Thursday, April 9, 2015

Poll Results: ARC Reviews

Two weeks ago, I posted a poll about ARC (advance reader copy) reviews. More specifically, I asked everyone when they preferred to see ARC reviews posted on my blog. I reached out with this poll to see when seeing a review is best for my readers, and surprisingly, most of the votes went to the option I utilize most often.

I included the following options on the poll:
  • One week before publication
  • Two weeks before publication
  • One month before publication
  • Publication day
  • Other
I've tried out all of these options on my blog before, including a few release day reviews. Lately, I've been sticking to posting my reviews one week before a book is published. As a review reader, I've found that this option isn't too early, plus it gives me just enough time to preorder any books that I might want to purchase.

Below are the results, as of April 6, 2014:

FYI: The poll is still open if you'd like to add your vote.

I'd like to thank everyone who left a comment on my original post because it was so much fun to see just what everyone thinks of ARC reviews and when they should be posted. Here are just a few tidbits of the great comments that were left.

"I would have to say that I love reading ARCS a month or two before they come out because that gives me enough time to read it"
     - Alex @ The Book's Buzz

"ACTUALLY although I like seeing ARC reviews a week before, I would also like to see them months before because I want to know if they are worth getting off of NG, you know? I rely a lot on word of mouth when it comes to requesting ARCs."
     - Val @ The Innocent Smiley

"I hate to be "that guy" who picks other, but... I picked other! And here is why: I like a variety. Basically, it drives me kind of insane when every. single. person. posts their review on the SAME day. Because at that point, am I really going to read them all? NOPE. So I love when I see a couple reviews a month out, then maybe a few more 2-3 weeks out, a few the week before, a few the week of, a few AFTER the release, and then some like, a year later when I almost forgot the book existed ;)
     - Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

So... it looks like one week before a book's publication was the most popular option, but I am definitely going to keep some of you on your toes about when I post my reviews. Don't worry - I won't post them too far in advance, but definitely a month to one week before a book is published.

24 comments :

  1. The majority I believe like to read a review one week before the publication. I myself prefer one about one month before, as a reviewer I like to have my time and as a reader I want to consider it, try to find it etc. But the poll gave some usefull results!

    Aeriko @ http://thereadingarmchair.blogspot.com

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    1. I like to read my ARCs about a month before they are actually published to give me time too. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. It just depends on how many I have.

      I'm glad it helped you! :)

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  2. To me publication day makes the most sense to be honest. If it comes down to it, the publishers are the ones who decide. I usually schedule my ARC reviews in advance right after the date the publishers allow the reviews to be published. That varies, sometimes it's a month before, a week before or on publication day.

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    1. I always stick to the window that a publisher gives. I would never go against that. I've never actually had a publisher tell me when to publish my review though. I just go with a one month window unless the ARC or digital galley says otherwise.

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  3. Thanks for posting the results of this poll. I voted and commented on your first post about this topic. I was curious what the results would be. I want to start reviewing more ARCs, so it’s good to know when people want to see reviews.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. You're welcome, AJ! I'm glad that it was able to help you too! :)

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  4. Wow that was such a great surprise! This poll was so awesome, and totally left me speechless when the results came out. I've got to try reading ARCS a week before they come out now :D

    Alex @ The Book's Buzz

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    1. Awe! You're welcome, Alex! I love that you also made it about reading ARCs! That was great of you to bring that to the discussion that formed!

      I always try to give myself at least a month to read the ARC just in case something happens. That way I have it out of the way and can review it before it comes out. I know a lot of people read them the week the book comes out. I've done it a few times, but it stresses me out. lol

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  5. Shannon put it very well for me! I tend to vary mine, but the most I'll go out is a month. Anything longer and I think it's easier for people to forget about the book when it's being released!

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    1. That's what I think, too! Plus it drives me crazy if I see a really favorable review and then realize that the book still won't be out for a while.

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  6. I voted for a week before, and woooo it was most voted! :) This poll was such a cool idea, I liked it a lot!

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    1. It definitely was the most popular choice! Thanks, Erica!

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  7. Even though I picked a week before on the poll, I totally get what Shannon says. A variety can be a good thing, especially with reviews. If I see a book consistently getting good reviews for a month or two before release, best believe I'll probably preorder it. This poll was super interesting; thanks for doing it!

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    1. I like what Shannon said too, and that's what I was trying to move to. I'll still post a few reviews a week before, but it's nice to know that people are willing to read reviews at different times.

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  8. Hahahh yes to Shannon! Woo! HEY MY COMMENT. No but I also get tired of seeing the same book over and over again. I know it's the most common, but. blah. Interesting to see all the results hahah.

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  9. Getting tired of seeing so many similar reviews on the same day is why I set out to ask. I kept feeling like all of my reviews were getting lost in the crowd because other people (who are way more established than I am) post on the same days. I'm definitely working on tweaking things.


    And yes! Your comment! I thought that was so insightful, and it actually gave me an idea for something that I might be sharing soon.

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  10. I agree with Shannon - I HATE seeing the same book being reviewed on ALL the blogs. A little bit of variety is good!
    Beth x


    www.thequietpeople.com

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  11. I'm so glad that more and more people are coming forward and saying this! I'm definitely tweaking things to ensure that my reviews don't follow a similar pattern.



    Thanks so much for your input, Beth!

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  12. I like to see some "initial thoughts" posted on Goodreads ASAP. It doesn't have to be full review, but a rating and a short paragraph about what you thought is awesome. That helps me decide if I should request/read an ARC in the first place.


    But when it comes to posting on the blog, I thin 1-2 weeks before publication is best for the publisher.


    That being said, I also hate it when you get to 4 weeks before publication and that's when EVERYONE starts posting their reviews. I tend to only read 1 or 2 reviews for a book at most, so I skip any others I see after that.

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  13. It's funny because I can really enjoy a late review actually. i know that's not really the point of ARC's but it's great for anyone who has missed the initial flood of certain books on the internet. And I really like it when I see reviews that remind me that this book got a lot of hype a couple of weeks ago and that I really should check it out. But I don't know if that'll make the publishers very happy though!

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  14. I love initial thoughts or even just one sentence that shows that someone liked or disliked a book. I do that all the time when I read an ARC super early.



    Thanks so much for commenting, Ashley! I completely agree with you! :)

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  15. Actually, I do too. I've posted a few late ones before, and they actually got some attention because people had forgotten about the book. I'm trying to review at least two back listed books a month just so my blog isn't just about ARCs.

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  16. Not going to lie, I am pretty excited to see that other people feel the same way as I do! I am glad you'll be doing a variety too! I had been doing a variety but I, um, overloaded myself with ARCs so my current plan is "oh crap- quick, post ALL the reviews" (which isn't much of a plan haha)

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  17. I would be excited too!



    I overloaded myself with them too. I have a stack of eight on my desk plus all the eARCs that I still have to read. I know that I can read them all, but I feel like all I'm going to be doing is posting ARC reviews for the next two months.

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