R2 · Readers

Get your copy

For readersVoice-over · English subtitles

Open your copy page once you are approved and download your personalised ARC.

Go to written steps

Before you start

  • Have an approved application from Find an ARC and apply.
  • Have the email saying your copy is ready to hand.
  • If you applied with an account, sign in to that account.

Watch the walkthrough

English voice-over and subtitles; use the player’s captions control to adjust subtitles. The video is embedded from YouTube.

Chapters

  1. Watch for two emails.
  2. Read the approval email.
  3. Open your book.
  4. Check how long you have.
  5. Your copy is personalised.
  6. Download your files.
  7. Wait for a copy being prepared.Current chapter
  8. Read on a Kindle.
  9. See your next step.
  10. Open your copy as a guest.
  11. Delete your data as a guest.
  12. If you see Link needed.

Transcript

Select a line to jump to that moment in the video.

  1. In this video, you'll get your reading copy once the author approves you.
  2. Hamsterra emails you when you're approved, and again when your copy is ready.
  3. The approval email confirms your place.
  4. Copies go out after approval, on a scheduled date, or when the author sends them.
  5. Hamsterra emails you again when your copy is ready.
  6. When your copy is ready, select Open your book.
  7. With an account, the link opens your copy page in My ARCs.
  8. If you're signed out, sign in first.
  9. This is your copy page. Everything about your copy is here.
  10. The badge shows how long you can download your files, so download them before access ends.
  11. Your copy includes your name and a unique Copy ID.
  12. This identifies the copy, not who shared it. Please don't pass the file on.
  13. Choose one of the available formats.
  14. EPUB suits e-readers and phones; PDF keeps the printed layout.
  15. Select Download EPUB.
  16. You can download again as often as you need while your access lasts.
  17. If a format says Preparing your copy, it's queued or being personalised.
  18. Refresh the page after a little while to check again.
  19. Hamsterra doesn't have its own reading app, or send books to a Kindle for you.
  20. Download the EPUB and use Amazon's Send to Kindle service.
  21. Conversion can drop the personalisation page; that's expected.
  22. Your next step shows when the author would like your review.
  23. You'll find this page again under My ARCs.
  24. Applied as a guest? Your emails carry a personal link instead.
  25. It opens the same copy page without an account, so keep your emails and don't forward them.
  26. Guests also see Your data, where you can delete your application and copies for this ARC whenever you like.
  27. If you see Link needed, select Open your book again in the email saying your copy is ready.
  28. Next, share your review once you've read the book.

Written steps (text version of this video)

This walkthrough shows the emails you get once an author approves you, your copy page with its access date, downloading EPUB and PDF, sending an EPUB to a Kindle, and how a guest opens the same page from a personal link.

  1. Watch for two emails.

    One email arrives when you're approved, and one when your personalised copy is ready.

  2. Read the approval email.

    Copies go out after approval, on a scheduled date, or when the author sends them.

  3. Open your book.

    Select Open your book in the email saying your copy is ready. With an account, it opens your copy page in My ARCs; sign in if asked.

  4. Check how long you have.

    The badge shows Access until and the date.

  5. Your copy is personalised.

    Your copy includes your name and a unique Copy ID. This identifies the copy, not who shared it. Please don't pass the file on.

  6. Download your files.

    Select Download EPUB or Download PDF. You can download again while your access lasts.

  7. Wait for a copy being prepared.

    If a format says Preparing your copy, it's queued or being personalised. Refresh the page after a little while.

  8. Read on a Kindle.

    Download the EPUB and use Amazon's Send to Kindle. Hamsterra doesn't send it for you.

  9. See your next step.

    Your next step shows when the author would like your review.

  10. Open your copy as a guest.

    As a guest, use the personal link from your email. It works without an account, so keep it to yourself.

  11. Delete your data as a guest.

    Your data lets a guest delete their application and copies for this ARC.

  12. If you see Link needed.

    Select Open your book again in the email saying your copy is ready.

Check you’re done

  • Your copy page shows the available download formats.
  • You have checked when your download access ends.
  • You have downloaded your personalised copy.
  • If you applied as a guest, you have kept the email with your personal link.

Common questions

Why can’t I download immediately after approval?

Approval confirms your place. Copies may be sent after approval, on a scheduled date or when the author sends them; Hamsterra emails you when your copy is ready.

Can I read the book on a Kindle?

Download the EPUB and use Amazon’s Send to Kindle service. Hamsterra does not send it to your Kindle for you.

Does the Copy ID prove who shared a file?

No. A Copy ID identifies a copy, but it does not prove who shared it.

Still stuck? Report a problem