how to request (& receive) ARCs on NetGalley: a guide for book lovers

If you're new to reviewing books, you might have been a little confused while reading the title of this post. Let me explain. ARC is an acronym for the term, "Advanced Reader Copies." Here is a great explanation from NetGalley itself: "ARCs are released pre-publication to select readers at the discretion of the publisher. It’s a broad term used to encompass various formats (such as physical, e-books, and audiobooks). You may also hear the terms galley or uncorrected proof used interchangeably with ARC." 

When I found out that I could potentially get my hands on books before they were even published, I immediately wanted to know more. A few Google searches later and I was signed up for NetGalley. If you are unfamiliar with NetGalley, it's basically a platform where publishers and authors share digital advance reader copies of upcoming books, called eARCs, with readers, reviewers, librarians, and other professionals. In exchange for free access to these books before they’re officially released, readers provide honest reviews that help generate excitement and feedback for the author. I've found it to be an awesome way to discover new books and help support authors. 

Two of my favorite ARCs that I've had the chance to review are Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (eek, one of my favorite authors!!) and Not in My Book by Katie Holt (too cute). 

Now that I hopefully have your attention, here's how you can set up a NetGalley account.

How to Get Started

First, you'll want to visit netgalley.com to create a new account. That's the easy part. Next comes the filling out of your profile. I want to emphasize that it's important to fill it out completely! This is what publishers look at to decide whether or not to accept/decline your request. Having a very professional, informative profile will increase your chances of getting approved. Here are some examples of the type of information a publisher may be looking for depending on what type of member you are:

• Bookseller: Include the name, address, and website for the bookstore where you work.
• Librarian: Include the name, address, and website of the library where you work and what your main focus is within that library system (do you coordinate book clubs or have a genre preference?)
• Reviewers: Be sure to include the primary platform you use to post your book reviews and recommendations. Whatever medium you use to post your reviews, publishers like to see numbers. Include direct links to your platforms, and be sure to include the size of your audience (number of followers) along with engagement numbers.

Another piece of advice is to update your profile periodically, even if it's just being sure that your number of followers is the most up-to-date. Publishers like to see that you're active! If the last time you edited your profile was six months ago, then they might wonder how likely it is that you'll review their book.

Tips for Requesting ARCs

Perhaps the biggest mistake I made when I first started out on NetGalley was requesting way too many books. Since I thought it was unlikely I'd be approved for any due to being so new, I requested anything and everything. Not only was this a bit of an issue because I couldn't read that many in so little time (I was balancing several different commitments), but I also got approved for more than I was expecting, and ended up having to read and review books that were not quite aligned with my usual reading preferences. So, I'd suggest being selective with your requests. Try to focus on books that align with your interests and reading preferences, especially if you're busy like me. When I had the time to read, I wanted to read something that grabbed my attention immediately. 

Another tip, which I used a lot when starting out, is to take advantage of the "read now" feature. As you browse through books, you'll likely come across a few that say "read now" instead of "request." This means that you can skip the approval stage - these books are available to you immediately. This is great because it gives you a chance to build up your feedback ratio (percentage of books you've actually reviewed compared to how many you've been approved for). It's an important metric because generally, publishers want to see a high ratio of at least 80% in order for them to approve you. 

How to Improve Your Chances of Approval

Be sure to engage with the community. Stay on top of reviewing books consistently, and then includes links to past reviews. As mentioned earlier, try to maintain a good feedback ratio, too. Publishers really do pay attention to it, because a higher feedback ratio shows that you’re more reliable and likely to follow through on reviewing the books you request. 

How to Improve Your Feedback Ratio

Review books as soon as you finish them to avoid a backlog. Also, focus on requesting books you know you can read and review within a reasonable timeframe. If your ratio has gotten low, prioritize reviewing books you’ve already been approved for before requesting new ones. Learn from my mistakes, I beg of you. I'm still trying to get back up to 80%. 

"I've been approved, now what?"

Congratulations, I'm so proud of you! Here are the steps I try to follow after I've been approved for an eARC:

1. Download the book ASAP: Once you’ve been approved, download it as soon as possible. NetGalley offers different formats (e.g., Kindle, EPUB), so make sure to choose the one that works best for you. Trying to download it promptly ensures you don’t miss out on reading it if the book is archived (which does not always match up with when the book is published, so watch out!). 
2. Read the ARC within the publisher's timeline: Most ARCs have a release date or a "read-by" date. Publishers often prefer reviews to be posted close to the release date to help generate interest. Try to plan your reading schedule accordingly so you can review the book before or around the release. If the timeline is super important to the publisher, they usually include that in the email announcing that your request has been approved.
3. Write an honest, constructive review: Once you’ve finished reading, be sure to write a review that is honest. Even if you didn’t love the book, be respectful and constructive in your feedback. Mention what worked for you and what didn’t. Remember, your review is not only helpful to potential readers but also to the publisher and author. Be sure to avoid spoilers, too!
4. Post your review on multiple platforms: After submitting your review on NetGalley, make sure to post it on other platforms like Goodreads, your blog, or social media if any of those apply to you. Some publishers appreciate it if you mention them or the author in your social posts, and this is also a win-win because it helps your reach as a reviewer. Be sure to also go back and include links to these posts in your NetGalley review, if possible (yes, you can edit your reviews!). Oh, and if you're US-based, you must include that you received the product for free in exchange for an honest review! Usually just a simple "thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC for free in exchange for an honest review" will suffice. 
5. Thank the publisher or author (optional but very appreciated): If you’re active on social media, a simple shoutout to the publisher or author can be a really nice gesture. You can thank them for the opportunity to read the ARC, tag them in your review, or share your excitement about the book. This can also help build relationships with publishers for future requests.

Wow, if you've read this far, thank you! I hope I've managed to answer some of your questions and highlight the value of using NetGalley if you're a book lover like me. It may seem a little intimidating, but if you start small and try to be consistent, you can have such a great time reading and reviewing. Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have any additional questions you'd like me to address in a future post. Happy reading!