Happy March! It’s the first Wednesday and I’ll be slow to visit people, as I’m off to a career fair with my daughter most of the day.
I’ve made significant progress on book 2, and I think I’m to the point of asking for beta readers! I did decide yesterday I needed to tweak one chapter because it didn’t quite sit well with me, but I’ve been listening to the whole story text-to-speech to catch those pesky missing words and I’m almost done. I like to leave out the word “the” apparently, and my eyes gloss right over it. But my ears are better at picking up on things. I think it’s almost ready, probably within the next couple of weeks, and so, I’m asking… Anybody want to beta read for me?
Before you jump up and volunteer, I should probably throw down some warnings:
* This is the second book in a multi-POV epic fantasy series. I’m hoping people will be able to jump in without reading the first book, but if you did, well, I changed history a bit. I’m planning to rewrite book 1 and I’m going to make a few tweaks when I do. Please don’t hold these changes against me.
* This is a BIG book. The total is 212K. I’ve cut what I feel I can, but it’s still a hefty size.
* People die in this book, and there are topics relating to the loss of a child, infertility, magical rape (there’s no sex, though), cannibalism, bigotry, racism, and violence.
Here’s the blurb:
She’s the ruler of the broken. He’s the breaker of the rules.
Derek stole the power of the deities to return MaTisha to life. Now, they want it back and they’ll render her a corpse to get it.
He scrambles for a solution to save his wife, but a fight with an immortal predator knocks him into the unknown. Stranded in a land of gods and magic, he must find a way home before he loses everyone he loves.
Meanwhile, MaTisha faces trouble of her own. Monsters are literally sucking the life out of her subjects, and her powers died with her in the war. But impotence isn’t resurrection’s only side effect. An insatiable thirst plagues her, and her closest companions are looking…tasty.
She’s determined to protect her people, but who will save them from her?
That sound like something you’re interested in? (It’s fine if you’re not. Massive epics aren’t everyone’s thing.)
I don’t have any deadlines. I’m hoping to rewrite book 1 before I publish book 2.
IWSG Question of the Month – Have you “played” with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI’s impact on creative writing?
I haven’t tried doing a synopses or anything, but I have pinged AI to get some ideas about how a character might learn to use their power. I didn’t like the sample text it gave me. It was pretty darn terrible, in my opinion, and I didn’t pursue any sort of AI writing experimentation after that. I’m particular about how my writing sounds, and a computer can’t cut it for me.
Are you interested in beta reading? What kind of books do you typically enjoy? What are your feelings about AI?
About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.
Hi, from a UK dead zone, where it’s increasingl difficult to exist, or rather, prove that you exist, by responding to security texts.
I’d be no use to you as a beta reader, and used to say I didn’t read fantasy, until corrected by the IT brain ( day job, teaching computers) reminds me they’re machines.
Odyssey, he said… Beowulf. Everything Arthur. Of course you read fantasy.
Probably the only books I rarely enjoy are romances, and currently, I’m reading a lot of non-fiction, persuading myself that this is research for the ghost story I’m working on.
Several years ago, a weird postgrad wrote her Masters on economic and legal developments after a pandemic – ( Black Death) Reading Pathogenesis, Jonathan Kennedy,
Hope you find good beta readers. Esther
That’s awesome your story is ready for beta readers!
Several people have noted that AI produces some dry stuff.
Hope you and your daughter enjoy the career fair. Best of luck with the beta reads!
I’m happy to hear you’re so close to publishing. That’s an accomplishment, especially with a novel that large! Go, girl, go!
Congrats on wrapping it up. That is a huge novel and I know how long those take.
Great to hear you’ve reached the point of being ready for beta readers! I’ve tried AI, but wasn’t happy with what it came up with. I’d rather just use my own brain to figure it out.
Your daughter is going to a career fair? I remember seeing a picture of her a few years ago, and I didn’t think she was close to career-age. But maybe it was more years ago than I thought…
Congrats on finishing the book! I know you’ve been plodding through that a long time, so this is quite an accomplishment!
Congrats on getting to the point that you’re ready for beta readers. Sorry that I can’t offer to help, but I’m producing a play right now.
I’m so excited that you’ve made so much progress!! Congrats on reaching the beta stage. I really wish I could offer to read for you, but I’m so far behind on other projects right now I just can’t take anything else on. Best of luck with the search—hope you find some awesome readers.
I’m hearing a lot of people saying what AI produced wasn’t useable by them. I’m not surprised by that.
I don’t currently have the time to do any beta reading, but if you’re still looking for beta readers in June, I should be available.
I’m ashamed to admit, but lately, I’ve been gravitating towards shorter books as a reader. Novellas and short novels are becoming my preferred reading format. Long epics – not so much. That’s why my recent writing output all emerged as novellas, as well. There are also ideas in my head for several more novellas, but not one of those ideas would sustain a long novel.
You have some work ahead with that rewrite. Here’s my best on getting it done. I applaud you on taking on this large task.
I’m beta reading three books at the moment…too many, I know, but each of these writers have helped me out before, so I felt I should step up. Hit me again later in the year.
Congratulations on your book’s progress, Loni. My plate is overloaded so I can’t offer to help as a Beta reader. Have a fun IWSG Day!
I think I’d give it a try, if you want me. I admit the word count will take a while, though.
Anna from elements of emaginette
Woot! I’ll take the set of eyes. I’m in no rush, so don’t worry about taking a while. I’ll email you in a couple of weeks.
I’ll give it a try. The word count is a bit scary (I’m slow) and a few things might be tough, but I will try!
LOL. I love how many people I terrify with the word count alone. Regardless, I appreciate the offer! I’ll hit you up here in a couple weeks.
That’s great that you’ve made such good progress! Sorry, I can’t be a beta reader, but it looks like a couple of people volunteered in the comments. Good luck on the rewrite as well!
Woohoo! Congrats on being ready for beta readers. I started using text to speech last year and I’m mad at myself for waiting so long as it’s caught some typos and missing words that my eyes glazed over when reading.
It sounds familiar. Have I read the first book or an old version of this one?
How big is your hurry? I’d be happy to beta, but I’m a slow reader. But if you’re in no huge hurry, I’d be happy to help you out.
Congratulations on your writing project! I like how described AI results as dry. Definitely agree! Best wishes on finding beta readers and bringing your book to readers.
Sorry I can’t beta-read; I’m in transition and currently unavailable. Best of success with it.