Terms of Service

ShelfGlow is a community-first platform built to be a "mainland" for indie authors. We provide a safe, accountable space for authors to share their work and receive honest feedback without the isolation, review bombing, or risky external pressures common in today's publishing environment.

An Author Review Copy (ARC) is a free digital copy of a book — whether it is unreleased, freshly published, or already available — provided by the author to a genuine reader in exchange for an honest, on-topic review.

We honor the traditional roots of ARCs as Advance Reader Copies for pre-publication feedback, while fully embracing the modern reality that most indie authors arrive with a finished, published book. The core exchange remains the same: authors offer their work freely, and readers agree to provide thoughtful, honest feedback based on the actual content of the book.

You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform. You may create an account as an author, a reader, or both (dual-role accounts are supported).

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to provide accurate information and to keep it updated.

By requesting or downloading an Author Review Copy (ARC), readers agree to the following:

All reviews submitted on ShelfGlow must be based on the actual subject matter of the book. We expect honest feedback — both positive and critical.

Prohibited review content includes (but is not limited to):

You retain ownership of the content you submit. By posting content on the Platform, you grant ShelfGlow a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, display, distribute, and use that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform, including featuring reviews in weekly social spotlights (subject to your anonymization choice).

You represent and warrant that your content does not infringe any third-party rights and complies with these Terms.

You agree not to:

ShelfGlow does not provide direct links to external retail platforms (such as Amazon) or encourage coordinated review activity that could violate any retailer's terms of service. Any sharing of reviews to external sites is done voluntarily by individual readers or authors at their own discretion and risk.

All Platform content, design, logos, and features (excluding user-generated content) are owned by ShelfGlow or its licensors. You may not copy, modify, or distribute them without permission.

Certain advanced features require upgrading to a paid tier (Shelf or Publisher). All payments are processed securely. Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis.

The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee that any ARC will result in reviews, that reviews will be positive, or that any specific level of discovery or sales will occur.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ShelfGlow shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform.

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms or for any other reason in our sole discretion. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately.

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new Terms on the Platform and updating the effective date. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Oklahoma, United States. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Norman, Oklahoma.

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at support@shelfglow.com.

By using ShelfGlow, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Service.