Author Playbook: Running an ARC Round That Converts
Fiction Addicts Anonymous · 8/28/2026
The full Alchemist playbook for planning, listing and following up an ARC round so reviews land on release day.
A good ARC round is planned backwards from release day. This guide covers the public groundwork every author should do — the detailed timings, templates and follow-up scripts are reserved for Alchemist members.
Start with the launch date Work back 30 days for reviews to be read, written and posted. Anything shorter and you are asking readers to rush.
Write a listing that filters, not sells Your blurb, genre, tropes and content warnings decide who claims the book. A precise listing gets fewer claims and far more finished reviews.
Set a reviewer-point floor If you want reviewers with a track record, set a minimum reviewer-point requirement on the listing. Readers who have reviewed before are the ones who review again.
Alchemist members only
The rest of this playbook is locked
Calendars, conversion benchmarks and the outreach templates are reserved for authors on an active Alchemist seat.