Hello everyone! Just an update on The Rowyn Chronicles. Book 1 is currently in the Beta Process! I’ve had some amazing and talented readers and writers looking over the manuscript and they gave me a ton of constructive feedback, so I’m busy making some final edits before starting the querying process again to find an agent.

This is a busy time, as many of my beta partners have swapped manuscripts with me to look over as well. The world is filled with talented writers and I have been honored to read through some exciting and engaging YA Fantasy. I can’t wait to share some of the other authors’ work with everyone when they get to their final stages as well.

For anyone looking for Beta Readers, I had really great success with the following groups and forums.

1. Beta Readers & Critiques- This is a Facebook group that you must request to join but once in, I got several betas and swaps from other members there, and they gave really great feedback and suggestions.
2. Beta Readers and Critique Partners- This is another Facebook group that you must request to join that has a lot of members. During my first Beta phase I was able to set up several swaps from here.
3. Goodreads Forums- I joined Goodreads (a writing and reading website) specifically for the Beta process and have been pleasantly surprised with the large community there. I received most of my Betas from the forums for betas and critique partners here, so it’s a great resource for aspiring authors!

When I send my manuscript to a beta, I put it in a Google doc set to comment only (and only for the person with that email). There are options within the advanced sharing settings that allow you to disable copy/paste/print/and share functions for whoever you’re sending your script to. I title the doc with the beta readers Name, as well as the chapter section that I am sending them so that I can keep track of whose suggestions are whose.  Example- Suzy Q Ch. 1-5

During the second round of betas I had quite a few, so I now have a Google Folder entitled Finished Betas where I put the docs when I am finished with the edits based on that betas suggestions. That’s allowed me to keep track of which changes I’ve made and what docs I still need to work on.

For anyone looking for betas for their writing process, my advice is to be open to swapping work. Not only does it make you a more conscientious writer, but you get to read manuscripts from people all over the world which I thought was pretty cool. Being a part of a writing community is all about building relationships!