Readers for my book

[MotherOfTwoDragons]

Hey guys,

Just wanted your take on getting readers on line. I’m part of an online writing circle and three kind people have offered to read my novel and give feedback. However. I don’t know any of them in real life and this is our first ever interaction. Would you feel ok to send them your precious manuscript or would it be better to be cautious?

Im struggling to get readers amongst friends as most of them don’t know I write and I want to keep it that way for the moment and the ones that do, don’t read!
Thanks

I personally wouldn't want to send my whole ms to someone I didn't know but others may differ. Are there any real life writers groups near you that you could join?

They're most unlikely to steal it and you retain copyright in any case, so if they got your bestseller published you could sue them.

However, you could always reveal a chunk at a time, I guess.

Have you offered to reciprocate?

Thanks. I have and they have agreed to exchange books with me. I’m going to chance it I think—it’s a niche thing so unlikely to be lifted I just got a bit paranoid!

I know how it feels - we all love our our precious MS. But it's so hard to find decent beta readers, so I reckon it's a risk worth taking. Good luck with the novel.

I’ve found a complete stranger to exchange with on the NaNo forums. It’s a big nerve wracking, but she’s sent me hers too which I figure is a good insurance.

It turns out she’s a much better writer than I am, so I feel a bit bad that my critique may not be much use to her. However, the help she’s given me has been amazing so far and she’s only looked at the first chapter!

Well, I sent it and it’s been 2 weeks with no response, neither have given me their manuscripts. Would you chase or is it too soon? . I made the mistake of not agreeing a time frame with them