Hey guys, today I’m coming at you (finally) with a discussion post. It’s been a while since I posted anything, let alone a discussion post. Today I’m going to be talking to you guys about arcs, the good and the bad!
Reminder: If it’s in red, it’s a link!
The pros of ARCS
- It gives readers a chance to read their favourite book before it comes out, in that way it’s special
- It helps readers with less availability to buy their own books actually read own the book’
- They can complete collections for big fans
The cons of ARCS
- They’re A LOT harder for International readers to get – physical or otherwise
- They give reading a deadline
- Let’s be real, reviews are boring, to write and to read
- It’s easy to get jealous/ angry when you get denied an arc you would kill for
- They’re really not that easy to get if you don’t have a popular platform or the chance to go to a book event/ con
ARCS I WOULD KILL FOR
ARCS I WOULD KILL FOR
THE HAZEL WOOD // BENEATH THE SUGAR SKY // THUNDERHEAD
SO… IS IT ALL THAT HARD TO GET ARCS? Well, that depends, what’s your platform? Are you a successful bookstagram? Are you a really popular booktuber? Are you an international reader? How accessible are you to publishers? How big is your subscriber count?
Unfortunately, these are all the questions that go through a publisher’s head before they send you an arc. And yeah, it’s a lot.
And hence, the jealousy. Personally, as an international reader, I find it harder to get advanced copies, especially now that my main source (Netgalley) has really started to neglect and block out/ ignore International readers.
ARCS IT WOULD HAVE MADE SENSE FOR ME TO READ
ARCS I WOULD KILL FOR
LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE // 27 HOURS // THE SWORD OF SUMMER
IT IS SO EASY TO GET JEALOUS OF OTHER BLOGGERS. It’s not something we can control, sometimes we just LOVE the previous book, or really love the author’s works or we just know we’re going to really connect with the main character. It would just make sense for us to have an ARC of the book, so why can’t I seem to get one?
So… what do we do about it? Honestly, I don’t really know – there’s nothing we can do about the jealousy. All we can do is work on our platforms and work up the courage to approach publishing companies for ARCS.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ARCS? DO FIND THEM HARD TO GET YOUR HANDS ON?
FRIDGES 
allonsythornraxx 
ARCs for me are both amazing and so frustrating!!!
I get arc envy all the time I swear 😂😂
Tbh, I’m too nervous to email publishers and stuff so I rely on netgalley and occasionally edelweiss when they accept me! I’m currently super jealous of anyone who has a copy of Children of blood and bone!! I want it so bad xD
I try not to worry too much though, I mean I do get gutted when I get declined but I am hoping to eventually work up the courage to approach publishers ☺️☺️
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Same, I get too much anxiety around requesting directly from publishers so generally I rely on Netgalley, though, I would like to give requesting from Publishers ago in a year or two as I get more comfortable with my blog.
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When I first found out what ARCs are, I decided to never ever read them for basically all the reasons on your cons list. I’m so glad I made that decision because, although it means I have to wait for the release date, I don’t have to suffer through writing loads of reviews and I don’t feel any pressure at all to read certain books, or read them at a certain time.
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Wow, okay you have some serious restraint. Yes, you certainly did make the right decision – reviews are THE WORST! I honestly don’t know if arcs are all that worth it, sure, if you’re a massive fan or are hell-bent on collecting a certain book/ author’s works it’s fun but, honestly, sometimes reviews are just not fun to write. Yes, deadlines can definitely kill the reading buzz.
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At first, when I started the book community I became enthralled with having my hands on early copies of books. Now, I haven’t been as eager to do it. The deadlines, while they are helpful, making me feel like I need to rush through the book and give it a good score. A lot of the times when I read a book I like to take my time, take notes, and give a detailed review of exactly what I liked. So, when I get the chance to review, I like to get it well enough in advance so that I can have more time to think about it. Good post!
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Yes, I know how you feel. when I first started blogging/ watching booktube I just needed arcs. It was such a new-to-me cool concept and I got SO overwhelmed. Exactly, I’m fine with deadlines, just not for my reading. Exactly, I love taking notes and I feel like, with a deadline, my reviews just aren’t as good as they could be.
Thank you! ❤️
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Awwwww, I’m so sorry that international bloggers are being so neglected! I do feel really blessed when I get an arc and I can get pissy when I don’t. I wanted to read Batman because Marie Lu (duh!) but was rejected where ever I tried to get it, lol. I think everyone can relate to these ARC ups and downs.
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Yeah, Goodreads and Netgalley have really shown us how they feel in the last few months. It’s now a lot harder for some intl people to enter GR giveaways which sucks the big one. And, now the majority of intl bloggers have to wish for books instead of requesting them on Netgalley. Basically, we’re not getting any arcs.
Yeah, it kind of stings when we get rejected.
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It think it’s terrible how book sites are treating international readers! It doesn’t make any sense to me! I’m so sorry!
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Yeah, I honestly don’t understand it either tbh! No, it doesn’t make sense – we’re happy to write reviews – and especially with Netgalley it makes no sense – all they do is send us ebooks, it’s no extra cost to the publishers or the site.
💓💓💓
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Great Post! 🙂 I have been a bit frustarted lately, because I haven’t gotten approved for anything and get rejection after rejection, which makes it hard not to be really disappointed. I feel like ever since Netgalley made their request rules strichter, I haven’t gotten approved as much as before.
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I know how you feel! There are very minimal publishers I can request from where I don’t have to wish for books. I have only been approved for 1 book since September and yeah, it’s frustrating getting rejection after rejection when I know Netgalley is the only realistic way for me to get arcs until my blog really picks up.
I don’t know why Netgalley got stricter with their rules but I hope they know that us intl peeps are pissed and honestly, confused. What did we do to them?
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I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one recently struggling with this a bit. It get’s a bit frustrating when I receive rejection after rejection
I have no idea as well, because as far as I know they never properly addressed their changes or explained why
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