Uploading Book Files: PDF, EPUB, and MOBI

The core purpose of RS ARC Manager is to get your book into the hands of your reviewers safely and easily. This guide explains how to upload your manuscript files and how our security system protects them from being shared publicly.

1. Supported File Formats

To ensure your readers can read your book on any device (Kindle, iPad, Phone, or Computer), we support the three major eBook formats:

• PDF: Best for reading on computers or tablets. Universal format.
• EPUB: The industry standard for eBooks. Works on Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, Nook, and modern Kindles.
• MOBI: The legacy format for older Kindle devices.

Recommendation: We strongly suggest uploading at least the PDF and EPUB versions to make your reviewers happy.

2. How to Upload Your Files

1. Edit your Campaign (or create a new one).
2. Scroll down to the “Book Files” box (usually below the main editor).
3. For PDF: Click the “Upload File” button next to the PDF label.
   • This opens your WordPress Media Library.
   • Drag and drop your file or select it if already uploaded.
   • Click “Use this file.”
4. Repeat this process for EPUB and MOBI if you have those formats.
5. Click Update or Publish at the top of the page to save your changes.

3. How We Protect Your Files (The “Secure Token” System)

One of the biggest fears for authors is piracy—having their unreleased book link shared publicly on the internet. RS ARC Manager solves this using a Secure Token System.

How it works:

1. No Direct Links: Unlike a standard WordPress download, we never expose the real location of your file (e.g., yoursite.com/uploads/my-book.pdf).
2. Unique Download Tokens: When a reviewer clicks “Download” in their dashboard, the system generates a unique, temporary link for them (e.g., yoursite.com/?rs_dl=abc123token).
3. User Verification: Even if a reviewer copies that link and sends it to a friend, it will not work.
   • The system checks: Is the person clicking this link logged in?
   • Is this the exact user who was approved for this book?
   • If the answer is “No,” the download is blocked.

Server-Level Protection:

On top of the token system, the plugin automatically creates a security file (.htaccess) in the folder where your ARC files are stored. This prevents anyone from “browsing” your directory to steal files directly.

4. Important Tips

• Watermarking: Since this plugin focuses on distribution, we recommend adding a visible watermark (e.g., “Review Copy”) to your PDF file using a tool like Adobe Acrobat or an online PDF editor before uploading it here.
• File Size: Try to keep your files under 10MB. Large files can be slow for readers to download on mobile data.

Next Tutorial: [Configuring Application Form Fields (Social Media Inputs)]