What is an advance reader and what is the AP Street Team?
Publishing companies rely on advance readers—people who read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of a book and leave reviews on popular sites before the official release date. The AP Street Team is a group of volunteers who serve as advance readers for Alex Parker Publishing.
What are the benefits of joining the AP Street Team?
You will be eligible to receive ARCs before they are released to the general public, as well as promotional products and other giveaways.
What types of books will I be reading and reviewing?
We publish books for adults and young adults in fantasy, romantasy, sci-fi, mystery, thriller, and horror. You will not be asked to review erotica or graphic horror/splatterpunk.
How often will I be asked to review books?
It depends. We match our books to your preferences, so you’ll receive advance reader signups on a selection of our books based on your intake form answers.
How fast do I need to turn around the reviews?
We typically give readers two to three months to read an ARC. You will be asked to submit reviews two to four weeks before the release date.
How long will the review need to be?
Ideally, the review should be four to five paragraphs, which is roughly two hundred to three hundred words.
What should I include in my review?
Share what you liked or didn’t like about the story. Which characters did you connect with? What do you wish there was more or less of? Avoid spoilers.
What if I don’t like the book?
Go ahead, and share your opinion! We want honest reviews. There may be parts of the book you don’t love. All we ask is that you give a fair and balanced review. If you write, “great action scenes, but too much romance for my taste,” for example, another person who likes romance may decide that’s the book she’s been searching for!
Do I have to read the whole book?
Yes, we ask that you read the entire book before writing reviews. This ensures accurate information about the book is available to potential readers.
What happens if I receive the book but am unable to post the reviews?
Depending on circumstances, you may be removed from the AP Street Team.
Can I share the ARC with friends?
The best way to share the book is to shout your love for it from the rooftop! Or from the laptop, as it were, by writing a review. If you know your friends would love the book you read, tell them to join the AP Street Team, too!
The ARC copies we share are just for you.
Ready to join the fun? Here’s how:
1. Click here to sign up.
2. Look for advance reader signups by email.
3. Read the book.
4. Post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and any other sites you love.
That’s it!
We love our books, and we want others to know about them. Help us spread the word!