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What Exactly is an ARC? (Plus a Giveaway!)

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The third book in my young adult series releases in about 6 weeks (March 7). FOR LOVE AND HONOR. It’s a standalone novel, meaning you can enjoy it without having previously read the other books in the series.

This book is set in medieval times and is about a noble knight returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman. He loathes the idea of courting a woman for her money, but can he win the heart of Lady Sabine in time to save his family? Little does he know she’s harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and thrust them all into more danger than they ever thought possible.

Currently ARCs of FOR LOVE & HONOR are out in the world and subsequently a few reviews are starting to roll in. I appreciated this one: “I have read every book Jody Hedlund has ever written, and while I’ve enjoyed them all, I do believe the three books in this YA medieval fantasy series are my favorites. Packed with action, adventure, daring rescues, chivalric heroes, brave heroines, swoon-worthy romance, and strong themes of faith and sacrifice. . .”

What exactly is an ARC, you may be asking? ARC is the acronym for Advance Reading Copy. It’s an EARLY published version of a book but is NOT the final edited form. And it usually doesn’t contain the final, beautified cover (for example, the back cover of the ARC of FOR LOVE AND HONOR looks like this):

In other words, the ARC is not a polished copy of the book. The back cover of the ARC has this note in really small print at the bottom: “UNCORRECTED PROOF: Reviewers are reminded that changes may be made in this proof copy before books are printed.”

ARCs are not produced for every single book that is published. Actually very few books have ARCs made because they require a lot of extra work and cost for the publisher. Of my 16 published books, only 5 have had ARCs.

Bigger reviewers, librarians, media outlets, sales reps, and other strategic people in the book industry are often the recipients of ARCs (and may get an ARC months ahead of release). Publishers hope to use ARCs to garner more sales as well as early positive reviews.

Readers who are on launch teams or apart of influencer groups occasionally get ARCs, but most often they get the final copy of the book (around the release time or sometimes a week or two early).

When ARCs are made for a book, authors often get a limited number of those ARCs to give away. So here on this blog, I’m giving away 3 ARCs! To enter to win, fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

What is your favorite time period for the setting of a historical novel? I’d love to know!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Jody Hedlund

Author
Award-winning author Jody Hedlund makes her home in central Michigan with her husband and five children. When she's not busy with her family, she loves to read and consume large amounts of chocolate and coffee.
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Comments

  2. Regency was my favorite but I have recently started reading books in the Medival time period and I am finding those fascinating. So ethier Regency or Medival. 🙂

  4. Even though my favorite time period to read about is anything set in the 1800’s-mid 1900’s, I really enjoyed your first two medieval books.

  5. I love the Renaissance period when so many amazing discoveries and forward thinkers braved coming forth with new ideas to change the world.

  6. I think Regency and Medieval are some of my favorite time periods to read about. Though I also love Edwardian and WWII books! 🙂

  7. I have loved the Regency time period ever since I was a little girl, but when I got a little older I started reading books set in Medieval times and have come to loves those almost as much.

  13. I love historical novels so I really don’t know my “favorite” time period! But, what I do love about historical novels is when they weave real history with a fictional story. This way, I am learning history without having to study a history book!

  14. My favorite time period is the 1800’s. It was hard but times seemed simpler and less complicated. Love a ‘knight in shining armour!’ Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  15. My favorite historical setting is Civil War era. I love history and action, which is perfect for that era. 🙂

  16. This is such a hard question. I just love reading and learning about history in general. The Regency novels have been fun to read, but the early 1900’s are great too.

  17. Hi Jody: I appreciate you taking time to explain ARC. The first time I saw this phrase mentioned on a ACFW Loop post I needed to Google it. I don’t know if I have a favorite time period, however Medieval is certainly in the running as the time period I enjoy the most. I didn’t want the TV series, ‘Merlin’ to end–ever and certainly was not ready for nor enjoyed the final episode which was a tearjerker for me. I’m very happy to be learning of you and will be checking out your Writings! Thanks again. Mary
    PS Please delete me from participating in Raffle option. Thanks.

  18. I love the regency era-it is absolutely my favorite, but I enjoy anything 1850-1930. Anything historical fiction is exciting to read! I love discovering how authors will bring in a piece of history to their story and tell the “real life” mixed with their characters.

  19. I enjoy reading books set in the medieval time frame.
    I am also paying it forward in 2017 and am featuring YA and Children on my blog this month, Romance in February and Historical fiction in April. If interested www dot blacklilackitty dot wordpress dot com.

  21. Thanks for explaining what an ARC is. I enjoy novels set in the WWII time period. I just finished a book set in the early 1900’s.

  22. Hi Jody, First of all I’d like you to know how I enjoyed reading Luther and Katharina. It was such a wonderful book (I rated 5 stars wherever I could 😉
    Thank you for being an author!
    I prefer historical romance in Regency time, because it looks romantic. I know it was also a hard time for the working class.

  24. Gorgeous cover! The model looks older in this one than some of the other girls on the YA covers of your books, but she is so pretty! And I love her dress and hairdo–and the background of the building interior is very pretty. Looking forward to reading this one!

  25. I usually enjoy books set in any time period, but my favorite would probably have to be the mid to late 1800s.

  28. I like almost any historical time period. I’d like to see more books set in medieval settings.

  29. I love all historical settings! I especially love this series and have been eagerly waiting for this book!!!!

  33. I absolutely love Revolutionary War period books. I was SO excited when I read Rebellious Heart. That was my first book of yours that I read!!

  41. I have always loved pre and post Revolutionary War settings. It never ceases to amaze me how our forefathers braved unbelievable circumstances to fight for the freedoms that we casually enjoy.

    I am looking forward to reading “For Love and Honor”, it has just been in recent years that I have become a reader of this time period, thanks in part to you and Melanie Dickerson!

  42. I love the Renaissance period, but love all historical novels. I loved Luther and Katharina!This book would be a fun read to pass on to my niece!Beautiful cover!

  43. I think my favorite is the American Revolution time period. I love everything about early American history!
    Of course, I just love historical fiction and will read any time period!

  44. My favorite is medieval! There is just something so romantic and exciting about the lifestyle, speech, clothing, and events (although there is a darker element in this time as well)

  56. This book looks amazing! Would loved to win it. I Christian Fictian and any Romatic fiction. Historical Fiction is awesome because in school I loved History. I seem to still eat it up and send my kids that way. My favorite Historical fiction time period is one that no one actually covers they go back so far I would love for some one to do Perl Habor before all those men and women are gone for research. You book cover is very beautiful. I read at least two books a week and share them with my family.

  59. I love biblical and medieval time stories that weave faith, history, and fiction! Thanks for the fun giveaway.

  60. I can’t imagine choosing just one favorite setting for a historical novel. I love Bible times, Medieval, Regency, pretty much any time during the 1800s in America, the Roaring 20s, and WWII. Oh, and whatever time period Roseanna M. White’s Ladies of the Manor is set in. It’s around 1915 in Europe, I think. I’m really not picky at all. 🙂

  61. My Favorite is The Late 1800’s and The Early 1900’s when a lot of new stuff was being invented

  62. I enjoy most times in history! Love Regency and and early American historical’s and also the 20, are fun to read. Love Jodi’s lighthouse series. Would love to read this one too.

  68. I love Regencies and the Wild West–those are what I read most often–but I also like trying new time periods, too, for variety and to learn more about eras I’m not as familiar with.

  69. I started reading your books last year & have loved the ones that I’ve read. I have two favorite periods for historical romance. One is Biblical fiction (love the series I’m reading by Francine Rivers taking place about 75 yrs after the death of Christ & how his followers are treated by the Romans),and the other is Medevil. Anything before King Henry VIII. I love medevil whether Irish, British or Scotish. Just love that era.

  70. Usually my first choice of books are set in the 1800s , but I read a wide variety . The book I’m reading at the moment is set in the early 1700s.

  74. I like all periods of historical novels. I have lately been reading late 1800s, WWII, and 1950s.

  77. I think I’ll always love Regency the most, but truly historical fiction is just my favorite no matter what. 🙂

  78. I love all kinds of historical fiction, but I’d have to say that my very favorite period is the Regency Period in England.

  80. I like to read books about all different times. The book I am reading now is Victorian, before that present day,before that WWII. I like to time travel.

  85. My favorite time period to read would be World War II.
    My father was in the Battle of the Bulge and was involved in releasing people from a German prisoner of war camp.

  88. The Regency time period is my favorite. Love your books Jody. Keep up the wonderful writing.

  91. Regency is my favorite, but I enjoy many different historical periods and will pick up almost any historical novel. Thanks for the giveaway!

  92. I’m most familiar with Regency, so that’s probably my favorite, but I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction books set in different eras, and I’ve really enjoyed them, too. They all have their different draws. Your new books looks and sounds so intriguing.

  95. I enjoy medieval and frontier time periods in historical fiction. I seem to prefer to be transported out of modern times when reading. 🙂

  96. I adore historical fiction and enjoy a variety of time periods. I can’t wait to read FOR LOVE & HONOR!

  98. Historical fiction is a preferred genre to read. I’ve read a wide range of history from Biblical times to the 1990’s. Strange to call the 90’s historical, but times have changed at the 90’s aren’t 10 years ago. 😉 My favorite time period is the 1800’s – Regency England or American West.

  100. Regency period if I’m reading a British historical novel. If it’s set in America, I love anything set in the 1800s.

  101. I really enjoy reading historical fiction and I like reading about all different time periods. But my favorite time period is the Antebellum South and the Civil War era.

  102. Just one favorite? I can’t choose just one…I’ve always enjoyed Regency, Victorian, etc., but I enjoy Medieval, too.

  103. I don’t have just one favorite. I love the all. I think it depends on the mood I am in for the time period I would like to read.

  105. I love anything from medieval to Civil War time periods. But, I haven’t found one of yours that I don’t like!

  106. I pretty much love historical books in all time periods. My favorite 2 growing up were Jane Eyre and The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I only get annoyed with them if they don’t match the time period they are written about.

  107. I love the 1800s as a time period–Europe or America. I can’t wait to read your newest book, and I adore the cover!

  109. I enjoy books set in any time period, but I suppose I am most drawn to books with a medieval or regency setting.
    I have enjoy reading both An Uncertain Choice and A Daring Sacrifice. Just recently I listened to the audio version of each book in anticipation of For Love and Honor.

  110. Really all historical periods but especially Colonial and American Revolution, Renaissance with all the European kings and queens, Regency…so many.
    I have read both An Uncertain Choice and A Daring Sacrifice. Love them…

  111. I enjoy reading books set during the World War II era.
    An Uncertain Choice and A Daring Sacrifice are great books. I am looking forward to reading For Love and Honor. (:

  112. My favorite time period is medieval, just like you’ve been doing. Yours are some of my favorite books.

  114. I enjoy all time periods in history, but have read more books in the Regency or Victorian period. This sounds like a great book!

  118. I love the Regency or Georgian period in history.My favorite author who wrote books set in this time of history was Patricia Veryan.

  120. I love the Victorian era most. My grandmother is British, so the whole era of kings and knights has always seemed very romantic and fascinating to me.

  121. I like reading historical fiction set in regency, Victorian, medieval, or world war 2 settings. I mostly like any historical fiction I can read.

  124. My favorite time period would be Medieval and Regency. I really love your books! Thanks for writing such great ones.

  125. I love historical fiction from many different time periods especially Medieval, Regency, and 1800’s in America.

  132. Wow! So hard for me to choose…I love many periods of history. I really enjoy any period of US history, but I also love English history. I don’t think it really matters to me as long as the story is well written and includes believable details from that period of time.

  134. I love both Regency and Pioneer. Sometimes it just depends on the author. This looks like a great book!!

  137. I love ancient history so stories set in that time period are a particular favorite. I also like the Victorian time period.

  142. Hello!! My name is Laurie King and I would have to say My Favorite period is *The Medieval Period*. I Have Always Akways LOVED When The “Knight In Shining Armour” Rescues *The Princess*; But I Like Stories When “The Knight” Has To Get Through Quite A Few *Obstacles* to Get To “The Princess”!! I Mean, “The Knight” Has To Have Lots Of *Challenges* To Get Through To *Save The Princess* and Make It All Worthwhile!!:-)
    Your Books Sounds SO WONDERFUL!!!!! They Sound FULL of *Excitement*, And *Danger* At *Every Turn*–Books to Keep You * On The Edge Of Your Seat!!!! Just The Kinds Of Books I LOVE To Read, And I Love To Get My Teenagers to Read!!:-)

  143. I guess.my favorite eras to read about are the civil war or world war 2. But I do enjoy reading most historical fiction.

  144. Oh historicals are my favorites…I really enjoy all the different time periods! I always learn to much! Regency is one of my favorites!

  145. I am a history major and former high school history teacher. My favorite time periods to teach are medieval and early 1900’s, so I enjoy a really good story from one of those time periods!

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