When distributing ARCs, never directly email unsecured EPUB or PDF files.
And yes, you will inevitably encounter readers who claim they can't access the file any other way and beg you to email them the file directly. Don't do it. It is far better to offer a polite apology – or simply decline – than to risk having your unpublished manuscript end up on piracy sites or file-sharing forums before release day. Sending unencrypted ARC files creates a massive security loophole, and protecting your work should always come first.
While no tool can guarantee 100% protection against someone with high-tech skills and malicious intent, choosing the right platform drastically minimizes your risk and deters unauthorized ARC sharing.
This is how we protect your work at Cabins Press:
In-Platform ARC Distribution: We restrict ARC delivery exclusively through our platform, eliminating shareable file links.
Server-Level Encryption: ARC content is encrypted on the reader's device and can only be decrypted via a secure handshake with our servers.
App-Bound Files: ARC content is locked inside the reading environment and cannot be exported, extracted, or transferred.
Audit Logs: We track exactly who downloaded the ARC, which device they used, and the date it was accessed, creating a clear audit trail for every reviewer.
Proprietary E-Reader App: Just like Kindle, our dedicated e-reader app provides a seamless reading experience while preventing file manipulation and scraping.