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?

Want to start beta reading today? I’m currently taking beta reader applications for my new romantic thriller, Let Me Be Your Ghost — you get the whole novel free, and submissions are rolling.

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 take 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. If you want to be the person catching those errors for a living, my guide to getting hired as a freelance proofreader covers the portfolio and the boards.

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, StoryGraph, or other requested platforms

• Post about the book on social media

• Help spread the word

• Support the launch

ARC Reader Etiquette (The Unwritten Rules)

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 notice, 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

NetGalley 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. I wrote a full guide to how NetGalley works and how to get approved, feedback ratio included.

2. Sign up for BookSirens

BookSirens curates indie and traditional titles. They’re great for discovering new voices and smaller presses.

3. Join BookSprout

Booksprout is another platform where authors directly post their ARCs, mostly romance and thrillers.

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?

My new romantic thriller, Let Me Be Your Ghost, releases in November 2026, and you can read it early for free as an ARC reader if your application is accepted.

Below it are two novels I developmental edited. Both came out in January 2026, so their ARC rounds have wrapped, but I’ve kept them here with links in case you’d like to support the authors directly.

Apply, read early, review, and help us bring these stories into the world.

Let Me Be Your Ghost: A Romantic Thriller

Releases November 2026

Apply to be an ARC Reader Here

Preorder Here

This is my own upcoming novel, a romantic thriller I started developing back in my TV writer days in Hollywood. It’s been with me ever since.

Lola Whitman ghostwrites memoirs for powerful men — and feeds their secrets to the FBI. One last book buys her freedom. But her final target, billionaire Ezekiel Crane, finds her first, and wanting him breaks the one rule that keeps her alive: never fall for the target.

Let Me Be Your Ghost is a romance novel with thriller elements and a murder mystery to sleuth through. In a mansion with a thousand eyes, no one stays a ghost for long.

Apply below to read it early for free — or preorder to support its launch. Preorder in any format and I’ll also send you my unreleased book How to Write a Memoir free (details here).

Permission to Speak Freely

Released January 12, 2026

Buy it 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.

August Recess

Released January 12, 2026

Buy it 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.

👻 Preorder My New Romantic Thriller, Let Me Be Your Ghost

Want to Become a Paid Writer or Editor? Join 🛋️ CozyJobs

If you love books, publishing, editing, and the behind-the-scenes world of writing, my husband Kyle and I run a job board called 🛋️ CozyJobs. The board holds thousands of jobs and updates daily, with high-paying writing, editing, and ghostwriting roles front and center, plus grants, contests, and residencies in the Opportunities tab.