Ask the Critic: What is an ARC?

Chris in the UK asks:

What on earth are ARCs?

I sometimes forget that readers of this blog might not be hip to all the publishing lingo. So let me explain...

An ARC is an Advanced Reading Copy (also known as a bound galley or uncorrected proof). It's a pre-publication edition of a book that is printed by the publisher to send out to reviewers, producers, booksellers and other trade people in hopes of generating reviews, word-of-mouth and orders.

ARCs are softcover editions, printed in limited quantities and usually sent out 3-6 months before the book is available in stores. They are generally 99% the same as the finished product, although sometimes they are edited slightly -- either for content or, more typically, for typos, grammar, etc. -- before publication.

Comments

[stu]

So not, for example:

Annoying Recurring Characters

or

Astounding Rhubarb Crimes

[David J. Montgomery]

Astounding Rhubarb Crimes... I'd read that.

[Joanie]

Wow, how could i get my hands on an ARC?! =O

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[air jordan 7]

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