Any interested Beta readers out there?

I’m sitting here spitting nails because I found out yesterday that I may actually not be writing the third and fourth books in the young adult series I created. Long story; the shortest version is I agreed to work with a packager who sold the series idea I’d developed. The publisher wanted some things (major things) about the setup to change, and we agreed on them. I wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity to write four books, and I was pretty much on board with the direction the series took. But we sold, essentially, an idea. What we’d given them was a short outline for one book, a page about the rest of the series, and sample chapters of the first book that ended up in the garbage because of the requested tweaks. But because of the packager part of the deal, I actually have to be “hired” to write each book, and now I may not be given the chance to finish the series.

If anyone would be interested in reading the first few chapters of this book, I’d love an honest opinion. A brutal, in-your-face “here’s what didn’t work for me” take on the tone, the voice, the characters, and whether or not you’re itching to read more or have already fallen, comatose, across your desk in boredom. The gist of the story is it’s a post-virus world, a la The Stand (although not quite as devastating), set in the not-too-distant future. The Midwest has been evacuated, and the seven teens we focus on have ended up there anyway, joining a secret community called Novo Mundum, which may not be as perfect as they believed it to be. It’s aimed at readers ten and up, and it is a blatantly commercial project—after the first manuscript, I was told to remove all the metaphors because “it slows down the pace” and that readers “wouldn’t like them” (which I took to mean the publisher thinks kids are too stupid to understand them).

I can't even explain how enraged and frustrated and disappointed I am. I changed what I'd envisioned just for the chance to write a series that might actually have a shot at success, and the whole process has been a f*&%ing ballsup from the beginning. I know I'm really new here, but if anyone wants to volunteer, I could really use an objective opinion. Right now I'm having a hard time separating hatred of failure and frustration with these people from what I know (or maybe don't) about my own skills.

AmyLiz, what's the timeframe? Delighted to beta, but today is premier of Tim's new series, we leave for LA Sunday morning and are gone until Wednesday, and I have a signing/reading next weekend. If it's a huge rush, I doubt I can do it. If it be done over the span of a week or ten days, send it along: sf_deb@yahoo.com works best, and a word doc is also best (me no speak Mac).

Deb, it's not a rush at all. I'm just craving an outside take on the tone/feel of these chapters, but it's not time sensitive.

Yay for the reading/signing! Will send vibes for a packed house.

I'll send a Word doc in a little bit -- I have to separate the first couple chapters from the rest of the book. And thanks so much for volunteering -- the opinion of a few intelligent people is really going to make a difference to me right now.

I'd be happy to read it as well, AmyLiz.

Thanks, LJ, if it's okay for me to shorten. :-) Email address is in your profile?

Still taking deep breaths. Needing Johnny Depp goodness (but PotC or From Hell, I'm wondering -- that opium-addicted sexiness melted me) and lots of chocolate still.

AmyLiz, someday I will give you the entire story of how, after having four novels published here and abroad in the space of three years, and having had one of them looked at as a Booker candidate, I got so fucking fed up with publishing that I tossed the sequel to my most commercial book in the trash rather than give it to Bantam ("It's not sexy enough! Couldja stick some rapes in it? Our target demographic for this kinda of books, males 18-24, like rapes!", put the one I'd just finished (Still Life) in a drawer, and stopped working on "Weaver".

I stayed away from writing for ten years.

I know from wanting to slam the industry's collective heads against the cement pavement until I see some evidence of brains. Believe me, I know.

I know from wanting to slam the industry's collective heads against the cement pavement until I see some evidence of brains. Believe me, I know.

The smack-my-forehead factor is that I feel like I should know better. I was an acquiring editor for a couple of years, albeit working almost exclusively in romance. Said publisher was a bit odd, in many respects, but the thing about romance is (at least the way we published it there) was that almost everyone who submitted knew what romance was. Either YA is just a whole other ballgame, or series packaged this way are, or something. The "too many chefs" adage never seemed so true to me.

Talking out your ass (and after the fact) about wanting something to be "edgy" and "dark" when you've approved an outline in which the plot events pretty much aren't is just...crazytalk. Gah.

A Booker candidate! I am mightily impressed. Will send the email with file after dinner -- I can hear Princess Stinkypants yowling for attention, and Stephen is cooking (bless him).

A Booker candidate! I am mightily impressed.

Don't be - it was a blink in the book's general direction. Realising I didn't qualify on geographical parameters was only one reason they wandered off in a hurry, I'm sure.

Amyliz, serasempre @cox.net if you want to send it to me. My son was a big animorphs fan, as well as that other series of hers that sold fairly well, and I read all of those. If I can do that, I'm sure I can read anything you've written (It can't be worse *g*). I'd certainly be glad to give you my take on it, if you'd like.

Deena, thanks. Sent the email off just now, in fact.

One newbie-ish question: What's "insent"? I've seen a few of you use it, and can't quite figure out where it came from, although I'm assuming it means "email's been sent."

Deb, I'll take a blink like that any day.