As has been the basis for my posts since I started this blog in 2017, I write about where I’m at in my writing journey, what I’m learning, and hope that you find it just as helpful.
This means today’s blog is about what to include in an ARC (advanced reader copy), something I’ve only done once (so far) and learned to do in the last week.
I used Scrivener (the Windows version that’s perpetually waiting for the Scrivener 3 update), but you can create these files in any word processing/formatting program.
Full disclosure, I honestly had no idea what to include when I started putting together my Blackbirch: The Beginning ARC, but I think it turned out well.
What To Include In An ARC Ebook
1. Front Matter
Your front matter is the documents that go before the contents of your book.
Standard options include…
A Cover
If you have the cover for your book ready, add it here. My designer is still working on mine so I used the free version of Canva to put together a placeholder cover for the ARC.
Table Of Contents
Confession, I’m not a huge fan of listing a table of contents in fiction books. I do, however, understand the need for them in ebooks as they make it easy to click to a specific chapter, so definitely include one. Scrivener automatically compiled and added my table of contents when creating the epub file.
A Title Page
This should include your book title, subtitle (if applicable), and author name. You can even get fancy and add an image if you like.
A Copyright Page
Basic copyright simply needs to include the copyright symbol (©) or the word “copyright”, the year of the first copyright, and the name of whoever owns the copyright
Examples: © 2020 K.M. Allan or Copyright 2020 K.M. Allan
You can also include the following statements:
“This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.”
“All rights reserved.”
For more info and options, check out the blog post, What To Include On Your Book’s Copyright Page by Andre Calilhanna.
Optional options…
A Note To Your Readers
I threw in a note to the readers explaining this was the ARC version of my book, that the actual book will be released in February, and that the real cover is coming soon. I also thanked them for reading and asked them to let me know if they spot any issues or typos (I’ve read this book so many times I can’t even see the typos anymore). If you choose to include a note, you can make it about the same thing, or anything else, such as the inspiration behind your book or other important book-related things you think they should know.
The Book Blurb
I only released the blurb for my book last week (you can read it in the post, Writing A Book Blurb In 4 Easy Steps), so I included it here to remind the readers what to expect. Also, since the ARC is an ebook only, there’s no back cover for the readers to see the blurb.
2. Your Book
The center part of your ARC is obviously your book. Yep, you have to include it, and yes that means other people, i.e. strangers, will read your words. I like to think I’m my own worst critic and prepared for anything anyone throws at me, but I’m still nervous about this book being read by others.
To format my book, I used Scrivener’s compile function to create an epub. I then used Kindle Previewer 3 to see what the ebook will look like on Kindles, tablets, and phones, and saved it as an epub and a mobi.
If something looked off, such as the title page font being too big (true story), I adjusted the files in Scrivener and ran them through Kindle Previewer again. It took me 15 versions to get the whole ebook looking how I wanted (at one point I ticked something in Scrivener that took away my chapter numbers so it was an ordeal fixing that). It’s all very trial and error, so don’t think you’re a failure if the first (or fifth) version isn’t right.
Also, don’t stress about fonts too much. Just make sure you have a simple, clean font, and your layout is easy to read. Kindle owners can change the settings for fonts and sizing on their own individual devices, so spending hours making sure the font is perfect may not matter in the end. Readers just want to read your words. Make it easy for them to do that and you’ll be fine.
3. Back Matter
The back matter is—you guessed it—the files that go after your book. These can include…
A Thank You
I thanked the readers once again. Life is super busy, and although Blackbirch: The Beginning isn’t a huge page-sprawling tome (it’s just shy of 63,000 words), it will still take time to read. The fact that anyone wants to use part of their day/week/month/life to read it isn’t lost on me, and I really appreciate that.
A Call To Action
This could be a reminder to leave a review, a request to spread the word about your book, or anything else you wish (related to your book and within reason, of course).
Early reviews really help to get the word out about new books, especially for debut authors, so remind your readers of that and make it easy for them to leave a review by including links.
I don’t have my pre-orders up yet (that’s the next task) so there isn’t a place for my ARC readers to leave a review just yet (sorry, guys!). As those links become available in the next few weeks, I’ll add them to a special page I set up, which is only accessible from a link in my ARC.
About The Author
This is the place where you can introduce yourself to new readers, or remind those who already know you, who you are and what you’re all about (in my case, it’s binge-watching too much TV). Include your bio and a picture (if you like).
And that’s it! At least, that’s the way I create an ARC. As I said, I’m learning as I go. These tips might help you, or you might know of a better way, in which case, please teach us all in the comments below.
Thank you to everyone who responded to my ARC callout last week. I offered 25 copies and 35 of you requested it before I closed the sign-up.
I sent the 35 ebooks out on the 15th and the link should be in your inbox now (check your spam/promotions folder if you haven’t seen it). I hope you enjoy the book. Happy reading!
— K.M. Allan
As always, great work. I’ll be using this for my fiction book.
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Thanks, Dave! I hope it helps 😊.
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It will!
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I’d love to hear how you decide who you will send ARCs to, if you have time.
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Hi Karen, I just asked readers to sign up for a mailing list if they were interested. First 35 to register before I closed off the sign up received a copy.
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Such a fun journey. I’m happy you’ve taken me along for the ride. One question: When do I get to drive????
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You can drive if you know how to navigate publishing forms. Spent half my day filling in form after form and I’m still not done.
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Thanks, Kate! Very timely for me, as you know.
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You’re welcome, Lyn! I hope it helps and I can’t wait to read your ARC 😊.
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Congrats on getting your ARC copy made and out! How exciting! Thanks also for another helpful post ☺
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You’re welcome, Anne. It’s exciting and nerve wracking that others are now reading my book, but that’s why we write, isn’t it? 😁.
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It is….but that part is still terrifying! 😁
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😊
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Thanks for the informtion and for sharing everything you learn along the way 🙂
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You’re welcome, Nicole. Thanks for reading 😊.
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You’re welcome 😊
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Great and simple list.
I wonder: is ToC really necessary in case of ebooks? Not sure how other e-readers work but Kindle will automaticaly be able to get you to any heading when you click the ‘go to’ – which makes ToC redundant.
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I don’t like them either, but it seems to be the standard to have them. Scrivener added mine without me doing anything and there wasn’t an option to remove it so I just went with it 🤷🏻♀️.
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thanks, Chris 😊.
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Your are very organized. For my ARC, I just sent the pdf to a handful or writer friends. But it was my first time going through the process. Will certainly keep this is mind. Good luck!
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Thank you. Good luck to you too 😊.
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Great post, Kate! You should be proud, you’ve put in so much hard work for this. I’m excited to settle down over the weekend with my ARC and disappear into the mystical world of Blackbirch ❤
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Thanks, Meelie ❤️. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts as I think some parts have changed since you beta read it for me. Enjoy!
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Reblogged this on Claire Plaisted – Author and commented:
Thanks for this post. I may take time out this year to look at Scrivener again. I didn’t like it the first time around…lol.
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You’re welcome, Claire 😊. Scrivener can take some getting used to. Now that I know how to use it (I only use the most basic functions), I couldn’t imagine writing in any other program. Thanks for sharing my post 😊.
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Good reminders here! I hope to get an ebook together this year, and a list of elements is always useful. 🙂
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Thanks, Jean. Good luck with your ebook 😊.
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This is awesome I will definitely be bookmarking this page. You give brilliant ideas for setting up ARCs and as I use Scrivener the points on how you used that were doubly helpful.
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Thanks, Ari. Scrivener has been awesome for my writing, and very helpful for the ARC 😊.
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K.M,
So cool to get a look into this process! I’m very excited to see Blackbirch out there when it’s available!
-John
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Thanks, John 😊.
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Ooh, thank you for putting this post together. I hadn’t given any thought to getting an ARC ready, so the whole post was full of useful information. I’ll be sure to save this post for future reference.
I’m sure your readers will adore your novel, I know I fell in love with your characters. 💜💜👏
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Thanks, Rainy! I hope so too. Putting together an ARC has so far been the easiest thing to do. I’m sure you’ll nail putting one together when it comes to your turn.
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Good to know – I will look forward to your posts on the self publishing process.
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Thanks, Naomi 😊.
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