When I started on NetGalley, one of the largest platforms for Advanced Reader Copy distribution in the publishing industry, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I created in account at some point in 2023, overjoyed at the idea that publishers would send me free books if I would just read them and write an honest review. It still baffles me—talking about books is one of my greatest joys. That publishers are looking for readers like me to reward with more books? A total dream.
But I was initially discouraged by stories I’d heard about getting started on NetGalley. In order to get books, reviewers are expected to maintain a high ratio of books reviewed to books requested—over 80%. When you’re just beginning, that number can seem daunting. I was warned that the books I likely wanted to read were too competitive, so I abandoned my account and let it lay fallow for a year.
And then, in January of 2024, a book I was massively excited to read was posted on NetGalley as a “read now,” meaning I didn’t need to worry about publisher approval. I could just grab a copy of Nnedi Okorafor’s Death of the Author months before its release date, send it to my e-reader, and start immediately. It was so easy, and such a delight, that in less than two years, I’m about to hit my 100th review, maintaining a ratio of roughly 84%. I don’t get every book I request (I’ve had publishers reject 17 requests), but the number of books I have gotten to read early and help other readers discover is such a delight.
My reading goal is every year is always set to 104, where I aim to read two books a week. (I tend to go over.) Often, I’m listening to a nonfiction book on audio, while I’m reading one or two novels at a time in print or digitally. Roughly half of what I read in a year is now from NetGalley. In addition to books I request, publishers now send me books unsolicited, something I couldn’t even have dreamed before. I’m not an influencer. I don’t work in the industry. And yet, my reviews are helpful in the larger ecosystem.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Request what you actually want to read. When I was starting out, I was told to request books I didn’t think would be my jam, just because it would be helpful to get my numbers and ratio up. I ignored that advice (who wants to read books they won’t like?) and just requested the books I felt would be the best fit.
- You don’t need a huge following. I was sure I would need thousands of followers hanging on every review, but I don’t. I’ve had several featured reviews on NetGalley, selected by the publisher, and it’s been a real joy to share with the network that I do have.
- The publishing industry is really fun to follow. Before I started reading ARCs, I would loosely track what authors I already liked were publishing so that I could put early holds on their books through the library. But now that I’m looking for ARCs, I’m regularly reading Publishers Weekly. I want to know the deals, long before publish dates, and I want to know what the most exciting books are so that I can request them early. That means I’m tracking trends and following industry news in a new way. It’s given me an entirely new reading life.
- Equity goals are just as important with ARCs to keep reading diverse and interesting. The publishing industry is not known for lifting up stories from marginalized communities. (Neither are the best seller lists.) I intentionally track who I’m reading and plan my reading to ensure half of the books I’m reading are from BIPOC authors. (StoryGraph makes this very easy with tags.)
- I’ve learned about my own reading inclinations. Because I really don’t enjoy writing negative reviews, I’ve had to sharpen my own understanding what I actually do enjoy reading. It turns out that I read mostly literary fiction and horror, with some toe-dipping into other genres, especially when authors are doing something surprising. I’m less interested in genres that stay too close to their form, and reading books that are marketed as “genre bending” or “literary” seem to get me the stories I tend to really love.
- It’s OK to dislike an ARC. I’m honest when I read something that doesn’t work for me, but I’m still reading with an eye toward who would like that book. It’s very rare that I don’t think a book with work for anyone. Before I started my NetGalley adventure, I worried that finding ways to talk about books that were just fine would feel like a chore, but that’s not at all how it’s turned out. Some of my favorite reviews are for books that were three star reads (where three stars is generous). And it gives me a greater appreciation for the craft of writing now that I’m reading through this lens.
I’d love to hear about things other NetGalley users have learned. For me, I’m excited to file my 100th review and continue on.
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