Sunday 19 July 2020

Reasons to work with a beta reader

What is a beta reader?

Just like beta testing ensures that all the bugs have been worked out of a system before it’s released to the public, beta reading is the process of reading and reviewing a book to identify any problems and areas for improvement before it’s published or sent to agents. Beta readers are the people who provide pre-publish reviews and feedback for your book to make sure it’s ready to be received as you intended by your readers, as well as flagging up any areas where you can improve the story you’re telling.

How do beta readers fit into the writing process?

This very much depends on what you’re intending to do with your book – whether you want to self-publish or query for traditional publishing – but, generally, beta readers come in when you’ve “finished” the first draft of your book. Their job is to read your story as your audience will and provide you with feedback on what’s working, what isn’t, and where you can improve things. Once you’ve made your beta reader edits, you may want to have fresh betas review it (if you’ve made significant edits) or you can then send it to an editor for polishing. From there, you’re ready to self-publish or begin the query process. 

Do I really need a beta reader?

In my humble opinion, beta readers are an essential part of writing a book (and I'm not just saying that because I am one, I promise!). I think my noodle sandwiches are delicious but if I tried to sell them I might find they're not as popular I think they'd be (in fact, I'm pretty sure I'd have no takers!). That's why impartial, honest feedback is so important. If you're thinking about getting a beta reader for your book, here are a couple of the main benefits:

Fresh eyes

To use a cliché I’d recommend removing from a book, sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. When you put your story together, you do so with all of the supplementary knowledge that you’ve built. You know your characters and their history, you know your world inside out and you know that the sneaky reference that you made in chapter five sets up the big reveal at the end. But does it all come across to your reader? A beta reader picks up your book with no prior knowledge, just as your readers will one day. This lets you know if important information needs clarification, if too much information has spoiled the flow of the story or if you’ve gone over-the-top with irrelevant details.

A different perspective

While critique partners read your manuscript for craft and editors polish your text, beta readers review your book with your reader’s eyes. This unique perspective gives you an additional viewpoint on your story, one that gives you early indications of how your book may be received by your readers.

Less work for your editor

As a rule of thumb, editors tend to be much pricier than paid beta readers. While a beta reader absolutely does not replace an editor, they can help you pick up errors and issues with your manuscript that can be fixed before it’s sent for edits. This means your editor won’t have to waste time correcting story issues that a beta reader can point out.

Honest, candid feedback

Friends and family are good sounding boards, but unless you have brutally honest relatives you might find yourself with a lot of polite feedback on how good your book is, with very little actionable feedback. Beta readers, particularly those who charge for their services, know that their job is to read your manuscript to help you polish your story, and the only way to do that is with honest, helpful comments.

Pre-publishing feedback from your audience

Most beta readers specialise in a couple of genres or at least have their preferences. By working with a beta who specialises in your genre, you're getting feedback on your novel directly from the people who will one day buy your book. Not only can you find out if your story works for the genre, but betas tend to be pretty well-read in their area so any similarities to other books or cliches that have been done to death can also get flagged up.

If you want to connect with beta readers, there are plenty of online forums where you can request a beta or order from one who's already offering their services. I tend to post my availability on the Goodread Beta Reader Group forums and take bookings through Fiverr, but there are lots of writers forums out there sharing recommendations and tips.


Friday 17 July 2020

Cover reveals - Ashen and Met By Midnight

Ashen

Stealer of warmth, bringer of death. What if Cinderella had a secret that kept her locked away?

Unable to make her own body heat, foundling Lizbete survives in the tavern kitchen, drawing warmth from the fires, the sun—and sometimes, other living beings. Her days are spent cooking alongside the tavern owner and avoiding the suspicious gazes of the villagers in her small northern village. While she quietly longs for the handsome Brynar, she knows she has no chance with the mayor’s son, even if he invites her to the First Frost festival.

When sudden earthquakes strike Brumehome, blame falls upon Lizbete, and not even her friendship with Brynar can protect her. She finds shelter in the mysterious caverns of nearby Ash Mountain. There she discovers mysterious people with her same ability to draw heat—and a fiery doom in the mountain that slowly awakens with every quake.

Now the festival Lizbete thought to avoid is her only chance to warn the villagers. Yet even with Brynar at her side, can the strange girl dubbed the Ash Lizard hope to save the town that fears her?

A rugged YA Cinderella retelling set in a fantasy world with light steampunk elements.

 

Ashen by H.L. Burke
Genre: YA Fantasy/Cinderella Retelling
Release Date: September 22 2020
Uncommon Universes Press



About the Author


Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic. Her obsessions include dragons and tales about inner beauty and character overcoming extreme circumstances. Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.

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Met By Midnight

An outcast prince. A captive healer. A single night that changes their destinies.

She lives a nightmare.

As a Mender, Renna is held captive to an endless cycle of receiving and recovering from the physical ailments of others—a cycle that led her mother to an early grave. When her father becomes deathly ill, Renna is desperate to save her only remaining family. Even if it means allying with criminals and taking an illegal mission into the royal palace on the night of their greatest ball.

He’s haunted by dreams.

Unable to be Mended, Prince Jaric’s existence is a curse to his family’s façade of health and security. Marrying him off at the ball and sending him to a distant barony is the royal solution—but Jaric has his own plans. For years he’s dreamed of a young woman, a strong-hearted Mender he would give everything for. When she arrives the night of his betrothal, he’s determined to discover her true identity.

Met by midnight, their fates are entwined.

While escape seems the only answer, powerful forces conspire to keep Renna and Jaric within their cages. Forces that undermine the foundations of the kingdom itself—and threaten any hope of a future together.

This YA romance features Cinderella in an original fantasy world with a dystopian twist.



Met By Midnight
by Jeneen Ippolito
Genre: YA Fantasy/Cinderella Retelling
Release Date: September 22nd 2020
Uncommon Universes Press



About the Author


Janeen Ippolito believes in Jesus, true love, and the power of your unique words. She's a bestselling author of speculative fiction, writing resources, and poetry. She's also an editor, author coach, marketing strategist, and the president of Uncommon Universes Press. When she's not immersed in the geektastic world of words, she's helping her husband with his youth swordfighting ministry, exploring a slew of random hobbies, and posting up cute animal videos on social media. This extroverted writer loves to connect, so find her on Facebook, Instagram, and her website janeenippolito.com

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