Beta reads and book review exchanges

[J.A.]

Hi guys,

perhaps you writerly types already have a supportive network of beta readers. If so good for you, a book is a million times better with that kind of support.
On the other hand, maybe you haven't? Maybe you're out to make friends with people who write in your genre or avid readers who are happy to give you an honest review in return for a free read. If so this is the place for you.

Use this folder to create threads to attract book swaps, beta reads and honest reviews. I would strongly recommend that you don't post chunks of your book up or give out personal details such as email addresses here. Arrange swaps/ beta reads with fellow members and then do then do the swaps using the personal messaging system. I'm sure everyone here is honest but this is a public group and anyone can wander in. Just saying.

So anyone interested in a beta reader? I'm fast, honest and pretty good ;)

[Dave]

I may well take you up on that, Jules. I'm working on a pulp novella I want to publish once it's done.

Always good to get another set of eyes.

:)

[A.K.]

I may take u up on that too lol! I'm three quarters thru book 2 in one of my series so I'll be in touch.

[J.A.]

I'll look forward to it, both of you :)

[Shell]

I think I was being a bit cheeky, Jules, and assuming you would read Hellheart when I finally finish this draft. Do you want to send your final draft of your one to my kindle account? Be easier to read that way, I think.

[J.A.]

Of course I will read Hellheart...it's not like I've been waiting for it since September or anything ;p
'I Belong to the Earth' is having yet another polish and then I will happily send it along to you. Yep totally agree - much easier to read on kindle. I'll send you my kindle address too.

[Shell]

Cool. I have decided to just push on through the plot, so we will see how long this takes!

[A.K.]

Ok ur all going to find out how useless I am re tech lol. First question - how do u do that? Get unpublished book onto a kindle? Sorry for my ignorance lol.

[Shell]

You can email any word document etc to the person's unique kindle email account.

[Dave]

The easiest way I know is for the person with the Kindle to get the "Send to Kindle" app from Amazon.

They install the app.

Then you email them a Kindle copy of the book, they download the file, right-click it, and select "Send to Kindle."

The app will load and you just tell it which Kindle you want it to send the file to. It can also send some other document types.

If you need to know your Kindle's email address, you can find that under "Manage your Kindle."

Note that you may have to authorize your Kindle to accept books from your email address.

There are other ways, but that one's pretty simple.

[A.K.]

Great info guys, that will come in handy! Usually I ask what format like PDF or ePub and that's how I have sent review copies but it's good that if someone wants it I shld b able to do it. Cheers!

[J.A.]

It works with forwarded email attachments too, Ava. I've pre-reviewed a few books now and the authors have emailed me the attachment as a PDF or Word.doc which I have just forwarded to my kindle address. Open up the kindle and voila - review copy uploaded. Certainly with paperwhite or anything more sophisticated. It's so much easier than trying to read a whole book on your laptop!

[J.A.]

You do, as Dave says, need to go on to manage your kindle on amazon, then settings and approve which email addresses your kindle can accept email from though - takes about 5mins tops.

[A.K.]

Thanks I guess folks I sent to just forwarded themselves

[Aaron W.]

Hello All. I am currently working on a major revision of my first science-fiction novel, "The Gift of The Grackle". It is an allegorical satire that blends hard science-fiction, dystopian, coming of age, and political commentary. I would love to have another set of eyes on the book when I am finished with the revisions. I would also like to be a beta-reader if you need another set of eyes on your book!

[Dave]

Or they could have hooked the Kindle to their computers by USB, and copied that way. There are several options.

[J.A.]

Thanks for the offer, Aaron. I'm sure there will be several takers. Your book sounds very interesting - I especially love anything dystopian so you can pencil me in as one of your beta readers when you're done :)

[A.K.]

Hi Aaron, if I felt I could offer some help I would but I am fairly new to all this and would be loathe to give advice that I am only now learning how to take on board. I would love to read it and review tho when that time comes. A

[Aaron W.]

Thanks Jules and A.K. I will put you both down as beta readers. I should have the current version ready in about two weeks. No pressure A.K. I am just looking for new sets of unbiased eyes on the manuscript. Thanks again!

[Aaron W.]

A.K. wrote: "I may take u up on that too lol! I'm three quarters thru book 2 in one of my series so I'll be in touch." I would be interested in reading your book as well.

[A.K.]

Great Aaron