I was not selected to be a beta reader for Michael J. Sullivan’s upcoming “The Death of Dulgath.” Part of me is disappointed. Part of me is relieved.
Part of me is sad because I might have been able to learn a few things from watching how the novel transforms. Seeing it in a less-than-final state might have given me hope and ideas for my own writing, and perhaps given me some ideas for what to look for in my own editing efforts.
But part of me, with all the anticipation I have for this book, wants to only read it in final, polished form. I want to be able to dive in and enjoy it, not paying attention to whether it was completely clear or could have been better.
Nor do I want the big release in November to be anti-climactic. After all of the excitement of the Kickstarter and the regular updates it would be sad to get there only to find I have no desire to read the book again so soon, no matter how cool my copy is.
They had close to 900 people volunteer to be proofreaders. They only wanted maybe 50. They’re taken care of. I hope they get good readers, but I’m kinda relieved I won’t be one of them.
Yeah, those grapes were likely sour anyway eh, Mr. Fox… 😉
Hey! I resemble that remark!
But, you do so gracefully.
“Graceful”… Now there’s an adjective I don’t usually hear in connection with…me.
OK, so I took some artistic license.