How can i find someone who can read my book?

Question

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?

Answer 1

You need a beta reader.  One of the ways they differ from editors is the fact that they they suggest changes to, and don't directly manipulate (as editors do), the hard copy.  And, of course, they haven't trained and studied for the Editor and/or Proofreader title; therefore, they aren't editors or proofreaders, and don't get paid editor and proofreaderer prices. The ideal beta reader is a well-read, intelligent individual with a love of books and authors.  They usually beta read for free, but some will ask for an acknowlegement in the book, or a simple "thank you!" via email! They are the before-it-is-ever-in-the-hands-of-an-editor step that many newbies, such as yourself, should take advantage. I have suggested beta readers countless of times for many of my authors, before they use me.  Be careful, however.  Ask the beta for whom he/she has read; make sure it's not some nutbag who just wants to be in print.  When they write you, is their email message riddled w/ typos? Do they only write in lowercase? (C'mon, it isn't that difficult to cap when necessary.  How lazy!) Do they speak proper English?  I refuse to recommend any beta reader who insists on using "ain't" in our correspondences.  It is not proper; we just met and I'm an editor: you expect me to recommend you to an author when you refuse to speak correctly?  In character context, yes, but upon our first meeting?  Nuh-uh.  For (pick a deity)'s sake, use a real word----and use the SHIFT key!   
PS: Ken, thanks for the plug. What this author needs, however, is a beta reader.  We'll get him/her straightened out, lol :-).