Beta Readers for Novel-length work

[Kali]

I'm only partway through the rewrite of the major things I knew at the outset needed fixing.  The rewrite won't be done anytime in the next couple of week or so, miracles aside.  But I'd like to line up a couple of people now to read through this thing.

The original was just over 50k words, about 115 pages in MS Word.  This version will be longer; though I'm not writing first for length, I do want to end somewhere over 80k.  Fortunately for me, there are several scenes that need to be added.  Sadly, there's one that needs to be taken out in its entirety since it's just bloody awful.

I do want people who can check my spelling and grammar.  I'm good at both, so you'll have to be better.

I'll also want general opinions on the characters and the flow of the storyline.  "I liked it!" will get you shot in the head.  I want a real critique; what worked for you, what didn't.  You should be able to tell me why you liked what you did and why you didn't like what you didn't.

Sorry if this comes across as too blunt, but I really want beta readers who can help me polish this thing for an agent's review.  Oh, you'll also have to be pretty quick with the turnaround because I'll want to keep up my momentum.  It's possible, if it'd be easier on everyone, that I could send it to you in pieces so you'll be reading the first fifty pages while I'm working on the final fifty and the stuff in the middle is waiting to be sent.  I'm honestly not sure how most authors handle the beta process.

[meh]

If you're looking for readers sometime mid-April, you might run into a bit of competition, from Jim and the IRS both. 

[hagarrus]

What kind of book are you writing?
Is it just for fun or are you looking to publish?
You mention quick turn around, are you talking days or weeks?

[Kali]

Well, mid-April I'll be busy reading myself.   I honestly don't know how long it's going to take me to finish this rewrite so even mid-April might be optimistic.

It's an urban fantasy novel (with NO romantic sub-plot).  I'm looking to send it to an agent for possible publishing, depending on how the rewrite goes.  God knows this version isn't worth publishing, but there's some good stuff to unearth.  The bones are there, it just remains to see how much of a story I can build with what I've already got.

The turn-around, I'm not sure about.  I know I don't want to sit here on my hands doing nothing for weeks on end; that's just a handy-dandy prescription for death, right there.  That's why I'm thinking I might send it out in bits and pieces, so I have stuff to work on while the readers are reading and commenting. 

[Mickey Finn]

Let me know if no one bites. I'm resisiting because I don't want to cross blend anything into mine by mistake.

[Starbeam]

I would offer to help, but I my b/f's voice has taken up in my head and is saying "less readie, more writie."  As well as "less readie other people's stuff and more writie on yours."

[Quantus]

after Changes Ill do it .  Not much for grammar/spelling, but I can give detailed type critiques for the rest. 

[meg_evonne]

Kali, I'm a blunt beta.  Just how hard skinned are you?  LOL

Actually I've four manuscripts to read prior to a workshop the end of April.  But if you want to send it, do so.  Wait...there is that little JB book that I have to make room for also.  Ah heck send it anyway.  Recepricate on equal number of pages? 

meg_evonne@yahoo.com   Also if you would prefer to go a yahoo group, feel free to set up that way.  Then you can add beta's without sending out a bunch of copies.  I use the same name to send invite if you go that route. Just let me know what name you're going to call the group.  I'd return (or post on the group) comments inline at review points for title, first line, first paragraph, and first 250 pages, and then chapter by chapter.   Doing it that way if you revise chapters before I get to them, you can let me know to download the new revisions.  I sort of like the group idea so your work isn't floating out there in the ethernet... 

I'm at a stopping point until after the workshop on the YA works in progress and my current thing I call Demon Porn is for fun only--so no chance you'll leak into my work!  (My adult mind likes to come out of YA immersion once in awhile.) 

Take care, best wishes on your mss.  Meg

[Kali]

Kali, I'm a blunt beta.  Just how hard skinned are you?  LOL

As long as you're right, I'm very thick-skinned.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.  Like I said, this sucker won't be ready to beta any time in the immediate future.  Right now, I'm thinking end of April.  I'll post again as things get closer to make sure everyone's still interested!

[meg_evonne]

As long as you're right, I'm very thick-skinned.  

Ah, but to steal a line...There is the rub.  The author is always right.  A beta is only right if others comment on the same thing or if you personally agree with the comment.  The author is the ultimate authority. 

[Jayneh]

I have been lurking here for a while and not posting, but taking in information and tips from everyone.

I do not currently have a book in progress and am still working on a concept. I would be happy to critique and proof your beta version. I can have it back rather quickly and with any notes that are needed.

Happy Writing!

[J_M]

Kali, if you're still looking for someone by the time you're ready, drop me a PM.  My current work load is, shall we say, very light and I'm a captive audience, so I can get you a turnaround of 3-5 days.

[Ink Slinger]

Kali, I wouldn't mind reading for you.  Especially if you want to send it in chunks.  Life should settle out for me after April and especially come June when school is out here.  The work load in the afternoon becomes very light.

[Piotr1600]

Kali -

I have written/edited technical literature before. If you still need betas, I can always use the reading material - since I travel for work frequently the hotel nights get really boring sometimes!

Please PM me and we can work out the details if you're still in need / interested.

[Kali]

Woot!  Thanks for all the replies.  I'll come crawling when I'm closer to the end of this, probably about the time I've "finished" and am ready to give it a once-over myself.  Then after I've gone through it and fixed the little things that bother me, I'll start sending it out in pieces.  We'll see how I divvy it up when I see how long it is.  Number of pages, or a few chapters at a time or something, probably.

Back to the salt mines!  Time to write the scene of yet another of Rachel's phenomenal screw-ups in which she learns why legends talk about silver bullets but almost never enchanted baseball bats.