First readers wanted!

[feuervogel]

Here's the deal: I have a rough draft of a novel. It currently stands around 80000 words (approximately 250 paperback pages).

What I'm looking for:
- I don't want a line edit (going in line by line and picking word choice, repetition, etc), but if something stands out as agrammatical, nonsensical, or just plain confusing, please point it out.
- I want an overall structural view: plot, pacing, flow, characterization. Are there gaping plot holes? Do the characters' motivations make sense? Is it too slow, too fast? Do the scenes logically connect?
- Are there scenes you would like to see added? Taken out? Plot points that don't work?
- What aspects of worldbuilding and exposition need further explanation?
- Does the ending tie up loose ends? Is it an ending or a Neal Stephenson ending? (*snrk*)
- Where do I need to add descriptions? (I am very much not a visual person!)

What you'd need to do:
- Have a computer that can run MSWord or OpenOffice with the "notes" function and email that can handle large files. (GDocs can't handle files this large.) Let me know whether you prefer .doc or .odt.
- Read over it and make commentary, then email it back to me.

Time frame for feedback:
- With my upcoming travel, I'm looking at receiving your feedback in the second half of June, which gives you about 2 months.

What you get in return:
- If you are a writer, I will return the favor, giving a structural read for a work of similar length or a more detailed read for a work up to about 25k.
- If you are not a writer *and* you are local: I'll buy you coffee/dinner/beer, or see below.
- If you are not a writer *or* local: We can work out an exchange of some sort.

Right now I'm looking for 3-4 people to read and comment. I'm going to poke the last scene a little more today, then give the whole thing a readthrough. I can get it to you any time before April 30.

Comments

[yhibiki]

Well, since you beta'd my fic, I think it'd be only fair for me to return the favor. ;) My only e-mail is gmail... but might I suggest uploading the file to mediafire or something of the like? That'll save you from having to send the large file to various people, just toss them the link.

[feuervogel]

Oh, I hadn't thought of that. Hmm. I don't have an account at any of those places, but I could upload it to my domain.

[yhibiki]

I think most of those places don't even require you to have an account. Mediafire certainly doesn't, since I used it without an account for the longest time. But your own domain is probably the better way to go anyway.

[princess]

I am willing, although I don't know if my email will choke on it. You could try sending it to my alternate e-mail, and I could pick it up there. If so, it's kitten at digitalfreaks dot org.

[feuervogel]

Thank you! I belatedly realized I should mention that it's space opera with mercenaries and some politics.

[princess]

Even better! :)

[feuervogel]

I think I sent it to your gmail address! I messed up the first time & sent it to someone else completely. At least it was just a link and not a 400-kb file!

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

Darnit. I would offer, but I tend to be better at line editing than plot point editing. I'm much better at picking up on details than I am at noticing overall trends. Good luck!

[feuervogel]

I'm sure I'll need a line edit eventually :D I just don't want anyone to expend the effort on this early a draft, you know? Because a line edit is a LOT of work. (I'm also better at nitpicky stuff, so I need someone to look over my shoulder and say, "you know, this doesn't make sense. Why's he doing X instead of Y?")

I got two bites over on DW, and another friend said he'd read it (as a consumer of space opera with mercenaries in). And the guy who's been helping me out with the military stuff said he'd look it over, but he didn't promise not to flake. So I'm still in the market for a reader or two.