Updates

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  Danielle Ross: Looking for beta readers for a, mild, mild would be the best word, dark fantasy story that I plan to self-pub this year. A deadline will be set, but is flexible as needed. Only deadline that is not flexible is publication date, mid-late August to start...  moreLooking for beta readers for a, mild, mild would be the best word, dark fantasy story that I plan to self-pub this year. A deadline will be set, but is flexible as needed. Only deadline that is not flexible is publication date, mid-late August to start of September. It is a shorter story, novella length, under 50K words. Please message if interested.  

  • January 4, 2019

  • Thomas Weaver likes this.
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  Thomas Weaver: Link to my list of beta reader questions: https://northofandover.wordpress.com/questions-to-ask-beta-readers/ (Feel free to copy and use.)

  • September 13, 2018
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  Thomas Weaver: Sometime this autumn, I'm going to need beta readers for one or two novels. One is science fiction (and will probably be finished first), and the other... Well, it looks like urban fantasy (NOT paranormal romance) on the surface, so let's go with that...  moreSometime this autumn, I'm going to need beta readers for one or two novels. One is science fiction (and will probably be finished first), and the other... Well, it looks like urban fantasy (NOT paranormal romance) on the surface, so let's go with that for now. When I say "beta reader," I don't mean "someone who will read an advance copy and write a review on Amazon." That's not what beta readers are FOR. I mean someone who reads a manuscript and gives thorough feedback. (Don't worry: I have a list of questions, so beta readers don't have to just guess what I want to know their thoughts on.) If you think you may be interested, please let me know.  less

  • September 13, 2018
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  Judith Rook: This is not exactly a request for a beta read, more for an opinion about a point of structure towards the end of my WIP.
  
  I have included a "summary" paragraph as part of the text (see below). Readers will have picked up all this from the narrative, but...  moreThis is not exactly a request for a beta read, more for an opinion about a point of structure towards the end of my WIP.
  
  I have included a "summary" paragraph as part of the text (see below). Readers will have picked up all this from the narrative, but I felt the need to remind them of the situation. Do you think such a paragraph is redundant? I realise it is difficult commenting on an excerpt taken away from its setting, but I would be grateful for any responses
  
  "This was getting complicated. He needed a timetable. Protos first, make sure
  they were happy, then Wendy after dinner. He couldn’t give her the time she
  needed. She would have to meet the Sorendar as quickly as possible, and the
  risk of things going wrong… he wouldn’t think about it. Get Murlan back to
  Sorendar to make his report. Meanwhile, he had to talk to Vernon and Jane, tell
  them unofficially about a coming meeting with an official Sorendar delegation
  to the CCD, speak to Bill Macdonald, speak to Charlotte, or switch those...    less

  • June 14, 2018

  • Amy Lehman likes this.
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    Amy Lehman For me personally, this was confusing, but as you pointed out, it is out of context. If you were going for a list of things he needs to do and to make the reader see how great a task it is, then you were successful. The paragraph gives you that...  moreFor me personally, this was confusing, but as you pointed out, it is out of context. If you were going for a list of things he needs to do and to make the reader see how great a task it is, then you were successful. The paragraph gives you that impression and the feeling of breathlessness.  

    • June 15, 2018
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    Thomas Weaver I don't think it seems redundant. The POV character himself realizes, "He needed a timetable." This paragraph looks like the character reminding himself about all the things he needs to do, and in what order -- any 'reminding the reader' is just a...  moreI don't think it seems redundant. The POV character himself realizes, "He needed a timetable." This paragraph looks like the character reminding himself about all the things he needs to do, and in what order -- any 'reminding the reader' is just a beneficial side-effect of showing what the character is thinking.  

    • June 15, 2018
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    Judith Rook Thank you, Amy and Thomas. Your comments have confirmed my feeling that the paragraph should be there. I'll keep it in, as the trigger for the anti-climax.

    • June 15, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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  Elizabeth Munro joined the group Beta Readers: Science Fiction and Fantasy

  • May 13, 2018
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  Amy Lehman: Would anyone be interested in reading the first chapter of my sci-fi thriller? I am getting ready to pitch it to an agent and would like to know I have that first chapter where it needs to be. I would just be looking for feedback on whether it captured...  moreWould anyone be interested in reading the first chapter of my sci-fi thriller? I am getting ready to pitch it to an agent and would like to know I have that first chapter where it needs to be. I would just be looking for feedback on whether it captured your attention. The chapter is just under 4,000 words. Thanks in advance.  

  • May 8, 2018

  • View all 6 comments
  • 
    Amy Lehman Thanks. What would be the best way to get it to you?

    • May 8, 2018
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    Thomas Weaver Can you send it to me as a Word file? My email address is thomasweaver (at) zoho (dot) com.

    • May 8, 2018
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    Amy Lehman Definitely. I'll send it in a couple of hours. Thanks again.

    • May 8, 2018
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    David Rose I'll have a look. Email me at davidr [at) weblink1 dot co dot za, any format.

    • May 9, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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    Amy Lehman Thanks, David Rose. I'll send it today.

    • May 9, 2018
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  Gregory Close joined the group Beta Readers: Science Fiction and Fantasy

  • May 6, 2018
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  Thomas Weaver replied to a topic in the group Beta Readers: Science Fiction and Fantasy:

  "A Quick Guide to Beta Reader Etiquette" by K. M. Weiland
  
  Bryn Donovan's "Toxic Beta Readers: Avoid Them. Avoid Being One."
  
  "Writing Feedback: the Ultimate Guide to Working With Beta Readers" by Amanda Shofner

  • April 24, 2018
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  Thomas Weaver: I'm going to assume everyone who joined this group is either an author of sci-fi/fantasy or a reader interested in beta reading fiction in these genres. So... If you're an author, what are you currently working on, and how soon (best guess) you'll be...  moreI'm going to assume everyone who joined this group is either an author of sci-fi/fantasy or a reader interested in beta reading fiction in these genres. So... If you're an author, what are you currently working on, and how soon (best guess) you'll be ready to start seeking beta readers?  

  • April 18, 2018

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    Lucinda Moebius I am working on a Paranormal Novel (Second in the series. I hope to be ready for Beta in July.

    • April 18, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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    Alvin Atwater Currently working on the sequel to Hell to Pay. I'm aiming to have it finished by July xD, sooner if possible.

    • April 18, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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    Amy Lehman I am elbow deep in editing my first novel which is a near future sci fi.

    • April 19, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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    Thomas Weaver I was informed this morning that the penultimate novel in my twin's sci-fi series ought to be ready for beta readers sometime in August. He's about 2/3 of the way through writing it, and then there will be minor revisions, followed by copyediting by...  moreI was informed this morning that the penultimate novel in my twin's sci-fi series ought to be ready for beta readers sometime in August. He's about 2/3 of the way through writing it, and then there will be minor revisions, followed by copyediting by yours truly. I intend to start seeking beta readers as soon as the manuscript is complete, so I'll have a few -- or several, hopefully -- lined up by the time I'm done with the copyedits.  

    • April 19, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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  Thomas Weaver replied to a topic in the group Beta Readers: Science Fiction and Fantasy:

  More links:
  
  "4 Things Every Writer Should Know About Beta Readers" by Nat...  moreMore links:
  
  "4 Things Every Writer Should Know About Beta Readers" by Nat Russo
  
  "What is a Beta Reader? Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Getting and Giving Feedback on your WIP" by Jami Gold, guest blogger on Anne R. Allen's blog
  
  Jami G...  

  • April 6, 2018
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  Thomas Weaver posted a topic in the group Beta Readers: Science Fiction and Fantasy:

  I would like to create a collection of resources for both authors and beta readers.
  
  Have you seen a good blog post about how to be a beta reader or how to find beta readers for one's own fiction? A useful list of questions to ask so as to get the most ...

  • April 6, 2018
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  E. S. Furlán joined the group Beta Readers: Science Fiction and Fantasy

  • April 5, 2018
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  Judith Rook joined the group Beta Readers: Science Fiction and Fantasy

  • April 5, 2018
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  Thomas Weaver: Advice for authors: Don't wait until the manuscript is completely finished (including all stages of editing) to start seeking beta readers. As soon as you're CLOSE to done, it's time to let people know, whether they're your usual loyal beta readers or...  moreAdvice for authors: Don't wait until the manuscript is completely finished (including all stages of editing) to start seeking beta readers. As soon as you're CLOSE to done, it's time to let people know, whether they're your usual loyal beta readers or new volunteers.  

  • April 4, 2018

  • Jacquie Rogers likes this.
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  Kell Inkston: Glad to see someone put this together! I'm looking forward to garnering in a torrent of beta readers! >:]

  • April 2, 2018
  • - edited

  • Thomas Weaver likes this.