BETA READING

Call for beta readers is now open for a secret project!

It's a serious-toned litRPG/progression fantasy set in a climate-fractured world, with ancient armor, a battle-scarred mentor, and an observant adult MC who has to decide what honor and power look like in a broken system. It is a lower-crunch litRPG where stat readouts/skills/magic system are present and meaningful, and the big moments feel earned. But the MC uses his brain as much as brawn, and the heart of the story is character, atmosphere, and mystery.

👉Interested? Fill out this Google Form.

Secret project FAQ

What is beta reading? What type of feedback do you want? Can I tell other people that I'm a beta reader? For these and other general questions, please see the "general beta reading FAQ" section below.

What is the timing for this? Nick's goal is to follow up with everyone by December 20 at the latest. The holiday season can look like pure chaos for some people and include reading downtime for others; so, the hope is to get it into the hands of the latter soon enough to take advantage of that while having patience for the right beta readers who are in the former situation and need a bit more time.

What if I apply then can't do it? Filling out the Google Form doesn't commit you to anything. Nick is a human too and gets that life happens. If this is your first time beta reading for Nick, you'll likely be given a small number of chapters to read and give light comments on initially. The intention there is to give both parties the opportunity to pause and confirm that it's still a good fit before proceeding with the full manuscript.

Why do I have to fill out a form? The information you provide helps Nick ensure (or make a best guess) that the book is something you'd enjoy. It also enables Nick to recruit a variety of beta readers, as there would likely be a variety of people reading the book once published.

Do I have to have read litRPG books before? No. While it would be a miss not to have significant inclusion of litRPG readers, if you're interested and a litRPG-newbie, it's likely that others in a similar situation would be as well. So, that means your input is valuable to include. Please don't count yourself out.

Do I have to read a certain number of books per year to qualify? No. You don't have to be someone who reads a superhuman number of books each year. The Google Form does ask questions about what you typically read and how much you read, but it's for the purpose of understanding your reading habits and being able to recruit a variety of types of beta readers.

How do I beta read for this project? First, fill out this Google Form. Then sit back and wait for Nick's email follow-up (the goal is to send these by December 20 at the latest). If selected and it's your first time beta reading for Nick, you'll likely be given a small number of chapters first. You'll read these and offer light comments, giving both parties the opportunity to pause and confirm that it's still a good fit before proceeding with the full manuscript. 

What is beta reading?

Beta reading is reading an author's manuscript (unpublished novel) for the purpose of providing feedback on the story. Beta readers are regular people who enjoy reading and simulate what the audience for the published book might think. No special expertise is required and beta readers are often told not to provide grammatical feedback. It's an opportunity to get a sneak peek at what the author is working on and participate in the writing process. Beta readers agree to keep the manuscript that they review confidential.

How can I become a beta reader?

Use the form at the top of this page to express interest in becoming a beta reader for future Nick Scrawls books. When an opportunity arises, you’ll receive an email to explore whether you might be a good fit for the project (e.g. confirm you match the target audience, have interest in the story, and have the time to participate).

If I sign up, do I have to beta read when I'm asked?

No. Signing up just expresses interest. There is no commitment to be a beta reader and also no guarantee that you'll be selected. When an opportunity arises that looks like it might be a good fit, you'll be provided with more information about the project and can choose to proceed or decline.

How is beta reading different from ARC reading?

ARC stands for “advanced review copy” or “advanced reader copy” and is the final version of a book. Beta reading involves a manuscript that is in the middle of the book-writing process (meaning less polish and major differences from the final novel). In beta reading, you get to give input that helps the story take shape, whereas the ARC team focuses on helping the final product find success. More information about joining ARC teams for Nick Scrawls books can be found here. 

What type of feedback does a beta reader give?

Beta readers provide feedback on things like: plot holes and inconsistencies, pacing, characters, whether key moments feel satisfying, and anything that doesn’t quite feel right. Beta readers do not focus on grammar or solutions; instead, they share personal impressions and seek to identify potential problem/opportunity areas. To make things easy, you would be given specific questions to answer.

Can I tell other people that I’m a beta reader?

If beta reading for Nick Scrawls, you can tell people. However, you cannot share the book title or any part of the manuscript. Once the book is published, you are free to name the book title, but the manuscript may not be shared at any time.

How different is the beta-read manuscript from the published book?

They can often be quite different. Sometimes whole characters are rewritten/added/deleted and the same goes for chapters and scenes. The story could have a different beginning, middle, or end—and anything else in between. You can think of the beta-read manuscript as an alternate universe version of the published book.

If I did beta reading for a book, can I review the published book?

If you have read the published version of a book (or an ARC for it), any author would greatly appreciate your willingness to leave a review. However, the beta-read manuscript is often significantly different from the published book, such that it would not be an appropriate basis for an honest review.