Many ARC campaigns now include a line about AI graphics for ARC posts in their reader guidelines, and some author teams ask readers not to use AI-generated images at all. The ask isn’t always explained, so here is what sits behind it, and what to post instead when a campaign asks.
Why some authors ask readers not to use AI-generated graphics
When you post about an ARC, you’re posting about someone’s book, brand, and launch. Authors who ask for this usually have one of these reasons in mind.
Keeping the book on-brand
Authors and their teams spend real time getting a cover, color palette, and mood exactly right so the book reads as its genre in a thumbnail. Any image with different colors, a different style, or a face that doesn’t match a character can pull against that, which is why campaigns supply their own graphics.
Commercial rights
The rules on commercial use of AI-generated images are still being worked out, and they vary by tool. Authors are careful about what represents their book publicly, so some prefer images they can vouch for, like their own toolkit graphics or your photos.
Reactions in the book community
Parts of the book community have strong views on AI-generated art, and some reader groups have rules about it. An author may ask for this simply to keep the conversation in the comments on the book.
What to post when a campaign asks
These all work for any ARC post, whatever the campaign’s guidelines say.
- Use the graphics the author gives you. Most campaigns come with a toolkit of ready-made images, teasers, and quote cards, already on-brand and cleared to use. Reach for those first.
- Take a photo of the cover. The book on your table, in your hands, next to your coffee, on your e-reader. Real photos of real books are easy to make and always on-brand.
- Post your reading setup. Your blanket, your candle, your very judgmental cat. It’s personal, it’s yours, and no two look alike.
- Write a plain text post. A few honest lines about how the book made you feel, with the cover attached. Your words are what other readers trust.
Every campaign comes with a toolkit
Every Reading Room and Literary Inspired campaign comes with a full toolkit of ready-made graphics, so you’re never expected to design anything yourself. If you’d rather just grab an image and post it, that’s exactly what the toolkit is for. If a campaign’s guidelines mention AI images, they’ll be in the reader info you receive when you sign up.
If you’re newer to all of this, our walkthrough of what to expect as an ARC reader covers where the toolkit lives and how a campaign runs from sign-up to release day. And if you’re still finding your feet, how to become an ARC reader and the wider guide for ARC readers are good places to start.
Guidelines differ from author to author, so check each campaign’s reader info. When in doubt, use the toolkit graphics or a photo of the book.