A reading copy is a version of a book or other publication that is used by editors, reviewers, booksellers, and others in the publishing industry to evaluate a work prior to publication. The term can also refer to an advance reader copy (ARC), which is a version of a book that is sent to reviewers and others before the book’s official publication date.
Reading copy is a manuscript of a book that is used for the purpose of proofreading. It is different from an advance reader copy (ARC), which is a manuscript given to reviewers and booksellers prior to publication. A reading copy is usually the final version of the manuscript before it goes to print, and it is distributed to the proofreaders.
If you are a proofreader, you should always request a reading copy of a book before you start proofreading it. This will ensure that you are working with the most up-to-date version of the manuscript.
Reading copies are usually supplied in the form of bound galleys, which are unbound sheets of paper that have been printed on one side and trimmed to the finished size of the book. They may also be supplied as digital files, such as PDFs.
The main purpose of a reading copy is to allow people to evaluate the content of a book without having to commit to buying it. Reading copies are usually less expensive to produce than finished books, and they are often distributed months or even years before a book is published.
Reading copy is an important part of the book publishing process. It allows editors and publishers to get a sense of a book before it is published. It also allows them to make changes to the book before it is released to the public. This can be helpful in ensuring that the book is of high quality and that it meets the standards of the publishing house.