Comments on: Who Should Read Your Unpublished Work?

By: quietriver

quietriver — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 17:54:00 +0000

Subtext:

An underlying and often distinct theme in a piece of writing or conversation.

The agent is asking to to push harder let go and add more depth. I’d say don’t hold back on anything. Trust the agent. 🙂

By: 5 Ways to Save Money On Self-Publishing–Curated Post | Finish That Novel!

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:12:19 +0000

[…] you need to be very careful who you ask to read your book because, asRachelle Gardener points […]

By: Ann Blosfeld

Ann Blosfeld — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 06:01:00 +0000

On my third novel, Common Ground, I’ve had seven beta readers—no family members or close friends. All seven liked the manuscript. These were all women within my target audience. Several of the readers had a few minor questions. Some were legitimate questions, but two were because a reader only skimmed the manuscript and didn’t pick up all the details. I quickly realized that not everyone who volunteers is qualified. Tiny errors were found and corrected, and all the legitimate questions were resolved. I submitted query letters to ten agents. Three requested additional information, and one actually read the entire manuscript. Although my beta readers liked the book (and one even complimented me on my style), the agent said the book needed more subtext. I’m not sure whether to re-write the book based on the agent’s advice, or to sell the book online based on the positive feedback from the beta readers. Confused.

By: almondbranch61

almondbranch61 — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 17:37:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing this topic. Your blog is the first place I look for information and finding a “reader” has been on my mind for a few days. I’m wanting to go outside my circle of friends and family but I’m afraid to send my “baby” to the internet world. Does anyone have experience using a Beta Reader group like the one I found on goodreads.com?

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Wed, 24 Jul 2013 19:02:34 +0000

[…] readers are not created equal.” – Rachelle Gardner, literary […]

By: Kira Budge

Kira Budge — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:32:00 +0000

I spent a great amount of time, as I wrote my books, having others read and work with them. I’ve finally settled on a particular group of beta readers and critique partners, all of which bring something new to the table. After I first finish a draft, I have two or three close friends read it. One I go to because she will look at it exclusively as a reader, with emotional feedback, and another I choose because she is also a writer and is very good at pointing out fallacies. Then I have my mother listen to a tape I make of the book because she is a picky reader who will say what she thinks. Then finally when I get to the point of sending it out, I have a critique partner whose books I greatly admire who does a final readthrough or two for me. It’s a good group to work with, I think.

By: Weekly Linkroll | M. Fenn

Weekly Linkroll | M. Fenn — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:37:16 +0000

[…] Who Should Read Your Published Work? Rachelle Gardner on the subject of good beta readers. Worth their weight in gold, as the cliché goes. I love mine. […]

By: Pressing Matters: March 8, 2013, Edition | Candlemark & Gleam

Pressing Matters: March 8, 2013, Edition | Candlemark & Gleam — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:08:13 +0000

[…] Rachelle Gardner has a great post on who should read your unpublished work – because while good betas are worth their weight in gold, they’re also hard to come […]

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Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:07:33 +0000

[…] “All readers are not created equal,” says agent Rachelle Gardner. So, who should read your unpublished work? […]

By: J Henderson

J Henderson — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:40:02 +0000

In reply to J. M. Tompkins.

I’m also struggling with finding extra beta’s away from family and friends. If you want to swap novels my email address is juliettehenderson@hotmail.co.uk. My book is womens fiction, and very English (so you might want to think about how much “English” you can take before you make a decision on my offer :))
I read a very mixed bag of fiction so am open to anything.

By: Elissa Field

Elissa Field — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:08:48 +0000

Rachelle, this is great advice. Last summer, a writing group I participate in was debating just this subject — with writers wanting to gain the value of a beta reader’s insight, but discussing among ourselves how to proceed in order to be respectful, give useful commentary and support the writer’s intended goals.

I shared a link to your post in my Friday Links for Writers on 2.22.13: http://elissafield.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/friday-links-for-writers-02-22-13/

Thanks, as always, for the fabulous advice you share with writers!

By: Friday Features #43, #44, #45 - YESENIA VARGAS

Friday Features #43, #44, #45 - YESENIA VARGAS — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 04:25:54 +0000

[…] Who Should Read Your Unpublished Work? – Rachelle Gardner […]

By: book publishing websites

book publishing websites — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 06:53:59 +0000

In reply to Morgan Tarpley. book publishing websites :- Bookfarms.com is book publishing websites, you can find here self publishing ebook & free digital books. You can also search for documents and books to quickly find what you are looking for.

By: Karen Brittle

Karen Brittle — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:12:56 +0000

I’ve written a memoir that depicts practicing professionals in my field (Equine Assisted Activities & Therapies). In some cases, I use pseudonyms but in other places the person’s actual name and credentials. Does anyone have advice for when/ how to approach these “characters?” I have mainly chosen to include them by full name because I respect them and their work and feel they/ it should be better known. Does it make sense to approach them as “expert” readers of a draft, or rather wait until there is representation and discuss with agent or publisher. Thank you!