Hello all. I wasn't sure which forum this belongs in. Sorry if this is the wrong one. I have been wanting to find beta readers for a long time now. Living in a new city, back in the US after many years abroad, and working two jobs, I haven't really had time to go out and meet people. I'm not even entirely sure HOW to meet people in the US, anymore. I've made some significant progress on several short stories, novellas, and novels that I am working on concurrently and I am now thinking about beta readers. Where does one go to meet beta readers? How do you go about asking someone to be a beta reader when you don't really know anyone more than peripherally or as a distant acquaintance? How do you trust them with your work? I thought it would be easy to reach out to old friends from before I left the US or family members, but it's not been fruitful in the least. Furthermore, I have come to the understanding that friends/family "aren't your audience" and as such, their opinions can be unreliable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Moderator note: This thread is temporarily locked until the OP meets the time/post requirements for requesting collaboration/beta-reading—90 days' membership/100 forum posts. Once they've been met, the thread will be re-opened.
