How to Find ARC Readers for Your Romance Novel (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you've been posting "looking for ARC readers" on social media every week, managing a chaotic Google Form, and chasing down people who signed up but never actually read your book — you're not alone. Almost every indie romance author goes through the same exhausting cycle.

The good news: there's a better way. But first, let's break down what's actually happening and why the traditional approach burns so many authors out.

What Is an ARC and Why Do You Need Readers?

An ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) is a pre-publication version of your book that you share with readers in exchange for honest reviews. Those reviews are critical for indie romance authors because:

• Algorithms love reviews. Amazon and Goodreads surfaces books with more reviews to more potential buyers.
• Social proof sells books. A romance novel with 40 reviews converts far better than one with 3.
• Reviews build momentum. Getting reviews on launch day (rather than weeks later) gives your book the best possible start.

The problem isn't understanding why you need ARC readers. The problem is finding them consistently, book after book.

The Most Common Ways Authors Find ARC Readers (And Why They Fall Short)

1. Posting on Social Media with a Google Form

This is where most authors start. You write a post, attach a Google Form for sign-ups, and hope for the best. Here's what usually happens:

• You get a flood of sign-ups from people who are only vaguely interested
• Half of them don't finish the book
• A quarter of those who finish don't leave a review
• You spend hours managing spreadsheets and follow-up emails
• You repeat this entire process for your next book from scratch

The biggest problem with this approach is that you're always hunting for readers. They're not coming to you — you're chasing them. And for every book, you start over.

2. Posting in Facebook Reader Groups

Facebook groups can be a goldmine, but they come with their own headaches:

• Groups have rules about self-promotion (and you can get banned for breaking them)
• Your post gets buried within hours
• You're competing with dozens of other authors doing the same thing
• Reader quality varies wildly — not everyone who joins is a genuine romance reader

3. NetGalley

NetGalley is the most established ARC platform, but it was built for traditional publishers. For indie romance authors, it has some significant drawbacks:

• Expensive (listings can cost hundreds of dollars)
• Designed for publishing professionals, not indie authors
• The UI feels like it was designed in 2005 (because it was)
• Your romance novel competes with every other genre on the platform

4. BookSirens and Booksprout

These platforms are closer to what indie authors actually need, but they come with their own challenges:

• BookSirens charges $10 per book listing plus $2 per reader — so a successful campaign with 50 readers costs you $110
• Neither platform focuses exclusively on romance, meaning your book competes with thrillers, sci-fi, and literary fiction for reader attention
• Readers aren't necessarily romance fans — they're general book readers who might pick up your romance novel alongside a true crime book

What Actually Works: Letting Readers Come to You

The fundamental shift that makes ARC campaigns successful is simple: stop hunting for readers and let readers hunt for you.

This sounds obvious, but most authors are still doing it the hard way — posting, chasing, and starting over every single book launch.

When readers actively seek out ARC books to read and review, you get:

• Higher completion rates — they chose your book, they're invested
• Better reviews — engaged readers write more thoughtful feedback
• Less manual work — no spreadsheets, no chasing, no follow-up emails
• Consistent results — book after book, the process is the same

What to Look for in an ARC Platform

Not all ARC platforms are created equal. Here's what actually matters when choosing where to list your romance novel:

1. Romance-Specific Readership

This is the big one. If your romance novel is listed alongside sci-fi and horror books, you're going to attract readers who are browsing broadly — not readers who love romance and are actively looking for their next read.

A platform where every single reader signed up specifically because they love romance means better targeting, higher application rates, and more relevant reviews.

2. Flat Pricing (Not Per-Reader Fees)

Per-reader fees punish successful books. If your romance novel performs well and attracts 60 readers, you shouldn't be penalized with a $120 bill. Look for platforms with flat pricing so you can celebrate a popular campaign instead of dreading the invoice.

3. Flexible Approval Options

Some authors want to approve every reader manually. Others want to set it and forget it with automatic approvals. The best platforms give you both options so you can match your workflow to your comfort level.

4. Promotion and Visibility

Getting listed isn't enough. Does the platform actively promote your book to its readers? A platform that promotes your ARC through social media and email means more eyes on your book without you having to do additional work.

Pen Pinery: A Romance-Only ARC Platform Built for Indie Authors

Pen Pinery was built specifically to solve the problems above. Here's how it works:

For authors:

• List your romance ARC for $10 (flat — no per-reader fees, ever)
• Choose automatic or manual reader approval
• We promote your book to our community of 600+ romance readers and 1400+ social media followers
• Readers apply to read your book — you don't have to chase anyone

For readers:

• Browse romance ARCs from indie authors
• Apply for the books you genuinely want to read
• Read and review in exchange for early access

Because Pen Pinery is romance-only, every reader on the platform is there because they love romance. There's no competition from other genres. When a reader applies for your spicy contemporary romance or slow-burn fantasy romance, they're not a general book reader hedging their bets — they're a romance reader who specifically wants your book.

Practical Tips for a Successful Romance ARC Campaign

Whether you use Pen Pinery or another platform, these tips will improve your results:

Start Early

Give yourself at least 2-4 weeks before your publication date. Readers need time to apply, get approved, read, and write reviews. Rushing this process leads to fewer reviews on launch day.

Write a Compelling ARC Description

Your ARC description is your pitch to readers. Include:

• The core romance trope (enemies to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, etc.)
• Heat level (sweet, steamy, spicy)
• A punchy blurb that sells the tension
• Any content warnings readers should know about

Set Clear Expectations

Tell readers upfront what you expect: an honest review posted to Amazon and/or Goodreads within a specific timeframe. Readers who agree to clear expectations are far more likely to follow through.

Be Selective (But Not Too Selective)

If you're manually approving readers, look for applicants with a history of leaving reviews. But don't be so selective that your campaign stalls — some authors overthink this and approve only a handful of readers, then wonder why they have few reviews.

Promote Your ARC Campaign

Even with a platform doing the heavy lifting, sharing your campaign on your social media channels and newsletter (if you have one) will boost applications. The more readers who apply, the more reviews you'll get.

The Bottom Line

Finding ARC readers for your romance novel doesn't have to be a full-time job. The authors who build sustainable review bases aren't working harder — they're working smarter by using platforms where readers come to them.

If you're tired of the Google Form cycle and ready to try a romance-specific ARC platform built for indie authors, Pen Pinery is free to join as a reader and $10 per listing as an author.

Your next romance novel deserves readers who are already excited about romance. Give it the launch it deserves.

Pen Pinery is a romance-only ARC platform connecting indie romance authors with engaged readers. Authors list their ARCs for $10 with unlimited reader applications. Readers join free and apply for books they genuinely want to read and review.