How to Become an ARC Reader or Beta Reader
If you’ve ever wished you could read books before they’re released to the world, I have excellent news for you: you absolutely can. And not in a “mysterious backdoor of publishing” way. In a real, ethical, welcomed-by-authors-and-publishers way.
I’m Amy Suto, an author, developmental editor, and memoir ghostwriter. I regularly run ARC campaigns and beta reading rounds for the books I write, developmental edit, or help bring to life for clients. If you’re an author looking for developmental editing or ghostwriting support, you can find those services on my site or you can contact me. But if you’re a reader who simply wants to dive into upcoming books early — you’re in the right place.
Let’s talk about how to become a beta reader or ARC reader, what each role means, where to find these opportunities, and how to become the person publishers love to send early copies to.
And, yes, we will also talk about how to get free books before everybody else. Because that’s truly the dream, isn’t it?
Why Become an ARC Reader or Beta Reader?
Imagine opening your inbox and finding a new book waiting for you — months before publication day. You get to see an author’s work before the hype, before the frenzy, before the social media discourse. You get to be early.
Being an ARC reader or beta reader is one part literary treasure hunt, one part publishing insider experience, and one part “I get free books for being a passionate reader.” It’s also one of the best ways to:
Discover new authors before they take off
Support writers and publishing teams directly
Influence the books you love (beta readers especially)
Build relationships with authors, editors, and publishers
Become a trusted reviewer who consistently gets early access
If you’re an avid reader, this is one of the most satisfying literary side quests you can embark on.
ARC Reader vs Beta Reader: What’s the Difference?
What is a Beta Reader?
A beta reader is someone an author invites to read a nearly-finished draft of a book before it goes into line edits, proofreading, or final production.
The goal is feedback. Honest, clear, helpful feedback.
As a beta reader, you’re usually brought in because:
You’re on the author’s email list
You follow them on social media
You’re part of their reader community or street team
You know them personally or professionally
You applied through a beta reader call they posted
Beta readers are essentially early testers. Think of it as market research for books. You’re reading for clarity, pacing, character development, structural issues, emotional impact, and anything that helps make the story stronger.
Is beta reading paid?
Usually not. Occasionally authors offer stipends, gift cards, or perks. But most beta reading exchanges are based on trust, enthusiasm, and mutual support.
Beta Reader Etiquette:
Be honest without being cruel
Deliver feedback by the deadline
Give actionable notes (not just “I liked it”)
Respect confidentiality
Tell the author if you can’t complete the read
If you love helping authors shape their worlds before anyone else sees them, beta reading is deeply rewarding.
What is an ARC Reader?
ARC stands for Advanced Reader Copy.
An ARC reader gets a nearly final version of a book before publication day. The book is mostly done — it may have a typo or two the proofreaders are still catching — but your job is not to send notes to the author.
Your mission: read the book early and leave a review.
ARC readers help create early buzz that can make or break a book’s launch. Authors and publishers rely on ARC readers to:
Leave reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, or other requested platforms
Post about the book on social media
Help spread the word
Support the launch
ARC Reader Etiquette (The Real Publishing Stuff Nobody Tells You)
Here’s the unwritten rule:
If you would leave a review lower than three stars, it’s best to simply opt out of reviewing.
Here’s why:
The book is already finalized. A negative early review can hurt the launch, and authors keep track of ARC reviewers who consistently leave low ratings. Publishing assistants will quietly note it, and you may be removed from future ARC lists.
There’s no law stopping you from sharing your opinion. This is simply the etiquette of publishing if you want to continue getting early copies.
If you read an ARC and didn’t like it, you can always write back to the publisher or author and say something like, “Thank you for the opportunity. This one wasn’t for me, so I won’t be leaving a public review.” That’s it. Professional, respectful, done.
How to Become a Beta Reader
Becoming a beta reader is more relational. You often need to be in an author’s orbit.
Here are the most common ways:
1. Join an author’s newsletter
Most authors announce beta reader openings directly to their list. When I run beta reads for my books or client books, my mailing list hears about it first.
2. Engage with an author’s community
If they run a Discord, Facebook group, Substack chat, or Patreon, beta reader calls are often posted there.
3. Join beta reader groups
Search Facebook groups, Reddit communities, or Discords for:
“Beta Readers and Writers”
“Beta Reader Group”
“Fantasy Beta Readers”
“Romance Beta Readers”
There are groups for every genre and niche.
4. Look for authors who need “market research” readers
Many indie authors post beta reader calls on:
TikTok
Instagram stories
Substack posts
X/Twitter threads
5. Respond early, stay reliable, and follow instructions
You’d be shocked at how many people apply and then never read the book. If you become known as someone who always finishes, you’ll get invited again and again.
How to Become an ARC Reader
ARC reading is more formalized and has more established platforms.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Create a NetGalley account
This is the gold standard of ARC reading.
Publishers look at:
Your review percentage (the ratio of books received to books reviewed)
Your review history
Your social media links
Your preferred genres
If you receive ARCs but don’t leave reviews, your request approvals will drop. Reviewers with strong feedback ratios get the best books.
2. Sign up for BookSirens
BookSirens curates indie and traditional titles. They’re great for discovering new voices and smaller presses.
3. Join BookSprout
Another platform where authors directly post their ARCs.
4. Follow ARC groups on social media
Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and Facebook all have thriving ARC communities:
“ARC Readers Wanted”
“ARC Team Sign-Ups”
“Romance ARC Seekers”
Many authors also post independent ARC forms using Google Forms or other sign-up forms.
5. Build a track record
The more consistent you are with reviews, the more authors and publishers trust you.
6. Start a reading platform
Many ARC reviewers run:
Book blogs
TikTok book accounts
Goodreads profiles
Bookstagram pages
Your platform doesn’t need to be huge. Publishers just want to see activity and consistency.
What Are ARC Campaigns and What Are Beta Reading Rounds?
An ARC campaign is a coordinated early-reader push run by an author, publisher, or publicist. Its goal is to place the book in as many trusted reviewers’ hands as possible before release day.
A beta reading round is an earlier stage of that same process, focused on collecting feedback to improve the manuscript before it goes into final production.
I run both types — for my own books and for client books I developmental edit or ghostwrite. ARC readers help propel a book toward launch success. Beta readers help strengthen the book itself.
Both are essential. Both help authors. Both are fun. And both can get you free books.
Ready to Become an ARC Reader for My Upcoming Books?
All three of these books — one I wrote, and two I developmental edited — release on January 12th, 2026. You can read any or all of them early for free as an ARC reader if your application is accepted.
If you’d like to support the authors directly, I’ve also included preorder links beneath each description.
Apply, read early, review, and help us bring these stories into the world.
Write for Money and Power: The Anti-Starving Artist’s Guide to Becoming a Seven-Figure Writer
Releases January 12, 2026
Apply to be an ARC Reader Here
Preorder Here
This is my own upcoming nonfiction book — the most unfiltered, ambitious, myth-shattering thing I’ve ever written.
Write for Money and Power is the blueprint I wish I’d had when I was a broke entertainment assistant eating discounted sushi and “exposure” for dinner. It’s the real story of how I built a seven-figure writing career from scratch, plus the exact 12-month roadmap I’d use if I had to start at zero today.
In these pages, I torch the starving-artist myth, walk you through the psychology of earning more from your craft, show you how to scale a ghostwriting business, build a paid newsletter, self-publish like a tycoon, and write from anywhere without burning out.
If you’re ready for your writing to pay you back — with money, power, and room to dream bigger — this is the book that will help you do it.
Apply below to read it early for free — or preorder to support its launch.
Permission to Speak Freely
Releases January 12, 2026
Apply to be an ARC Reader Here
Preorder Here
I served as the developmental editor on this novel, and I can tell you firsthand: this is one of the most emotionally resonant, gorgeously crafted books I’ve ever helped shepherd into the world.
Inspired by true events, Permission to Speak Freely follows Sam — a razor-smart forensic scientist with a guarded heart — and Gerry, a career soldier with a past he rarely speaks of. When their worlds collide in the Arizona desert in 1981, an accidental partnership becomes a decades-long love story shaped by distance, devotion, duty, and the rituals that help us survive the hardest chapters of our lives.
Told through letters, field notes, and the quiet spaces between goodbye and home, this novel is for readers who crave tender, character-driven stories about the kind of love that evolves, echoes, and refuses to fade.
If you love Kristin Hannah, Nicholas Sparks, Jojo Moyes, or anything that turns a simple moment into an emotional gut-punch, this one’s for you.
Apply to read the full book early — or preorder to support the author.
August Recess
Releases January 12, 2026
Apply to be an ARC Reader Here
Preorder Here
I also served as the developmental editor for this smart, sultry, D.C.-set second-chance romance — and it has one of my favorite “rediscover yourself while falling for someone wildly inconvenient” arcs I’ve ever worked on.
Natalie Weir never expected to rebuild her life after a surprise divorce. But when her best friend lands her a career-reviving design gig, Natalie ends up inside the private world of Congressman Oliver Thames — Capitol Hill’s most charming bachelor, political rising star, and walking complication.
Their chemistry simmers among paint swatches and stump speeches, but as the August recess pulls them into each other’s orbits, ambition, desire, and public scrutiny threaten to undo everything they’re both fighting for.
This is a polished, heartfelt romance about reinvention, power, and the beauty of rebuilding your life from the inside out.
Apply below to get your early copy — or preorder to support the author.
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