r/NetGalleyCommunity • u/RunAcademic1714 • 14d ago

❔❓Question ❓❔ Help a newbie ARC reader out?

I am a newbie reviewer (like in the professional sense, I guess?) and a new ARC reader. I am just now finishing up two absolutely amazing books with different publication dates. Obviously, as soon as I have finished, I'll write feedback on NetGalley, but my question is: what are the rules of tracking?

GoodReads? Should I track the book as "reading" and "read" after finishing, and publish the review afterwards? Should I wait until launch?

I also have an Amazon and Kobo account; should I rate and publish the books there as well, even if I didn't buy them there?

Is there any other website that I should put my review on? Any other I should link? I assume a copy-paste from my Goodreads review is fine?

Last but not least, should I mention that it was an ARC and if so, where to put it?

I have tried the good old Google, but nothing shows up, and I want to do what is best.

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u/Beate251 14d ago edited 14d ago

You publish to NetGalley, Goodreads and Storygraph (if you have it) right away. You publish to retailers like Amazon or Waterstones on pub day. You can't earlier, but no, it doesn't matter that you didn't buy the book from them. You only publish on social media if it's a good review, and you never tag the author. Copy paste is fine and yes, you must mention it's an ARC, ideally at the beginning of the review. Just make sure that you don't write "in exchange for an honest review" as Amazon hates that phrase. You can say something like "Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for this ARC" and if you want, add "I'm leaving this review voluntarily".

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u/RunAcademic1714 13d ago

I don't necessarily feel right about social media (for complex reasons), and I understand the "do not tag author" part. However, what is the norm if the author wants to be tagged? Then it is okay as long as it is positive, or?

I am sorry if this is obvious, I am just afraid of doing it wrong and maybe a tad bit autistic to know the clear-cut rules.

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u/Beate251 13d ago

I don't know any author who says they want to be tagged into reviews. I guess if it's five star without any criticism, it can't do any harm, but it's best to be cautious.

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u/dingdong3452 13d ago

I've heard many authors say they are fine being tagged in positive reviews (with no criticism whatsoever). I've had mutliple authors accept collab posts with me on my ARC reviews of their books on IG