Beta Reader Group discussion
Critique Partners and Swaps
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Beta reader wanted: YA/NA fantasy swap
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Hello Molly,I am interested in swapping manuscripts with you. Mine is also YA and around the same length. Mine also includes a lot of history (and I'm a huge history nerd, so I can definitely help there).
Your idea sound really cool and I think we share a lot of the same values as far as deadlines, feedback style, and what to critique. This is the pitch of my novel:
There are a lot things Lee Paver doesn't know: why St. Matthews offered him a full ride scholarship, why the school is forcing him to take the International Test of Personality, and why his roommate thinks the administration is trying to kill him. What he does know is that there are bodies in the woods surrounding campus, a mysterious and elite program accepting all who place high in the ITOP, and certain expulsion if the school suspected he had caught on to any of this.
What happens when history repeats itself--literally?
My synopsis definitely needs some work :) I can't wait to hear your thoughts. The best way to reach me is by email at ellenrfuller@gmail.com
Hi Molly (and everyone else),I'm currently looking for a critique partner/beta reader, and I came across this post. My completed manuscript is sitting at around 90k words (although I hope to chop that down) and it's a dystopian sci-fi story. Here's a (very) rough placeholder blurb:
"The world has reached new levels of mass overpopulation, and as the number of people continues to grow, the food supplies reach a critical low. When a corporation offers a solution to the epidemic, the world turns a blind eye to what it is they're really consuming, posing the question; what lengths will humanity go to to survive?"
It sounds very Solent Green-ish, but I think (or hope) I have an original story.
For anyone else reading this who happens to be looking for a critique partner, genres I enjoy are:
Children's
Crime
Fantasy
Horror
Mystery
Science Fiction
Thriller
Young adult
I'm not too keen on romance or erotica, so I don't feel like I could give an accurate critique if that's your genre. I'm not really looking for any big picture fixes at this stage, more someone that can help me on a line/copy editing level. I can help with any issues with plot, pacing, and character in your story in return.
Private message me if you're interested.
I hope to hear from you.
All the best,
Kirk.
The genre is fantasy YA or NA. I’m still deciding about YA v. NA, because the target audience would be 16 – 25 years old and the characters are older (early twenties) and dealing with issues like marriage, divorce, childbirth, homosexuality, etc. That said, don’t worry, it’s decidedly NOT graphic (so if you’re looking for graphic content, you will be very disappointed), it’s just contains a broader range of topics than YA fantasy would typically cover. However, the story moves quickly, feeling more like YA than adult fantasy.
What I’m looking for:
(1.) A beta reader who has a completed draft of his/her MS and is ready to exchange. First draft or 100th draft, it doesn’t matter.
(2.) I would like to swap with someone who has a good sense of plot development, a good eye for plot holes, and someone who is good at noticing missed opportunities to make my MS stronger.
(3.) The story takes place in 1911, so a beta reader with a historical background would be great. I would like to include a bit more authenticity in the world building and in the dialogue, without bogging down the story. It’s fantasy, not historical fiction, but I think it would benefit from more details to make 1911 Denmark come alive.
(4.) I want a beta reader who is serious about sticking to a timeline.
I’m not looking for an editor at this stage (grammar pointers are always appreciated, especially if you notice any consistent errors, but no need to focus on the small stuff until the content is nailed down).
What I can offer:
(1.) I am happy to read and critique a wide range of fiction. YA, NA, or adult is fine. I prefer not to critique erotica (because I wouldn’t be particularly good at it, as I don’t read the genre). Otherwise, I’m open to working with most genres.
(2.) I can give you feedback about plot, voice, character development and other structural issues, depending on what you want. I will let you know if I find typos and/or grammar errors, especially if the same error keeps popping up, but I will generally focus on the bigger story components.
(3.) My feedback style is very balanced. I’ll tell you what I love, what I think you could do more with, and what I don’t think is working.
(4.) I’m efficient and stick to timelines. If I say I will do something, I’ll do it (or, if I absolutely can’t due to some emergency, I’ll let you know in advance).
This is the overview of my story. Sorry it’s a bit vague at the moment, as I’m still working on developing the summary. It will, at least, you give an idea about what to expect.
Rochelle Størgård wakes up in a black and white mansion, unable to remember where she is or how she arrived there. She only knows that her twin brother, Julien, wants to kill her.
She learns the sprawling mansion is a game board with a peculiar set of rules and challenges. With every victory, Rochelle wins back a piece of her memory. As she moves through the game, she discovers more about the infamous Størgård family living in 1911 Denmark: Julien’s forbidden romance, her mother’s disappearance, and the reason for Rochelle’s long stay in a mental hospital. To win the game and escape alive, Rochelle must reconstruct her own story, but the prize may be more dangerous than the game.
The total length of my MS is 92,000 words so I think it’s a good idea to exchange the first 10,000 words and see how we get along before diving into the full thing.
Please send me a PM or reply to this message if you’re interested in swapping!