I thought that title might get your attention. I seek some volunteer beta readers for one of the children’s book projects on which I’m working titled A Day in the Shade of a Tickletoe Tree. An excerpt of a draft of it is below, followed by info regarding ways you can be one of the first to be able to see the whole early draft of this book.
A Day in the Shade
Of a Tickletoe Tree
By Russ Towne
One day in the shade of a Tickletoe Tree
Clyde and I slurped Burzleberry Tea
and thought how funny the world would be
if a snail had a tail that curled like a pig,
and Bald-Headed Eagles liked to wear wigs?
Or if hippos had unicorn horns?
would they be called hippocorns?
What if books had no words
but flew around like humming birds?
Or if the words “please”
made us sneeze?
Would “thank you” and “bless you” be the same,
or would they stay different names?
(End of excerpt.)
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(C) Copyright 2015 Russ Towne
All Rights Reserved
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The Beta Reader(s) would read one or more draft of this story and provide honest critiques of various aspects of it, such as:
I loved these parts just as they are…
These parts don’t work for me, for these reasons (specify). I recommend you change/eliminate/replace them…
Too long/or short…
I think it would work best for this (specify) age range…
Etc.
While I always enjoy positive feedback, Beta Readers also provide important additional information that can help me to improve my stories. That means helping me to identify the weaker aspects of the story.
I may even dedicate this book to the most helpful Beta Readers.
Anyway, hopefully you get the idea. Please let me know if you are interested in being a Beta Reader for this story and I’ll be happy to send a full draft of it to you. (Don’t worry, it’s currently only 408 words long.)
Thank you!
With Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
The excerpt sounds delightful – good luck finding beta readers. I would offer but I’m pretty busy these days Russ – good busy. ❤
Diana xo
Thank you, Diana. I understand.
Russ
I’m in, Russ. But I have to warn you, I was an English teacher for many years and can get caught up in the details. Clare
I’m delighted and honored, Clare. I found your email address and will send the full rough draft shortly. Thank you!
Russ
Sounds like fun, Russ. My newest children’s book is in verse and it’s about a little pitcher plant who one day refuses to eat meat. It’s not very long, but I’ll share what I’ve learned in the process with you as we walk you through the editing phase of your newest book.
Hi, Clare. Thank you! Please let me know when physical copies of your newest book are available for purchase as I’d like to buy a copy and help spread the word about it.
Russ
I’m very slow and still plodding through edits and re-doing photos (because I am illustrating it, too)Even though it will be a tiny book done in verse, I don’t think I’ll have it ready until January. then, I’ll add it to my “Where To Buy “Blog Page. But who knows? Thanks, Russ
Thank you for your update Clare.
Russ
You’re truly welcome.
Looking forward to more of Clyde. Too busy to volunteer right now but I am sure you’ll get the help you need…You are a pretty resourceful guy! 😀
Thank you, Mrs. P.
Russ
hi, russ. i’m happy to be a reader is you still need them. if not, i look forward to it’s publication )
Great! Absolutely! Thank you, Beth. I’ll send the full draft shortly.
Russ
I would love to help if you still need it!
Terrific! Thank you, Quiall! I’ll send the full draft to you shortly.
Russ