Heeeeeeyyyy there! Welcome back for another episode of “So You Wanna Request An ARC”! Last week we talked about some things one must do before even considering requesting an ARC. This week, we’re gonna work on crafting out email to the publisher(s).
By NO MEANS am I am expert on the subject. These are not hard-and-fast rules. I’m just a weird chick who reads books and takes more naps than should be legal. My personal success rate is 1:6 so take this with a L A R G E grain of Himalayan pink salt.
1. Who you gonna call?
This is the person who is the publicity or media contact for the publisher. If you Google any of the Big Five publishers (Macmillan, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, and Simon & Schuster), and then navigate your way to the contact area, you should find publicity contact info! Grab a pen (or copy-paste) and down the email address listed, and the name of the publicity head (if provided) and get ready to draft.
2. Imprints
Most publishing houses have multiple imprints that they release books under. For example, Macmillan has Tor, TorTeen, Feiwel & Friends, and Farrar, Straus & Giroux for Young Readers to name a few. Do a little research to make sure you know which imprint is publishing the book you want to read. Each imprint usually has their own head of publicity that you have to contact and emailing something to Tor that was meant for TorTeen…it’s not always guaranteed that the email will be forwarded to the right person.
3. Sell, Sell, Sell! ….yourself.
Nothing like that. But to the publisher. Why should they send you X book? It’s free to you but they have pay to have ARCs printed and then the shipping cost. Let’s say over all, it’s $20. What makes you worth of the publisher’s $20 investment.
4. Prove it.
If you’ve reviewed previously, now’s the time to let it be known! You don’t have to name drop (unless you really want to) but do share that you have some experience! Be it eARC recording or beta-reading. Brag about yourself a bit! If you’ve worked with the publisher you’re emailing in the past, jog their memory: “I enjoyed working with the (insert publisher) family on (insert book) in the past and would love to work with you all again.”
5. Hit my line!
Close your email out with a thank you. Be humble and sincere in your closing. Mention that you will list your mailing address as well as your Kindle address (if you have one). Then, you know, actually list it. Sometimes publishers have a limited number of copies of physical ARCs to send out so maybe they’ll offer an egalley. Still just as good, and you have it with you wherever you have your phone/ereader.
Well. Hope I was about to help at least a little bit. As I said, I am not an expert. I have no affiliation with any of the publishing houses mentioned above. This article is meant to serve as a guide to help others. Any publishers, authors, or publicists who have questions for me or review requests, please reach out to me via my email which can be found at this website’s contact page!
Stacia Loves To Read 