You know what I love?  I love writing stories about love, life and adventure.  Stories that people can eat up like a bubble gum flavored ice-cream cone on a sweaty summer's day. It took me a long time to get the the place in my life where I could sit down and write every day without feeling guilty about all of the stuff that I "should" be doing. I am filled with gratitude that I get to do this fun job.

You know what I don't love? I never get to talk to anyone! I spent years working in business, both as a corporate employee and as a business owner and I loved the social aspect and the strength of the relationships that I developed with both my co-workers and my employees over the years.

That's why I started The Beta Babes.  I don't want to write stories that no one reads. I want to write stories that people like you love. I need people, actual real live people, that I can talk to who will tell me when an idea is stupid, when they want a book about something else, when I need to re-write an entire first draft - please don't ever tell me that! I need friends who will vote on the best book cover designs, friends who will read my books way in advance of the publish date, friends who I can reach out to when I am stuck.

Is that you?  If you think you would like to be part of The Beta Babes and join a really fun group please read on below and see where you might fit in and how to join...

What kind of Babe do you want to be?

Beta Babe role: Developmental Reader

When? First Draft Completion

This job is primarily about story. I always write from an outline - sometimes the outline is very thorough and doesn’t change much, sometimes it changes as the characters decide to take a different path (this happens a lot). After I complete the first draft, I immediately sit down and start the initial edit which includes:

  • A map of the storyline to make sure that the timeline and story elements make sense and;
  • A review to ensure that characters are experiencing the growth I want them to and that their motivations make sense and are character appropriate

You would be a good developmental reader if you agree with the following:

  • You are more interested in story and character rather than pretty prose
  • You won’t get distracted by grammar and/or technical writing issues - there will be many mistakes in this draft as it is completely unedited.
  • You don’t mind that the story might change significantly during the next edit

What you can expect from me:

  • My undying gratitude
  • All developmental readers fulfilling their role get credit in the back of the book
  • Developmental readers are invited to enter the "Verified Purchase" contest at launch which has the chance to win swag and goodies

What I expect from you:

  • A reading the initial draft (within a defined timeline because I need feedback before I start the next edit)
  • Completion of a feedback survey with guidance and advice
  • Bonus Points! A read-through of the ARC copy and a review posted during pre-order period

Developmental readers are invited to join the Beta Babes Facebook Group - we gossip a lot, I ask for advice, you get to contribute to stories and ideas.

How to join the Developmental Reader Team - Send me an email to lisa@laptoplifelisa.com and tell me why you'd like to be a developmental reader and that you understand the expectations and can complete them. That's it! :-)

Beta Babe role: Proofreader

When? Post Professional Edit

After I complete all of my edits - both developmental and technical working edits the book goes to the professional editor. That doesn’t mean it comes back to me with zero mistakes. By this point, I’ve looked at the book so many times that the issues may become invisible. The editor has read it only a few times and is only human.

After the professional edit, I will provide a full pre-publication draft advanced copy to the proofreader Beta Babes. Proofreaders will focus on grammar, technical writing or minor typos.

You would be a good proofreader if you agree with the following:

  • You love grammar and prose and strong writing
  • You are capable of reading a book for enjoyment while at the same time analyzing the issues.

What you can expect from me:

  • My undying gratitude
  • All proofreaders fulfilling their role get credit in the back of the book
  • Proofreaders are invited to enter the "Verified Purchase" contest at launch which has the chance to win swag and goodies

What I expect from you:

  • A reading the proofreading draft (within a defined timeline because I need feedback before I start the next edit)
  • Feedback provided in a group Google Doc (so that it's consolidated and you can see if someone else has reported the same issue)
  • Bonus Points! A read-through of the ARC copy and a review posted during pre-order period

Proofreaders are invited to join the Beta Babes Facebook Group - we gossip a lot, I ask for advice, you get to contribute to stories and ideas.

How to join the Proofreader Team - Send me an email to lisa@laptoplifelisa.com and tell me why you'd like to be a proofreader and that you understand the expectations and can complete them. That's it! :-)

Beta Babe role: Advance Copy Reader/Street Team Member

When: Just before publication

One week prior to the book’s pre-order I will provide a full pre-publication final advance copy to the ARC Beta Babes. ARC readers focus on just reading the story to prepare to participate in launch day. 

You would be a good advanced reader if you agree with the following:

  • You like my style of writing and want to be active in getting the stories out to as many folks as possible.
  • You want to support and have an influence on the success of a new novelist :-)

What you can expect from me:

  • My undying gratitude
  • A free copy of the ARC version (ready for publication)
  • ARC/Street Team members are invited to enter the "Verified Purchase" contest at launch which has the chance to win swag and goodies

What I expect from you:

  • Read the book within the week provided
  • A review of the book during the pre-order period (as per Amazon terms of service, reviews are not required in return for the book).
  • Bonus Points! Share the book on launch day via your social media channels

ARC/Street Team members are invited to join the Lit Chick Facebook Group - we gossip a lot, I ask for advice, you get to contribute to stories and ideas.

How to join the ARC/Street Team - Send me an email to lisa@laptoplifelisa.com and tell me why you'd like to be an ARC reader and that you understand the expectations and can complete them. That's it! :-)

I am so humbled that you are considering joining my writing journey. I hope to get to know you personally so if you could post an introduction in your the Facebook Group and tell us about yourself I would love it.

Love, Lisa-Marie x