THE Group for Authors! discussion

Nicholas, hi. Suggest you report problem to this group:

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Hi Everyone
so im today's new want to be who is struggling to find his way around this web site and really wanting to make a good impression.
I have a book being self published in April about my travel memoirs around the Spanish and Portuguese coast line on motorcycle with my best friend.
I would love to invite people to read and review the book prior to publication and need to know just how i do this.
Im sorry if i am offending the group but i do seem to be going around in circles with it

Martin

You need what's called "Beta-Readers", that is at least three or four people who will read your book and give you feedback. Beta-readers are usually people who you know are obsessed with reading and are tactful and instructive in their comments. Depending on the length of your manuscript these folks usually need about a month to complete their analysis. Good Beta-readers save authors lots of money because they spot problems in advance of publishing thereby permitting edits that make the manuscript better. If your manuscript is perfect, and your Beta-readers have no important changes to suggest, you may ask them for a "review" which can help a prospective book buyer to choose your memoir. Beta-readers reduce the chances you publish writing that contains errors and/or is amateurish. Your name is on the book. Don't risk it by publishing writing that's not vetted for perfection.

Martin wrote: "Hi Everyone
so im today's new want to be who is struggling to find his way around this web site and really wanting to make a good impression.
I have a book being self published in April about my tr..."

Hello Martin, I would be interested in reading a copy of your manuscript and commenting on it for you. I am not a professional writer, Beta Reader, editor, proofreader, etc. Rather just a fellow budding author with two published books to date. What I do believe qualifies me for such a task, is my ties to the motorcyclist lifestyle here in America, and one who owns and cherishes a 1958 Harley Davidson Sportster XLH (survivor bike). Let me know if you would be interested in having me read it for you. Depending on its length, etc. I would probably need about a month turnaround time. I have read many times where authors will gift each other a copy of their books with the intention of receiving a review afterwards. Don't know if you are at all into reading history, especially local history that explores the architecture and engineering design of a historical building, and how it worked. In addition to the personal stories about the author and key people who worked at that building during the years it served the community in which it resides, (See my author page). If so, we will arrange shipment of a copy of our books to one another at a later date.

Martin wrote: "Hi Everyone
so im today's new want to be who is struggling to find his way around this web site and really wanting to make a good impression.
I have a book being self published in April about my tr..."

Hi Sarah
Thank yo so much for the heads up, i will look into it today, as i said ive only just joined so its all a little new to me. I will be in touch to let you know how i get on

Martin

Gary wrote: "Martin wrote: "Hi Everyone
so im today's new want to be who is struggling to find his way around this web site and really wanting to make a good impression.
I have a book being self published in Ap..."

Morning Gary (well it is in Austria) :)
Sounds like a great idea, i will take a look into the essentials today and find out how to send you a PDF copy as im a few weeks away from publishing. My attitude is any review is worth its wait in gold as long as its honest and descriptive.

Speak very soon

Martin

That sounds like a plan Martin. I just don't know if I will be able to receive the PDF, sit down and read through it a couple of times, (to be able to fairly critique it) and formulate a helpful response in time, if the manuscript is only a few weeks away from publishing. I have my own small group of so called Beta Readers (friends that are capable of giving both good and bad criticism where needed) that I have read my manuscripts well in advance of it going to the publisher. I don't want them feeling as if they have to rush through the story to meet deadlines. I let my book's progress flow at a slow and easy pace, as you only get one chance to publish it right (grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.) correctly, and not be faced with costly revisions after the fact due to errors. Funny thing is, even some of the best scrutinized manuscripts somehow end up getting published with errors. I guess that's why the industry allows for a certain percentage of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors to be considered as "acceptable." Regardless, I try hard for mine to have zero errors when published. Truthfully, I've not met that goal yet, even with expensive editors and proof readers going through my manuscript(s) with a fine tooth comb.

Anyway, when you say yours is going to be published in a few weeks, are you using a self publishing service such as IngramPress, BookFuel, etc. [Not an advertisement for these companies, just referencing them as examples] to do your editing, proofreading, book and cover designs, formatting of the book files for both Ebook and printed versions, etc. or are you planning to attempt doing it all yourself? I for one, not being a professional writer/computer geek, opted to fork over a fair amount of money to these services, (that are often referred to as being vanity printers or publishers) but was very pleased with my choice to do so, and the quality of the end product. Checkout my author page and my latest book, A Young Boy's Stories about Dixie, History of the Walter E. Peele Dixie Water Treatment Plant for an example. I just know that I did not have the experience or expertise to create the book that they were able to put together for me (lots of photos and diagrams scattered throughout the narrative of the book).

Hi Gary

I have had several offers from the vanity side of the industry, and as this is purely for a hobby (if i sell 1 copy ebook or paperback it will have been a success). I know it sounds crazy but all i am really looking for is honest reviews to view the book and offer me there thoughts and comments.

I hold the strings on the publishing date as i will be using Amazon only for the book. Your beta group sounds like a great idea and if you are (as a group) interested i would be honored

I have time to try to learn the industry (a little) and im not scared to ask for help as i am this week. like the saying goes if you dont ask you dont get.

Don't worry about time, if it goes on until June or July its fine by me.

I have spent the past 3 months with the editor and to me he has transformed by original draft into something that now reads well. (well i would say that, as ive paid for the service)

I am now just starting to build me web site at the moment, as you can see i am hands on and also like building websites too, another hobby ive been doing for the past 5-6 years.

my email is [email protected]

If you send me a hello i can send the PDF over

Regards

Martin