I have the incredible good fortune to be gal-pals with author Lee Roland. Vengeance Moon, the second book in her Earth Witches series, is out June 5th.
Author Events
One of the perks of having writer friends is that I get to be a groupie at book signings. This weekend I’ll be hanging out with Lee at a very special book signing. The Orlando book store where we will be has managed to get permission to make her book available a few days early. You can get the signing details on her website. If you happen to be in the Orlando area, we’d love to see friendly faces there!
Beta Reads
Another perk of having writer friends is that I sometimes get to beta read books before they’re released. This particular book I saw in very early stages. So early that I really think I’m going to have to read the book when it comes out, to see just what changed.
Anyone else out there ever have a chance to be a beta reader? I’d love to hear what think of the experience. Authors, do you use beta readers? If so, how did you find your readers?
Here is a bit about Lee’s book:
Madeline Corso can’t rest until she hunts down the three unknown assailants who killed her father and witch mother. Two of them are now dead by her hand. But the third eludes her while she serves time with the Sisters of Justice—a mysterious order of female warriors with ties to her mother.
The Sisters have tracked the last murderer to Duivel, Missouri, and the dark underworld of the Barrows. But Madeline’s release is contingent on her fulfillment of a mission for the Sisters. Madeline doesn’t question them, but once in the Barrows, she discovers that things aren’t what they seem.
Can she rely on Michael, a handsome and enigmatic local businessman, to help her navigate a world of men and beasts? Or will she lose her heart before the mission is complete?
Smart Girls love SciFi 
I was fortunate enough to beta-read our friend Abigail Sharpe’s cowboy novel (appearing soon, I hope) and I also can’t wait to see the final version. I love being part of the process!
Fun! And she’s as hilarious in print as she is in person. I think readers are going to lover her debut.
It is kind of cool to beta read something that gets published. Makes you feel like an ‘insider’.
I beta read regularly and I have CPs who return the favor. Their input has been invaluable.
Are your CPs and Beta readers the same? I know some authors keep them separate and some don’t.
They are one in the same. My only rule is that once they’ve read the book, I don’t trouble them to read it again so as to maintain objectivity.