My ARC process for readers: Step by Step

ARC processes can be confusing and overwhelming - to make sure that you know exactly what awaits you if you apply for my team, allow me to explain what my ARC process is like.

To preface, here is the usual timeline in short:

1. Reception of ARC: 2 weeks before releaseday

2. Release day and reminder E-Mail

3. Timeline for Reviews ends: 2 weeks after release

This is a description of the general process. If you are on my permanent ARC-Team there are a few differences regarding platforms for reviews and submitting them, all of which will be outlined in the application and e-mails the members receive.

Step 1 - ARC confirmation E-Mail

The first thing that happens after your application is that you will receive a confirmation E-Mail if you have been selected to whichever ARC Team you have applied for.

If you’re already past this step: Welcome and I am so happy to have you! 💕

Step 2 - Your first reminder

A few days before I send out the download links for your ARC, you will receive an E-Mail from me to remind you of it. Sometimes there can be weeks or even months between your application and the ARC being sent to you, so this is just a heads-up that you are going to find it in your inbox soon.

Step 3 - The ARC

You will receive your ARC via the provider Bookfunnel, usually exactly 2 weeks before the release. It will come from the e-mail address help@bookfunnel.com, so please add them to your contacts and check your spam folder for their e-mail!

Please follow Bookfunnels detailed instructions on how to download the ebook and don’t hesitate to reach out to their support team if you encounter any issues. I’ve only had lovely encounters with their support, so if you run into any problems, I’m sure they will be happy to help!

The books are going to be watermarked. Do not reupload the book anywhere else!

If my books are caught on a pirating site, they are not eligible for Kindle Unlimited and that would suck for me as an author, and for a lot of other readers!

Step 4 - Read and enjoy!

All you have to do in this step is read the book and of course, I hope you enjoy it!

There are only two things to note:

• Some typos make their way through, no matter how many rounds of edits I send the script through. If you see any, please send them to me with chapter number and ideally a screenshot to hailey@haileyfrostauthor.com.

• I do my best to warn readers about potential triggers. If you encounter anything that you think should be mentioned in that warning, please reach out to hailey@haileyfrostauthor.com and let me know. I will add it asap!

Step 5 - Review

After reading the book, please post your honest, spoiler-free review.

• Since the Amazon algorithm does not like anything below 4 stars and the algorithm will basically bury the book, I would greatly appreciate it if you could hold off with your Amazon review until 2 weeks after release.

  This does not apply to Goodreads, please feel free to post any review any time there!

• If you mention that you received in ARC, I would appreciate it if you could point out that the opinion is still honest and your own.

• Please note that Amazon has been cracking down on certain wording in reviews, pertaining to the reception of an advanced copy. Especially ‘in exchange’ seems to trigger their algorithm from what I’ve been seeing. Be mindful and inform yourself beforehand, I have seen instances where it lead to all reviews of an account getting deleted and I would hate for that to happen!

• If you decide to post to social media, I will provide graphics of my cover, as well as mock-ups you may use. You can find the link to the Google Drive folder in the e-mails.

• If your review of my book is negative, please don’t tag me on social media!

  While I’m super thankful that you’re sharing my book with your followers even if you didn’t enjoy it, for my mental health I need to ask you to not tag me in the picture, comments or text if they’re negative. Thank you so much!

Step 6 - Send me the review to remain on the team

In order to share your reviews with me, I will be creating a Google Form. You will be able to share links to your reviews here and I will give the option of uploading screenshots as well. The link to the form will be in the reminder e-mail before ARCs go out and in all e-mails following.

Please fill out the form until 2 weeks after release.

If you encounter any problems with the form, please feel free to send your reviews to hailey@haileyfrostauthor.com instead.

The only thing I will do with your reviews is confirm that you've written them and I might take a sentence or passage from your review to post on social media or make it part of the Amazon listing if you've agreed to that in your application. That's it. No bashing, no judging, just happiness for getting your eyes on my book and your honest opinions!

Step 7 - Thank you E-Mail

If you’ve sent me your reviews already, you can completely ignore this e-mail. It’s just a gentle reminder to those who haven’t gotten around to writing, posting or sending their reviews over yet.

And that’s basically it!

Some common questions

• What if the book is a DNF for you?

  If my book is a DNF for you, of course it’s completely up to you if you still want to review it. Please don’t feel bad about leaving a negative review - of course I would appreciate it be constructive instead of insulting, but what made you DNF might be the exact reason someone else might pick up the book!

• What if you won't be able to make it in time?

  I know life can happen. Please shoot me a quick message if you won't be able to leave your reviews within the outlined timeframe. I don't need a reason, a quick "Sorry, I won't make it." is all I'm asking for.

  I know there's been discussions all over social media about this topic, so I would like to give you some background: Reviews around release day are so incredibly important for small indie authors like me, and if you let me know in time, I might be able to add someone else to the team who I couldn't extend an invitation to yet, to take your place.

• What happens if you don’t write a review within the given timeframe?

  The short answer: Nothing. I can’t make you leave reviews and I won’t send a million reminders until you do leave one. I’d rather write the next book.

  However, if you don’t let me know in time that you won’t be able to make it, chances are high that you will not receive an ARC from me in the future, since I do need to prioritize readers who are leaving them.

• Amazon is slow with publishing my review, what to do?

  Screenshots of ou submitting your review are absolutely fine as well! 💗