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Beta Readers wanted for contemporary fantasy novel

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resulka

resulka

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Hey folks!

I've just wrapped up draft 3 of my WIP and I'm looking for another round of input. This is going out to around 30 people already, experienced readers and otherwise, but I'm really hoping to get 1-2 people from AW who can help me out. Here's a short synopsis and a bit more info:


When Jake and his brother Ox accidentally unlock a secret prison, they release magic into our world along with an ancient evil. Now Jake must embark on a journey to save his brother before time runs out. Along the way, he’ll see mythical creatures, legendary civilizations, and more magic than he could ever have imagined. In the end, Jake will sacrifice everything for his brother, but will it be enough?


I'm calling the book contemporary fantasy, and it’s approximately 132,000 words long.

As far as feedback goes, I prefer direct, specific, and honest. I'm not a stranger to feedback on my writing so there's no need to sugarcoat.

If you're interested, send me a PM. Thanks!
 
Maryn

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Hello, resulka, and a pleasure to meet you.

While I truly hope you get a volunteer who's happy to do you this large favor, I'm going to refer you to a post which will at first piss you off, then sink in, and ultimately may turn your beta search into something which is terrific and more rewarding than you'd dared hope.

Please bear in mind that when I wrote this, I was particularly frustrated with requests--sometimes even personal requests sent to me individually--for beta reads from people I didn't know.

Kind of like you. I bet you're a great person, but at this point, you're a stranger here with his hand out.

So without further ado: Why I Won't Beta Read Your Novel.

Maryn, genuinely pleased to welcome you here
 
thothguard51

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Hint,

You have 15 post at this time. For that reason, a lot of experienced beta's might not step up to the plate.

My suggestions, get to know some of the members. Visit SYW, (that's SHARE YOUR WORK), and join in critiquing other members posted work. Its a way to give back to the community and have members learn what you are all about. As far as you writing skills go. Then when you hit the magic number of 50 post, you can post a few chapters for feed back and ask if anyone would be interested in swapping beta reads.

I always suggest beta's set the ground rules first on what to expect, just to make sure everyone is on the same page and compatible. At 138 thousand words, that is asking a lot from a beta of their time and energy and I would want to make sure I know what the member is requesting, what his/her needs are, and how they will respond before I take on a project that large, especially if there is a time limit...

Good luck...
 

Joshua Horne

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resulka,

I would be happy to beta for you... I couldn't tell by your post if you were hoping to "land" a more experienced member of this forum or not, but I would be happy to read your work and give my thoughts as a reader as well as mark any areas that I thought were confusing or could use some modification, etc.. Perhaps point out a plot hole or two if any exist.

I've got a work of my own that I am hoping to find someone to read... It's extremely long so I won't scare you with the word count, but I am looking for someone to rip up the first 6 chapters. =)

PM me if interested in a little swap...
 
resulka

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Totally bizarre, but I thought I posted this reply last week. Apparently not, though.

Maryn said:
I'm going to refer you to a post which will at first piss you off, then sink in, and ultimately may turn your beta search into something which is terrific and more rewarding than you'd dared hope.
Click to expand...

Working on phase 2 at the moment. ;)

Actually, I wanted to say thanks. I know you're looking out for the community, and I think it's really cool. This is one of the things that attracted me to AW when I first discovered it a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I've been a bad boy, lurking and not contributing, and I can totally see why that might make you and others reticent to help.

I understand.

Before I posted my request, I read your article and just about everything else I could get my hands on in AW regarding the Beta process. What I saw was an opinion based on a lot of experience, but I didn't realize it was representative of the entire community.

So... yeah... I guess I was a little frustrated at first. But that isn't going to keep me away from here. As long as you'll have me, I'm going to be a more active member in AW. In the past I was hesitant about participating; so many folks around here are really good at what they do. I felt (often) like I had something to say, but so-and-so already said it so much better. Maybe that's dumb, but there it is.

Anyway, thanks. Thanks for being polite about, thanks for pointing me in the right direction, and thanks for looking out for all of us.
 
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