Read The Shadows Within Before Anyone Else — Join the ARC Team!

If you’ve ever wished you could read a book before it hits shelves—and help shape its success while you’re at it—this is your chance.

I’m thrilled to announce that Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) of my debut novel, The Shadows Within, are now available! If you love psychological thrillers with a hint of the supernatural, this one’s for you.

What is an ARC?

An ARC, or Advanced Reader Copy, is a version of a book shared ahead of publication to help build early buzz. It’s the same story (sometimes with a few typos or tweaks still in progress), but it’s offered before the official release in exchange for an honest review.

Reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble are vital for indie authors like me. They increase visibility, help readers find books they’ll love, and give credibility to a title that’s just starting out. By joining my ARC team, you’re not only getting early access—you’re helping bring this story to life in the world.

About the Book

The Shadows Within is a haunting exploration of grief, fear, and the blurred line between reality and imagination.

Something lurks in the depths of the forest. A presence woven into the fabric of local myths—part shadow, part nightmare, entirely real. The Huntress is more than a story meant to keep children from wandering too far. She is hunger incarnate, a predator who thrives on fear, and she has set her sights on Riley.

As he becomes entangled in the dark heart of Shadowood, Riley is forced to question everything: the people he trusts, the memories he holds, even the limits of his own mind. Is the Huntress hunting him, or is he chasing something within himself? Could she be a figment of his imagination, the manifestation of years of anxiety, grief, and isolation? Or has something ancient truly awakened, watching his every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike?

If you enjoy unsettling narratives, unreliable narrators, and stories that make you question what’s real—you’ll feel right at home in the world of The Shadows Within.

How to Get Your Copy

ARCs are available in PDF, EPUB, or physical paperback format.

To request your copy:

📩 Email rufuswatsonbooks@outlook.com with your name, preferred format, and the platform(s) where you’re willing to leave a review (Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, or all three!).

📬 If you’re requesting a physical copy, please be sure to include your full mailing address.

There’s no cost to join the ARC team—just a shared love of books and a few words shared online once you’ve read it.

Your review doesn’t have to be long, formal, or fancy. Even a few sentences about what you liked, what stuck with you, or who you’d recommend it to can go a long way. If you’re part of a book club, run a blog, or post book content on social media—I’d love to hear from you too.

Thanks for supporting indie authors and for considering The Shadows Within. I truly couldn’t do this without readers like you.

Until next time,

Stay curious. Stay aware. And read weird shit.

—RW