Galleys, ARCs, and Proofs: What's a Pre-Publication Copy?

Before a book hits shelves, it goes through several preliminary versions, each with a different name, purpose, and audience. Understanding the difference between a galley, an ARC, and a proof could save you a lot of confusion and a few expensive mistakes as you navigate the final stretch toward publication.

Here's the catch: these terms are used interchangeably even within the industry, which adds to the confusion. A publicist might call something a galley, while a blogger calls it an ARC. A British publisher might say proof where an American publisher says galley.

In this post, we'll define each type of pre-publication copy, explain how they're used in both traditional and self-publishing, and walk through what writers need to know about creating, distributing, and making the most of them.

What is a book galley?

The term "galley" has its roots in the physical history of letterpress printing. A galley proof originally referred to typeset text printed in long strips called galleys, before being arranged into pages. It was a relic of the era when type was set by hand, one letter at a time, and printers needed to check their work before committing to a final layout.

Today, the word has evolved. A galley (or galley proof) now refers broadly to a preliminary, uncorrected version of a typeset book; the manuscript as it will look in its final form, but produced before the last round of corrections has been made.

Galleys are produced after the manuscript has been edited and typeset, but before final proofreading is complete. They represent a significant milestone: the book no longer looks like a Word document. It looks like the final book. But it may still contain typos, formatting inconsistencies, or last-minute content changes that haven't been incorporated yet.

Galley proofs in traditional publishing

Galleys serve two main purposes. Internally, they go to proofreaders, editors, and fact-checkers for a final review. Externally, they're sent to press contacts, trade reviewers, and influential readers who need the book well in advance of its release date.

Galleys exist in both print and digital formats. A print galley is typically a bound copy with a simple cover, recognizable as a pre-publication version, not the finished product. A digital galley is a PDF or ebook file sent electronically, which has become increasingly common as workflows have shifted online.

What is an ARC?

ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy (sometimes called an Advance Review Copy). It's a pre-publication version of a book distributed to reviewers, bloggers, booksellers, librarians, and media contacts before the official publication date, typically four to twelve weeks in advance.

The purpose of an advance copy is specific: to generate early reviews, buzz, and word-of-mouth before the book launches. Reviews on Goodreads, coverage from BookTok influencers and book blogs, and notices in trade publications like Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist can significantly influence a book's reception and sales, but those reviews need to be written and posted before or around launch day to have maximum impact. ARCs make that possible.

ARCs are typically based on a near-final version of the text, but they may contain minor errors, typos, or last-minute changes that differ from the final published edition. This is why every ARC carries a disclaimer, usually something like: "Uncorrected proof. Not for sale or quotation. Please check final copy before publication." The disclaimer exists to protect both the publisher and the author; any errors in the ARC don't reflect the finished book.

ARCs come in both print and digital formats, and the publisher will typically release a limited number of copies. Print ARCs are physically bound, often with a simplified or early cover design. eARCs are distributed digitally through platforms like NetGalley and Edelweiss, which connect publishers and authors directly with professional reviewers, librarians, and booksellers.

Advance reader copies in traditional publishing

In traditional publishing, the advance reading process is handled largely by your publisher's publicity team. They produce ARCs three to six months before your publication date and distribute them to the people whose early endorsements can shape a book's reception. As the author, your role is primarily supportive: suggesting contacts, sharing through your own channels, and making yourself available for early interviews or features timed to the ARC window.

Advance reader copies in self-publishing

For self-published authors, ARC campaigns operate similarly, but the process is managed entirely by the author rather than a publicity team. ARCs are usually sent four to eight weeks before release date in eBook format through platforms like NetGalley or BookSirens. Early readers and reviewers can come from an email newsletter list, genre communities, book bloggers in your niche, or BookTok and Bookstagram creators who actively review in the genre.

In both cases, the goal is the same: get your book into early readers' hands with enough time for reviews to accumulate before launch day.

What is a proof?

The word "proof" overlaps significantly with both "galley" and "ARC," and its meaning shifts depending on context.

Within the traditional publishing process, "proof" also refers to any version of the typeset text submitted for review and correction: first, revised, and final. Each round of corrections produces a new proof, which is reviewed and marked up before the next version is produced.

For indie authors, "proof" has an additional and very specific meaning: the physical test copy of your book you order from a print-on-demand platform (Amazon KDP Print, IngramSpark, or similar) before approving the final version for sale.

This version of the book is not for distribution. It's for you, as part of your final editing process. When it arrives, you read it cover to cover, checking for layout problems, font inconsistencies, image quality issues, and anything else that looks wrong in the physical copy. You'd be surprised how many issues are invisible on screen but immediately obvious in print, such as margins that felt fine as a number on a settings page, text that sits too close to the spine, or a chapter heading that orphans awkwardly at the bottom of a page.

Skipping the print proof is one of the most common (and most costly!) mistakes indie authors make. Once your book is live, readers start buying it. Catching a significant formatting issue after publication means taking the book down, correcting it, uploading a new file, and hoping the problem copies don't generate bad reviews in the meantime. Order the proof. Read it carefully. It's worth the time and the cost.

Ready to see your book in print?

Pre-publication copies are one of the most powerful tools in a writer's launch toolkit. They put your book into early readers' hands before the official release date, generate the blurbs and build buzz that drive launch-day sales, and build relationships with the book community that will serve your entire career. Getting your book into review outlets and early readers' hands is one of the most important steps in your author journey. Embrace it, and plan for it early enough to make it count!