Where The Woods Grow Wild: Synopsis Reveal and Beta Reader Request

*Deep breath* Okay, here we go. The sneak peek series for Where The Woods Grow Wild is officially starting. If you missed the announcement and the schedule last week, check out this post so you know what’s coming up.

Synopsis Reveal

First things first: the synopsis, as promised. This was no easy task. I tried to write the synopsis as close to the back-cover blurb as I could, as opposed to a long, dreary summary. It’s a bit on the long side to go on a book cover, I think, so I’ll have to make some cuts in the future. But for now, this is what we have.

Beyond the streets of Bardun Village, a forest grows. Nobody goes in. Nothing comes out. The townspeople abide by the unspoken rule not to meddle with whatever mysteries hide in the trees.

Martin Colter just wants to make it through another workday at the Cabbage Cart Inn. Elodie Tuck would rather climb trees in the orchard than run errands for the mayor. Together, they’ll do anything to liven things up, until a mischievous escapade lands Martin behind the tree line, where an unknown creature lurks in the dark.

Martin makes it out of the forest—barely. Left with one hand and a strange poison in his veins, he and Elodie must adapt to a new way of life.

But the forest isn’t done with them yet. When Martin and Elodie return to the woods in search of the animal that maimed him, they find more adventure than they bargained for.

Separated and lost in a tangle of fantasy, they discover that more than animals come to play where the woods grow wild.

Getting in was easy. Getting back out is the tricky part.

My main struggle with the synopsis/blurb was deciding how much to reveal. As a reader, I generally want to know as little as possible about the plot specifics when I pick up a book. I prefer concepts and hints. At the same time, I want my audience to know what they’re getting into.

Hopefully by the time the book cover finalization rolls around, I’ll have figured out how to condense the blurb even more without resorting to formulas and generic rhetorical questions. Will I be able to pull it off?

Beta Readers Needed!

Last year I had to finish Little One on a tight deadline because it counted towards college credit (English Major perks), so I didn’t have time to work with beta readers (an unfortunate circumstance, as they would have saved me a lot of trouble).

This is, therefore, the first time I’m requesting beta readers for a full novel. So…let’s see…*clears throat* I’m looking for beta readers!

At the risk of sounding blunt, here are some of the ‘ground rules’ in regards to what I’m looking for:

a) I would like to work with seven beta readers, but I’ll be flexible. Depending on the number of volunteers, I may not be able to accept all of them. In that case, I’ll select beta readers based on diversity and good ol’ luck.

b) To sign up as a potential beta reader, drop a comment below wherein you make it clear you want to participate (otherwise I may think it’s just a normal comment) or DM me via Twitter @NatePhilbrick.

c) Potential beta readers have until next Wednesday (Sept 7th, I believe) to contact me to sign up. After that, we’ll get the ball rolling. I’m already excited!

c) Once I have my elite squad assembled, I’ll email each beta reader individually with more information and procedure details (I may need to ask for your email address).

d) As my thanks, I would love to offer each beta reader a signed copy of Where The Woods Grow Wild upon publication, but I may not be able to afford that. I’ll do my best, but I apologize in advance if the funds fall through the cracks. You will, however, have my undying gratitude as well as an acknowledgment in the back pages.

Feel free to shoot me any questions you have about beta reading, or about the book itself if you’re still not convinced!

I believe that brings the first sneak peek series post to an end! Thanks for stopping by to check it out. The next series post will go up Wednesday Sept 7th, and it’s all about the characters in Where The Woods Grow Wild. Be sure to come back!

In the meantime, have a fantastic day!