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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I’m looking for beta readers for the draft of my second novel, Imperfections. It is a story of destiny and obsession and the determination of love. Elaina Cartwright lands in the San Francisco bay area and is attacked . She turns to her friends to help her out. She becomes involved in an abusive relationship and struggles to make sense of how she got herself, at age seventeen, into such a toxic situation. When her boyfriend introduces her to his cousin, Elaina is forced to endure the cruel jealousy as she and the cousin fall in love. Descriptions of sexual abuse and consensual sex. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you want to give it a try, email me at <a href="mailto:anniecms64@gmail.com">anniecms64@gmail.com</a> .<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I provide five target questions for beta readers to answer. I ask at least one question is answered as specifically as possible and for beta readers to return the feedback within three months.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Below is a definition and description of what a beta reader is and how being one assists the author.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The most important role of a beta reader is providing valuable feedback and not saying things like “I loved your story,”. A beta reader will continue with “I loved the book. But one scene didn’t seem clear to me. I wasn’t sure who was speaking,” and so forth. Being specific is critical for the author.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is what <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/beta-reader-guide">https://www.masterclass.com/articles/beta-reader-guide</a> says about beta readers:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A beta reader is a person—a friend, family member, colleague, or acquaintance—who reads a completed book manuscript prior to its publication with the goal of providing feedback to the author. The beta reader’s role is to deliver constructive criticism from the perspective of a book’s target readership.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The term beta reader has origins in the software industry, in which it’s common practice to engage with individuals called beta testers to pinpoint bugs and comment on the end user’s experience prior to the software’s wider distribution<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3 Reasons to Work With a Beta Reader<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beta reading is an important part of the writing process and helps the author in multiple ways:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. Beta readers can point out errors. An author spends a lot of time writing their first draft and therefore has worked out all of the plot points and logic puzzles in their own head. Sometimes those decisions don’t make it onto the page, however, which causes confusion for the reader. A beta reader looks at the book with fresh eyes and will find those plot holes and point them out to the author so they can correct the mistakes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. Beta readers provide opinions about the book. A beta reader is one of the potential purchasers once a book hits store shelves. If they don’t think the book is interesting or otherwise don’t enjoy it, they can give the author this important feedback.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. Beta readers may be your only opportunity to test your book. If you plan to self-publish your book, then a beta reader could be the first time someone other than you will read it. Their opinions could shape the eventual sales of your book. By taking their considerations into play, you can avoid putting out an unprofessional result.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>End of text from <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/beta-reader-guide">https://www.masterclass.com/articles/beta-reader-guide</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Ann Chiappetta M.S.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.annchiappetta.com/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>http://www.annchiappetta.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Making Meaningful Connections Through Media<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:Ann.m.chiappetta@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Ann.m.chiappetta@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Blog: <a href="http://www.thought-wheel.com/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.thought-wheel.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>914.393.6605<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>"Trust dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>- Neil Gaiman</span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>