What is an ARC, and why they're made available?  Advance Readers Copies, also called galleys or bound galleys, are uncorrected proofs of the book released before the book is published. ARCs or Galleys are the book that is privately released by publisher before the book is printed for mass distribution. ARCs are used to start the conversation and create a publicity buzz around a new book.  For many titles, the ARCs will represent one of the biggest outlays of marketing money the book will receive.

As a marketing tool, publishers provide free copies of new titles to booksellers and journalists. Usually, ARCs are provided to booksellers, librarians, and reviewers for books or magazines. In the last few years, though, publishing houses have made ARCs more available to book bloggers and other readers. The hope is that these bloggers and readers will use their blogs, Twitter, Tumblr, etc., to create that buzz. ARCs are, above all, marketing tools used to sell more of the finished books.  Once the blogger, reader or journalist gives an endorsement, that endorsement is added to the dust-cover of the final book and to other promotional items.

Before the book is published, many marketers encourage book bloggers to share ARCs with friends, or give the ARCs or galleys away in contests or giveaways.

One of the best (and often hardest to get) marketing tools is word of mouth. Readers are the absolute best when it comes to word of mouth; if they love a book they scream it from rooftops. It is great business for authors to give away ARCs. By giving away the ARC authors are helping spread the word.

For more information on ARCs and bound galleys, contact the Country Press.

Excerpts - YA Highway