Become a Beta-Reader

What I'm Looking for in a Beta-reader:

1. Despite the main character's age (16 years old), this is NOT a young adult novel. This is a new adult dark-dystopian novel that features teen pregnancy, graphic childbirth, repeated on-page domestic violence, forced-marriage, human trafficking, birth control, and one explicit sex scene. If any of that isn't for you, no hard feelings at all — there will be plenty of other ways to support this book later.

2. I'm looking for readers 18-30 years of age who like grounded science fiction.

3. I've had the manuscript extensively edited already. You don't need to be a writer, author, or editor. I'm looking for what the average sci-fi fan sees and feels when they read this book.

4. I'm looking for story-level feedback, not line-editing: does the pacing work, do the characters land, are there places you got confused, bored, or pulled out of the story? Why don't you like something in the story? I'm fine with suggestions about how to fix issues or brainstorming. Typos and grammar are helpful too, but not the main ask. The main thing I need is specific comments on specific paragraphs, pages, or chapters. I need to know exactly what you thought as you read.

5. I need the feedback returned by the end of the year, December 31, 2026. Please only sign up if your reading schedule can realistically make that work right now.

6. I prefer readers to use Google Docs, MS Word, or Apple Pages. I prefer readers who use comments over those who type suggestions in track changes. However, I can send a PDF to an e-reader. You can comment and send the same file back to me.

7. This manuscript is unpublished and not for sharing — I'm trusting this group with something pretty personal, and I appreciate it more than a webpage can really say.

For more suggestions about becoming a beta reader in general, refer to THIS ARTICLE. 

As a Thank You

I love, love, love my readers. To readers who return the annotated copy to me, I usually send a charm bracelet with a charm representative of this novel. If you read more novels for me, you can collect more of my charms. If you would rather have something less feminine, let me know. If you return the copy on time, I will also enter you in a drawing for a book-themed handmade wall quilt signed by me. Additionally, I like to thank my readers in the book acknowledgments. If you wish to remain anonymous, please let me know.

Anyone who has beta-read for me can also sign up to be on my ARC team and review the book on Amazon, Goodreads, or their favorite social media right before launch.