Silverlighters discussion

Hi, I'm looking for beta-readers for the first book in my new YA series, Silverlighters.

It is part romance, part mystery. The first book has hints of paranormal elements which are more fully explored in book 2. Book 1 is approx 45 000 words.

So - what am I look for at the moment?

Beta-readers who aren't worried about hurting my feelings.

Mostly I want your take on the overall story-line, reader satisfaction, character development, and plot discrepancies.

As in .. did you understand what was happening, what did you think of the characters, were there parts that left you scratching your head and going what the ...

I'm hoping you will like it enough to want to know what comes next ... book 2 is nearly ready for beta-reading.

Thanks for stopping by, Ellem

I would be interested in reading for you. I'm an English teacher, so I know all about developments and plot holes. I also have a new YA review blog, so I'd be glad to help promote it if I can.

Melanie wrote: "I would be interested in reading for you. I'm an English teacher, so I know all about developments and plot holes. I also have a new YA review blog, so I'd be glad to help promote it if I can."

Melanie that would be absolutely brilliant on both counts. WOW - how lucky am I to find you!! And an English teacher at that.

If you message me your email address and preferred format I will email it to you.

Thanks again

Hey, I'll love to read for you as well. Paranormal fiction and romance are two of my favourite genres. I'll love to read your book.

LM wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I would be interested in reading for you. I'm an English teacher, so I know all about developments and plot holes. I also have a new YA review blog, so I'd be glad to help promote i..."

That would be awesome Aarati. Thank you. I am feeling very lucky today :) If you message me your email and preferred format I will send it to you

Hi! I'm a Beta Reader on a couple of online writing websites and a book addict. I think what you have explained so far about your books sound interesting and I would like to beta as well. :)

Maryanne wrote: "Hi! I'm a Beta Reader on a couple of online writing websites and a book addict. I think what you have explained so far about your books sound interesting and I would like to beta as well. :)"

Thanks Maryanne, that would be great. Can't believe how lucky I have been XD

If you message me your email and preferred format I will send it to you.

Hey my e-mail is saaratis@gmail.com

Hi, I just finished my last beta book a few days ago and I'm bored again. I saw your notice in another discussion a few minutes ago and hopped over to look. I'd love to work with you. I'm pretty blunt about things in a decently nice way (meaning I won't be outright rude but I won't dance around the issues I find). If you'd like me to take a look, pop me an email at amanda @ homevenn.com and we can discuss it further. Looking forward to (possibly) hearing from you.

My address is melanie.hays23@gmail. Send it my way :)

Hi LM,

I'd love to take a look! This would be my first beta-read, but I've been exchanging critiques with some of my close writing friends for years. My personal favorites are mysteries, but I definitely have a soft spot for YA - so a mixture of both sounds intriguing :)

I would definitely be interested! I have no fear of telling you of any typos, etc. that I see in a nice way, we all know it's hard to be critiqued this is your baby. I've been reviewing several ARC books lately so I'd be very excited to ready your book. Thank you so much!

Thanks - you are all pure awesome. I am doing a final read today, then I will send it on.

I know how hard it is to point out issues - I have read my friends stories in the past and it is easier said than done. But seriously - this part of the process is one of the most important in writing - beta readers play a vital role and a story is only as good as its beta readers if you ask me. Us writers get waaaaay too close to our stories and can't see the zebras for the horses, if you know what I mean.

@Amanda - blunt is good. Been doing this too long to get hurt feelings. Better to fix any issues now than find out later through a review on Amazon IMO.

@susan - I hope it has enough mystery :) - being a writer yourself you would know how hard it is to classify it correctly until others get a feel for it.

@Crissy - yep - it is my baby, lol. But funnily enough I don't find that it makes it hard when it comes to critiques - my beta readers for my last book were awesome, and it is a better story because of them. It is doing better than I could ever have hoped for on Amazon. It was actually a 'complaint' by a beta reader that gave me a stronger ending when I looked at it again and re-wrote it. And a comment on a review on Amazon inspired something that I am writing into the first chapters of book 2 of that one.

Hi!

I would prefer it if you sent the beta copy to demi.ride@yahoo.com in a Word document format. How do I give the feedback?

@LM - Can't wait! You can send to susanelizabethwriter@gmail.com

So excited to work with you!

Hey there all you wonderful people. I have finally finished doing a last read through and am about to email you the file. Thanks again, you have no idea how much this means to me. A book is only as good as its beta readers :)

Sorry about the delay - I thought it was ready, then I got an attack of "Oh crap, what if I missed something or left some of my notes in there - and had to read through it again".

@Crissy - if you message me your email and what format you would prefer I will be able to send you a copy.

Can't wait to hear from you all :)

XD Ellem

Haha, it's OK. :)

I finally had time to sit still and I'm loving it!

Melanie wrote: "I finally had time to sit still and I'm loving it!"

Melanie - glad you had time to sit still :) Life gets V busy!

Also glad you are loving it!! I hope you like the rest. But I realize now after feedback from other beta readers that I should have warned people that this was only part one of two parts, so it doesn't tie up nice and neatly and most of the 'answers' are in book 2. Hope you don't find that too frustrating, though if you like it, book two will be ready soon :)

Thanks for letting me know. I am no longer feeling so nervous after all the awesome feedback I have been getting. I feel so blessed to have found you all.

I've only found a few minor errors in grammar, but they're style things so I wouldn't worry about it :)

Melanie wrote: "I've only found a few minor errors in grammar, but they're style things so I wouldn't worry about it :)"

Thanks Melanie - sorry, I didn't see this before. My inbox gets swamped from emails from the groups I joined and I missed it. Thank you. :)