Beta Read Sci-Fi Novel
Budget / Salary€30–250
TypeFreelance project
LocationRemote
Posted1 hour ago
I'm seeking a beta reader for the first chapters of my post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel, which is translated from German into American English with the help of AI. The novel is 87,000 words long and is the first book in a series.
Requirements:
- Native American English speaker
- Feedback on language, dialogue, and pacing
- Written report
About the book: A man wakes up with no memory in a flooded, ruined land, with only a twelve-year-old boy left to travel with. They search for survivors and a way back to his distant home, and learn that the world they knew no longer exists. The story crosses the American South from the coast to Oklahoma. It is book 1 of a series (44 chapters, about 87,000 words).
About the translation: Originally written in German, translated into American English with AI assistance. It has not been professionally edited yet. Before investing in a full edit, I want to know whether the English reads naturally to a native speaker.
Scope: Please read the first 5 chapters (about 14600 words). I will send them as EPUB or PDF.
Important: The narrator (called GS) is a German who speaks broken English in a foreign country. This is intentional. Please tell me whether it reads as a believable voice or just as mistakes, and where it becomes tiring or unclear.
Please comment on:
Where does the text sound translated, stiff, or unidiomatic? Please suggest better wording for important passages.
Do the dialogues sound natural, especially between the narrator and the twelve-year-old boy?
Where did you lose interest or want to skip ahead?
Would you keep reading, and would you buy the book?
Deliverable: A written report with concrete examples from the text, not only a general impression.
Timeline: 3 weeks
Ideal reader: Someone who regularly reads science fiction or post-apocalyptic fiction and is a native speaker of American English.
Requirements:
- Native American English speaker
- Feedback on language, dialogue, and pacing
- Written report
About the book: A man wakes up with no memory in a flooded, ruined land, with only a twelve-year-old boy left to travel with. They search for survivors and a way back to his distant home, and learn that the world they knew no longer exists. The story crosses the American South from the coast to Oklahoma. It is book 1 of a series (44 chapters, about 87,000 words).
About the translation: Originally written in German, translated into American English with AI assistance. It has not been professionally edited yet. Before investing in a full edit, I want to know whether the English reads naturally to a native speaker.
Scope: Please read the first 5 chapters (about 14600 words). I will send them as EPUB or PDF.
Important: The narrator (called GS) is a German who speaks broken English in a foreign country. This is intentional. Please tell me whether it reads as a believable voice or just as mistakes, and where it becomes tiring or unclear.
Please comment on:
Where does the text sound translated, stiff, or unidiomatic? Please suggest better wording for important passages.
Do the dialogues sound natural, especially between the narrator and the twelve-year-old boy?
Where did you lose interest or want to skip ahead?
Would you keep reading, and would you buy the book?
Deliverable: A written report with concrete examples from the text, not only a general impression.
Timeline: 3 weeks
Ideal reader: Someone who regularly reads science fiction or post-apocalyptic fiction and is a native speaker of American English.
Apply on Freelancer →
Project sourced from Freelancer.com. Applications happen directly on the original platform — we never collect your data.