Library Lady 📚 ’s Comments (group member since Feb 16, 2014)

Library Lady 📚 ’s comments from the Beta Reader Group group.

That is what I do as well.

Everyone has their own aims, but I think it's fine to write for yourself. Once you publish, though, I think you are putting your work out there and representing authors as a whole (esp if you self publish) and at that point, you want readers, so you are responsible for creating an enjoyable reading experience for them. My .02$

Can you give me a little more info?

Is it YA or adult? Historical fiction or straight fiction? Fantasy (think Summerland) or realistic?

When do you hear if it went to the next round?

Congrats! That's so exciting! A friend told me to enter, but I didn't have my book ready on time. Maybe next year!

It has come to my attention that some authors would like a separate folder for beta swaps. So here it is.

I aim to please!

Post offers/requests for beta swaps with other authors here.

Michelle wrote: "I generally tell those I read for that I will review for them if they choose to send me the finalized copy. It is their choice whether or not to provide me one and I can also have the opportunity t..."

I would definitely accept if one of my betas offered to do that.

Isis wrote: "Trapped between the nuances of life and beyond-life, Elisa is found, protected and saved. True love gives her strength to stand her ground, taste the sweet wine of vindication and depart in pursuit of her dreams...."

This seems to give away your ending. A back cover should only tell the beginning, or hook the reader into wanting to read more. I feel like I already know what happens, which doesn't leave me with a mystery I need to read your book in order to solve. I'd cut this whole paragraph and add something else here that tells what choice she faces.

Your cover is beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm pretty new to the beta world, but I probably wouldn't ask my betas to review the book. They've already done me a huge service, AND they didn't read the final copy.

I ended up rearranging huge chunks of my novel and adding some pivotal scenes after getting feedback. So they would not even be reviewing the book as it is, but an early draft.

I have a question about your content now. Why are ppl tracking a dead guy? Maybe leave that out, or explain it in the query, because it doesn't make sense as is.

Can you give a little more info, a blurb maybe?

The second one is better.

I got lost somewhere in the second paragraph of the first one. My eyes glazed, and I have no idea what it said, lol.

Julie wrote: "Thanks for commenting and letting me know how you track. I have folders set up in my email as well for each of the groups that I receive offers from. Maybe I should create a folder for each indiv..."

I haven't done a lot of beta reading, but the few i've done have already been entries on goodreads, even if they didnt have a cover pic at that point or whatnot.

I also like to track it on goodreads, though I don't gives stars or reviews obviously. Still, if I read the whole book, it goes in my read shelf when I'm done.

I asked for this reason: since you're writing in first person pov, I'd say you should add as much description as that character would. So, for instance, if your character is a teenage girl who notices what everyone wears, then you should add those descriptions.

Or that's how I see it. I love first person pov, too. My descriptiveness varies greatly depending on the pov character. Like GG said, my male characters don't describe so much, while a catty girl might describe lots (and it gives you leeway to play with the tone of the description, too...jealous? scornful? admiring?)

I wouldn't go overboard, but readers seem to like description in small doses, and it's so much fun to write!

It depends a lot on genre. Some expect a rundown of what each character is wearing (just a sentence, but always there) every time they walk on stage. Others never describe appearance.

I like the descriptions in The Hunger Games. She never tells us exactly what Katniss looks like, but we know she has a braid and wears leather boots, etc.

I don't mind descriptions as long as they aren't harped upon over and over (Twilight, anyone? lol). Romance tends to do that, but it's gotten a bit better.

I go light on description unless it is a big part of the character's thought process (insecure about height or weight or some such). It really depends on your pov and genre. What are yours?

Another shout out for a priceless beta.

Camille did a wonderful job reading for me. Her notes were so detailed and specific that I had no problem knowing exactly what to do and where changes should be made. Thank you so much to another amazing beta!

That is the point where I think, Now I know what to work on!

I've read some published books that I wanted to offer beta suggestions on, lol. But I can't imagine asking for a beta read on something I'd already published. It's taken me almost a month and a half to fix my MS after beta readers got back to me, and I'm about to send it to round 2 of betas. Then it MIGHT be ready. But some authors churn out a book every month or two and seem to do well without betas.

My book would be a disaster without all the wonderful feedback I've received.