Beta Reading X3

I just finished beta reading a new writer's first book. It wasn't bad. It needs some polish, but it was a humorous memoir of his life in the south as a young newspaperman/journalist. It was full of memorable characters! I have his marked up manuscript to return to him with a review and words of encouragement.

Next, I am beta reading a published author's new YA fantasy fiction novel. I have beta read for her several times in the past and always enjoy doing so. I'm four chapters in today and liking it so far. Making some notes in the margins and filling in those mysterious words that go missing, or drop letters as you type. I should have this project done by the end of the week.

And then there is Kelly's first time author friend who wrote not one but five connected stories set at a trolley museum. She formatted the stories for the book he hopes to self publish before September 30th. I'll add some pages and she hopes to get a cool picture of trolley tracks like he wants to put on the cover during her upcoming visit to ten transportation museums from the NE to mid-west. We hope to have his book back to him all cleaned up and ready for him to upload before the end of this month so he can get it self published and available for an event on September 30th.

Kelly and I enjoy beta reading and mentoring new writers. It keeps us grounded and humble as we continue with our own writing projects by remembering that we were new writers once with no one to help us navigate the literary world. Everything we've learned we love to share and pass along.