Definition
An advance reader copy (ARC) is a pre-release version of a book sent to reviewers, booksellers, or beta readers before official publication.
Example
A publisher mails ARCs to bloggers six weeks before launch so early reviews can appear on release day.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Treating an ARC like the final published edition when quoting or reviewing it.
- Sharing a digital ARC publicly when the publisher asked for a private review copy.