ARCs verses Finished Copies
Written by Emily @ Red House Books
When I first started blogging, almost a year ago now, I had no idea what an ARC, or Advanced Review Copy, was. Even after I found out, I never imagined that I would ever get my hands on one. See, I have a problem....with books...with lots of books...everywhere in the house....SO aside from the fact that I couldn't imagine any publisher ever wanting to send me anything (let alone something as precious as a book!) I knew this could become a problem - one more way for books to make their way into my home. My lovely lovely home full of books everywhere, on every shelf, in every corner......
I'm still in shock over the whole thing. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I have publishers sending me books every week (or every month for that matter) but I have gotten them. At first I didn't know what to make of them - are they just as good as a finished copy? Worse because of the typos? Better because they are rare? I know everyone has their own opinion on the matter and I know you are just dying to hear mine - right?
Honestly, I treat my ARCs just as I would any other book. I don't hold any prejudices against it because of it's 'unfinished' quality. And although it might be rare, after the book is released, does it still hold such a high value? If I like it enough to re-read, or lend to a friend or family member, I keep it, if not, I don't. The very first ARC I ever received, Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough, I will never part with. Partially because I loved it, and partially because it was my first ARC!
Now, when it comes to finished copies, a lot of times, I will buy the book, even if I have read the ARC. For me, it's a way of supporting the author. If I love the book enough to want to keep it on my shelf, I love it enough to let the author know (by my purchase).
How do you guys feel? Do you treat your ARCs any differently then your finished copies?
Thanks Emily for bringing up this great topic! I for one, don't keep a lot of my ARCs, due to space issues and if I love a book, I will either buy it or it will go on my long list of books to Buy in the Future. The only time I keep an arc is if it's signed to me. I have a few of those that I will never part with because it may have been the only time I would have met that author. :)
Leave your thoughts below!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Guest Post - ARCs verses Finished Copies
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I have a number of ARCs. If it's something I'll read again then I keep them shelved with my other books. As for typos I've purchased supposedly finished books and found typos and printing problems (ink too light, streaks and blobs of ink) on pages.
ReplyDeleteI have a love/hate relationship with my ARC's. I like hardbacks - to the point where 80% or more of my bookshelves contain just hardcovers of the books I love. So.. where do I put the ARC's? I usually buy a hard copy of the ones I love.. but then I feel horrible throwing out the ARCs lol
ReplyDeleteI treat ARCs the same as any other book. I don't hold on to books I read, so once read they are used for a blog giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI have a very small number (well, more after BEA) of books signed to me that I do keep, but most of the books move on to other homes after I've finished them.
I have to admit the only ARC's I keep are signed ones and all my other ARC's are passed on to my fellow blogging friends.
ReplyDeleteIf it happens that I really love the book I will still pass my ARC on but I will put that book on my list to buy the book when it comes out.
I've never gotten my hands on an ARC (though I'd love to!) but it seems to me like you should treat it like a regular book; it's ink on paper, and typos can be figured out.
ReplyDeleteI only keep signed ARCs (for the most part) and buy finished copies of books I loved that I read in ARC form.
ReplyDeleteOooh wait...I do have some ARCs of dystopian titles that I want to have around for reference but didn't like enough to buy.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really get it either when I first started of what they were. Then I kind of had the same feeling. Being new to it I thought there would be no chance a publisher would send me one.
ReplyDeleteA large portion of my ARCs are author signed copies so those I keep and shelve with my favorite reads.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I usually plan to give away most of my ARCs on my site. :)
I keep all of my books regardless of type together. I find it easier to have my books sorted by type than kind. ^^
ReplyDeleteI love ARCs. I feel like I'm in on the process of getting a book ready for publication somehow. (Even though I'm not.) When I'm done with them, I will either put them on my bookshelves at school or donate them to the Literacy Volunteers. I keep very few books in my home library. Most end up being recycled into other hands!
ReplyDeleteIt is great to receive an ARC, but while I tend to read them first, I treat them like any other book I read. When I review an ARC I try to give an honest and fair assessment based on my own personal likes and dislikes of reading material.
ReplyDeleteI love arcs. I kind of revere them. I feel like I am special to have earned the right to read them before others! I keep all of them. I have them on a shelf. (not that I have a lot of them)
ReplyDeleteI throw out enough books at work (I work in a library) that I can't bear the idea of doing it at home!
I love ARCs as much as the published version - because I got a copy early (in some instances) and after the fact in others. I've never felt they were truly unfinished, there may be a mistake here and there, but that sometimes happens in the published version as well.
ReplyDeleteI will take a book in any form, but feel ARCs are special. I will give them away from time to time just because I can't keep all of them (like my bought books or the published ones I receive for review).
I like you, never thought I would get a coveted ARC.
I don't have many ARC's so I don't know what will happen when I get more (since even now I have a TON of books I've bought and I don't even have room for them)! But I couldn't part with my first two: Low Red Moon and Forgive My Fins!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the guest post Kristen! It's so interesting to see what others think of their ARCs :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome topic! I don't have any ARC's, LOL, but I'm pretty sure if I ever owned one I would treat it as super-precious...mostly because I don't think they give out ARC's in Australia as much as they do in America. I think I consider my book buying as a collection/hobby type thing...and when I collect stuff, I usually have goals, like a scavanger hunt. Ie. Own a signed book one day, or own an ARC. I wouldn't want to be flooded with them but I would definitely love to have a couple :) Just to say that I'd held one in my hands!! Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI don't really treat them any differently than I treat my regular books.
ReplyDeleteI've never been sent any arcs myself to review but a blogger did send me their first arc as a gift and I felt so happy and it has huge sentimental value that I am going to keep it forever.
ReplyDeleteI dont treat my ARCs any differently. they are very much a part of my book shelf family!
ReplyDeleteI dont get a lot of ARCs but in the beginning when I got my first one for review, I really treasured it. Now I the effect has faded somewhat and I treat my ARC's like any other book I have. But I'm also very anal about my books and keep them in really good condition.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really seen much of a difference between ARC's and the finished copies. Probably because if there is any spelling/ grammar errors I would never catch it. :)
ReplyDeleteI think of ARC's are just fine and treat them just like my other books.
I don't think I'll ever have access to ARC mainly because I don't really live in the States or somewhere in EU. But if I do get some, I'll still treat them as I treat my other books but I believe that I'd still buy the finish copies of those books that I really love.
ReplyDeleteI treat them the same as any other book! But if i love the book i will buy the hardcover
ReplyDeleteI try to pass on arcs to promote the books, unless they are signed to me, or I loved the book so much I want to keep even the arc, and like Emily I keep the first one I ever got because I'm sentimental :)
ReplyDeletebut in general I treat arcs with care like all books in my posession.
Great post. I treat the few ARCs I have gotten as finished books too. But if I really loved the book and story I do buy the finished copy to support the author too.
ReplyDelete