Today, I sent Neeta Lyffe 2: I Left My Brains in San Francisco to my publisher at Damnation Books. This book had some challenges, as you know if you've been reading, but as I read it for the final time (backward, no less), I found I really enjoyed it with the changes. So, while I don't have a lot to say this post, I do want to share the lesson I learned about getting critiquers/beta readers:
1. Get a wide range of your audience. It was interesting that the women who read the story liked the romance element and saw Neeta as sensitive and strong, while the guys saw her as weak and whiny. If I'd only had women crit this, I would not have seen the flaw that would have turned off a big part of my audience.
2. If doing a series, get readers who have read the previous book, and some who have not. This was vital for knowing not only that my characters stayed within expectations for those who knew them, but that I explained the world well enough that those who are picking up this book first can understand it well enough to enjoy the story.
3. If the book isn't right, don't rush it. Rework and send it out again.
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