An advanced reader copy is a free, pre-publication version of a book that publishers distribute to reviewers, booksellers, librarians, and media outlets weeks or months before the official release date.
Publishers print these copies to build buzz before launch. They want professional reviewers to read the book early, write reviews that go live on release day, and help bookstores decide how many copies to stock. The copies are usually marked "Not for Sale" or "Advance Reader Copy" on the cover or title page, and they often have a different design than the final published version.
If you receive an advanced reader copy, you are not buying it — you are receiving it as part of the publisher's marketing effort. The book may still have typos or small changes that will be fixed before publication. The cover art, title, or even the ending might change between the advance copy and the version that reaches stores.
Key Takeaways
- Advanced reader copies go to professional reviewers, booksellers, and librarians before the book is officially released to the public.
- These copies are marked "Not for Sale" and are meant to generate reviews and word-of-mouth before launch day.
- The advance copy may differ from the final published book in cover design, formatting, or even content.
- Receiving an advanced reader copy does not mean you own the right to sell it or share it online.
- Book bloggers and social media reviewers sometimes receive these copies in exchange for posting reviews on release day.
Who Gets Advanced Reader Copies
Publishers send these copies to a specific list of people and organizations. Professional book reviewers at newspapers, magazines, and websites receive them. Major bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble and independent bookstores get copies so their staff can read and recommend the book. Public libraries and library systems receive them to decide whether to purchase copies for their collections.
Book bloggers and social media reviewers also receive advanced copies, especially for fiction and young adult books. Publishers use these reviewers to reach readers on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Goodreads. The publisher usually asks the reviewer to post their review on or near the official release date, so the review reaches potential buyers when they can actually purchase the book.
Journalists and media outlets that cover books or culture may receive copies if the book is expected to generate news coverage. Authors sometimes receive their own advanced copies to send to people they know or to use for promotional events.
How Advanced Reader Copies Differ From Published Books
The cover art on an advanced reader copy is often a temporary design. Publishers may still be deciding on the final cover, so the advance copy might show a different image, layout, or color scheme. The title page and back cover may also look different from what appears in bookstores.
The text inside may contain typos or formatting issues that the publisher catches and fixes before the official print run. Sometimes entire sentences or paragraphs change between the advance copy and the final version. In rare cases, the ending of a novel may be revised. These changes are why reviewers are asked to note that they reviewed an advance copy — the final book may read slightly differently.
Advanced reader copies are also usually printed in smaller quantities and on cheaper paper than the final published edition. They are designed to be functional, not beautiful. The goal is to get the story into reviewers' hands quickly and inexpensively.
What You Can and Cannot Do With an Advanced Reader Copy
If you receive an advanced reader copy, you can read it and write a review. You can post that review on your blog, social media, or review sites like Goodreads or Amazon once the book is officially released. Many publishers ask reviewers to hold their reviews until release day so that all reviews go live at the same time and create momentum for the book's launch.
You cannot sell an advanced reader copy. The "Not for Sale" marking is legally binding — these copies are not meant for resale. You also should not share the full text online or post large excerpts before the official release date. Doing so can undermine the publisher's marketing plan and may violate the terms under which you received the copy.
If you received the copy as a reviewer or influencer, the publisher may have sent it with specific instructions about when and where you can post your review. Read any letter or email that came with the copy to understand what the publisher is asking of you. If no instructions came with it, waiting until the official release date to post your review is the standard practice.
Where Advanced Reader Copies Show Up
You may see advanced reader copies for sale on secondhand book sites like eBay, Etsy, or Alibris, even though they are marked "Not for Sale." Some collectors seek them out because they are rare or because they contain differences from the final published version. However, buying or selling them is technically not permitted under the terms of their distribution.
Book clubs sometimes receive advanced copies so members can read and discuss the book before it officially launches. Libraries occasionally have advanced copies available to borrow, though this is less common than receiving them for collection decisions. If you find an advanced reader copy at a library sale or used bookstore, you can purchase and read it — the restriction on resale applies to the original recipient, not to subsequent buyers.
Why Publishers Use Advanced Reader Copies
The main reason is timing. A review published on the day a book launches reaches readers when they can actually buy it. If a publisher waited until after publication to send out copies, reviews would come too late to influence the initial sales push. By sending copies months early, publishers ensure that professional reviews, bookstore recommendations, and social media buzz all hit at once.
Advanced reader copies also help publishers gauge how the book will be received. If early reviewers respond poorly, the publisher may adjust their marketing strategy or print fewer copies. If the response is strong, they may print more or plan a larger marketing campaign. The feedback from early readers shapes how the book is promoted.
For debut authors and lesser-known writers, advanced reader copies are especially important. They give the book a chance to build word-of-mouth before it competes for shelf space against established authors. A strong review from a major publication or a popular book blogger can make the difference between a book that sells well and one that gets lost in the noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell an advanced reader copy I received?
No. Advanced reader copies are marked "Not for Sale" and are meant only for the person who received them. Selling one violates the terms of its distribution. However, if you purchase an advance copy secondhand from another seller, you own it and can keep it or resell it.
Will the advanced reader copy I have be different from the published book?
It may be. The cover art, formatting, and text can all change between the advance copy and the final published version. If you are writing a review, note that you reviewed an advance copy so readers know the final book might differ slightly.
When should I post my review of an advanced reader copy?
Check any instructions that came with the copy. Most publishers ask reviewers to post on the official release date or within a few days after. If no instructions came with it, waiting until release day is the standard practice and gives the book the best chance to reach potential buyers.
Do I have to write a review if I receive an advanced reader copy?
It depends on how you received it. If a publisher or author sent it to you directly as a reviewer, they likely expect a review. If you received it through a library or bookstore, there is no obligation. Check any letter or email that came with the copy for expectations.
Why do advanced reader copies sometimes have different covers than the final book?
Publishers are often still deciding on the final cover design when they print advance copies. The temporary cover gets the book into reviewers' hands quickly, and the final cover launches with the published edition. This also helps prevent the advance copy from being confused with the official release.