Beta Reader for 53K MG Sport/Time Travel

[Akvranel]

See Post 4. Trying this request again after some MS revisions and after hanging out on the boards a bit.
Thank you to Brigid Barry and Maryn for calling me out in a very kind way

Hello,

I'm looking for readers for a completed an early, polished draft for a MG basketball/time travel story. It's a polished, early draft complete at 60K words. Content warning for child abuse.

I am willing to a swap. I'm open to other genres, but my I'm most familiar with reading/critiquing middle grade. If basketball stories aren't your thing, but you're still interested, please reach out! I would still very much value your feedback.

Here is the working pitch for the story:

12-year-old Carter has to get on a basketball team. Not just to prove that a 4-foot-6 kid can still play, but to show his neglectful father, Ken, that he’s more than a waste of space. Ken, however, has no interest in letting Carter join a summer league. When he was Carter’s age, Ken played on a team with a selfish kid, who ruined the sport for him. He hates basketball and refuses to let Carter play.

Carter has to go behind his father's back. He’ll lie, cheat, even steal to get on a team. But when his father finds out, Carter has to run. Somehow, he ends up 25 years in the past with his grandparents as his foster-parents and his now 12-year-old father as his foster brother.

Carter has a chance to change the future, but it won’t be easy when kid Ken hates Carter as much as his father did. Choices matter when trying to change the future, and it’s time for Carter to decide what type of teammate he’s going to be – on and off the court.

 

[Brigid Barry]

I see that you're back after being gone for a few years (2021). Lots of new faces since you were here last, so maybe spend some time in the boards, getting to know people and letting people get to know you? In my experience that's the best way to get a great reader.

 

[Maryn]

I echo Brigid and add a welcome back.

Another way to interest more potential beta readers is to post the first scene or chapter, up to maybe 1500 words or so, at the appropriate Share Your Work board, where you'll receive critique. Which I see you know, because you've posted there before, just not this work.

 

[Akvranel]

Hello! I'm seeking readers for a MG basketball story with a time travel element. It's more or less on it's 4th draft and should read reasonably polished and error free. Looking for big picture items - character; plot; and if you can follow the action scenes (with or without sports knowledge).

While I'd love to get feedback on the full MS, I think the roughest part of the story right now is the first 51 pages (double spaced, 14K words), so eyes on that section alone would be immensely helpful, too.

Here's the links for my Chapter 1 and Query. The query needs some work, but it seemed like it was getting the basic idea across.

Let me know in thread or by PM if you're interested. I'm working through two beta reads right now, so I'm not in a position to swap right now (but I'd be interested in the future).

 

[pebbleg]

Hi there! I have a bit of time currently and will be happy to beta read some chapters for you. PM me if you’re still looking for someone and we can discuss more (I already read your first chapter)