ARC Reader Agreement
Beverly L. Anderson / Ashes of Reality LLC
Thank you for agreeing to read an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of one of my books. This agreement outlines what you can expect from me and what I ask of you in return. By accepting an ARC through BookFunnel or StoryOrigin, you agree to the terms below.
1What You're Receiving
You are receiving a free advance copy of an unpublished or pre-release book for the sole purpose of reading and reviewing it. This copy is provided at no cost in exchange for your honest review.
This is not a purchase. You are not buying the book, and no payment is due from either party.
Your Review Commitment
By accepting this ARC, you agree to:
- Read the book and post an honest review within one month of the book's official release date. The release date will be provided when your ARC is delivered.
- Post your review to at least one of the following platforms:
- Goodreads (required - this is the most important one)
- Beverly L. Anderson's website (beverlylanderson.com)
- Phoenix Voices Publishing website
- BookBub
- Optionally, you are also welcome to post on:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Your personal blog or Substack
- Social media (Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, etc.)
You do not need to post the same review word-for-word everywhere. A short rating with a sentence or two is perfectly acceptable on secondary platforms.
Honest Reviews Only
I ask for honest reviews, not positive ones. If the book wasn't for you, say so. Critical reviews are genuinely valuable and I will never pressure you to change or remove a negative review.
The only thing I ask is that reviews be based on the content of the book itself, not on factors outside your control (delayed delivery, file formatting issues, etc.). If you experience a technical problem with your ARC file, please contact me at info@beverlylanderson.com and I'll fix it.
DNF Policy
If you are unable to finish the book, please do not post a review. Instead, simply let me know by emailing info@beverlylanderson.com so I can note your spot in the program. There is no penalty for a DNF - life happens, and not every book is for every reader.
Do not post a review, rating, or public commentary based on a book you did not finish.
Embargo - Do Not Post Early
Please do not post your review, share spoilers, or discuss the book publicly before the official release date, unless you have received explicit written permission from me to do so.
This includes:
- Goodreads ratings or reviews
- Social media posts with plot details
- Blog posts or newsletter content
A "currently reading" post or a spoiler-free "I'm on the ARC team!" post is fine before release. When in doubt, ask.
No Sharing or Redistribution
Your ARC copy is provided for your personal use only. You may not:
- Share your download link or file with anyone else
- Post the file publicly or upload it to any file-sharing platform
- Sell, trade, or gift your ARC copy to another person
- Use any content from the ARC for AI training, machine learning, or automated processing
ARC copies may be watermarked or otherwise traceable. Unauthorized sharing may result in removal from the ARC program.
Content Advisory
Beverly L. Anderson's books contain mature content for adult readers (18+), including explicit sexual content, BDSM themes, depictions of trauma, dark subject matter, and other sensitive topics. Content warnings are provided with each ARC. By accepting an ARC, you confirm that you are 18 years of age or older and have reviewed the content warnings provided.
If you receive an ARC and realize the content is not something you can read, please let me know and decline the copy rather than leaving a review based on content you were not prepared for.
No Compensation Beyond the Free Copy
The only compensation for your participation in the ARC program is the free advance copy of the book. Participation does not create an employment relationship, affiliate relationship, or any ongoing obligation between you and Ashes of Reality LLC beyond the terms of this agreement.
Removal from the ARC Program
I reserve the right to remove a reader from the ARC program for:
- Sharing or redistributing ARC files
- Posting reviews before the embargo date without permission
- Posting reviews of books not finished (DNF)
- Repeated failure to post reviews within the agreed timeframe without communication
Removal from the program means you will not be invited to future ARC rounds. It does not affect any reviews already posted.
Questions and Communication
If you have any questions, need a deadline extension, or need to let me know you're DNFing, please reach out:
Email: info@beverlylanderson.com
Website: https://beverlylanderson.com
I appreciate every reader who takes the time to support my work through the ARC program. Your reviews make a real difference for an independent author selling directly to readers. - Beverly L. Anderson / Ashes of Reality LLC
Last updated: May 2026
This agreement is intended to set clear mutual expectations and does not constitute a legally binding contract in all jurisdictions. Ashes of Reality LLC recommends consulting a qualified attorney if you have specific legal concerns about your ARC program.
