Book Recs by Jess

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Have you ever wondered how readers on social media get free books and early copies of books? While there are several different ways to achieve this, one of the best ways to get connected with publishers is through book influencer programs.

If you use social media, then this is a great way for you to get books, connect with publishers and authors, and to find new books that you’ve never heard of before.

In this post, I am creating a list of all the book influencer programs that I know about at this time, what requirements they may have, when you can apply, and my experiences with any that I’m a member of.

 

What Are Book Influencer Programs?

Many publishers and their imprints like to create a group of people that they can count on to promote their books via social media. They have these groups because this is a way to connect with readers and market their books.

Each group varies, but from my experience, book influencer programs are one of the major ways people get gifted physical books and ARCs.

Some programs only send out digital ARCs, but others will send out physical ARCs, audiobook ARCs, finished copies of books, and sometimes even bookish swag.

 

List of Book Influencer Programs

I will try my best to keep this list up to date as I become aware of changes, new programs, programs that end, etc. However, there may sometimes be inaccurate information on this list.

For each program, I will list the publisher/imprint, when the program is open to  new applicants, any requirements I know about, and if I am a member of that program.

 

Atria Books

• This is an imprint of Simon and Schuster
• Program is open periodically (check their social media)
• Atria’s Instagram (this is where I’ve seen info about applying for their program)
• Requires members to be based in the US and 18+ years of age
• I have applied for this program

 

Baker Publishing Group

• This program includes both Bethany House & Revell imprints
• Program is open year-around
• Info/Application can be found here
• I am a member of this program

At the end of 2022, Bethany House Publishers reached out to me to join their influencer program, and I’m so glad that I did!

As of now, they send out an email every month where you can choose which titles to read and review. They then send you digital ARC widgets for each book, and then closer to publication day, they send you finished copies of each of those books.

You are expected to read and review your books within a month of receiving your physical copies.

 

Berkley

• This is an imprint of Penguin Random House
• Berkley has 2 different programs (Berkley Pub & Berkley Romance)
• Program is open annually (usually in the fall)
• Information can be found here
• Members must live in the US, be 18+ years old, and have an active Instagram or TikTok account
• Members get access to digital ARCs and up to 3 physical books a month
• I have applied for the 2025 term but was not accepted

 

Bloom Books

• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• To get physical copies of books, you must live in the US or Canada
• I have not applied to this program

 

Bloomsbury Creator Circle

• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• Members need to have 1000+ followers on social media
• Members must reside in one of the following countries: US/CAN, UK/ROI, or AUS/NZ
• I am a member of this program

I  received my first email from this influencer program in the spring of 2024 and got to choose from a variety of titles. So far (as of October 2024), I have received one physical ARC from them. It was one of the books I requested, but I didn’t know I was receiving it until it showed up in the mail.

In the last couple months, they have shifted their US program to be like their UK program where you get the chance to request books each month. You are not guaranteed to get the books you request though.

 

Celadon

• This is an imprint of Macmillan Publishers
• Program is open year-around
• Information/Application can be found here
• Members must have 1000+ followers on social media to be considered
• Physical ARCs are sent to members for review
• I have not applied for this program

 

Dell Romance

• This is an imprint of Penguin Random House
• This is a new book influencer program as of May 2024
• Program is open twice a year
• Application can be found here
• I have applied for this program but did not get in
• If you do not get accepted to this program, Dell has said that they will still add your info to their database to keep in mind for future mailings. I have since received three different books from them.

 

Dreamscape Publishing

• This is a newer program, so I don’t know how often it’s open
• When applications are open, you apply to be part of their “street team”
• I applied and never heard back, but I am keeping an eye out on their Instagram

 

Entangled Publishing

• This is their adult romance books program
• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• I am a member of this program

In this program, they periodically send out an email with a few titles that you can request. If approved for a title, you will receive a digital ARC to read and review.

They sometimes send out physical copies, but most of those go to people that are a part of their Facebook group. I would highly recommend joining it because they have more opportunities on there. You can apply to join Entangled Insiders here.

 

Entangled Teen

• This is the young adult books program
• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• I am a member of this program

In this program, they periodically send out an email with a few titles that you can request. If approved for a title, you will receive a digital ARC to read and review.

They sometimes send out physical copies, but most of those go to people that are a part of their Facebook group. I would highly recommend joining it because they have more opportunities on there. You can apply to join Entangled Insiders here.

 

Epic Reads

• This is an imprint of Harper Collins
• Program is open year-around
• Info & application can be found here
• Program is for people living in the US or Canada
• I have not applied for this program

 

Forever

• It is an imprint of Hachette Book Group
• Program is open year-around
• Info about it can be found here
• Join their Facebook Group here
• I am a member of their Facebook group

Being a part of their Facebook group is one of the best ways to hear about ARC opportunities, learn about Read Now books on NetGalley, and hear about events. I would recommend joining if you are interested in their books.

 

Grand Central Pub

• This program is open year-around
• Program FAQs can be found here
• Application can be found here
• I have not applied for this program

 

Greystone Books

• Requests open year-around
• Request books from their monthly form found here
• Open to people living in the US, Canada, or the UK
• I have never requested books from them

 

Harperone Shelf Seekers

• This is an imprint of Harper Collins
• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• I have not applied for this program

 

Henry Holt

• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• The program is for US influencers only
• They send out both ARCs and finished copies of books
• I have not applied for this program

 

The Hive (HTP Books)

• This is an imprint of Harper Collins
• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• I have not applied for this program

 

KDPG

• This is an imprint of Penguin Random House
• Information & application can be found here
• I am a part of the Penguin Random House community, but I don’t really receive anything from them as of right now

 

Libro.fm

• This is an audiobook company book influencer program (not affiliated with a specific publisher)
• This program requires 3000+ followers on social media
• Information & application can be found here
• I am a member of this program

Every month, they give you the opportunity to download and listen to up to 10 audiobooks for free. They are from a variety of genres and change every month. The number of audiobooks available changes month to month.

I have read some good audiobooks in this program and have a bunch on my TBR from past months. The selection isn’t always great, but there’s usually at least one book I’m interested in reading.

 

Macmillan Audio

• This audiobook program recently went through an overhaul
• I’m not sure how often this program is open, so I would periodically check their Instagram
• I am a member of this program

I was recently added to this program, so I only have a little experience to go off of. Each month, they send an email with audiobooks available to request. You can choose up to 4 audiobooks. They will send you Google Books link to download the book, and if available, NetGalley widgets as well.

So far, I have been happy with their selections and the ease of listening on the Google Books app.

 

Orbit

• This is an imprint of Hachette Book Group
• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• I have not applied for this program

 

Penguin Teen

• This is an imprint of Penguin Random House
• Program is open year-around
• You can apply and find more info here
• They have separate programs for US and Canada (both are talked about in the previous link)
• Members must be 13+ years old
• I am a member of this program

This is a great program if you love the young adult genre. Every month, they send out an email with a form of all the books available for request. You can choose as many as you would like.

So far, I’ve always received a widget for access to digital copies of all the books I’ve requested. I’ve also received a couple physical ARCs and a couple finished copies of books.

 

PRH Audio

• This is the audiobook program for Penguin Random House
• Program is open year-around
• You can find out more information and apply here
• Members must have 3,500+ followers on social media
• Members must have clear audiobook reviews on their social media
• You must be 18+ years old and live in the US
• I am a member of this program

I would have to say that this is one of my favorite book influencer programs because of the amount of books I can choose from and because I listen to so many audiobooks.

Every month, you have the opportunity to read ALCs of a variety of books. You can also request up to 15 additional titles a month from past books.

If you’ve ever had a hard time getting Berkley titles on NetGalley, this is a great way to listen to those books early!

 

Red Tower

• This is an imprint of Entangled Publishing
• There is not a influencer program per se, but there are ways to get ARCs from them by joining their Facebook group
• You can apply to join Entangled Insiders here.
• I am a member of this group

I have received two ARCs as of November 26, 2024. In their Facebook group they have a form you fill out with your address to receive surprise book mail. They also share opportunities for giveaways.

 

Riverhead

• This is an imprint of Penguin Random House
• Program is open year around
• You fill out the request form every month
• Information can be found here
• I have not requested books from this program

 

Simon Teen

• This is an imprint of Simon & Schuster
• Program is open year-around
• You can fill out the application here
• You can also request specific ARCs without being in the influencer program here
• Members must live in the US or Canada
• I have recently applied for this program after being contacted and encouraged to apply

 

Sourebooks Fire

• Program is open year-around
• Application is available here
• I am a member of this program

They send out emails periodically for ARC sign-ups. I have not signed up for any ARCs yet, but I’ll let you know if I get any books from them.

 

St. Martin’s Press

• This is an imprint of Macmillan
• Program is open year-around
• Application is available here
• I am a member of this program

Periodically, they send out an email that has a bunch of different forms you can fill out for books. They usually ask you which formats you prefer.

I have received digital widgets for most books I’ve requested through them. I have received finished copies of a few books including a surprise PR box that included a book with a whole bunch of other goodies.

 

Book Influencer Programs in the UK

While some of the programs listed above may allow you access if you live in the UK, many of them don’t.

These are a few programs that I know about that are specifically for those that live in the UK.

 

Bloomsbury Creator Circle

• Program is open year-round
• Information & sign up can be found here
• Members must use Instagram or TikTok
• There are paid opportunities as well

 

Orion Books

• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here
• Must be 18+ years old

 

Penguin General

• Program is open year-around
• Application & info can be found here
• Members must live in the UK or Ireland
• For people 18+ years old

 

Scribner

• This is an imprint of Simon & Schuster
• Program is open year-around
• Application can be found here

 

What questions do you have about book influencer program?

Are there any programs that I’m missing? Do you have additional questions? Comment down below!

 

Other posts you might me interested in:

All About Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs)

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