What to Do with ARCs
My book, which comes out on February 25, is somehow already on sale; as in, it can be purchased now and in your hands by the end of the week. A few websites have it as a buy it now option. They have listed the galley/ARC for sale (a far from complete version of the text that only looks like the finished copy after squinting a little.) And, of course, the ARC for Lurking, like pretty much every ARC, says "NOT FOR SALE" right on the cover.
Puzzled by this, I came across a story on WBUR written by the author Nichole Bernier, who discovered the ARC for her book beside hardback and paperback copies of her novel at a used bookstore. She discusses all the complications related to the resale of galleys; including the counterpoint that some people do collect galleys, especially for their favorite authors. (BTW: look at that "This article is more than 6 years old" tag at the top. I wish more publications did that.)
An ARC is a peculiar object that's not completely promotional and not totally a gift either. So what is one to do with a book that is not supposed to be the real book, an object that is "not for sale" that is very much like another object that is or will be? Many readers and booksellers make it habit to donate their old ARCs to shelters and prisons; especially because paperback copies are usually preferred (or the only books allowed.)
But I say this as someone who has bought ARCs from a bookstore myself. The Toadstool Bookshop in New Hampshire seems to have come across an ideal solution to pass the gift along. They sell them in mystery grab bags and donate all the money to a local charity:
