Seasoned Beta Reader Back In Action > Likes and Comments
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Wil
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Apr 05, 2023 09:30AM

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If you're still looking for books to beta read, here is a short re-cap of my completed manuscript (The Beauty of Imperfect Things/Women's Historical Fiction 90K)
I've had it professionally edited twice, and now I'm looking for some outside feedback from sources who don't know me:) Just more of a review of your overall thoughts (what's working/not working, pacing, characters, etc.)
Maeve Aubrey’s perfect life unravels one summer as she balances caring for her ailing father and teenage son while facing a troubled marriage, an empty nest, and a handsome childhood friend who has an answer for everything.
Indiana, 1951. The polio virus spreads rampantly, with its mystery increasing hysteria. Young Danny O’Neill overcomes the illness and learns to re-walk, only to face unlikely bullies, nuns who think they can heal him, a mother desperate for a cure, and prejudice in a pre-Disability Act world.
If this interests you, you can reach me here or at erinmpoche@gmail.com.
Thanks so much!
Erin

Hi Wil, I have an S&S Fantasy which could do with a good beta read. Let me know if you are interested.
Tony

I just sent you an email and am looking forward to working with you. :) Thank you so much, Wil
Erin wrote: "Hi Will
If you're still looking for books to beta read, here is a short re-cap of my completed manuscript (The Beauty of Imperfect Things/Women's Historical Fiction 90K)
I've had it professionall..."

Thank you so much, Wil :)
Tony wrote: "Wil wrote: "Hi, I am now accepting authors for a free beta read. All genres are accepted as I have many years of experience in beta reading all areas of writing, including poetry! Thank you so much..."

I have a contemporary novel at 158k words. I understand for anyone to read a manuscript of this size is a huge commitment, so I'm only asking you to read the first chapter (16k). Afterwards, if you're willing to continue, great. If not, that is fine as well.
Blurb:
One morning in a coffee shop, Alex is beside himself to meet Pete Shehann, whom it seems has some experience in the very subject of which he is a self-proclaimed enthusiast. Reluctant yet prompted, Pete shares his story, beginning with how his father abandoned him as a child in rural 1930s Oklahoma, leaving him embittered and believing himself a failure, proven time and again. And marrying May couldn’t be luck at all but a fluke, even if she has her own problems. After losing all of her family in a tragic accident, a terrible void remains, and she wants children more than anything.
An unexpected inheritance raises suspicions yet sends Pete and May to a new life in Oregon, where they meet Stevens, the attorney handling the inheritance and proving himself a faithful friend in the years to come. But a tragedy that happened on their journey haunts Pete, eventually conforming to an eerie parallel with May after her health fails following the negative results of an infertility test. It greatly disturbs Pete to discover he isn’t even enough for his own wife to want to live, but he determines to do whatever it takes to save her. And what of himself? Is he destined a lifetime of failure?
If interested, contact me here or at lostintwilight@netzero.net
Looking forward to hearing from you!

Would a YA historical interest you? (90K). There are triggers.
Riverdale, NYC, 1979. It’s the Cold War, but Leela’s missing Soviet grandfather is the least of her worries. She’s failing school, her classmates are vile bullies, and her twin Cecile doesn’t want her. Loved as Leela is loathed by their social-climbing parents, Cecile and her malicious friend are everything Leela isn't: beautiful, charming, accomplished—and normal.
When Leela tape records a teacher molesting a student and the police arrest him, she draws the attention of a powerful gangster who wants information on Leela’s wealthy peers. Fine by her. She must gain respect, or she’ll have nowhere to go when her parents toss her out. They ground her with onerous chores and would evict her early when she smears Cecile’s usurper friend, who is lying about her assault and egging a boy to grope Leela.
Leela has had enough. She’ll destroy the usurper and subvert her family before they undermine her ties with the gang, crush her spirit, and force her toaccept the D-grade life they think she deserves to have. If that means losing her sister as she had her grandfather, so be it.
Thanks!

Roa wrote: "Hi Will,
Would a YA historical interest you? (90K). There are triggers.
Riverdale, NYC, 1979. It’s the Cold War, but Leela’s missing Soviet grandfather is the least of her worries. She’s failing ..."

I'm a horror writer. My overall Goodreads rating is a 4.35 and on Amazon it's about 4.2. My work is polished and has been well received. My current project is a horror short story collection called Screams All the Way Down. I would love to get your feedback on it. It's 48K words, 20 stories that average about 4-5 pages each. It is shorter and an easier read than most novels. I've already been through one significant round of rewrites so the work is in pretty decent shape. I don't need a deep dive. I'm looking more for your general views on what works and what doesn't. If you're interested, I can send your more info.
My email is bilrichardsonauthor@gmail.com
Look forward to hearing from you.

Bil wrote: "Hi Wil, this is Bil
I'm a horror writer. My overall Goodreads rating is a 4.35 and on Amazon it's about 4.2. My work is polished and has been well received. My current project is a horror short st..."

If you still have availability, I would be interested in sending you the first 25 pages or so of my contemporary novel revolving around a talentless painter and the famous dancer she lives with. If you want to read the rest afterwards, I'll be pleased to share, but I'm really only looking for someone to look over the start of it.
Thank you!

Yes, I would enjoy working on this for you. Please send your work to me at greatscottediting@gmail.com. Thank you so very much, Wil
Catherine wrote: "Hello Wil,
If you still have availability, I would be interested in sending you the first 25 pages or so of my contemporary novel revolving around a talentless painter and the famous dancer she li..."

First 4 chapters available via my StoryOrigin portal.
If interested additional chapters can open up after the first 4 chapters are complete. This way you can continue the read to the end or only beta read the first 4 chapters.
https://storyoriginapp.com/betacopies...
BLURB
I Hate The Dark
Monsters eat your face in the dark.
But alas in the dark is where we conduct our business. Gotta go where the fish are biting. By fish of course I mean soul sucking, teeth gnashing, loose bowel inducing creatures of the night.
That's why I'm going legit shacking up with the only official government agency equipped to deal with the big monsters that go bite.
That is until it's back to Seattle for the world's worst weekend as my dipshit little brother goes and gets his fiancée kidnapped by powerful djinn.
Tracking down and dispatching the all-powerful Rasta djinn brothers are the least of our worries with the Queen of Lust vampires on the warpath.
Now all we've got to do is save the girl. Rescue a crazed necromancer from the Under. Stop him from destroying the world and try not to kill each other in the process. Brothers! We should be fine as long as we avoid the vampires, wolves, shapeshifters and insane dhampir cowboys.

Eakross wrote: "Completed novel for book 1 in a new Urban Fantasy series.
First 4 chapters available via my StoryOrigin portal.
If interested additional chapters can open up after the first 4 chapters are complete..."

Eakross wrote: "Completed novel for book 1 in a new Urban Fantasy series.
First 4 chapters available via my StoryOrigin portal..."
You can jump right in at my Story Origin page link below. I have posted the first 4 chapters and after you have read that if you wish to continue the beta read, I can open up the rest.
MUCH appreciated Will.
https://storyoriginapp.com/betacopies...

Eakross wrote: "Completed novel for book 1 in a new Urban Fantasy series.
First 4 chapters available via my StoryO..."

I'm looking for a beta reader for my completed novel. The story follows two main characters, Aurelius and Remi. Having just returned from an adventure, Aurelius receives an enigmatic email about a murderous panda at a mysterious mansion. When the pair arrive, they discover there is no panda nor a murder. A suspicious butler, a hidden treasure, and a visiting professor all complicate things just as a panda makes its murderous debut! Action, suspense, romance, and comedy are all thrown in, and baked at 350-degrees for 9 chapters (approx 23k words).
If this interests you, please let me know. Thanks!

Jet wrote: "Hi, Wil,
I'm looking for a beta reader for my completed novel. The story follows two main characters, Aurelius and Remi. Having just returned from an adventure, Aurelius receives an enigmatic emai..."

I have the first 90K or so of a YA fantasy about found family and dragons. I’ve worked with several beta readers but I’d like a few more sets of eyes! Please email me at ariannaj.randall@gmail.com if you’re interested. Thanks so much!

Roa wrote: "Hi Will,
Would a YA hist..."
It's sent. Hopefully it didn't go to your spam folder!

Roa wrote: "Wil wrote: "Hi, Yes, I would be very interested in this. Please send this to me at greatscottediting@gmail.com and I will be happy to work on this. Thank you so much! Wil
Roa wrote: "Hi Will,
Wou..."

I am seeking a beta reader for my completed fantasy novel of 110,000 words.
A revolution has ended. The last stand of the free mages fails with the deaths of Nora and Titus, leaving the rule of Queen Isa unchecked.
Serafina finds herself in a strange, yet familiar world, a world where mages are hunted and famine creeps over the land. And the wall surrounding Paltria nears completion.
With the help of a one-eyed dog and a stranger, Sera attempts to use her own magic for a source of good, despite numerous warnings. But a distant voice calls from the east, beckoning her to forsake all logic and find it.
Blindly, she stumbles on, unaware of the encroaching danger.
DM me if it sounds like something you'd be interested in. Thanks!

Yes, I would be interested in reading this. Please send your work to me at greatscottediting@gmail.com. Thank you so much, Wil :)
Jessica wrote: "Hi Wil,
I am seeking a beta reader for my completed fantasy novel of 110,000 words.
A revolution has ended. The last stand of the free mages fails with the deaths of Nora and Titus, leaving the r..."

Hi Wil,
I'm looking for beta readers for two of my short stories. One is fantasy and 3k words, the other is sci-fi and 15k words. If you're interested in any or both of them and want more information, let me know!

I'm looking for beta readers for my 94k dystopian fiction novel. If that is anything that you like to read, and if you still have available time in your schedule, please let me know!
Thanks!

Sydney wrote: "Wil wrote: "Hi, I am now accepting authors for a free beta read. All genres are accepted as I have many years of experience in beta reading all areas of writing, including poetry! Thank you so much..."

Yes, please contact me at greatscottediting@gmail.com.
Thank you so very much, Wil
Jovanna wrote: "Hi, Wil,
I'm looking for beta readers for my 94k dystopian fiction novel. If that is anything that you like to read, and if you still have available time in your schedule, please let me know!
Tha..."

I'm looking for a beta reader for my 67K retelling of Mark's Gospel as set in an alternate reality modern UK.
Excerpt:
All the seats were full of pregnant women, old age pensioners and children too small to survive the crammed standing room. Me? I was clinging to a yellow seat back while I tried to read the free Evening Standard I’d grabbed to keep the rain off without elbowing stray passengers.
The bus crawled grimly through a Manchester Road that was almost a giant open air car park, inching past the blocks of flats and the mini-supermarkets, then the driver hit the brakes and I went flying.
Or I would’ve gone flying if the passenger next to me hadn’t grabbed my arm, holding me upright. I said an embarrassed ‘thank you,’ he said, smiled, and returned his attention to his book.
It was the Book of Isaiah.
For a moment, I wondered if I’d imagined it. He wasn’t a Badalite - dressed wrong. Jewish, I thought, even though he had a beanie rather than a kippah. Builder? Boots, check – definite signs that he’d been on a muddy building site. There were tiny bits of mud on the ends of his sleeves and the bottom of his jeans, plus there were little speckles of drying mud on his face. His hair was clippered short at the sides, but neither his hair nor his beanie had any mud. Like they’d been under a hard hat. So, builder. I sort of remembered that he’d been the first to realise he had to get on by the middle door, but he’d given up his seat to an Ishmaelite who looked eight months pregnant.
Isaiah. That’s what it said on the book cover. It was now about six centimetres from my nose, just bobbing above the top of my Evening Standard, so I couldn’t miss it. The Pocket Scroll series, you know, that prints one page Hebrew, one page English. Not with commentaries; the straight text.
At that moment, the builder seemed to notice me staring at his choice of reading material, lifted his eyes from Isaiah, and grinned at me. He had a friendly grin, even though it was set in an utterly nondescript face.
“Runs in the family, dunnit,” he said.
“Sorry?” was my intelligent reply. “Great,” I thought, ‘I’ve just attracted the attention of a religious nutter. Any moment now, he’s going to tell me how the Messiah’s on his way to save us all. Bet he spends his weekends sitting on a motorway, holding up a sign saying ‘The End is Nigh’.”
“It runs in the family,” he repeated. He pointed at my paper. “That’s my cousin.”
‘A religious nutter who thinks he’s related to the King?’ I thought. That was what I’d been reading; some gushing article that avoided any actual comment about the King’s behaviour by concentrating on the future Queen’s clothes. It seems she wore them.
To my enormous relief, I heard Cubitt Town School come up on the bus tannoy, reached across the nutter and pressed the bell to stop the bus.
If that's anything that you think you might like to read, and if you still have available time left in your schedule, please let me know.
Thanks!

Thank you so much, Wil :)
Philippa wrote: "Hi, Wil
I'm looking for a beta reader for my 67K retelling of Mark's Gospel as set in an alternate reality modern UK.
Excerpt:
All the seats were full of pregnant women, old age pensioners and c..."

I'm not sure if you're still open to beta read, but if so, I'd love your thoughts on my fantasy adventure short story for middle graders. It's around 9k words.
Tentative blurb:
Welcome to Cruxil, the planet adjacent to Earth, where horses can fly, dinosaurs exist, and magic is real.
When my sister and I went to Grandma Mimi for the weekend, I expected to spend my time playing games, eating sweets, and trying not to die from boredom. Little did I know that I’d spend my time being chased by a dinosaur, attacked by a hydra, much less that I’d cap the night facing off with a giant frog.
I thought Grandma Mimi was a sweet, eccentric old lady with a walking stick and a penchant for gossip. And boy, was I wrong.

Jina wrote: "Hi Wil,
I'm not sure if you're still open to beta read, but if so, I'd love your thoughts on my fantasy adventure short story for middle graders. It's around 9k words.
Tentative blurb:
Welcome to ..."

Hello Wil!
I don't know if you are still accepting beta read but i would like to have a review of my novel. It's around 52k.
Blurb : Aesira Barney lived most of her life in pursuit of becoming an artist. When things went downhill, she decided to give up on life until - Archer Rodriguez saved her. They met again when they visited the same place the next day.
Aesira had no idea what to do when Archer, the friendly green-eyed guy, approached her to be her buddy. How bad could it really be?
Archer is determined to show her what she missed and how little things in life could make her happy. Though, he had his share of problems. The fun-loving guitarist and the grumpy artist are polar opposites, but there's an undeniable connection simmering between them. Aesira reconnects with her past and begins to feel worthy, while their growing friendship starts to ignite sensations in her heart. It was the first time in months that she started to find magnificence around her, and it only enclosed one person.

This fantasy involves the Fair Folk and their interactions with humans -- with the additional twist that the protagonists are lawyers who help humans make deals with the Fair Folk, protecting them from falling for loopholes and tricks. The book is Far From Mortal Realms: A Novel of Humans and Fae, and you can read more about it at that link. If you're interested, please let me know by replying to this message or (even better) emailing me at kawyle@att.net. Thanks!
Wil wrote: "Hi, I am now accepting authors for a free beta read. All genres are accepted as I have many years of experience in beta reading all areas of writing, including poetry! Thank you so much, Wil"

Karen wrote: "Wil, that's exciting to hear! I've been looking for beta readers for a fantasy around 78,000 words long. I'll provide a list of questions for beta readers to address, though it isn't necessary to a..."

Yes definitely! :) Please send your work to me at greatscottediting@gmail.com. Thank you so much, Wil
Eva wrote: "Hi Will,
Would you be interested in beta reading my almost completed memoir "Dear Mom" (A letter I will never send, to a mother who would never read it anyway)? I have about 22000 words so far.
S..."

Gargi wrote: "Wil wrote: "Hi, I am now accepting authors for a free beta read. All genres are accepted as I have many years of experience in beta reading all areas of writing, including poetry! Thank you so much..."

Blurb:
In modern day, intelligence isn’t just a mental ability. It is a currency exchanged by drawing blood, its dealing governed by the Duke of the nation. Legally, it can be borne or traded, but in the shadows, it is taken by bleeding a man dry.
Laurel Ember knows that her sister was murdered. But when the Duke decides that it was nothing but an accident, Laurel must use her talent for scheming and figure out who– or what he is protecting.
Trickster Nikhil Ruane has other reasons. His best friend is the next target. To save him, Nikhil needs to destroy what lurks in the shadows.
The answer is hidden in a secret vault inside the Duke’s palace. If they work together, they can break in and escape with their lives, but neither of them is trustworthy. Playing each other to death might be easier…
Thank you in advance.

Wil wrote: "Hi Karen, Please send your work to me at greatscottediting@gmail.com :)
Karen wrote: "Wil, that's exciting to hear! I've been looking for beta readers for a fantasy around 78,000 words long. I'll..."

Would you be interested in beta reading my 40k word middle grade magical realism adventure Earthscape?
In brief, it is the story of a boy with a superhuman memory who is destined to be a catcher of lost memories.
Best wishes
David Callinan

The story is about a magical seamstress who's given the job as a the royal seamstress and later is intertwined with a threat going on, etc. It's my very first idea for my first ever novel that I want to write. Thank you so much!
Shreya

My novel (The Fictioneer) is literary fiction with speculative elements. It’s in its 5th draft, and I’m looking for beta readers who are willing to use a free BetaBooks reader account so I can manage my feedback more intentionally and receive brief questionnaire material after each chapter (We can sort out a different method, if desired). I’m looking for feedback on pacing, tension, and continuity. I’m only posting Part 1 right now, but if you are willing/interested in reading the whole novel, I’d love to keep you around for Part 2 and 3!
Novel Pitch:
As a fictioneer, Bastion Everfall rewrites consciousness at Then & Now, an agency where Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets The Truman Show. Bastion believes in the luxury he provides until he’s forced to rewrite his own wife.
Becoming a Reader:
If you are interested in becoming a beta reader (look how incredible you are), please DM me your email so I can invite you through BetaBooks. If you prefer another method, we can sort that out!
Thank you for encouraging writers to keep going :)
Write on,
Collin

Yes please send your work to me at greatscottediting@gmail.com. I will reply to you letting you know I have received it. Thank you so much, Wil
David wrote: "Hello WIll
Would you be interested in beta reading my 40k word middle grade magical realism adventure Earthscape?
In brief, it is the story of a boy with a superhuman memory who is destined to be a..."

Shreya wrote: "Hey Will! Would you be interested in beta reading my outline and chapter progression (8k) YA fantasy/romance/adventure novel?
The story is about a magical seamstress who's given the job as a the r..."

Yes, I would be interested. Please email me at greatscottediting@gmail.com. Thank you so much, Wil :)
Collin wrote: "Hi Wil!
My novel (The Fictioneer) is literary fiction with speculative elements. It’s in its 5th draft, and I’m looking for beta readers who are willing to use a free BetaBooks reader account so ..."

I finished the second draft of my fantasy novel about a young witch who has to be evil but wants to be good (Fantasy, YA, 95K)
I would love to hear what you think about my story. Below is a short project pitch.
Since the Viking invasion, witchcraft has been outlawed on the Nordic island nation of Heillaður. A young witch, Mae, is cursed to kill to stay alive and struggles to find her way in life. Torn between what she is and who she wants to be, she desperately tries to be good and fulfill her mother’s dying wish. But can she build a better world for herself and those she cares for when the world is stacked against her? Can she find happiness when she is so often the root of sorrow? And can she right the wrongs done to her and her family? Or will her inner conflict break her, turning her bitter and vicious?
Feel free to check out project-witchcraft.com or contact me at axel.in.my@gmail.com

I am a game designer and writer from the UK. I am hoping to get some critique for my first novel: The Ghoul of Cattleslip Castle. (114k words). I have already had one beta reading pass with edits and looking for more beta readers to really nail down the story, pacing, and characters.
Think Going Postal meets The Brother's Grimm.
Content Warnings: Sexual Innuendo, Mature Language, Hints of Gory Detail
Blurb: Plod Wickerstomp, a noble person, Paranormal Investigator, and lover of love-making has been known far and wide throughout the lands of Virandria as the expert on the paranormal phenomenon surrounding Ghouls. Typically found swindling village folk and gullible nobles, Plod has been offered a peculiar gig at a noble person's castle. Eager to get himself out of debt, and avoid anyone finding out his darkest secret, he accepts, unaware of the horrors that will meet him at Cattleslip Castle
Thanks for your time and interest - feel free to ask me any questions. :)