If an author or someone else has sent you a book on Sona, whether as a gift or an advance reader copy (eARC), here is how to claim it and start reading.
Claiming a Gift Copy
When someone sends you a gift copy, what happens next depends on whether you already have a Sọna account.
If you already have a Sọna account using the same email the gift was sent to, the book is added to your library automatically the moment the sender clicks send. You will receive a notification email letting you know it has arrived. No link to click.
If you do not have a Sọna account yet, you will receive an email with a personalised claim link.
To Claim Your Gift
- Open the email and click the claim link
- Create a free Sọna account using the same email address the gift was sent to
- The book is added to your library immediately
- You will see a confirmation: "Gift claimed! Your gifted book has been added to your library."
- Tap Go to Library to start reading
The book is yours, added permanently to your library.
If the Link isn't Working
- Make sure you are signing in with the email address the gift was sent to. Gift links are tied to a specific email and will not work on a different account
- Gift links do not expire, so if something is wrong, it is likely an account mismatch
- If you see an error, contact support through your account and include the email you received
Claiming an eARC (Advance Reader Copy)
An eARC is a pre-release copy of a book sent to you by the author, usually for the purpose of reading and reviewing before the book's official launch.
When an author sends you an eARC invite, you will receive an email from Sọna with a claim link.
To Claim Your eARC
- Open the email and click the claim link
- Log in or create a free Sọna account if you do not have one
- The eARC is automatically added to your library
- You will see a confirmation: "eARC claimed! Your early review copy is now in your library."
- Tap Go to Library to start reading
The book will be available to read immediately, even if the official release date has not happened yet. When the book officially launches, your access continues as normal.
Already claimed? If you click the link again after already claiming, you will see: "Already in your library." Your book is still there. Just open your library.
Link showing an error? Unlike gift copy links, eARC claim windows can expire. If the author set a claim deadline that has elapsed, you will see: "This eARC claim window has expired." If this happens, reach out to the author directly.
Reading Your Gift or eARC
Once claimed, the book behaves exactly like any other book in your library:
- Read it on the Sọna Reader app (iOS or Android) or on the website
- Your reading progress syncs across devices
- The book stays in your library permanently
What Authors Expect From eARCs
If you received an eARC, the author is counting on honest reader feedback. The most valuable thing you can do is:
- Read the book before the release date
- Leave a review on Sọna, on Goodreads, on social media, wherever your book community lives
- Be honest. A genuine review, even a mixed one, is more valuable than silence
Authors send eARCs to build word-of-mouth before launch. Your review is part of that.
Received a link? Click it to claim your copy. It takes less than a minute.
Related Posts
- Pre-Ordering a Book on Sọna: What to Expect: if the book you want has a future release date
- How to Buy a Book on Sọna: the standard purchase flow for books already available