Do you have anything you want beta read during March? Novels, flash fiction, short stories - anything but poetry. I'll be finishing the first draft of my novel over the next few weeks and then I need to keep myself occupied for a month while I let it rest. I do mean beta, not alpha. SPAG issues are too distracting for me to focus on the story. Typos here and there are fine - we all miss some - but if it's unedited, I won't be able to read it for you. The only thing I really don't like to read is Tokein-esque fantasy, which I know eliminates 99% of the authors reading this. If you've got elves, sword fights, dwarves, dragons, etc, my feedback would be worthless. Otherwise, let me know what you've got here or in PM.
I've got a 90k word YA-ish, near-future post-apolcalypsey novel that needs beta-ing, if you're interested? I'll happily return the favour if you like.
Beta read my first two chapters? Seriously, I need someone to keep me accountable otherwise I will slack off completely.
No worries about reciprocating. I need something to keep me busy so it's for my benefit as much as yours. I'll PM you my email address. I already have
I'm working through draft 2 of a sequel to my first novel, and would appreciate some feedback regarding: sufficient information to give the reader an idea of what has happened before; whether the story flows well; whether the premise is acceptable. I'm not after a detailed critique, just "that works, this doesn't". The novel is set on a distant planet, around 10 years into a colonization project by Earth. The protagonist is a former police detective now family man. I'm fairly thick-skinned, and I acknowledge that my writing style can polarize - people either love it or hate it - but this is par for the course. Chapters 1 and 2 (out of 9) are through second draft so nearing finalization, and total around 32 kilowords. If you're interested, then I'm happy to forward the first two chapters to you, and of course, I'll happily repay the favor. (I'm told my critiques are very deep and thorough.)
You can read my first half (it is 122k+) if you want. I has been through a lot already. If not that's cool too.
@Tenderiser: I've tried several times to upload a file with my Chapter 1 - I get an error message each time; I've started a conversation (assuming that's what you mean by personal message) with you, but not yet received any reply. If you can send me your email address via the conversation, that'd be great.
How strict is the no-dragons rule? I have an 8600w contemporary fantasy story that is not in any way Tolkienesque but does feature a dragon as one of the two main characters. I'd love honest feedback of any kind on it...
I'll give it a go, but you might get it back saying "I stopped reading here because this just isn't my thing." Or I might only be able to critique the writing and not the plot. Send it over if that still sounds useful
Why don't you finish reading my book and leave me a review on Amazon? It's romance and doesn't involve dragons!
It's on my list! I'm trying to fill up a whole month here so I don't get itchy fingers and start editing my MS.
You seem like you've got your hands full, but... If you're still interested in reading Aliens Don't Bend at the Knees, one of my beta readers had to beg off... something about a doctoral thesis, I don't know. Sounded like a lame excuse to me. Anyway, let me know, please.
Oh if you're still looking for stuff to read lol, I'll be wrapping up the first couple of chapters in my novel soon (hopefully) if you'd want to give that a read. It's an urban fantasy set mostly in LA with a lot of biblical references cause I say so lol.
That sounds like a super interesting project. I'm back on my own stuff now. I'm expecting revision notes shortly for novel #1 and trying to finish novel #2 *gets off forum and writes*
@jannert read "Eagle and Dragon" and loved it. Would love to have another Brit chime in. Caution: she found it hard to put down and stayed up at least once until 4AM! If interested will send you e-mail via message. See "Lewis-McIntyre.com" for synopsis
It really was good. Great premise, easy to read, humorous in spots, tense in spots, yikes in spots, informative and really worthwhile. Great characters, plot that really zipped along. Any Michener fans out there, (Ed?) You'd love this.
@jannert told me during another conversation how much she enjoyed Eagle and Dragon. I'll probably have another period of thumb twiddling coming up when novel #1 is on submission and novel #2 is with betas, so I'll check back then and see if AdDict, Lew and any others are still looking
I think I'm all caught up with beta reading now. If I forgot anybody, please let me know. Goldfish memory...
I will message you with my e-mail... I would be happy to have another happy reading. Just got a nice review from Dr. Sims Williams at U of London! I think you can read this one for fun.