A lot of readers and even fellow authors have asked me whether SoonABook is a legitimate ARC platform after spotting my book there. So, I decided to share my experience.
I think I was one of the first authors to join SoonABook. They actually reached out to me directly, likely after seeing my Amazon ads. They pointed out that I was burning money on ads because no one buys books with zero reviews. It made sense though, and that's when they introduced me to the concept of ARCs.
At first, I hesitated at the $149 price tag and started researching other ARC platforms. I came across the big names like BookSirens, BookSprout, and NetGalley — and even spotted my editor's books on one of them!
To my surprise, those platforms were way more expensive than I'd expected, ranging from $100 to over $600. They also only promoted books for a limited time, from a month to three months on average. I tried BookSirens since it had the cheapest option, but they rejected my book without giving a clear reason.
That's when I circled back to SoonABook and realized it offered way better value. Not only was it cheaper than the other ARC platforms, but it also had the biggest advantage of permanently listing my book on their website. This meant readers could keep discovering my book long after the initial launch.
Readers started requesting my book within a day or two. Within about two weeks, the first reviews began to appear. Then more trickled in. Eventually, I had around 10 to 20 reviews on both Amazon and Goodreads.
Later, SoonABook reached out again and asked if they could feature my book in their promotions. In exchange, they offered to pin my book on their website. I thought that was a fantastic deal, so I gladly accepted.
Now, several months later, I'm still getting reviews. I've also become an active reviewer on the platform myself. I've discovered a lot of great books there and connected with other authors, some of whom have even reviewed my work.
All in all, I'm genuinely happy with SoonABook. It is 100% legit. I was skeptical at first, but after using it firsthand, I'm really glad I gave it a shot. If you're an indie author looking for an affordable ARC platform, I'd definitely recommend giving SoonABook a try.
You can also read and review my book for free at https://www.soonabook.com/book/the-merge-jesse-neo-1494/
I am an Australian-born second-generation immigrant, author of psychological horror fiction rooted in the occult, and hold a PhD in Computer Science.
I am an avid traveler, having spent extended periods in many major cities around the world, so much so that I often feel like a local in them. Many of these experiences have shaped the settings and atmospheres in my stories.
The Merge is my debut novel.
I currently divide my time between Australia and the United States.
"This was an enjoyable read! It was creepy in parts but I liked the fact that it was more psychological rather than full on horror. I enjoyed the added humor that was thrown in too, not sure if that was intentional."
"One of the easiest books I’ve ever read. However, the impact was strong. The plot twist regarding how the cult came to be was very shocking but worked well with the subplot."
"I appreciated how the story maintained a sense of mystery for most of its length. The pieces only fully came together during the rooftop scene, when Jarvis encountered the cult and finally recognized them. That moment tied everything together effectively."
"Fast and well-paced. I did not get bored at all. I could relate very well to the main character especially with all the troubles and allergies he had and even how everything could be possible in real life. Is this book worth reading? Yes yes yes!"
"I came across this book in an online ad and it interested me right away. I thought it’ll be about some disease or mental disorder however the ending caught me by surprise and tied quite well into what a cult would be like. It was also very eye opening."