how can i find someone who can read my book?

[dogagog]

its only 96 pages.  96 very crucial pages, so far unread by anyone but me.  where can i find a reader or two or three so i can test it out?  i don't have the funds to pay someone for this and i'm not really looking for someone to be an editor.  i just want someone to read it and react.  to tell me what is good and what is not so good with it.  is this possible?

[kevinlomas]

Test it in what manner? That it is formatted and laid out right? That the grammer and English is 'correct'. The latter two may show up when someone is reading it to find out that it is good or not, anyway (even if that is not what you ask for) and good or bad is often a matter of personal preference anyway. Do you not have any personal friends who can read it? You do not have to give them a book (but that would help to see if it looks OK in 'retail' print), just give them some printed A4 pages or whatever, or a copy of the file. One thing that a lot of writers have in common is that they KNOW that their book is good so go ahead anyway, even if it is rubbish!

[Maggie]

Post small chunks of it in the forums. Someone may have time and give comments. Post max 350 words at a time; people are really busy and impatient.

Also, you could set up a blog and make your book free to read for a while--or copy and paste one chapter a week. Ask only that readers give you feedback.

Good luck.

[josephine_dianek · Accepted solution]

Hi Dogagog, you asked a great question. Have you thought about carrying your book with you where ever you go. In conversation with people let the know that you are a writer then pull out your book. People are often looking for new ideas and interesting materials that will increase the quality of life. Your maybe one.

I notice that you do not give your book title of location for one to view it. That would be a start.

[cynjut]

I occasionally order several copies of my books and leave them laying around in waiting rooms.  I've gotten some very interesting feedback from people I had no idea about.  A minimal investment and you never know.  I've also donated copies to the local libraries in my community.

This would probably be most effective in a place where there were lots of traffic or lots of publishers, depending on your goals.

[Aquillrelle]

It is a great idea to donate some books to your locar library.Talk to the librarian too.

Why you do not ask your family member or friends to read it?

Also, you may try here:

http://www.agpress.8m.net/custom3_1.html

Bor the basic review they do not charge.

Aquillrelle

[dogagog]

unfortunately, i am a very hesitant person.  (i know what comments that statement might bring.)  i have written and rewritten everything in the book over and over.  i created the illustrations an the cover.  i've done the proof reading and editing.  this is not a boast.  it is the only way i can create.  i don't think i can let anyone else touch it.  but if i gave a copy to someone and they said "you left out a question mark" or that one story is really dumb, i might be able to change it or keep it as is, as i see fit.  does that make any sense?  i've done what you suggest but it is nice to hear it said.  i do carry copies with me.  i doesn't seem right to me to have snippets made available on line somewhere.  i think it needs to be seen as a physical book.  

The title is "a book of these things".  i want to get an ISBN but i want to be sure i'm not going to change it again first.  I am not offering it for sale yet so is there a way to make it known without selling it?  I'm setting up a website right now and i may just give up waiting for someone to read it first, when the site is ready.  

[dogagog]

oddly, i gave a copy to a good friend (who lives on the opposite coast that i live on).  she sounded eager to read it but when i had it sent, after a couple weeks she didn't even tell me she received it. so i asked and she said yes she did but she's very busy and it will take some time to read.  I haven't heard from her in a few months.  that to me is a very bad sign.  odder still, i sent one to another friend and got the same response.  that leaves me with, i'm either insane and did write a very _____ book or, finding out the truth about me, they don't really know how to deal with it.  (that truth by the way is that i'm insane.)  as for my family, they are even closer than the friends so i am afraid i'd have even more trouble than with the friends.  i did send a copy to someone i don't know at all on a site about miscellaneous issues, with normal to crazy people writing about many important or frivillous things.  this person said it gave her a warm good feeling, or something like that.  that is actually close to the response i would expect.  this could be because she doesn't know me and doesn't have to deal with me not being who she thought i was. Or maybe she was just trying to be nice.  i just think people fairly detached from me could give helpful responses

[dogagog]

how did those people who found your book respond?  do you think having an email address inside is a good idea? (i am creating but don't have a website yet).  thanks.

[Ken Anderson]

It sounds as though what you really nearly is a Proof Reader.

Faith Carroll is one of the regular contributors on this Forum and if you searcg you will soon find her name.

Here's where you can contact her.