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

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

I like the images, but the bands of text strike me as odd. Maybe if you put your name below the title to break up the images further?

Hello and welcome to the Beta Reader Group. We are so lucky to have such wonderful readers and authors here.

Please follow the rules of the group to avoid having your post deleted.

I have recently added folders to keep the group more streamlined and organized. If I see an older post popping up in the 'general' folder, I will move it. HOWEVER, if you post in the 'general' folder from NOW ON, I will not move your post or ask you to do so. Please be considerate of your fellow members and mods, and post in the correct folder. If you fail to do so, your post will be removed.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it took me lots of time to put up folders and move a lot of posts. Please respect that even your mods have busy lives and in order to keep the group running smoothly, will find the quickest solution to your misplaced post.

EDIT: It has come to my attention that some authors are soliciting reviews here. Please refrain from doing so. This group serves to help authors in the writing/editing process. There are many wonderful review groups here on Goodreads. Please do not seek reviews for published work here.

Thank you!

Hi! Your book sounds very interesting. Is it YA?

Also, I would suggest you copy this post (minus the first and last paragraphs) into the folder for cover critiques. You might get more hits for help on the cover.

Your synopsis does sound intriguing, but I think you will want to tidy that up some, and that folder is for suggestions on that as well.

Good luck,
Lena

Yes, they are all public domain. You can just do it.

If it's in the canon, it's fair game. Works over 100 years are in the public domain (That's why you can write a Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). If you are borrowing, say, characters, from a modern work but no lines from it, you are writing fanfic. You can't make money off that (unless you are Cassandra Clare). If you are borrowing a plot, I don't think authors can claim those, do you're okay. For example, Hunger Games and Battle Royale.

I am thinking about it. I wrote an afterwards being very specific that nothing is based on reality. My main concern was the school. Some very bad things happen in the school in my book, and obviously, they only have one very small school in the town, so I can't very well say it's a different school.

I have written about a very small town, though, and I'm still unsure whether to publish. Even though I changed the names of places, there's only one diner, etc, so if someone read it, they'd think it was that place, even though I changed the names.

I have worried about this too. You can use brand names but maybe not all place names, esp stores etc, if you are saying something bad esp. I am still wary about using real places, as I run into this problem.
You can use famous quotes, esp if they are well known, but you can't quote books... not song lyrics or poetry unless it's public domain... Those rules are more clear.

Lenahillbrand@yahoo.com

I'd do a swap. I just finished incorporating the suggestions from my first round of betas, and I am curious to see if I have improved the novel or not.

Its contemporary ya as well, around 80k words. I'm hoping it is polished enough to release this year. Very few line edits should be left at this point. Mostly I need views on the big picture.

Ellie [The Empress] wrote: "Lena wrote: "nyone who knows how to do that en masse, instead of one at a time, you're hired!"

It's not possible."

I was afraid of that. *groan*

Can you let me know a little more about the plot, etc? Is it realistic or fantasy? I'm a very picky reader, and, I'm afraid, sometimes a harsh critic, as I'm used to editing my own work. I'm esp. good at pointing out amateur writing, as it drives me bonkers. So if that's what you need eyes for, I might be of some assistance.

(I don't read fantasy).

Goodreads came through! They added me on as mod. Since I have a day job, and I write, I won't be able to do all the mod duties myself.

So...who wants to help out? I think 2-4 active mods could make sure the group is always running smoothly. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to move all the old posts into the folders I've made. Anyone who knows how to do that en masse, instead of one at a time, you're hired! lol...

Seriously, though, if anyone could help with this monumental task, or others, please let me know and I'll add a few more mods.

Here's to organization!

Betas, we appreciate your help so much!

Please post here if you are available for beta reading.

Post a new topic when you become available. Let us know what you are available to read.

Your topic will look like this:
Available to Read Romance & Erotica Novels & Shorts

Post a new topic. Include how you would like to be contacted (pm, leave an email, etc).

Someone on another thread asked about becoming a beta reader, a question I get a lot in PMs from new members. So I'm posting the link for a beta reader worksheet. http://jamigold.com/for-writers/works...
Click on the image to zoom in. It's a great place to start (I use it when I beta read), even if you just address a few of the issues or those relevant. If you're unsure about what to look for while reading, this is a great resource.

It may seem self explanatory, but to simplify the process, we're going to ask that you comply with the rules or your post will be removed. This group is glutted with authors asking for betas, so please follow the rules and you will find some great ones.

It's simple: Post a new topic. Do not post on someone else's thread.

Post your book's genre. The more specific the better. You do not have to write 'seeking beta' as that's all that will be posted here.

Mention how long the work is (completed novel, short story, etc).

Your post will look something like this:
2 chapters of YA Fantasy/Vampire Romance

That's all there is to it!

I would love a proof copy. PM me and I'll send you my address.

I can't think of all their names right now, but I've had some great ones, too.

JadeOlivia gave the most helpful constructive criticism I could ever hope for! I'm still working on making all the changes she suggested.

Thanks so much!

If I or someone else take over the group, I would like to add a folder for Cover Blurb Critiques.

This is a very big deal for authors. Basically, you would create a topic within the folder with your blurb. It is just 1-3 paragraphs, so any beta reader or fellow author could critique it. I think it would be immensely helpful for authors to have advice on making blurbs stronger, and betas don't have to invest a lot of time like when taking on a whole book.

Anyone else like that idea?

Yes, we will have to make a 'sticky' at the beginning of each folder, reminding everyone of the rules and how to post.

Completely agree: At least the genre is needed when authors offer. Instead of 'beta needed' it should say something along the lines of 'ya vampire romance' or something along those lines. If we have a folder for authors seeking betas, they don't even have to write 'beta needed' at the beginning of each topic, as we will know those posting there are seeking betas. If that makes sense...

3 folders for sure: discussions, seeking betas, and betas offering services.

Otherwise, I'm not sure. I'm open to suggestions. That's IF we even get a new mod. I wrote the one here a while back, but I never heard anything. Maybe he'll respond to Goodreads? Who knows.