First Readers Required

Hal Spacejock: Legacy (book five in the series) is due for publication in 2010, and I need a handful of first readers who are willing to go through the book and submit feedback. If you're a big fan of the series and you're desperate to read Hal 5, please do not apply. I'm serious - we're talking about an uncorrected draft which is going to change considerably before publication, so this won't be a smooth, fun-filled read.

I'll be splitting first readers into two batches: One lot will receive the book on the 1st of August and will need to have their comments back by the 14th. The second lot will receive their copies on the 15th and will need to have comments back to me by the 27th. It's possible I'll divide the novel in two, sending half on day one and the second half a week later.

So, what sort of feedback am I after?

Inconsistencies
Confusing parts
Slow parts
Plot holes
Illogical actions by characters
Technological clangers
Repetition of ideas or dialogue
Echoes of earlier Hal books, etc
... and anything else in a similar vein.

What I'm not really fussed about:

Help with grammar
Spelling nits
Suggestions on how I should have written the book

If you spot a typo and report it, that's fine. Just don't spend hours looking for them, because scenes and chapters in the draft may still be cut from the finished manuscript.

So, if you're willing to be a ~~guinea pig~~ first reader, please email me here: spacejock at gmail dot com (subject 'First Reader'), giving a bit of background on yourself if you can. You don't have to be a writer to participate, but it's nice to know the perspective you'd bring to the task.

Many thanks!

Simon Haynes

Notes:
• This is a volunteer effort - if you only manage to read one chapter, that's fine.
• All copies will be sent as email attachments, and feedback should be returned the same way.
• There is such a thing as too many first readers. I may have to pick and choose.
• I have to submit the finished manuscript to my editor on the 1st of September.
• As a thank-you, first readers will receive a signed copy of Hal 5 when it's released.