On Finding A Reader for a novel...

[mesh138]

1. My novel has too much dirt on me, and too many dirty love scenes for me to pass it on to anyone in my family. Besides, they'd think, 'our precious son never did any of these horrible things, did he?'

2. Everyone who I know, who would read this novel and give my an honest opinion is actually characterized in the novel itself. And since a lot of it has to do with the place where I work, I fear it falling into the wrong hands.

3. I live in Las Vegas, and there are no writer's groups.

4. English is not my wife's first language, and she isn't fluent enough to handle a novel.

Any suggestions?

[KTC]

Hmmmm. No writers' groups in a city that large?! Start one.

I would say that your wife would be a bad reader anyway, even if english was her first language. You would want someone more removed. My wife gets angry with me when I don't let her read my stuff...but she's totally biased. Her feedback is not helpful. I let her read it eventually...but not for her feedback.

Do you know ANY writers who may be able to help you?

[jst5150]

Find a coworker you're not necessarily close to, but have an association with. Have her sit down with the manuscript and just give you an opinion -- one that's not fettered by a lot of lofty writing ideals and mechanics. Just see what she says about it. How it felt to her. If she would recommend it to a friend.

After that, dig into the local college campuses for readers. There's got to be a bevy of English majors, communications students and others just looking for an opportunity to test their skills on something. Finally consider the nearby Nellis military base for people who may be qualified to give the 'script the one-over. Call the public affairs office there and one of the staffers may be able to put you in contact with an on-base writers group or some folks who are inherently good writers & editor (like, for instance, the Nellis Air Force Base newspaper staff)

[Sharon Mock]

It looks like this might be a good place to start: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Creative_Writers/

Found it by going to groups.yahoo.com and doing a search on "las vegas writer".

[goatpiper]

My wife is actually an excellent reader of my work. She's not a writer, so her perspective is only a reader's, and she can be quite constructively brutal at times. She doesn't sugarcoat anything, and isn't afraid to point something out that's ridiculous.
In a way, I think there's a part of me that wants her to be more biased, but she isn't, really, and that's great.

As far as the main topic here is concerned...there has to be more writers in Vegas. Ask around, hit cafes, search the 'net.

[scarletpeaches]

Stephen King writes first for his wife, and he does quite well out of it...

[Old Hack]

There's always the "share your work" section on this board, if you want to address specific problems. If that's not enough, how about www.zoetrope.com (http://www.zoetrope.com)? I think you can post quite long extracts there for comment. You won't be able to post the whole thing, but should get enough comments to guide you part of the way. Otherwise there must be some internet-based writing group you could join, or (as all ready suggested) you could always start your own.

[Stacey Sweeney]

You could try Critique Circle at www.critiquecircle.com (http://www.critiquecircle.com)

It's a group where you can post your work, critique others' work, and I think there might be a portion where members can post questions or chat, but I'm not sure. I've just used the critique portions so far. I've only been a member there for about a week and I love it.

[Danger Jane]

Also, even if you AREN'T doing NaNoWriMo, it could be helpful to meet with writers in your area through NaNo. They have regional groups that get together every once in a while (not sure how often, but I've already gotten three messages about get-togethers for NaNo writers in the Boston area and it hasn't even started yet). That could be an interesting way to meet other writers to read your work, even if they aren't as serious as you.

[Vomaxx]

1. 2. Everyone who I know, who would read this novel and give my an honest opinion is actually characterized in the novel itself. And since a lot of it has to do with the place where I work, I fear it falling into the wrong hands.

And what will happen if it ever gets published? No libel threats, I hope.

[Sage]

If you're just looking for a reader, why not post it in Share Your Work? If you're looking for a writer's group specifically, though, I don't know what to suggest.