These Vicious Delights

Okay, I'm belated in posting this. Now it's June and so I greet you all: Happy Pride Month! Last month, in May, I participated in the Asian Books Challenge hosted by Books and Boba on Twitter.

Each day, I recommended a new book by an Asian author or with an Asian protagonist.

You can find the master thread on Twitter here. (I'm more active there nowadays)

day 1: first book you read by an asian author

bit ridiculous since i’ve been reading asian authors from a young age, but i’ll go with 1q84 — one of my fave haruki murakami novels and one of his better ones! this is a good introduction to him; weird, enjoyable, but not TOO weird

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day 2: favorite 2019 book by an asian author

we hunt the flame by hafsah faizal! this YA arabian fantasy has a special place on my favorites shelf ❤️❤️ it’s enemies to lovers too

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day 3: book with an asian on the cover

how about the wolf of oren-yaro by ks villoso! it’s an adult asian-inspired fantasy with a filipina lead. you dont usually see southeast asians on book covers, much less SFF covers, so this was so lovely ❤️ plus THAT ART!!

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day 4: set in an asian country you’ve never been to

the silence of bones. it’s a YA historical murder mystery set in the year 1800, korea. this really transported me to another world — not /just/ another country — because hur’s detailed account of the year 1800 was eye-opening!

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day 5: sci-fi novel by an asian author

ignite the stars by maura milan! 5⭐️ to this novel. it's got enemies to lovers, enemies to best friends, and a protagonist who's nicknamed the blood wolf of the skies. isn't that the most badass thing you've heard?

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day 6: Asian-inspired fantasy

forest of a thousand lanterns by julie dao. this is a /truly dark/ YA fantasy which tells the story of a xifeng, a peasant girl who will stop at nothing to become empress. she manipulates the courtiers, seduces the emperor, and eats raw hearts 🖤

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day 7: lgbt asian mc

empress of salt and fortune. this little novella stars chih, a nonbinary cleric whose job it is to catalogue history. an old woman named rabbit tells chih about her life as a handmaiden to the empress she was in love with...

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day 8: read the book, watched the adaptation

crazy rich asians! one of the few cases where i loved the movie as much as the book. (i binge-read the first 2 when they came out) it was hilarious, dramatic, and meant a lot to every asian to see it on the big screen <3

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day 9: historical fiction with asian mc

the night tiger by yangsze choo. this is a magical novel set in 1930s malaysia. there's romance, mystery, characters chasing their dreams... and an exploration of colonialism, which is often ignored in historical fiction of this time

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day 10: ya novel by an asian author

is it cheating if its co-written? i love burn for burn by jenny han & siobhan vivian. this ya contemporary about girls getting revenge on a boy who wronged them is a rollercoaster🔥🔥🔥

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day 11: translated work by an asian author

convenience store woman by sayaka murata. this one is both a punch to the face AND very funny. recommended reading for any woman who struggles with what is socially acceptable and what her family expects her to become

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day 12: south asian mc

the devourers. this book isnt for everyone but WOW. it is so much more heartwrenching than i expected. it’s magical & timeless & talks about monsters, humanity, love, gender, sexuality... to the twin backdrops of modern india & 17thc india

tw: rape

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day 13: romance with asian mc

of curses & kisses! this ya contemporary is a romance between an indian princess and the british heir to her family’s sworn enemy. and yes, this is the same author who wrote when dimple met rishi :)

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day 14: fave series by an asian author

i’m so bad at finishing series 😭 so im going with a manga! bungou stray dogs. also choosing this because it introduce me to a lot of japanese literature! the characters are all named after famous authors :)

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day 15: central asian mc

okay this was hard. i had to rely on google. the kite runner by khaled hosseini, which i read as a child and absolutely wrecked me

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day 16: mixed-race asian mc

the gilded wolves. my fave character enrique is spanish-filipino. and while chokshi got a lot mistaken about his culture & ph race relations (lmao) it’s still a very fun book! 2 other MCs are mixed, and another MC is desi :)

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day 17: asian retellings

why not a whole anthology? a thousand beginnings and endings features numerous short stories by asian YA authors who have retold myths from their cultures!

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day 18: mystery/thriller by an asian

i’ve read so many asian thrillers so IT’S SO HARD TO CHOOSE. but i’m going with smaller and smaller circles. 2 filipino priests track down a serial killer in manila. more than the mystery, it’s also got social commentary on govt corruption

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day 19: southeast asian mc

it's not out yet but i'm so excited for last tang standing, an adult romance set in singapore. andrea is a successful lawyer but her mom is pressuring her to get married... so who does she choose? attractive rival at firm? wealthy businessman? herself?

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day 20: MG novel by an asian author

my fate according to the butterfly is a more middle grade child-friendly novel about the philippine drug war & addiction. the manila-based filipina author also set her novel in manila!

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day 22: asian muslim mc

mad, bad, & dangerous to know. this ya contemporary features a teen girl who dreams of being an art historian. she goes to paris to study byron, only to discover the untold story of an enigmatic woman who had inspired all the great 19th c authors...

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day 23: graphic novel by an asian author

trese! this filipino fantasy noir comic features trese, a female detective who solves supernatural crimes in manila. neil gaiman said he’s a fan too 🖤

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day 24: asian superhero

does a supervillain disguised as a superhero count? nova artino from the renegades series is half-filipina... and she has my heart ❤️

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(i skipped days 25 & 26 because i havent read any, but recs are highly appreciated!)

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day 27: west asian mc

the wrath and the dawn by renee ahdieh. this YA fantasy is a retelling of the arabian nights. a girl named shahrzad marries a caliph who is known for killing all his wives... and plans to take revenge on him

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day 28: summer trip to the “motherland”

loveboat, taipei. ever wong dreams of being a dancer, but her strict parents want her to be a doctor. she’s sent to chinese school in taiwan for the summer, where for the first time there’s no parents. just boys, parties, freedom...

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day 29: non-fiction by an asian

given the recent historical revisionism on twitter... i’d like to share this article on comfort women. it happened to women all over asia under the japanese occupation and until now, justice has eluded them

TW: RAPE

Read:

South Korea's surviving 'comfort women' spend final years seeking atonement from Japan

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day 30: 2020 debut by an asian author

i am SO HYPED for these violent delights by chloe gong. romeo & juliet meets the godfather in 1920s shanghai. two rival gang leaders need to work together to stop a supernatural force. enemies to lovers deliciousness

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day 31: next asian book on your tbr

naming multiple because why not

-descendant of the crane (waiting for paperback: sept release)
-want to finish jade city
-the burning god (nov release?)

You don't have to wait for a certain month to start reading more diversely. So check out these Asian books! Which ones are your favorite?

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3 comments

An Unnatural Vice by KJ Charles (2017)

An Unnatural Vice is an m/m historical enemies to lovers adult romance with a murder mystery subplot. It's the second book in KJ Charles' Sins of the Cities series. I rated it 4/5 stars.

What is An Unnatural Vice about?

In the sordid streets of Victorian London, unwanted desire flares between two bitter enemies brought together by a deadly secret.

Crusading journalist Nathaniel Roy is determined to expose spiritualists who exploit the grief of bereaved and vulnerable people. First on his list is the so-called Seer of London, Justin Lazarus. Nathaniel expects him to be a cheap, heartless fraud. He doesn’t expect to meet a man with a sinful smile and the eyes of a fallen angel—or that a shameless swindler will spark his desires for the first time in years.

Justin feels no remorse for the lies he spins during his séances. His gullible clients simply bore him. Hostile, disbelieving, utterly irresistible Nathaniel is a fascinating challenge. And as their battle of wills and wits heats up, Justin finds he can’t stop thinking about the man who’s determined to ruin him.

But Justin and Nathaniel are linked by more than their fast-growing obsession with one another. They are both caught up in an aristocratic family’s secrets, and Justin holds information that could be lethal. As killers, fanatics, and fog close in, Nathaniel is the only man Justin can trust—and, perhaps, the only man he could love.

Possible AO3 tags for this novel:

Opposites attract
Zealous Gentleman meets Manipulative Criminal
All the angry hatesex
You're The Only Person I Trust (and I don't usually trust people)
Grieving a deceased ex

My review was originally posted on Goodreads here

"I hate what you do, and I kneel at your altar anyway."

KJ Charles has done it again. Two protagonists who loathe each other at first sight? DIVINE. The sizzling chemistry and hatesex? FIRE. 🔥🔥🔥 But that's not everything. I am reeling. It's amazing how two asshole-y men can be capable of so much tenderness. Most of all, I did not expect the complexity. The explorations on death, grieving, pride, and becoming a better person moved me to tears.

Nathaniel and Justin are both so real. Nathaniel is a vicar's privileged son... but he's also an atheist nursing a broken heart. The love of his life died in a freak accident. And now he rallies against Justin, a seer who takes advantage of grieving customers. Meanwhile, Justin managed to raise himself out of poverty with his business. He doesn't care if he's taking advantage of naive gentlefolk.

These two butt heads from the very beginning. They don't hide their utter disdain for each other (even when they're severely attracted). I found that really refreshing! Most of the time in other romance novels, the physical attraction gets in the way of emotional depth. But here, even as Nathaniel and Justin acknowledge their chemistry, they still have to work through their emotions. The sex doesn't automatically cure their past trauma and hatred for each other.

I knew I was already a big fan of this novel when they started to fall in love. Their romance/love for each other didn't cure their past traumas and terrible personalities either. It was something they had to work on for themselves.

Plus, Nathaniel trying to move on from his deceased boyfriend? Justin realizing he doesn't want to take advantage of other people for a living anymore? My heart was seized.

Sorry, I'm vulnerable rn. I came here for hot men and murder and stayed for the sensation of getting my heart mashed to a pulp.
Speaking of murder... that's the only reason why this is rated 4 stars. KJ Charles excels at romance but falls flat when there's mystery involved. I was bored to death whenever Nathaniel and Justin weren't together lol. This is a series so the overarching mystery isn't solved, but I'm not interested enough in it anyway. Still, a warning: not all questions are answered by the end, although they do get a happy ending.

TL;DR I recommend this to anyone who likes a good historical romance (as long as you can ignore the incomplete murder mystery subplot)

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Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan (2018)

Ignite the Stars is an action-packed YA sci-fi novel with a slow burn enemies to lovers romance and an enemies to friends relationship. I rated it 5/5 stars.

This review was originally posted on Goodreads, where most of my reviews are increasingly published. Check out the original review here.

What is Ignite the Stars about?

Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cōcha is a seventeen-year-old girl.

A criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot, Ia has spent her life terrorizing the Olympus Commonwealth, the imperialist nation that destroyed her home. When the Commonwealth captures her and her true identity is exposed, they see Ia’s age and talent as an opportunity: by forcing her to serve them, they will prove that no one is beyond their control.

Soon, Ia is trapped at the Commonwealth’s military academy, desperately plotting her escape. But new acquaintances—including Brinn, a seemingly average student with a closely-held secret, and their charming Flight Master, Knives—cause Ia to question her own alliances. Can she find a way to escape the Commonwealth’s clutches before these bonds deepen?

Potential AO3 tags:

Slow sloww burn
Hate to love (both romantic and platonic)
Asian MC
Battling space imperialism
They Annoy Each Other Until They Fall in Love
"I'm Just Using Him," She Said (Reader, She Lied)

On to the review...

Mif, where do I even start?

I had some minor issues with this novel but they won't stop me from rating it a solid 5 stars.

WARNING: This review points out all the positives of this novel. Yeah, it's not balanced. In terms of romance, I hardcore shipped them at the beginning, but at the end I cared about everything equally--protagonist, plot, love story, even her other relationships. This is not a romance-centered novel. It's a plotty sci-fi read that balances character relationships with plot and action.

Let's meet our main character Ia. The Blood Wolf of the Skies. You've seen this protagonist before. She's a ruthless war criminal, a badass bitch who isn't here to make friends. She fights for a noble cause but she also takes glee in torturing her enemies. She loves her brother though, and her main character arc results in her learning some compassion and friendship.

But I love Ia because her brutality isn't censored. There are consequences to all that blood on her hands. She knows that she's done terrible things and doesn't excuse herself. While her inner softie is eventually revealed, it doesn't take over. So many times, "ruthless" YA protagonists turn into simpering, feather-soft woobies. Ia is not one of those.

Ia learns to acknowledge that there are two sides. Even if she's fighting against a corrupt colonizer--the Commonwealth--those are still soldiers on the other side of the battlefield. Real humans whose lives she's ruined. And she feels guilty about that. But she doesn't wallow in self-pity. I thought that was pretty refreshing. I usually looove angst (sorry) but I adore her internal strength too.

Then we have Knives, jaded starboy and Ia's love interest. Their romance was an intense slow burn that hooked me at first. I mean, they start out despising each other. They fight and beat each other up and it's no secret they're sworn enemies. Eventually they become friends and then lovers. I wasn't that convinced by the romance at the end (I thought it would be much slower going) but I still didn't mind it. Knives' father is a famous general and everyone expects him to follow in his family's footsteps. But after his star pilot sister was killed on a mission, he's gotten rid of his rose-colored glasses and seen the Commonwealth for the soulless machine that it really is.

Lastly, Brinn. She annoyed me at first but eventually grew on me. Her character is pretty fascinating. She's a Tawny, an oppressed race that's forced to become refugees on Commonwealth planets. But she grew up in the Commonwealth and loves the Commonwealth. She hides her Tawny identity, hates it, and considers herself a Commonwealth Citizen first and foremost. Her sheer nationalism despite how terribly her people have been treated is a fascinating parallel, I think, and also reminds me a bit of Lost Stars.

The novel starts with some fast-paced action. I couldn't put it down and read 10 chapters straight! But while it's mainly plot-driven, it slows down in the middle to give us a glimpse into the characters and relationships. The pacing is divinely balanced and I cannot deny Milan's technical skills in this aspect. Some parts were cliche but this book is just so objectively good that I don't care.

Plus, let's discuss Milan's prose. Hers is simple, meant to keep you on the edge of your seat, just like how sci-fi books are usually written. But she knows how to trim the fat and hone every word. Her sentences are slim but some of them blew me right away.

Also, the revelation of the villain by the end? I'm into him. Lordt, I'm into him. Why am I like this.

This book was so good.

Note: this is a very typical sci-fi read. If you're a fan of the genre and love focus on building character relationships, then this book is for you. But if you're looking for something wildly original, then this isn't it.

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Hey, all. This time of pandemic has hit many industries, not just the publishing industry. But as a hardcore bookworm, I am afraid to lose this community that I love. What will be left when this is all over?

We need art and literature more than ever right now.

Here are ways you can support books: authors, publishers, booksellers, libraries!

Image by Eliabe Costa

1. Borrow ebooks or audiobooks from your library

The library might be physically closed but that doesn't mean you can't get any books! Download the Libby app and sign in with your library card to access their digital catalogue. You can always ask the library to add something if it isn't already available. Alternatively, ask if they do curbside deliveries for physical books. It doesn't hurt to check. Libraries aren't just a public service; they've also got a huge impact on how much books sell. Borrowing a book from the library supports your favorite author as much as buying your own copy!

2. Buy from your local indie bookstores or Barnes & Noble instead of Amazon

Hey, even I use Amazon. It's cheap, quick, and easy. But Amazon exploits its workers, doesn't pay taxes, and has ruined the publishing industry to the ground. Instead of supporting their empire, send your local stores an email and ask how you can help. Even if they don't sell ebooks or aren't doing deliveries right now, you can still buy a gift card or preorder books. They'll need cash to ride out this horrible wave. We don't want to leave this with only Amazon standing.

If you're like me and don't have any more local bookstores open, then check out Kobo or other online alternatives.

3. Preorder books

Some publication dates are being pushed back. Others are being buried by the chaos of everyday life. Author events are being cancelled everywhere. Preorder the books you are excited for to prove that you still want to buy them. Even if they won't come out for months (or a year), your preorder will keep the business going.

4. Share the books you are excited for. Share the books you love.

Even though everyone has switched to digital marketing, you have to admit that it's difficult to compete for attention when we're going through a pandemic. But word of mouth is still the most effective way to spread news. Don't let your favorite books and authors become forgotten! Your friends probably need some distractions now too, and they know your taste enough to judge whether or not they'll like the same stuff. Imagine if you tweeted a book rec once and got 3 people to buy it. That's way more supportive than keeping the goods to yourself!

So gush about books on social media. Write Goodreads and Amazon reviews. Share posts from your favorite authors about their books. Tell the world what you're reading and why you love it.

5. Join webinars or online book launches/events

Just because we can't meet face to face doesn't mean we can't meet at all. Many authors have moved to livestreaming book launches, interviews, or book readings. Your presence, even virtual, will be highly appreciated. Check if your favorite authors have a social media account where they share these links.

6. Support online content creators through commissions or Patreon

Here's an open secret: majority of the people working in the publishing industry have a second or third job. Very few authors can write full time. Publishing assistants earn a measly amount. Agents survive on commission and don't have benefits. Every industry is getting hit right now, and times are tough. But if you can afford it, then why not buy someone a ko-fi, commission some art, buy a Patreon membership to see some original stories, or buy a newsletter subscription to read some articles about writing? Even 10 dollars can make a difference! And you know the money is going straight to the creator's pocket, not guzzled by a corporation.

7. Sign up for 30 day free trials

There are so many ways to get mass books by subscription. Audible. Kindle Unlimited. Scribd. Kobo. Why not give these packages a shot and see if you like them enough to continue? At least you'll be able to access as many books as you want in a safe, legal way. And you can gush about them too.

8. Request ARCs (advanced reader copies)

Just because a publication date is delayed doesn't mean the hype is over! If you're a book blogger then you probably have a Netgalley or Edelweiss account. If not, then it's easy to sign up, and you don't even need a big following. Of course, your following (and location) determines which books you can receive, but it doesn't hurt to try. Keep up the hype and help with the marketing! Also, this is a good way to access small press or indie novels. They'll need more assistance than the Big Five folks, so why not give them a hand?

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If you're in a tough spot right now and can't help monetarily, don't fret. Sharing support and resources is 100% free. But please do what you can. Take care and keep reading!

Are you working in the publishing industry? Do you have other suggestions? What have your experiences been like? Share them with us, if you can!

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Revision is my least favorite part of the writing process, but I think it's the most important one. Revision feels like pulling teeth, but it also means filling cavities and aligning your jaw. Basically, it turns your lump of a novel into a beautiful, useful, polished one.

Revising is insanely difficult, and it's better done with company. But unless your beta is a professional editor or has tons of experience, then they probably don't know what to look for outside of gut instincts. Help yourself and your beta by asking them the right questions!

Basic questions to ask your beta during revision

Image by Hannah Grace

Now, there are two types of revisions: major edits and minor edits. I'll start with the major stuff.

Q1. How is my pacing?

Pacing obviously depends on your writing style, category, and genre. A thriller would be more fast-paced than a literary novel. YA books tend to be fast-paced and easier to consume. But at the end of the day, you should follow the natural pacing that fits your story. Ask your beta if she thinks the scenes are happening too slow, or too fast, or if there are weird time jumps in between. You shouldn't bore your reader with five chapters of plain description, but at the same time, you shouldn't speed through the plot so fast that they don't have time to breathe or remember which character is which.

When rereading some of your favorite books, analyze them and figure out how the author paces their plot.

Q2. Does my protagonist have a believable goal/motivation? What is it?

Protagonists don't have to be likeable, but they have to be believable. A story is one big obstacle course. The protagonist's goal is the finish line. Sure... we know they have to win... by why? Why can't they just give up halfway through and go home? Why did they start in the first place? The best protagonists are the ones that feel like real life people and not just props to propel the plot forward. You make them seem real by giving them believable motives (even if they might change throughout the story). And while we could do broad strokes like: of course the Chosen One has to save the world! It's her responsibility! That's quite bland, isn't it? Give your protagonist a more personal reason, something that the reader can personally understand and even empathize with.

Q3. Can you identify my main conflict? Is it interesting enough?

You can't have a story without conflict, so make sure you choose a good one. But more importantly, make sure that it's identifiable. Conflicts can go deeper than the usual hero vs villain. Sometimes the protagonist has an internal conflict, or struggles with their own values, or even fights with their allies. The character should have a personal stake in the conflict, because if not, then why are they even fighting it? This might be obvious to you but it might not be obvious to your readers, so be sure to ask your beta if they can make out the proper reasons.

Q4. Did you understand my worldbuilding? Do you have any questions about the universe?

I mean, this can go one of two ways. Either you don't have enough worldbuilding so your reader is bored and/or confused, or you have too much at once and the reader is overwhelmed. If you lack worldbuilding then this question will help your beta figure out what else you need to answer. If your worldbuilding is too complex or info-dumpy, then your beta will probably tell you which parts were confusing.

Q5. Does the main couple have chemistry? Who do you ship?

Okay, this one only applies if you have a romance. We all hate instalove and ships with no chemistry and blah, blah, blah... but it's very easy to fall into the trap of writing a mediocre love story. On one hand, your beta can help you flesh out your main couple's romance even more, so that it's more believable and easier to root for. On the other hand, it might help you realize that there's a better ship that makes more sense, and would be more satisfying than who you originally intended would end up together. Romance is just as much about character growth as it is to entertain, so make sure that your love story is meaningful.

Q6. Did you find any part dragging?

Sometimes an intense plot needs time to breathe. And sometimes a story is meant to be languorous and serene. But too much of a good thing is bad, and you don't want to bore your readers. Better to ask this to a beta who really enjoys your work, so at least you'll know what's actually dragging and what's not just difference in taste.

Q7. Do you want to know what happens next? Were you hooked from Chapter One?

Why does someone finish reading a book? Because they want to know what happens next! This advice applies more to writers like me who want to query their work. Unfortunately, we're in the publishing age of immediate consumption. Agents and editors want to be hooked in by the first chapter, the first five pages, the first sentence. And I know what you're thinking because I'm thinking it too. That's unfair. But if you think about it... as readers we are the same. Have you ever picked up an interesting looking novel at the bookstore or library, read the first chapter, and then decided whether or not you were going to buy it? Yeah, it's the same thing.

Image by Green Chameleon

Now, after you've decided that you need to delete half of your novel, opened a bottle of wine, begun to cry, typed three whole chapters, realized they were bad, retyped them, then realized the first version was better, then sent them back to your beta, then got better feedback, then finished all your revisions, gave your book some resting time, reread it again, actually found a small glimmer of hope... now, you're ready for minor edits.

I really suggest only doing minor revisions after you've finished the major ones, because otherwise it's a waste of time and effort. Spelling and grammar can always be fixed after the whole novel is finished. That's easy. That's simple. But changing the novel's pacing, structure, and even characters? That's the meat of revision.

Q1. Are there any inconsistencies?

This one requires a sharper eye. Maybe sometimes you use "fairy" but other times you use "faerie". Maybe a minor character's hair color changes halfway through the manuscript. Maybe your protagonist picks up a glass and completely forgets to put it back down before joining a swordfight. It's little details like these that can make your story seem clumsy.

Of course, there are deeper inconsistencies as well. You could have inconsistencies in worldbuilding, atmosphere, tone, characterization, and even theme. Those are more difficult to fix, but they are easier to spot. If you change them on purpose as a sign of character growth/plot progression, then remember that the process has to be believable. There should be basis for it, and an extreme change can't just happen out of the blue, and in one measly page. Build up is your best friend.

Q2. What else do you want to see?

Okay, this could also be a major question. But a second eye is helpful not just because it can spot errors that you missed... but also because it can spot possibilities that you missed. A good editor appreciates your story and characters as much as you do. Of course it's your story first and foremost... but don't forget to be open to others' ideas too!

These are just basic questions. In my experience, the best revision comments I've ever received were specific to the story, and not too general. But hopefully this is still a good springboard for you, whether as a writer or a beta!

What other questions do you usually ask?

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These Vicious Delights

7 Reasons Why I Love Dark Academia (and upcoming DA books I'm excited for!)

1. It's about passion for knowledge

2. It features obsessive friendships

3. They're honestly pretty gay

4. There's always a murder to solve.

5. The Romantic aesthetic.

6. It's about an outsider looking in

7. They are Sublime

If you're reading this post, you've probably already read the usual Dark Academia books. So here are upcoming releases that I'm very excited for!

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever [Sept 15, 2020]

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik [Sept 29, 2020]

How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao [Jan 5, 2021]

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee [2021]

What is An Unnatural Vice about?

What is Ignite the Stars about?

On to the review...

1. Borrow ebooks or audiobooks from your library

2. Buy from your local indie bookstores or Barnes & Noble instead of Amazon

3. Preorder books

4. Share the books you are excited for. Share the books you love.

5. Join webinars or online book launches/events

6. Support online content creators through commissions or Patreon

7. Sign up for 30 day free trials

8. Request ARCs (advanced reader copies)

Basic questions to ask your beta during revision

Q1. How is my pacing?

Q2. Does my protagonist have a believable goal/motivation? What is it?

Q3. Can you identify my main conflict? Is it interesting enough?

Q4. Did you understand my worldbuilding? Do you have any questions about the universe?

Q5. Does the main couple have chemistry? Who do you ship?

Q6. Did you find any part dragging?

Q7. Do you want to know what happens next? Were you hooked from Chapter One?

Q1. Are there any inconsistencies?

Q2. What else do you want to see?

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