Looking for Prereaders

VydorScope · 10-26-2012, 11:49 AM

How does one find prereaders? I have asked on the books website but only got a response from someone that could not even format a legible email. I have two others so far, but one has preread in the past and does not really provide deep input. The other is new to me.

I am NOT looking for an editor, have a professional one that will be the last person to see the book before release. Just some people to read the story with an eye to things like do characters stay true to themselves, is the universe still consistent (its book 4 in a series), are enough of the dangling threads cleaned up, and so on.

Its 108k scifi/fantasy novel, rate PG at best, so it safe for teenage and up.

mr ploppy · 10-26-2012, 06:17 PM

I found a few on Facebook, in the various writing groups.

BenBanned · 10-26-2012, 07:01 PM

You could try asking here.

VydorScope · 10-26-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenBanned

You could try asking here.

Where?

BenBanned · 10-27-2012, 02:37 PM

That was an indirect way of volunteering myself to Pre-reading,
while avoiding the possibility of rejection.

VydorScope · 10-27-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenBanned

That was an indirect way of volunteering myself to Pre-reading,
while avoiding the possibility of rejection.

REJECTED!

Joking... Ii'' drop you a PM

Anyone else?

frahse · 10-28-2012, 01:47 AM

VydorScope

I suggest that you look through your Christmas list. I can usually find people that will take some time if they are interested in the subject. I also give credits. People love to see their name in print.

If you can get people "invested" in your projects even in a marginal way, they will be prone to give a little time and thought. You do have to show you value their opinion.

qlob · 10-28-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

REJECTED!
Joking... Ii'' drop you a PM
Anyone else?

Sounds interesting. Sure, I'll do a proofread. (I havent actually written anything, though... Just looking to get into writing.)

VydorScope · 10-28-2012, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frahse

VydorScope

I suggest that you look through your Christmas list.

I am deliberately trying to avoid those close enough to me to be on my Christmas List.

David Munch · 10-28-2012, 05:45 PM

Maybe we should have a stickied post, where writers can advertize that they are looking for prereaders, as this topic has been up several times. Readers can then contact them through the PM system.

frahse · 10-29-2012, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I am deliberately trying to avoid those close enough to me to be on my Christmas List.

In the past, I have been very quiet about my writing with any but those few I trusted absolutely, but now I relaxing and opening up some.

Of course you have to have a bit of thick skin, because there is always the "super critic" that you can't tell at Thanksgiving dinner to go "mount his truck and f*** off."

VydorScope · 10-29-2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frahse

In the past, I have been very quiet about my writing with any but those few I trusted absolutely, but now I relaxing and opening up some.

I am that way early in a project, but at this late stage I tend to loosen up.

mr ploppy · 10-29-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frahse

Of course you have to have a bit of thick skin, because there is always the "super critic" that you can't tell at Thanksgiving dinner to go "mount his truck and f*** off."

Those are the best kind of beta-readers you can get, and the only ones you'll ever learn anything from. People who either say it's okay or you never hear from them again because they thought it was crap and never finished it are no use to anyone.

VydorScope · 10-29-2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

Those are the best kind of beta-readers you can get, and the only ones you'll ever learn anything from. People who either say it's okay or you never hear from them again because they thought it was crap and never finished it are no use to anyone.

I agree.

frahse · 10-30-2012, 01:44 AM

Gentlemen. I agree.

I like to hear criticism on the thrust of the story before I go to the editor and publisher.
If my pre-readers are just picky, or stupid, well that is OK, but if they point out something that I had worried about myself or not even thought particularly about, then maybe a change is indicated.

Of course if I have my wife (my real editor) handy at any point and I need a quick answer on spelling or grammar, I will holler out. The answer usually comes back before I finish the question and she hardly ever looks up. That though is different from a story line or a character presentation or conflict.

Like any male child, I have no problem questioning the smart girl in the class on grammar or spelling, but I hesitate to broach important things before I believe I have them down pat. After all, males have dignity also.

10-26-2012, 11:49 AM	#1
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Looking for Prereaders How does one find prereaders? I have asked on the books website but only got a response from someone that could not even format a legible email. I have two others so far, but one has preread in the past and does not really provide deep input. The other is new to me. I am NOT looking for an editor, have a professional one that will be the last person to see the book before release. Just some people to read the story with an eye to things like do characters stay true to themselves, is the universe still consistent (its book 4 in a series), are enough of the dangling threads cleaned up, and so on. Its 108k scifi/fantasy novel, rate PG at best, so it safe for teenage and up.

10-26-2012, 06:17 PM	#2
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	I found a few on Facebook, in the various writing groups.

10-26-2012, 07:01 PM	#3
BenBanned Groupie Posts: 168 Karma: 1326166 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ Device: Paper	You could try asking here.

10-27-2012, 02:37 PM	#5
BenBanned Groupie Posts: 168 Karma: 1326166 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ Device: Paper	That was an indirect way of volunteering myself to Pre-reading, while avoiding the possibility of rejection.

10-28-2012, 01:47 AM	#7
frahse occasional author Posts: 2,314 Karma: 2064403292 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains. Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.	VydorScope I suggest that you look through your Christmas list. I can usually find people that will take some time if they are interested in the subject. I also give credits. People love to see their name in print. If you can get people "invested" in your projects even in a marginal way, they will be prone to give a little time and thought. You do have to show you value their opinion.

10-28-2012, 05:45 PM	#10
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,008 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	Maybe we should have a stickied post, where writers can advertize that they are looking for prereaders, as this topic has been up several times. Readers can then contact them through the PM system.

10-30-2012, 01:44 AM	#15
frahse occasional author Posts: 2,314 Karma: 2064403292 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains. Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.	Gentlemen. I agree. I like to hear criticism on the thrust of the story before I go to the editor and publisher. If my pre-readers are just picky, or stupid, well that is OK, but if they point out something that I had worried about myself or not even thought particularly about, then maybe a change is indicated. Of course if I have my wife (my real editor) handy at any point and I need a quick answer on spelling or grammar, I will holler out. The answer usually comes back before I finish the question and she hardly ever looks up. That though is different from a story line or a character presentation or conflict. Like any male child, I have no problem questioning the smart girl in the class on grammar or spelling, but I hesitate to broach important things before I believe I have them down pat. After all, males have dignity also.

Advert

Advert