ARC Readers vs. Beta Readers: What’s the Difference?

What is an ARC Reader?

ARC stands for Advanced Review Copy, and ARC readers are unpaid contributors who affect the reputation of a book. ARC readers receive a copy of the book via e-book format, and that copy is edited, formatted, and proofread. Simply put, the book is ready for public consumption. The ARC reader then writes a review and posts it publicly to review sites and blogs. ARC readers deliver their feedback publicly.

How Does a Beta Reader Differ From an ARC Reader?

Beta readers can be paid or unpaid. Some authors prefer to swap manuscripts with other writers. We receive a copy of the manuscript before any editing work has taken place. As a beta reader, I record my real-time reactions using the comments feature in Microsoft Word, and then I submit a 1-to-3 page report with my analysis of the story.

How Does a Beta Reader Deliver Feedback?

Beta readers deliver feedback privately, directly to author. We do not disclose our reactions to the unedited manuscript to the public. We understand that the story is a work in progress, and we would not want to generate negative publicity for an author before a book is even finished.

While both ARC readers and beta readers both provide feedback, the difference lies in what stage the feedback is given in as well as how the feedback is delivered.