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  1. A J Phillips

    A J Phillips Active Member

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    Seeking Beta Reader

    Discussion in 'Collaboration' started by A J Phillips, May 9, 2019.

    Through the process of trying to navigate the maze of brainstorming to publication, I've heard the term beta-reader quite often. If there is truly a such thing, I would appreciate any insight as to acquiring one (free, if possible). My piece stands at around 15k words, and I really want that knight in literary armor to tell me all my work is meaningful and has potential to be published. Its the largest chronological section of my novel I have. If anyone here would be interested in a long critique (the story is decent, promise) please reach out! But in the meantime, any advice as to finding a beta reader?
     
  2. Partridge

    Partridge Senior Member

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    Just ask people! Put a shout out on social media, see if anyone here wants to read it. I don't think there's a "set" way of getting betas.
    But make sure they have some modicum of knowledge about books and publishing, or are at least an avid reader. I didn't pay anyone a penny to read my work. Why should I? At the end of day I'm giving them a free book!

    However - what you don't want is somebody who will just tell you that it's amazing. Knights in shining armor are not your friends at this stage. Anyone can do that, you'd don't any special knowledge, or need to apply any real effort to say "I REALLY LIKED IT LOL AMAZING". That isn't useful either. The purpose of a beta reader is to tell you how it can be improved - because it's better that beta readers pick your work apart to tell you what's bollocks about it, what doesn't make sense and where they got bored than for an agent to pick it apart and make the same findings.
    If you are self publishing certainly make sure you get as many honest opinions as possible, because there's no gate keeper to tell you that you need to put more work in.

    I'm sure your book is great - you've come a long way just by finishing something - but nobody ever gets anything right first time.

    Sorry if I'm sounding breath takingly arrogant here, I'm just trying to help you.

    By the way: what is your genre?
     
  3. Shenanigator

    Shenanigator Has the Vocabulary of a Well-Educated Sailor. Contributor

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  4. Hammer

    Hammer Moderator Staff Supporter Contributor

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    I think Beta readers generally look at whole works rather than sections, and it isn't really their role to tell you whether your work is meaningful and has potential to be published; their role is to look at the work and tell you which bits they found confusing, which characters fell flat or were over-played, whether they were left scratching the bean at any gaping plotholes that you may have overlooked etc. and to do that they only really need to be readers, nothing specialised. Is it fit for purpose? Is it a good read?

    One of the best results I have had with betas - and certainly something I will revisit - was giving a completed work to a friend's book-club; one of these groups that choose a "book of the month", go away and read it, then come back and discuss it over a glass of wine. Terrifying but invaluable.

    If you are concerned about smaller chunks and the actual voice/characterisationn/skill of execution, you can put sections up for critique in the workshop.
     
    Thundair and Partridge like this.
  5. EFMingo

    EFMingo A Modern Dinosaur Supporter Contributor

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    I can help as a beta reader. I take a while, since I'm quite busy at work and school right now, but I do perform the read and try to give a solid review. Just let me know what you're looking for and I'll help out.
     
  6. A J Phillips

    A J Phillips Active Member

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    IDK why on God's green Earth I dont see these notifications. I would love for you to give it a gander! I am literally going to explain NOTHING, as it would be too long-winded. I will say it is a young adult-targeted work, blending sci fi and fantasy. I can send you the synopsis, and after I can send the first roughly 15 chapters; around 20k words. Check out the synopsis and let me know if you're interested!

    Synopsis:


    Two-hundred years after Earth has been sundered by nuclear fire, the remnants of humanity have taken refuge on Mars.


    Borne from the ashes of nuclear fallout, two super-human races now wage a quiet war in the streets of the grand Martian city, Warcipiter.


    They are the Neomind, deemed saviors of mankind, celebrated and viewed as the peak of human evolution, and the Adrenomorph, afflicted with a volatile mutation that causes society to fear and shun them to the point of social and political exile.


    Our hero, Alistar, happens to be one of the first perfect hybrids of both evolutionary strains.


    In this scary future world, CV-12, the conglomerate faction that bows to the whims of tyrannical warrior-queen, the Ravenness, looks to resurrect a dimension-hopping alien menace that could spell certain doom for the known universe.


    While Alistar and his small band of allies embark on a perilous journey of discovery, where they must battle powerful enemies, political and social injustice, inner strife, love and the call of duty, can they stand against the evil that threatens to erase all that they cherish?

    Been writing this for years and just wrote the synopsis a couple days ago.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  7. A J Phillips

    A J Phillips Active Member

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    While the synopsis gives away a bit, theres a lot going on in the meat of the story.
     
  8. A J Phillips

    A J Phillips Active Member

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    THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR!!! iI am nearing completing the first act of my novel. Its like 35k words. But I must know if the story has any glaring discrepancies BEFORE I complete the entire manuscript. I want to know how the story flows, does the world feel alive, is it confusing and do you bond to the characters.

    As far as posting, i have posted SEVERAL times here, but the scenes jump around in nonchronological order. They read more like short stories, not one singular piece, and this story must be read in order of events to make any sense.

    I finally have a solid 35k word section completed in order from the beginning, and am dying for feedback on pacing, description, world building, flow, dialogue, believability, etc.

    If interested feel free to give me a holler. This synopsis ill attach is VERY vague, but reveals the major plot. Its YA sci fi/fantasy

    Synopsis:


    Two-hundred years after Earth has been sundered by nuclear fire, the remnants of humanity have taken refuge on Mars.


    Borne from the ashes of nuclear fallout, two super-human races now wage a quiet war in the streets of the grand Martian city, Warcipiter.


    They are the Neomind, deemed saviors of mankind, celebrated and viewed as the peak of human evolution, and the Adrenomorph, afflicted with a volatile mutation that causes society to fear and shun them to the point of social and political exile.


    Our hero, Alistar, happens to be one of the first perfect hybrids of both evolutionary strains.


    In this scary future world, CV-12, the conglomerate faction that bows to the whims of tyrannical warrior-queen, the Ravenness, looks to resurrect a dimension-hopping alien menace that could spell certain doom for the known universe.


    While Alistar and his small band of allies embark on a perilous journey of discovery, where they must battle powerful enemies, political and social injustice, inner strife, love and the call of duty, can they stand against the evil that threatens to erase all that they cherish?


    Been writing this for years and just wrote the synopsis a couple days ago. Lol
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019

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