What does advance reader's edition not for sale book mean to value?

Answer 1

It depends on the book in question. Most major publishers publish a few hundred advance reader's editions to be given away for promotional use. These can differ from the "bound galleys" (early drafts of a book) that are sent to reviewers a few months before a book's publication. Other times the AREs and galleys are identical.

The "not for sale" indicates that the editions are not intended for sale in bookstores as new books. There's nothing stopping a person from selling an ARE on the secondhand market, though. Indeed, AREs for major authors can be found in the rare book section of major used booksellers like the Strand Bookstore in New York City. Due to its rarity, an ARE of a modern classic (like, say, a Philip Roth novel) could be worth well more than the cover price of the book due to demand from book lovers.

However, unless it's a major book, the value is likely to be negligible, as AREs are often earlier drafts of the final book, with uncorrected errors.

Answer 2

An advance reader's edition not for sale book is a pre-publication copy of a book sent to reviewers, media outlets, and influencers for promotional purposes. While it may not have a monetary value in the traditional sense since it is not intended for sale, its value lies in generating buzz and early reviews to build anticipation for the official release of the book.