🦜Beaks, Books, and Beta Readers: Oh My!
- Piper the Parrot
- Oct 16
- 3 min read
Posted by: Piper the Parrot – Chief winged detective of the Ella files!
Hello, my distinguished fine-feathered friends! 🪶Piper reporting in here—yes, that Piper, Ella’s illustrious sidekick from The Tales of Ella Strawberry! I’ve got words to spill and feathers to ruffle about Book 2 (working title: The Bones in the Woods), which fledged from the nest 🪺 and landed in the hands of some very important humans—the beta readers!📚
I hear these early reviewers get to read the story before everyone else (lucky ducks) 🦆 and offer their thoughts on things like plot, characters (hopefully they love me, because we all know I’m the real star), settings, and whatever else tickles their brains.🧠
And get this—our beta readers aren’t just any readers—they’re AMAZING teen girls! Who knows YA fiction better than teens? There's also a few fabulous grown-ups of the mom, grandma, and teacher variety. 🏫 Basically, my kind of humans who always carry snacks in their totes.👜
Speaking of feedback, here’s a few shiny comments that fluttered in from the beta readers of the first Ella Strawberry book:🧾📖
💫“The book is amazing and it is beautifully written. The story keeps the readers wrapped, it’s suspenseful, and leaves the reader begging for more.” — Millie, Missouri
💫“Instantly one of my faves! We need more books that can relate to Christian girls like this.” — Leta, Illinois
💫“This is an amazing book for teens! It’s exciting, intense, and relatable. I’ve read it four times, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!” — Lydia, Colorado
Squawk-tacular!🌟
Taking Feedback Without Molting
The boss (a.k.a. the author) says all feedback is welcome—good, bad, or “needs more parrot scenes.” She wants this book to be the best it can be. ✨And I respect that. I mean, I get a lot of feedback too . . . though in my case, it’s usually when I squeal something embarrassing during dinner or repeat a secret I overheard. (Note to self: stop mimicking phone calls.) But I try to learn from it. Sometimes I even get a treat for keeping my beak shut at the right moment. (Progress!)
What about you? How do you handle constructive criticism? Do you use it to grow your wings a little wider, or do you puff up your feathers and squawk first? Either way, remember—even “negative” feedback can help you fly higher next time.🪽
Now if you’ll excuse me, I hear someone opening a bag of chips in the kitchen—and my professional opinion is that sharing is caring.🍪
Till next time,
🪶 – Piper
PIPER'S Q & A
Question: "Do you have a publishing date yet for The Rabbit’s Foot?" — Sofia from Los Angeles
Answer: Ah, Sofia, I’m right there with you. Sadly, there isn't any chatter about the release date. And trust me, my eavesdropping skills are on high alert, if you know what I mean. I did catch a hint that the book is in round two of edits and should head to the design team soon! Here's hoping the release date drops any minute. So for now, no official publishing date to chirp about.
But don’t fly off just yet! Stay tuned, and can I just say—a great big THANK YOU for swinging alongside me on this perch called patience. 🤗
🪶 Piper’s Tip of the Month: Good things take time to hatch!
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