Hi all — I've been reading Jewish fiction for years, and I've just finished some of my own. Before it goes to print I'm looking for a handful of beta readers. THE WHOLE MEGILLAH retells the Book of Esther through four unreliable narrators — Haman, Mordecai, Esther, and Xerxes — each convinced they're the hero, each lying about everything but the ending. It's dark, comic, and satirical — Jewish through and through, but not a religious book. Think the version of the Megillah your funniest, least trustworthy relative would tell. The ask: read the full draft (PDF or EPUB, ~95k words) over about six weeks, then answer a short questionnaire — does the humor land, do the four voices feel distinct, does the Jewish and historical texture ring true. Line edits welcome but not the point; mostly I want your honest reaction as a reader. In return: an early read and, for substantive feedback, your name in the Acknowledgments. No payment — a volunteer read. Taking on just a few this round, so if you're interested, comment or message me a little about what you usually read and I'll follow up. I'd love a mix of readers who know the Megillah cold and folks meeting it fresh.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH retells the Book of Esther through four unreliable narrators — Haman, Mordecai, Esther, and Xerxes — each convinced they're the hero, each lying about everything but the ending. It's dark, comic, and satirical — Jewish through and through, but not a religious book. Think the version of the Megillah your funniest, least trustworthy relative would tell.
The ask: read the full draft (PDF or EPUB, ~95k words) over about six weeks, then answer a short questionnaire — does the humor land, do the four voices feel distinct, does the Jewish and historical texture ring true. Line edits welcome but not the point; mostly I want your honest reaction as a reader.
In return: an early read and, for substantive feedback, your name in the Acknowledgments. No payment — a volunteer read.
Taking on just a few this round, so if you're interested, comment or message me a little about what you usually read and I'll follow up. I'd love a mix of readers who know the Megillah cold and folks meeting it fresh.