Beta Readers?

[nomesque]

Folks, I'm about 2 weeks away from a draft version of Maisy May, and I think I'm really going to need some beta readers. Any help would be greatly appreciated, but gratitude is about the only payment I can offer atm.

Here's a draft blurb:

Maisy's never managed to be a good little christian girl. She's emo, loud, and thinks sermons are boring. Then she meets Mark, the epitome of the good christian boy - on the surface. Is church the right place for people with doubts?

Here's what I need:

- Nitpickers! People who pick up every logical and contextual inconsistency while they're reading a book

- Critics! People who can write down exactly what they liked and didn't like about a book

- LGBT Community - Because there's a strong 'gay' theme through MM, I'd love at least one person in the LGBT community to give me feedback on how realistic and/or offensive it feels

- Teens and/or people who work with teens - because it's basically about two Aussie teens growing up in a country city

- Just regular folks! I need someone who doesn't necessarily fit any of the above categories to give me some 'general feel' sort of feedback

You would need to be aware that there's some bad language (not much, though, esp compared to DEAD(ish)), potential for offense in all sorts of different ways, Australian spelling , sexual themes, religious themes, even a bit of violence.

If you're interested, I'd love to hear from you, either in the thread or via PM. Please mention which of the categories above that you fit into, because I'd like to get a fairly even spread.

If you're not interested, don't feel bad. If I don't get a single taker, my world will NOT end

[lene1949]

I would be happy to read it...

English is my second language, so I don't know how much help I could be... I studied English extensively, when I came here, and I do pick up a lot of mistakes, mostly spelling and punctuation.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

I'm interested! I tend to fall into the nitpicker category...

[nomesque]

Thanks Lene and Am, and those who responded via PM! I'll get back to you all shortly, once I have something solid to send you

[omk3]

I'm interested too! I also tend to fall into the nitpicker category...

[nomesque]

Thanks omk3

[Laine]

I've had years of experience in reading (and correcting) teachers' reports. I would probably pick up any spelling or grammar mistakes.

[nomesque]

Thanks Laine

Quick update - I've made zero progress in the last week and a half. My toddler had bronchitis and a stomach bug at the same time... I decided that writing while half-asleep may provide some extra-creative material, but perhaps cause some continuity issues.

But now that I've at least partially emerged from the Swamp of Disparity, I'll get a proper list together, make sure I have email addresses to send the material to, and get my butt into gear to finish this thing. Thanks again for the generous offers of help, folks

[Kevin2960]

Yeah me too ... YOU know I'm a FAN

Don't forget the Laundry Bill

[GeoffC]

include me, if there's room -


my experience would be over at pgdp (slightly different type of proofing), I groan and cringe at errors in books I've bought ...

[nomesque]

Thanks Kevin and Geoff

I'll be in touch soon, folks.

[lene1949]

Originally Posted by nomesque

Thanks Kevin and Geoff

I'll be in touch soon, folks.

Puts a bit of pressure on you, doesn't it?

[nomesque]

Originally Posted by lene1949

Puts a bit of pressure on you, doesn't it?

Oh yeah, that it does

I'm making slow progress. All I need to do is wrap up my current project at work and I should have time and energy to focus back on poor lil Maisy.