Official Beta Reader: Inez Rodk

Meet Inez, our resident ruthless perfectionist and reckless risk-taker.

About Inez Rodk

I always struggle to develop a biography for myself. Like most writers, my first inclination is to say that I grew up loving stories and I would obsessively read fantasy and sci-fi books while my brothers were out playing sports. I loved writing fanfiction, especially for Tamora Pierce’s books because her world was so big and easy for new characters to slide into. Fanfiction eventually gave way to a desire to write my better stories and build my own world. All these years later, I’m still doing exactly that.

Even though I first entered the world of fiction through a deep love of YA, and there's no doubt that I still adore the immediacy and immersive POV in YA, as I've shifted out of it. As I've aged, I dipped my toes, and indeed my entire foot, into the world of NA and Adult. I love when a realistic, fully fleshed out and gritty world swallows me whole, and can't resist morally grey characters and unexpected plot twists.

I have an unabashed preference for British English, or as I call it, real English. However, I am familiar with the peculiar rules of American and I'm happy to take on manuscripts written in English or American.

My current "book crushes" include:

• Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner

• Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab

• Witchmark by C.L. Polk

• These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

For this competition, I am looking for:

• Categories: NA, Adult

• Genres: fantasy, science fiction, space opera

Do NOT submit to me if your manuscript is high fantasy, centres around assassins, is primarily set in a school, uses sexual assault as a plot device, is a light, fluffy fantasy or romance is the central plot (but romance as a subplot is more than welcome!).

DO give me your well-developed characters and relationships (romantic and/or platonic), found family, action-packed adventures, and unique concepts. I'm also interested in fully fleshed out magic system and immersive, gritty and/or historically-grounded settings.

My blog articles:

• Secrets for finding a GOOD beta reader

• Beta reader horror stories

• What reader feedback do writers need? + where to find beta readers

• Selling your book without "selling it" - The Ultimate Book Blurb Guide

• Is your writing "good"?

If you're struggling to find a good beta reader who will provide constructive criticism and is sure to help you improve your writing, you're not alone! Why not enter the Slushpile Monster's writing contest to win a free critique from an experienced beta reader like Inez?

Also, don’t forget to join our mailing list so you never miss any of the games or competitions! We also share resources for writers. It's much more reliable than getting updated on Twitter, and we also have special mailing list-only content!