# 📖 Getting Started Beta Reader Guide:

"Divided We Stand"

## How to Read and Provide Detailed Feedback

Thank you very much for volunteering to help improve this manuscript! Your detailed input will directly influence final improvements and revisions. This guide has three parts: **Access & Media**, **Traditional Feedback**, and **Interactive Feedback**.

NOTE: IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY SPOILERS, READ THE BOOK 1ST BEFORE USING ANY OF THESE MULTI-MEDIA TOOLS

1. Access & Media (Your Manuscript Files and Website Content)

You can download the manuscript from the website in one of two formats below.

Download Manuscript (DocX)

Use the DocX file for commenting directly in the file and using the Interactive NotebookLM tool.

Download Manuscript (EPUB)

Use the EPUB file for reading and commenting using the Kindle App

Note: Click download only once - check that the files downloaded

NOTE: To read this book on your iPhone or iPad, download the DocX version and then download the free Microsoft Word app from the App Store here: https://apps.apple.com/app/microsoft-word/id586447913 Open the Word document in the app for the best reading experience.

The Word app’s Read Aloud feature works when Apple’s VoiceOver is enabled. To turn on VoiceOver, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver and toggle it on. Once VoiceOver is active, open the Word document and tap the Read Aloud button to start listening. You can pause, resume, and control the reading speed using the controls.

For comfortable listening before bed or any time, use your iPhone or iPad’s Timer to automatically stop playback after a set period:

Open the Clock app > Timer.
Set the desired length (e.g., 30 minutes).
Tap When Timer Ends, scroll to the bottom, and select Stop Playing.
Start the timer, and reading will stop automatically when the time is up.
The Word app remembers your place, so you can easily resume from where you left off.

### Website Media Review (Video, Audio, and Mind Map)

Please review these resources generated from the manuscript.

Download Manuscript Mind Map (PNG)

Click here to download the thematic structure of the book

Listen to Audio Overview

Audio Overview: The Interactive Podcast

Click the 'Listen to Audio Overview' button above to open the AI-generated discussion in a new tab. This media is a key component of the interactive experience. You can listen here, or scroll down to Section 3: Advanced Feedback Method for instructions on how to upload the document to NotebookLM to listen and interrupt the discussion with your own questions.

Divided_We_Stand__An_Explainer (2).mp4

Divided_We_Stand_Overview.mp4

Divided_We_Stand__An_Explainer (1).mp4

Slide Show 1

Slide Show 2

Section 2: Traditional Feedback Methods

Please use one of these methods to provide your notes on the manuscript.

### If You Use the Word Document (.docx)

1. Open the file in Word or a compatible editor.

2. Use the **"New Comment"** feature to give feedback by highlighting text and selecting “New Comment.”

3. Quote exact phrases or sentences where relevant.

4. Save often and send back the document with your comments.

5. If you print the manuscript, please don’t write directly on the pages. Instead, take notes with page numbers and sentence excerpts. Email your notes clearly to help me track your feedback.

### If You Receive the Kindle/ePub File

1. Read on a Kindle device or app.

2. Use highlights and notes to mark passages.

3. **Export your highlights and notes** using the app’s export tool.

4. Share the exported notes or compile your comments with chapter, page, or quote references.

3: Advanced Feedback Method: Interactive NotebookLM

To help you clarify any uncertainties and validate your feedback *before* you send it to me, you can use the interactive **NotebookLM** tool. This turns the book into a **personalized AI expert** you can talk to.

### A. Access Requirements and Best Experience

| Requirement | Details |

| :--- | :--- |

| **File Format** | **DocX** file only. EPUB is NOT supported. |

| **Account** | You need a **Google Account** (Gmail, Workspace, etc.) to sign in. |

| **Best Experience** | Access the tool via a browser on a **desktop computer or laptop** for the full screen, multi-panel experience. |

| **Mobile Access** | You can download the **NotebookLM mobile app** for **iOS** and **Android**. |

| **Official URL** | **`https://notebooklm.google/`** |

### B. Step-by-Step Setup

1. **Go to NotebookLM:** Navigate to the URL and log in.

2. **Create New Notebook:** Click **"+ New Notebook"** and name it (e.g., "Divided We Stand Review").

3. **Upload the Manuscript:** Click **"Add Source"**, select **"Upload from your computer,"** and choose the **DocX** file.

### C. Deeper Understanding: Interactive Audio and Chat

This tool helps you quickly clarify plot points, character motivations, or settings so you can provide accurate feedback.

#### Interactive Audio (Most Beneficial Feature)

This allows you to listen to a full book summary and interrupt it to ask specific questions for validation.

1. **Generate Audio:** Click the **"Studio"** panel (on the right), select **"Audio Overview,"** and choose a format like **"Deep Dive."** Click **"Generate."**

2. **Enter Interactive Mode:** Once ready, click the **"Interactive Mode (BETA)"** button.

3. **Ask a Question:** Hit play, and at any time you have a question or concern about a plot point, click the **"Join"** button. The host will pause and respond with an answer grounded only in the manuscript text.

#### Using the Chat for Validation

Use the central **"Chat"** panel to ask questions that directly validate your feedback or concerns.

| Your Question/Concern | How to Validate in NotebookLM |

| :--- | :--- |

| **"I think Character X’s motivation is confusing here."** | **Chat:** "What does the text say about Character X's motivation for their actions in Chapter 5?" |

| **"I swear I read a contradiction about the city’s location."** | **Chat:** "List all mentions of the city of Haven and its exact location." |

| **"Is this a plot hole, or did I miss a detail?"** | **Chat:** "Summarize the events that led up to the final confrontation, focusing only on the source material." |

4: What to Look For in Your Review

Use the questions below and the provided **Feedback Form** as a guide. Your honest assessment of the manuscript's strengths and weaknesses will be invaluable.

| Category | Key Questions |

| :--- | :--- |

| **Story and Plot** | Is the main premise clear and engaging? Does the main conflict drive the narrative effectively? **Are there any confusing or unresolved plot threads?** Is the pacing consistent? |

| **Characters and Relationships** | Are the main characters distinct, realistic, and well-motivated? Does the protagonist grow? **Are there any inconsistencies in character behavior or dialogue?** |

| **Point of View and Voice** | Is the POV clear and consistent in each scene? Does the narrative voice fit the story style? Is the author’s voice unique and free from clichés? |

| **Setting and Worldbuilding** | Is the setting detailed, believable, and vivid? Does the environment enhance the mood or plot? **Is the timeline and sequence easy to follow?** |

| **Writing Craft and Prose** | Does dialogue sound natural? **Are there moments of clunky, awkward, or repetitive phrasing?** Is the balance between showing and telling effective? Are descriptions engaging but concise? |

| **Overall Readability and Flow** | Is the manuscript easy and enjoyable to read? Do chapters end in ways that encourage continued reading? Are scene and chapter transitions smooth? Is the tone consistent? |

### Final Notes for Feedback

* **Be Specific:** Always include the chapter, approximate page, or quote when pointing out issues.

* **Strengths & Weaknesses:** Pointing out what works is just as helpful as noting areas for improvement.

* **Proofreading:** While minor issues have been professionally corrected, if you find any, please report them.