ARC Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about applying for, receiving and reviewing T. J. Hassall ARCs.
About the Chronicles of Elisar
The Chronicles of Elisar is an interconnected dark epic fantasy series with extensive worldbuilding, political conflict, morally complicated characters, unfamiliar cultures and terminology, and dark humour.
The tone combines the political scale and different perspectives associated with Game of Thrones with the darker humour and flawed characters found in Joe Abercrombie-style fantasy.
The main series is not romance-led, no. Its central focus is the wider story, including politics, magic, conflict, justice and the consequences of the characters’ decisions.
Relationships, political marriages, intimacy and sex will appear when they belong naturally within the characters’ lives. They are part of the world rather than the purpose of the entire story.
Some future books connected to the Chronicles of Elisar may be more romance-focused because particular characters’ stories require it. Any such book will be described clearly so readers know what to expect before applying.
No. Blood of the Banshee: Complete Volume I contains Parts I–V and is the complete first book in the Chronicles of Elisar.
Before applying for Lament of the Light or later sequential books, you will need to have read or listened to either Complete Volume I or all five individual parts.
Applying for an ARC
Applications are open internationally to readers and listeners who understand English and believe the book is suitable for them.
Individual campaigns may have additional requirements, so please check the information on the relevant application page before applying.
An ARC is provided with the understanding that you intend to read or listen to it and leave a public review, rating or review post if you complete it.
The review does not have to be positive. However, publishing is my professional work and livelihood, and every ARC represents years of writing, editing and financial investment. Audiobook copies also carry direct distribution costs alongside the paid narration, editing and production.
Please only apply if you genuinely intend to complete the book.
No. If you do not post reviews, ratings or book-related content publicly anywhere, this ARC programme will not be suitable for you.
Private feedback can be valuable, but is better suited to the role of a beta reader or proofreader. My ARC editions have already passed that stage and are being provided to support the book’s release.
Readers who prefer giving private feedback may be better suited to beta-reading or proofreading opportunities offered by authors whose books are still in development.
Previous ARC experience is not required for ebook applications, although a visible history of reading and reviewing books is helpful.
Previous ARC experience is required for audiobook applications because audiobook copies are more limited and carry additional production and distribution costs.
You may submit an application, though I need to be able to see enough of your reading, reviewing or book-related history to assess whether the ARC is likely to suit you.
Completely private or mostly empty profiles are therefore unlikely to be selected, particularly for audiobook ARCs.
You may apply, but I am unlikely to select someone whose recent reading history and public content are almost entirely romantasy unless they have already read and enjoyed Blood of the Banshee independently.
The main Chronicles of Elisar series is not romance-led. ARC places are not intended as a risk-free way to experiment with a different genre, particularly when Part I is available separately and Complete Volume I is available through Kindle Unlimited.
Trying the book independently first is the best way to find out whether Elisar is for you. Readers who genuinely enjoy it are welcome to mention that when applying for future books.
No. Places are limited, and submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.
I look at reading history to determine whether the book is a genuine match and whether the applicant regularly shares public reviews.
In my eyes, a smaller account with relevant reading history and thoughtful reviews can be a much stronger choice for a reviewer.
A poor genre match can waste both our time, put the book in front of the wrong audience and make it harder for an independent release to reach the readers it was written for.
I review every application manually and consider everything put in the applications.
The aim is to choose readers or listeners who are genuinely likely to enjoy the book. I do not want to waste your time any more than I want to waste mine, particularly when the content may not suit the audience you have built.
My ARC copies are not handed out because someone asks for one. Giving a book I have spent years writing and building and pouring my psychological heart into deep topics to absolutely anyone who wants a free copy would feel a bit like handing one of my children to whoever happened to knock at the door and asked. Admittedly, nobody is exactly queueing up to babysit, but the principle stands.
Audiobook applications have stricter criteria because every listener copy carries a direct cost and represents a substantial amount of paid narration, editing and production work.
Previous ARC experience and a visible history of public reviewing are therefore required for audiobook applications.
Applications are reviewed manually, meaning response times can vary. I usually look through applications on weekday evenings, UK time.
Accepted listeners will normally receive a short email from me before the BookFunnel delivery email, so they know to look out for it and check their spam folder.
For some ebook campaigns, I may offer a sample when I am unsure whether the book will suit an applicant. Audiobook decisions are stricter and will generally be a straightforward acceptance or decline.
Audiobook ARCs
The audiobooks use immersive duet narration performed by a British male-and-female narrator couple. The narrators use character accents requested for the world and may include occasional subtle sound effects where they support the scene.
Audiobook ARCs are delivered through BookFunnel. Accepted listeners will receive an email containing instructions for accessing the audiobook.
Please contact BookFunnel Support for technical problems involving the BookFunnel app, your account or audiobook delivery.
Their support team is considerably better equipped to solve BookFunnel problems than I am and has always been very helpful.
No. ARC copies are provided only to the person whose application was accepted and must not be shared, copied or redistributed.
Someone else who is interested may submit their own application and mention that the book was recommended to them.
Reviews and Deadlines
Audiobook listeners normally have four weeks from the date they access the audiobook.
Reviews may be posted on suitable platforms including: Goodreads, StoryGraph, Fable, Instagram, TikTok, and other public book-review platforms may also be suitable.
For audiobook ARCs, social-media coverage is particularly helpful because it supports the audiobook release and helps new listeners discover it.
No, reviews are never required to be positive.
However, please do not tag me or the narrators directly in negative reviews or critical posts. You are entirely entitled to dislike or criticise the book or performance. Druna probably wouldn’t like this, to be honest.
Email me and let me know. I understand that health, family, work and life in general can interfere with reading plans, and I am happy to give extensions when needed.
Yes. Nobody is required to continue reading or listening to something they no longer want or are unable to finish.
Future ARC Opportunities
Yes. Future books within the Chronicles of Elisar will have their own ARC opportunities.
Because the series is sequential, later-book ARCs will only be available to readers or listeners who have completed the earlier required books. Those earlier books do not need to have been received as ARCs. You may have bought, borrowed, read or listened to them in your own time after release.
Of course. A declined application is not a permanent exclusion.
However, future Chronicles of Elisar ARCs will increasingly involve later books. To be considered, you will need to have independently read or listened to the earlier required books and genuinely enjoyed them.
I do not currently offer PR packages.