Lost Island VIPs
Our Lost Island VIPs receive digital advanced reader copies (ARCs) in exchange for honest online reviews. If you join us, you’ll receive ebooks before they’re available to the public, and your feedback online will help the right readers discover our press!
Whether you’re an influencer, educator, bookseller, or an avid reader with a Goodreads account, we invite you to learn more below and apply to join.
How It Works
Step 1: Join our VIP list
We’ll have a link to our application portal at the end of this page.
Step 2: Wait for an ARC reading opportunity
Once you’re officially a VIP, we’ll send you an email whenever we have a new ARC reading opportunity (which could be a few months from now). The invite will include a short description of the story and the deadline for posting your review. If it suits your taste and schedule, click the link in that email to download the ebook.
Step 3: Read the ARC and post your review
After reading through your ARC copy, please post at least one valid review that meets our minimum length requirements. The review must also include an articulated opinion (not just a star rating or summary).
Valid Review Criteria
| Valid Review Type | Minimum Length Requirement |
| YouTube Video* | 1+ minute |
| Goodreads, Fable, or Pagebound Review | 5+ sentences |
| Instagram Post | 5+ sentences |
| Instagram or TikTok Video | 30+ seconds OR 5+ sentences in the caption |
| Blog Post* | 5+ sentences |
| Podcast Episode* | 1+ minute |
Honesty Policy
It’s best practice to include a disclaimer in your reviews, such as:
I received a free copy from Lost Island Press in exchange for an honest review.
Voluntary Amazon Reviews
Amazon’s Community Guidelines prohibit us from providing ebooks in exchange for reviews, even honest ones. However, you’re always welcome to leave an Amazon review voluntarily.
If you choose to do so, please be mindful that phrases like “in exchange for” may cause your review to get rejected by Amazon. Instead, we recommend a disclaimer like this one:
I received a free copy from Lost Island Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I download a review copy but don’t like the book?
Our reminder emails always include a link to opt out (DNF).
Do I need to read every ARC?
No. You’ll be invited to read every ARC, but you’re not required to participate every time.
How long will I have to read each title?
For ARCs, we often have a custom deadline (usually the publication date of the book).
For review copies, we automatically provide three months to read and review a single title.
In both cases, our reminder emails always include a link to request a deadline extension.
Do you accept everyone who applies?
While we love welcoming new VIPs, we do require that your social media platforms (e.g. Goodreads account, Instagram profile) are publicly viewable. The most common reason why we reject applications is because we’re unable to view the links provided. You’ll be asked to share at least one public account link in the application portal below.
If you’re a beginner just getting started with writing book reviews, it’s helpful for us to see at least one review already posted prior to your application.
Apply to Join
Click the button below to visit our VIP application portal.