years, either!
Great post as usual. Very professional and well done. You get to the point and support your self. This is much better than what I was working on.
Great post as usual. Very professional and well done. You get to the point and support your self. This is much better than what I was working on.
Excellent information! I'm going to include it in my Friday post.
I did not see this response, so I will throw it out as another option – authors can forward review requests to their publisher. The requests I receive (and the review requests I send out) all go back to my publisher.
I usually only have a couple ARCs and they go out the moment I get them!
Excellent information! I'm going to include it in my Friday post.
I did not see this response, so I will throw it out as another option – authors can forward review requests to their publisher. The requests I receive (and the review requests I send out) all go back to my publisher.
I usually only have a couple ARCs and they go out the moment I get them!
Emilee,
This is in regards to the question you had about where to send reviews if you don't have a contact at the house:
-If they have a Twitter, feel free to @reply them with the link.
-Email the author and say that you didn't know who to send it to at the house, so you wanted to make the author aware of it (they'll most likely pass it on)
-I don't know about the adult world, but most YA houses have a website and somewhere on there should be a general publicity and/or marketing email; if you can find it, you should send the link there
Emilee,
This is in regards to the question you had about where to send reviews if you don't have a contact at the house:
-If they have a Twitter, feel free to @reply them with the link.
-Email the author and say that you didn't know who to send it to at the house, so you wanted to make the author aware of it (they'll most likely pass it on)
-I don't know about the adult world, but most YA houses have a website and somewhere on there should be a general publicity and/or marketing email; if you can find it, you should send the link there
Hi Kristi! Thanks for such an informative post! You did a great job, and I learned so much from it. I love some of the quotes you gave – I really want to know who it was that said "jerkface." It's something I say all the time.
In any case, I hope that all new bloggers will stumble upon this post early on in the game. I wish I had had a guide like this when I first started a few months ago.
It was so awesome of you to go out of your way to acquire and put together all this great info!
Hi Kristi! Thanks for such an informative post! You did a great job, and I learned so much from it. I love some of the quotes you gave – I really want to know who it was that said "jerkface." It's something I say all the time.
In any case, I hope that all new bloggers will stumble upon this post early on in the game. I wish I had had a guide like this when I first started a few months ago.
It was so awesome of you to go out of your way to acquire and put together all this great info!
I will save this excellent post so I can point EVERYONE to it – thank you!
I will save this excellent post so I can point EVERYONE to it – thank you!
thank you so much Kristi! I just did a beginner's blogger post and linked your post to it, this was very helpful. I had no idea of a lot of this stuff! http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2009/11/just-started-blogging-advice.html
~H
thank you so much Kristi! I just did a beginner's blogger post and linked your post to it, this was very helpful. I had no idea of a lot of this stuff! http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2009/11/just-started-blogging-advice.html
~H
Such a great post, Kristi! Very informtive. Something to keep in mind for the future, though I am mostly contacted by publishers themselves. Cheers!
Such a great post, Kristi! Very informtive. Something to keep in mind for the future, though I am mostly contacted by publishers themselves. Cheers!
Great post. Some of this, in my opinion, is common sense. If you want to be treated as a professional, you need to act like one.
My question is how do you know the traffic stats on your blog. I know how to view the followers and RSS subscribers, but what about the traffic. Is that determined by comments?
Elie (Ellz Readz)
Great post. Some of this, in my opinion, is common sense. If you want to be treated as a professional, you need to act like one.
My question is how do you know the traffic stats on your blog. I know how to view the followers and RSS subscribers, but what about the traffic. Is that determined by comments?
Elie (Ellz Readz)
Kristi, thanks for this post. It's very informative and it has clarified several things while supporting some of my previous assumptions. =)
Kristi, thanks for this post. It's very informative and it has clarified several things while supporting some of my previous assumptions. =)
Kristi, thanks for this post. It's very informative and it has clarified several things while supporting some of my previous assumptions. =)
Kristi, thanks for this post. It's very informative and it has clarified several things while supporting some of my previous assumptions. =)
Very interesting! I agree completely. B/c of the new found popularity in book blogs, it's just unreasonable for everyone to get arcs.
-amy
Very interesting! I agree completely. B/c of the new found popularity in book blogs, it's just unreasonable for everyone to get arcs.
-amy
Thanks so much for all your research on this topic, Kristi! Many authors don't even know this much about ARC's. I'll definitely be directing people here to read this.
Thanks so much for all your research on this topic, Kristi! Many authors don't even know this much about ARC's. I'll definitely be directing people here to read this.
Well thought out and written post! My blog has been live for about 6 months (give or take a few days). I must admit that I was guided to form a blog since I wouldn't stop talking up the great books I was reading…it also helped that a coworker/friend had a longer standing book blog of her own. I too was curious on how she (and others) were getting the ARC copies, but in lieu of asking business type folks, I asked her and researched on my own. I found and heard pretty much the same information….they are sent to bloggers (sometimes) after they've made a name for themselves, so to speak. Now there are sites and newsletters available to hear about new releases and their availability, but they do review your blog as stated here. In summary (since I think I've been rambling on a bit…), stick with your blog. Show your passion and in time, the opportunities will come. Happy reading! =0)
Well thought out and written post! My blog has been live for about 6 months (give or take a few days). I must admit that I was guided to form a blog since I wouldn't stop talking up the great books I was reading…it also helped that a coworker/friend had a longer standing book blog of her own. I too was curious on how she (and others) were getting the ARC copies, but in lieu of asking business type folks, I asked her and researched on my own. I found and heard pretty much the same information….they are sent to bloggers (sometimes) after they've made a name for themselves, so to speak. Now there are sites and newsletters available to hear about new releases and their availability, but they do review your blog as stated here. In summary (since I think I've been rambling on a bit…), stick with your blog. Show your passion and in time, the opportunities will come. Happy reading! =0)
Great post – most authors don't know this much (I didn't). I got a few ARCs but my publisher asked that I put all ARC requests through them and not give them out myself. Because of the cost/benefit, I see why.
This isn't to discourage bloggers – the abundance of YA talk on the internet is a great thing. Keep up the good work!
Cynthia
Great post – most authors don't know this much (I didn't). I got a few ARCs but my publisher asked that I put all ARC requests through them and not give them out myself. Because of the cost/benefit, I see why.
This isn't to discourage bloggers – the abundance of YA talk on the internet is a great thing. Keep up the good work!
Cynthia
This is definitely a post that all YA book bloggers should read. I honestly think that it will help new bloggers out – plus, bloggers as a group don't want to gain a reputation for being pushy or obsessed with getting 'free books'. Lets hope for this reason that people follow the tips you've provided.
I personally don't feel comfortable requesting a review copy from a publisher. I'm shy like that. I'm thrilled to get offers, but like anyone who is in blogging because they love books, I'll keep buying my own anyway.
I wholeheartedly agree that a blogger can write awesome reviews without ever reading a single ARC. The posts that get the best response on my blog are the ones where I review 'vintage' YA titles – probably because of the nostalgia factor, and the fact that nobody else is blogging about the same book that week.
This is definitely a post that all YA book bloggers should read. I honestly think that it will help new bloggers out – plus, bloggers as a group don't want to gain a reputation for being pushy or obsessed with getting 'free books'. Lets hope for this reason that people follow the tips you've provided.
I personally don't feel comfortable requesting a review copy from a publisher. I'm shy like that. I'm thrilled to get offers, but like anyone who is in blogging because they love books, I'll keep buying my own anyway.
I wholeheartedly agree that a blogger can write awesome reviews without ever reading a single ARC. The posts that get the best response on my blog are the ones where I review 'vintage' YA titles – probably because of the nostalgia factor, and the fact that nobody else is blogging about the same book that week.
Great post! I'm new to this whole Blogging World myself and I found this a very insightful post. My blog is more on the individual side rather than professional side, but still there is a lot of valuable information and important things to learn from this post. The thought of asking for an ARC never crossed my mind. I thought those things were like rare diamonds? I've been on a lot of book blogger sites recently and I keep coming back to yours! I love this place!
Great post! I'm new to this whole Blogging World myself and I found this a very insightful post. My blog is more on the individual side rather than professional side, but still there is a lot of valuable information and important things to learn from this post. The thought of asking for an ARC never crossed my mind. I thought those things were like rare diamonds? I've been on a lot of book blogger sites recently and I keep coming back to yours! I love this place!
Wow! Thanks for this well written and very informative post. As a fairly new blogger myself, I really appreciate that you've taken the time to share all this.
Wow! Thanks for this well written and very informative post. As a fairly new blogger myself, I really appreciate that you've taken the time to share all this.
elnice,
if you have a blogspot blog, google has an excellent stats resource called google analytics. it you go to you google account, it will show you how to set that up. sitemeter is also a reliable source for stat information.
elnice,
if you have a blogspot blog, google has an excellent stats resource called google analytics. it you go to you google account, it will show you how to set that up. sitemeter is also a reliable source for stat information.
Wow this was really informative, thank you. I'm a really new blogger but there was no way I would ask for ARCs anyway – it took me long enough to work out what it actually meant XD But I think this post will be really helpful to other people who want to know more about them.
Wow this was really informative, thank you. I'm a really new blogger but there was no way I would ask for ARCs anyway – it took me long enough to work out what it actually meant XD But I think this post will be really helpful to other people who want to know more about them.
Wow..The info was real great. I never thought that far into someones blog.
Wow..The info was real great. I never thought that far into someones blog.
This is a really great and informative post! Especially for a new blogger like myself. Thanks for taking the time to piece all of this together!
This is a really great and informative post! Especially for a new blogger like myself. Thanks for taking the time to piece all of this together!
Awesome informative post! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Awesome informative post! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Thank you SO much! I think you just answered every question I've ever had about ARCs! I think I'm going to use this extremely informative post as my reference to requesting ARCs.
Thank you SO much! I think you just answered every question I've ever had about ARCs! I think I'm going to use this extremely informative post as my reference to requesting ARCs.
Thank you. I was started to feel like a bad blogger because I don't pursue ARCs; I just wait and check things out from the library. Now I feel much better about that.
Thank you. I was started to feel like a bad blogger because I don't pursue ARCs; I just wait and check things out from the library. Now I feel much better about that.
A few more tips:
Bloggers and authors hold ARC contests regularly. Enter those and you'll not only support those blogs, but you may get ARCs too!
If you get ARCs, feel free to swap, lend or donate them, but please don't sell them. Authors get no royalties from ARCs.
If you have special features on your blog, such as focusing on debut authors or certain topics or genres (multicultural, romance, paranormal, historical, etc.), that may make your blog more appealing to receive ARCs that fall into those categories.
Please don't ask for review copies after a book has been released and is in stores. If you can't afford to buy it, get it at the library. It helps the library and the writer.
A few more tips:
Bloggers and authors hold ARC contests regularly. Enter those and you'll not only support those blogs, but you may get ARCs too!
If you get ARCs, feel free to swap, lend or donate them, but please don't sell them. Authors get no royalties from ARCs.
If you have special features on your blog, such as focusing on debut authors or certain topics or genres (multicultural, romance, paranormal, historical, etc.), that may make your blog more appealing to receive ARCs that fall into those categories.
Please don't ask for review copies after a book has been released and is in stores. If you can't afford to buy it, get it at the library. It helps the library and the writer.
Terrific post, Kristi! It’s so helpful to get the full information. I appreciate the time you took to research this and get quotations.
In Maine we have the problem of libraries carrying few YA new releases (even state wide so inter-library loan doesn’t help.) Our terrific librarian has ordered books on my request, but it takes a while.
I really wish publishers would move to digi-ARCs to save money and trees. I’d buy a Kindle if they did. The new S&S digi-ARCs won’t work on a Kindle or on my Mac running Snow Leopard (latest system), which is ridiculous, but at least it’s a start.
Even though publishers will send me ARCs, I still love owning books and visiting libraries for my non-ARC reading. Buying a Kindle for that would be like cheating on my independent bookstore.
Terrific post, Kristi! It’s so helpful to get the full information. I appreciate the time you took to research this and get quotations.
In Maine we have the problem of libraries carrying few YA new releases (even state wide so inter-library loan doesn’t help.) Our terrific librarian has ordered books on my request, but it takes a while.
I really wish publishers would move to digi-ARCs to save money and trees. I’d buy a Kindle if they did. The new S&S digi-ARCs won’t work on a Kindle or on my Mac running Snow Leopard (latest system), which is ridiculous, but at least it’s a start.
Even though publishers will send me ARCs, I still love owning books and visiting libraries for my non-ARC reading. Buying a Kindle for that would be like cheating on my independent bookstore.
I've had one or two dealings with publishers offering me arcs. I notice they say to be professional. I have not come across a professional publisher. I am not from the US and it is clearly stated on my blog in various places. They still refuse to be professional. When I give them my address they either never email me back or they pass my details to another person because they aren't professional enough to apologise for not being able to send me an Arc.
The day a publishing company acts as a professional will be the day I act as a professional to them.
I've had one or two dealings with publishers offering me arcs. I notice they say to be professional. I have not come across a professional publisher. I am not from the US and it is clearly stated on my blog in various places. They still refuse to be professional. When I give them my address they either never email me back or they pass my details to another person because they aren't professional enough to apologise for not being able to send me an Arc.
The day a publishing company acts as a professional will be the day I act as a professional to them.
Awesome post. Next time I get that book blogger email "how do you get ARCs" I know exactly where to send them!
And ARCs are great, but yay for book bloggers who support the publishing industry and buy books
Awesome post. Next time I get that book blogger email "how do you get ARCs" I know exactly where to send them!
And ARCs are great, but yay for book bloggers who support the publishing industry and buy books
Thanks so much for taking the time to create a thoughtful, honest, fact-driven and fair-and-equal post on the whole ARC & blogger shebang. I dearly wish I could share my ARCs with the over 100 fantasy/YA book bloggers I've discovered, (of course these are mythical ARCs at this time), but it's just not possible. I've thanked the few who've asked for ARCs and directed them to my publisher. Thanks for understanding that THIS IS NOT A BRUSH OFF! We **adore** our communities and, as many have said, will invest a sizable amount of our advance trying to reach/swag/thank you all — including purchasing copies of our own books — but your post shed some much-needed light as to why not all advanced copies are created (or distributed) equal.
I'll be directing hordes here.
Thanks again, Kristi! You deserve 1,000 followers & more!
– Dawn Metcalf
Thanks so much for taking the time to create a thoughtful, honest, fact-driven and fair-and-equal post on the whole ARC & blogger shebang. I dearly wish I could share my ARCs with the over 100 fantasy/YA book bloggers I've discovered, (of course these are mythical ARCs at this time), but it's just not possible. I've thanked the few who've asked for ARCs and directed them to my publisher. Thanks for understanding that THIS IS NOT A BRUSH OFF! We **adore** our communities and, as many have said, will invest a sizable amount of our advance trying to reach/swag/thank you all — including purchasing copies of our own books — but your post shed some much-needed light as to why not all advanced copies are created (or distributed) equal.
I'll be directing hordes here.
Thanks again, Kristi! You deserve 1,000 followers & more!
– Dawn Metcalf
Kristi,
Like so many others have said before…Thank You! I had no idea how much it cost my publishing house to make my ARCs. This now explains why we authors get so few of them!
Kristi,
Like so many others have said before…Thank You! I had no idea how much it cost my publishing house to make my ARCs. This now explains why we authors get so few of them!
Kristi, Thanks for such an informative post. I know it must have taken a lot of time and research. As an unpublished author, I found the information from authors very interesting. I had no idea how many/few ARCs authors get or how publishers decide who to send them to.
Kristi, Thanks for such an informative post. I know it must have taken a lot of time and research. As an unpublished author, I found the information from authors very interesting. I had no idea how many/few ARCs authors get or how publishers decide who to send them to.
Great post! It is very informative and helpful. I really liked how you covered the issue from the perspective of publishers and authors.
Great post! It is very informative and helpful. I really liked how you covered the issue from the perspective of publishers and authors.
Excellent post. Sometimes when I read other blogs, I feel like the only one out there not reading ARCs. Frankly, I don't want to. I want the finished copy where I get the same read as anybody else.
If I get offered some, sure I'll take it but I won't ask. I'm busy enough as is fielding review requests from the library. At least once a week, somebody (fellow bookworm or a librarian) will ask about a title or if (in the case of the librarian) I would read it and tell them if they should get it. I often get the books as soon as they come in and review them before they hit the shelves. I started my blog the share those reviews with a wider audience. I sort the books beforehand. School librarians often have to read a title to see if its appropriate for a school. By reading some of these for them, I get a firsthand look at the book and I take some of the load off of them. I can also help recommend books to other people so that everyone gets what they want. I love doing that.
This is why ARCs are of no real interest to me. I'll never turn down a free book but I have enough to read as is. Excellent post, I learned quite a bit.
Excellent post. Sometimes when I read other blogs, I feel like the only one out there not reading ARCs. Frankly, I don't want to. I want the finished copy where I get the same read as anybody else.
If I get offered some, sure I'll take it but I won't ask. I'm busy enough as is fielding review requests from the library. At least once a week, somebody (fellow bookworm or a librarian) will ask about a title or if (in the case of the librarian) I would read it and tell them if they should get it. I often get the books as soon as they come in and review them before they hit the shelves. I started my blog the share those reviews with a wider audience. I sort the books beforehand. School librarians often have to read a title to see if its appropriate for a school. By reading some of these for them, I get a firsthand look at the book and I take some of the load off of them. I can also help recommend books to other people so that everyone gets what they want. I love doing that.
This is why ARCs are of no real interest to me. I'll never turn down a free book but I have enough to read as is. Excellent post, I learned quite a bit.
Thanks for the post! It definetely answered some questions I've been having about ARCS. I love your site Kristi! It always has useful information
Thanks for the post! It definetely answered some questions I've been having about ARCS. I love your site Kristi! It always has useful information
Excellent & well researched post. I hope bloggers use this information to build better blogs.
My blog is almost 3 yrs old now & I started by reviewing library books. Hard work pays off.
Excellent & well researched post. I hope bloggers use this information to build better blogs.
My blog is almost 3 yrs old now & I started by reviewing library books. Hard work pays off.
Thanks so much for the info!
Thanks so much for the info!
This was a great post with lots of information. Thanks.
This was a great post with lots of information. Thanks.
Another great post, thanks for keeping us posted Kristi!
Another great post, thanks for keeping us posted Kristi!
Terrific post and great professional advice especially for new bloggers that need to realize that you have to establish yourself, create content, demonstrate your commitment and passion about books before embarking on ARC requests.
Terrific post and great professional advice especially for new bloggers that need to realize that you have to establish yourself, create content, demonstrate your commitment and passion about books before embarking on ARC requests.
Very Nice post Kristi! Informative and much valuable information hon! Thank you!
Very Nice post Kristi! Informative and much valuable information hon! Thank you!
This was such a great post. I had to highlight it on my Weekly Wrap-Up. I think this post is relevant to pretty much all the book bloggers out there, new or old. Thanks!
Natalie @ Mindful Musings
This was such a great post. I had to highlight it on my Weekly Wrap-Up. I think this post is relevant to pretty much all the book bloggers out there, new or old. Thanks!
Natalie @ Mindful Musings
Thanks for the great research! I am new to blogging but for the most part I've been using the library (as you suggested) and the huge amount of books I already own to get started. Never would have guessed that ARCs are actually more expensive than the actual book.
Thanks for the great research! I am new to blogging but for the most part I've been using the library (as you suggested) and the huge amount of books I already own to get started. Never would have guessed that ARCs are actually more expensive than the actual book.
Fantastic post! Very helpful. You've made the Hubbub Around the Blogosphere listing this week!
Fantastic post! Very helpful. You've made the Hubbub Around the Blogosphere listing this week!
Great topic!
Great topic!
Thank you so much for having this topic up on your blog. I was contacted by an author today and the fact that it was the first time it ever happened I had no clue really what to do. And now that I read this I feel 100% better about what I wrote the author and the publisher.
~Musicangirl @ Loud Words and Sounds
Thank you so much for having this topic up on your blog. I was contacted by an author today and the fact that it was the first time it ever happened I had no clue really what to do. And now that I read this I feel 100% better about what I wrote the author and the publisher.
~Musicangirl @ Loud Words and Sounds
Thank you so much for gathering this information! I'm a newbie and have been wondering about this. This really helped me – 1. I'd never have thought about contacting the publishers and authors directly and 2. I now know to wait awhile and establish my site before I try to get into ARCS. Thank you, thank you!
Thank you so much for gathering this information! I'm a newbie and have been wondering about this. This really helped me – 1. I'd never have thought about contacting the publishers and authors directly and 2. I now know to wait awhile and establish my site before I try to get into ARCS. Thank you, thank you!
Thank you so much for making this post. I honestly have to send this link to people everyday.
Thank you so much for making this post. I honestly have to send this link to people everyday.
As a relatively new book blogger this post was interesting and informative. Thank you!
As a relatively new book blogger this post was interesting and informative. Thank you!
Hi,as an international blogger who is located outside of the US, I'd like to know if you got a sense for how publishers feel about sending review copies to international reviewers?
Hi,as an international blogger who is located outside of the US, I'd like to know if you got a sense for how publishers feel about sending review copies to international reviewers?
Thanks, Kristi! This post was absolutely amazing. I'm a new book blogger so I really needed to hear all of this info. Thankfully I hadn't made any faux pas yet.
Thanks, Kristi! This post was absolutely amazing. I'm a new book blogger so I really needed to hear all of this info. Thankfully I hadn't made any faux pas yet.
thanks this was so helpful!
thanks this was so helpful!
i love your blog, i love how informative it is along with the reviews
i love your blog, i love how informative it is along with the reviews
I am starting a blog and I found this very useful. I wondered about how you contact authors? Thanx
I am starting a blog and I found this very useful. I wondered about how you contact authors? Thanx
Nice post. I think the cost issue is key. Keep in mind that many smaller, independent publishers only send advances/galleys to the trades, as they cost about fifteen times what it will cost to print the book when it comes out. The only reason magazines request advances in the first place is because it takes 4 to 6 months to print a magazine, so they have to get them early or the book will be old by the time the mag goes to press. With bloggers this is not the case, so I see no reason they should ever feel a need to get the book in advance.
If you are talking to a publicist who does not want to supply you with a bound galley or advance, ask them if they can get you an e-galley. This costs them nothing. Alternatively, wait for the book to come out and ask for a free review copy of the final product. Because these are the finished books, some bloggers like to host giveaways after they've finished the book.
-Karma Bennett
publicist
Ulysses Press
PS, love the design of your site, very beautiful.
Nice post. I think the cost issue is key. Keep in mind that many smaller, independent publishers only send advances/galleys to the trades, as they cost about fifteen times what it will cost to print the book when it comes out. The only reason magazines request advances in the first place is because it takes 4 to 6 months to print a magazine, so they have to get them early or the book will be old by the time the mag goes to press. With bloggers this is not the case, so I see no reason they should ever feel a need to get the book in advance.
If you are talking to a publicist who does not want to supply you with a bound galley or advance, ask them if they can get you an e-galley. This costs them nothing. Alternatively, wait for the book to come out and ask for a free review copy of the final product. Because these are the finished books, some bloggers like to host giveaways after they've finished the book.
-Karma Bennett
publicist
Ulysses Press
PS, love the design of your site, very beautiful.
Fantastic post – as a new blogger this was really helpful and interesting,so thank you
Fantastic post – as a new blogger this was really helpful and interesting,so thank you
Wow Kristi! I just started my blog a week ago and I feel like this was written specifically for me!
Thank you so much!
Hafsah (iceybooks.com)
Wow Kristi! I just started my blog a week ago and I feel like this was written specifically for me!
Thank you so much!
Hafsah (iceybooks.com)
Thank you Kristi for this information. I was wondering what the deal is with thr ARCS. Now I know.
Thank you Kristi for this information. I was wondering what the deal is with thr ARCS. Now I know.
Thanks so much for the review. I am starting a blog and this really helped on what to do to get ARCs. Wonderful post.
Katherine- thestorylover.webs.com
Thanks so much for the review. I am starting a blog and this really helped on what to do to get ARCs. Wonderful post.
Katherine- thestorylover.webs.com
Thanks for this information. You've got a very nice site; kudos for taking the extra step to help out others.
wow,great insight in to the whole ARC area,i like how you broke it down and asked both factions of people,after reading the ins and outs it made me even crosser than normal,now when i see some ebayers selling ARCs they proberbly didnt bother reading them either and sell them for a lot of money most ive seen ones go for was £210 laurell k hamilton and $165 kim harrison,shocking to see and it also upsets the authors too shame on the sellers exploting the avid reader!!oxo B (uk)
This is very helpful! I didn't know about ARC books until now, and this post is very informative, it helped a lot ;]
Thank you so much! I've been around for a bit, but only just starting to realize how large the book blogging world is! This really answers a lot of my questions.
I like this informative article. Thank you very much for providing this kind of information.