Sci-Fi Group Book Club discussion

At the suggestion of a member, Damon and I thought we would set up a folder for people to engage in beta reading books prior to their publication. Wikipedia defines a beta reader as 'a non-professional reader who reads a written work, generally fiction, with the intent of looking over the material to find and improve elements such as grammar and spelling, as well as suggestions to improve the story, its characters, or its setting'.

As a beta reader, it would give you an opportunity to help an author find plot holes in the book as well as problems about the story's believability, its characters' portrayal and/or motivation, factual errors, poor sentence structure, and contradictions or inconsistancies in continuity (it was morning at one moment, the afternoon the next, and then the morning again; a scar is on a character's left cheek but somehow migrates to the right one).

Authors seeking beta readers may post an invitation to members in this topic. Once members have expressed an interest, another topic will be opened for beta readers to discuss issues they find (if any!) in the book concerned.

Since books offered for beta reading haven't been published yet, only an electronic version of the text can be supplied to each beta reader.

Greg,

Wonderful! I am an independent publisher, my husband Dennis Meredith is the author. We have a new science thriller, The Neuromorphs, ready for beta reading. You can read some chapters here to see if you would be interested in being a beta reader.
http://dennismeredith.com/the-neuromo...

Or, if you have any questions you can email me direct editor@glyphus.com

Regards,
Joni Meredith

Dennis wrote: "Greg,

Wonderful! I am an independent publisher, my husband Dennis Meredith is the author. We have a new science thriller, The Neuromorphs, ready for beta reading. You can read som..."

Hi Joni - thanks for offering The Neomorphs as a beta read. I hope some members take an interest in trying out being a beta reader with this book!

Thanks for opening up your group for beta reading. I hope it is helpful for other authors.

Thanks for this service, Greg!

I have just finished (?) a pair of books. 'Mission of the Argo', in which a planet seeded with genetically-engineered humans develop a technological society, with matriarchal customs to control 'male domination'. They find irrefutable scientific evidence that they are the product of 'The Creators'. So they go looking for these Creators. The book by-line is 'Finding your roots can sometimes cause dismay'.

The second book, 'Return of the Argo', is about their return to report back to the home world, and how that world reacts to their shocking heresies.

Possible time-travel paradoxes are of concern in both books, and their resolution gives rise to the strong ethical theme runs through both books.

Please let me know if anyone is prepared to read and comment. I can be contacted on my author page 'Tito Kithes Athano'.

I would like to read this 'Mission of the Argo' book. Where is it?

You're welcome, Tito! Let us know if you'd like a topic opened for your book or if you'd prefer the beta readers to connect via personal message instead.

Hi Damon, Greg,

Sorry if I messed up on the etiquette here by referring to the author page.

I can email the Word file to anyone who asks via bspringett@iprimus.com.au

But if you have a better way, please guide me.

Tito wrote: "Hi Damon, Greg,

Sorry if I messed up on the etiquette here by referring to the author page.

I can email the Word file to anyone who asks via bspringett@iprimus.com.au

But if you have a better w..."

There's nothing wrong with referring to your author page in the beta reads invitation topic! :) In any case, all people need do to go to your author page is to click on your profile name.

Authors may prefer that beta readers only give detailed comments on their beta reads in personal messages but if you'd like a topic devoted to it you should be able to add it yourself here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group.... If you have a problem doing so, let us know and we can set it up for you.

Thanks for your help, Greg.

I'mm happy to go with whatever people want. Those who want to contact me direct have my email address in the post above.

Hi, Greg. I am a professional beta reader specializing in science fiction and fantasy. Check out my profile to verify. I see you're 2016 post regarding the Wikipedia definition of a beta reader. A lot of us have gone professional, especially with the manuscript pirating problems of late. Do you have any issues with me advertising here? - Sue

Sue wrote: "Hi, Greg. I am a professional beta reader specializing in science fiction and fantasy. Check out my profile to verify. I see you're 2016 post regarding the Wikipedia definition of a beta reader. A ..."

Hi Sue - welcome to the group! It's been very quiet here for a while so I'm not sure how many people would see an advertisement posted in this topic. But first, I'll check in with Damon about advertising your services and will revert.

Hi Sue - I haven't heard back from Damon as yet but I think it would be OK for you to advertise here as a professional beta reader. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.