When a book has a future release date, you may see a Pre-Order button on the book page instead of Buy. Here is how pre-orders work as a reader, what happens to your money, and when you get access.
What Is a Pre-Order?
A pre-order lets you buy a book before it is officially released. You pay now, and the book automatically appears in your library on the release date, with no action needed from you on the day.
Pre-orders are a great way to support an author whose next book you are excited about, and to make sure you are among the first to read it the moment it drops.
How to Pre-Order
- Find a book with a future release date
- Click or tap Pre-Order on the book page
- Add it to your cart and checkout as normal: payment is taken immediately
- Done. The book is in your library in a pending state, and you will get it on release day
When Do You Get Access?
On the book's official release date, your copy is automatically activated and appears as fully readable in your library. You do not need to do anything. It just appears.
If the release date changes, your pre-order carries over automatically to the new date.
What Happens to Your Payment
Your payment is taken at the time of purchase and held in escrow until the release date.
What this means for you: your money is protected. If something happens to the book before it releases, you are entitled to a refund.
If the Book Is Withdrawn or Cancelled
If an author withdraws a book that you pre-ordered, you will be automatically refunded. You do not need to request this. It happens immediately when the book is withdrawn.
The refund goes back to your original payment method.
Can I Cancel a Pre-Order?
Pre-orders on Sọna are final once placed. If there is an issue with the release or the author removes the title before the release date, you will be automatically refunded. For any other concerns, contact Sọna support through Account Settings > Report a Problem.
Browse books with pre-orders open at readsona.com/browse.
Related Posts
- How to Buy a Book on Sọna: buying books, checkout, and payment methods
- How to Claim a Gift Copy or eARC on Sọna: if an author sent you a free copy or advance copy instead
- How to Follow an Author on Sọna: get notified automatically when a pre-order you are waiting for goes live