Beta Readers Needed For My New Short Story Collection “Bloody Gullets”
As you may
know, or can probably still read (unless something horrible has
happened to my blog), I’m a serious writer and I like to share what I
know with other people to, hopefully, help them make their writing
better.
In that same
regard, I’m sometimes in need of help to make my writing better. In
fact, I always consider that I am before I release a book and publish
it. Even after it’s been written, revised, professionally edited,
revised some more, etc.
This collection of short stories (Bloody Gullets) is now at
the point where I can reach out and ask for help from readers who
want to read it and don’t mind giving me their opinion in return.
Depending on
what you want to know, I’ve divided this post up into three sections (that you can scroll down to and avoid the stuff you don’t want to read):
“Notes Concerning Content”
“Things I look For In A Beta
Reader”
“Benefits Of Being A Beta Reader For Me”
and, of
course, though not really a section, The many and varied ways you can contact me to indicate
interest.
On with the
show!
NOTES
CONCERNING CONTENT:
1. This
collection of short stories is at the end of its cycle. It has
already been professionally edited and revised numerous times, so
you won’t be reading a collection of messy thoughts. Well, perhaps
you’ll consider them messy, but they’re very professionally messy. And there are always more typos to find ;)
2. The book
is approximately 260 pages of material, composed of many short
stories, ranging from 3 to 30 pages in length. Some stories may end
up being pulled when the book is officially published, based on Beta
Reader feedback.
3. Since
this is a collection of short stories, and not just a singular book,
I welcome Beta Readers who may only read, and provide feedback for
some of the stories. I do not expect every single story to be read
by every Beta Reader. Some stories may not be to your liking, and I
respect your decision to skip those if you prefer (as long as it’s
not all of them).
4. This
collection of short stories is aimed at an audience aged 18+ years.
Some (not all) of the stories contain profanity, violence and/or
sexually suggestive content. All of them centre around themes of
loss, pain (physical and existential) and some degree of
misconception.
5. Depending
on your definition of what constitutes objectionable material, this
book may be offensive to you. Although it does not contain any
graphic depictions of sexual acts, it does contain graphic
descriptions of violence and sexually suggestive dialogue and/or
content. I do not edit my content for profanity, unless I deem said profanity
unnecessary or out of character. If any of my character’s swear,
they tend to swear profusely. My characters who don’t swear, tend
to “not swear” profusely.
The many and varied ways you can contact me to indicate
interest.
:
If you’re
interested in Beta Reading for this collection, please let me know
via any form of contact (Through this blog, on twitter, facebook,
direct email, or some other way, if you know me personally).
Below are a
list of things I look for in a Beta Reader, followed by the
(possible) benefits of being one for me!
Things I Look
For In A Beta Reader:
1. I
need Beta Readers who are able to be honest and absolutely direct
with me. I
can tell myself I’m great all day, every day. I do, actually,
though it doesn’t necessarily help my writing as much as it helps my
self confidence. I’m looking for honest and constructive criticism.
2. I
need Beta Readers who are able to criticise constructively.
I can tell myself my book sucks all day, every day. And, some
days, I do. Then I forget about those days because, really, what
good are they doing me? The same is true of the Beta Readers I’m
looking for. If you don’t like the book, that’s fine. If that’s
the amount of feedback you’re willing to give (e.g. “I didn’t like
it”) then you’re not an ideal candidate. The entire exercise
would probably end up being a waste of both of our time.
3. I
need Beta Readers who don’t mind answering a few simple questions
that I will provide.
Not to be insulting, but this point has to be made, as I’ve been
burned by it in the past. Every Beta Reader will receive a
questionnaire. It’s not important to me that every single question
in it is answered, however, at least a few answers are expected. If
you only answer one, and you have a really good point to make, that
counts, too.
4. I
need Beta Readers who are interested in the Genre of this particular
book. This
particular book, since it’s a collection of short stories, is hard
to definitely place in one specific genre, however I can safely say
that it’s for reader’s who prefer their fiction dark (sometimes in a fun way) and depressing.
If you’re teetering on the brink of sanity, this book is not going
to be enjoyable for you. It may be harmful.
Benefits
Of Being A Beta Reader For Me:
1. You
get a pre-release version of the book that’s yours to keep.
Any format you choose. If you like to read on a computer, tablet
or phone, I can give you an e-book version. If you like paperbacks,
I can give you a paperback version.
2. At
your request, you can be acknowledged in the book when it’s
released.
I write “at your request” because I don’t assume that everyone
necessarily wants to have their name in a book of mine. One day,
someone you know may find out you actually read it. Why that would
be a bad thing, I don’t know, but I also respect your right to
privacy and err on the side of “not naming names” purposefully.
3. I
will Beta Read for you in the future, if you need me.
No matter how busy I get, I’m never too busy to help people who’ve
helped me. Even if you write a book twenty years from now, assuming
I’m still alive, I will gladly Beta Read your book and provide
honest, fair, direct and constructive criticism.
4. If
you desire one, in return for Beta Reading for me, you will receive
a free copy of the finished book (and derivative formats) when it is
published.
Simple as that. As long as I know how to contact you (which I
should, or we’ve figured out how to exchange ideas in a brand new
way that could make us lots of money if we patent it fast), I will
gladly provide you with a free copy (Signed by me, if you wish) of
the book upon its release. The book can be in any format you
desire, as long as one of those formats is e-book or paperback. If
an audio book is made from the book you Beta Read, you will also
receive that for free, if you would like one.
The many and varied ways you can contact me to indicate
interest.
(Reprise):
Again,
if you’re interested in Beta Reading for this collection, please let
me know via any form of contact
(Through this blog, on twitter, facebook,
direct email, or some other way, if you know me personally)
.
I
look forward to hearing from you and, as always, I wish you the best
with your writing (if you write) and your life,
Peace,
Mike
