Stop Writing Your First Draft Alone
Get honest reader feedback while you’re still drafting—before you’ve written 40,000 words in a direction that doesn’t serve your story.
You’re 20,000 Words In, and the Doubts Are Creeping In
Is your protagonist interesting enough? Is this subplot actually working? Did you just write yourself into a corner you won’t notice until chapter 15?
Usually, you have two choices:
Push through to “The End” and hope you can fix it in revisions (which often means months of rewriting scenes you thought were solid).
Or stop and wonder if you should scrap everything and start over.
Here’s the option most writers don’t know exists: an alpha reader who gives you honest feedback WHILE you’re still drafting.
Not six months from now when you’ve finished the whole manuscript. Not after you’ve invested months going in a direction that doesn’t work.
Now. While you still have time to course-correct.
The Alpha Partnership: Your Reader in Real-Time
I limit my active roster to exactly five writers at a time. Why?
Because I don’t just skim your chapters and send you generic notes. I immerse myself in your world. I track your character arcs, your subplot threads, your world-building rules, your pacing beats. I notice what made me lean in and what pulled me out of the story.
That requires deep attention. And deep attention doesn’t scale.
When you work with me, you get my full mental energy every single week. I’m not juggling fifteen manuscripts. I’m holding your entire story in my head while you’re building it.
Here’s How It Works:
Send me up to 3 chapters per week
As you finish writing them, not six months later.
Get written feedback within 48-72 hours
From a reader’s perspective on what’s working and what’s pulling me out of your story.
Weekly live strategy calls
To talk through plot tangles, brainstorm your next scenes, and work through story problems before they become major issues.
The Re-Read
If you revise based on my feedback, I’ll read it again to tell you how the changes landed. No guessing. No hoping you fixed it. You’ll know.
Investment:
$350/month (no contracts, no minimum commitment)
Meet Your Alpha Reader
I’ve read over 4,000 books. I hold an English degree from an Honors College. I know what pulls readers in and what pushes them out.
But here’s what matters more: I come at your story from a reader’s perspective, not an editor’s or a professor’s.
I’m not here to rewrite your manuscript or impose a formula on your creative vision. I’m here to tell you, as someone who lives and breathes books, what’s working for me as a reader and what isn’t.
I specialize in Romance (M/F, M/M, all heat levels) and Speculative Fiction: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Rom-Com, and Romantasy.
If your story lives in one of these worlds, I speak your genre’s language.
My Journey to Alpha Reading
I didn’t always work with writers during the drafting process. I started as a beta reader, giving feedback on finished manuscripts.
And I kept seeing the same pattern: talented writers with solid stories that had structural problems they didn’t catch until the entire draft was done. Problems that required months of rewrites because they’d built 60,000 words on a shaky foundation.
That’s when I realized: beta reading catches problems too late.
Alpha reading prevents them.
So I shifted my entire practice. Now I work with writers while they’re still drafting, catching the issues before they spiral into major rewrites.
Let’s Be Honest About What You’re Getting
This IS:
- Honest reader feedback from someone who’s read thousands of books and knows story structure
- Real-time insights while you’re still drafting, not months later
- A sounding board for plot problems, pacing issues, character arcs
- Support to help you write a first draft you can be proud of
This ISN’T:
- Developmental editing (I’m not restructuring your manuscript for you)
- Line editing or copy editing (I’m not fixing your prose)
- A guarantee your manuscript will be perfect (I’m not the one writing your book—you are)
- A magic fix that solves all your story problems without you doing the work
My goal: Help you write a first draft that doesn’t require more time in revisions than it took to write.
Your job: Make the creative decisions. I tell you how they’re landing as a reader. You decide what to do with that information.
The Alpha Partnership Is Right for You If:
✓ You’re actively drafting a Romance or Speculative Fiction manuscript
✓ You want reader feedback NOW, not six months from now
✓ You’re tired of discovering structural problems after you’ve written 40,000+ words
✓ You want someone in your corner who understands your genre
✓ You’re ready to make revisions based on honest feedback
✓ You value transparency and honesty over cheerleading
This ISN’T Right for You If:
✗ You’re still outlining or haven’t started drafting yet
✗ You want someone to fix your manuscript for you
✗ You’re looking for developmental editing or line editing services
✗ You only want positive feedback and can’t handle constructive critique
✗ You’re not willing to revise based on reader perspective
✗ You write in genres outside Romance and Speculative Fiction
What’s Included in the Alpha Partnership
📖 Up to 3 chapters per week
Send them as you finish writing. I read with fresh eyes and give you feedback within 48-72 hours.
📝 Written feedback reports
Detailed notes on what’s working, what’s pulling me out of the story, and why I think that might be. All from a reader’s perspective.
📞 Weekly live strategy calls
30-60 minutes to talk through plot problems, brainstorm solutions, and work through story challenges together.
🔄 The Re-Read
Revise based on my notes? I’ll read it again to tell you how the changes landed. You’ll know immediately if the fix worked.
💰 Investment: $350/month
No contracts. No minimum commitment. Stay as long as you need to finish your draft.
📚 Genres I specialize in:
Romance (M/F, M/M, Contemporary, Paranormal, Fantasy, Sci-Fi), Urban Fantasy, Romantasy, Science Fiction, Rom-Com
What Writers Say About Working With Me
“Maria was by far the most effective beta reader I sent my early draft to. Her feedback has shaped my improvements more than any other reviewer.”
— LP, Fantasy Writer
“Your comments were perfectly clear and explained exactly what was needed. I loved that you added the strengths of each category. You were very detailed and specific on what exactly is needed.”
— SK, Dark Romance Writer
“I’ve read through and edited my manuscript over a dozen times, so I can’t see mistakes that someone with fresh eyes might see. Maria helped me to see the problems in my manuscript and highlighted key areas I can improve.”
— ZG, Dark Romance Writer
“It was really helpful to hear my concerns mirrored, and you gave me concrete strategies to improve some of the sections that were dragging.”
— LP, Fantasy Writer
“You point out positives as well as negatives, and suggestions for improvement. Very helpful.”
— QP, Science Fiction Writer
“Your feedback on chapters you thought need a bit more clarity and thought was incredibly helpful. Also your comments on the pace of my manuscript—I knew the action moved quite fast but I wasn’t sure if this was a good or bad thing. Your thoughts on slowing the pacing are really helpful and I already have some ideas on how I can improve this.”
— ZG, Dark Romance Writer
A Note About These Testimonials
These reviews come from writers I’ve worked with as a beta reader on their completed manuscripts. The Alpha Partnership offers the same depth, honesty, and actionable feedback—but while you’re still drafting, not after you’ve finished your entire manuscript.
The difference? You get this level of insight early enough to course-correct without major rewrites.
Deep Attention Doesn’t Scale
You deserve more than surface-level feedback.
When I read your chapters, I’m not speed-reading to give you quick notes. I’m living in your world.
I remember the small details from chapter two that matter in chapter eight. I notice when your romantic tension plateaued. I catch when your subplot started feeling disconnected from your main plot.
That requires deep attention.
If I took on ten writers, fifteen, twenty? You’d get generic observations. The kind of feedback you could get from any reader.
That’s not what you need when you’re drafting.
You need someone who holds your entire story in their head while you’re building it.
That’s why I cap my roster at five writers.
No Contracts. No Pressure. Just Honest Feedback.
Month-to-Month Commitment
There’s no long-term contract. If life happens or you finish your draft, you can stop anytime.
The Re-Read Guarantee
If you revise based on my feedback, I’ll read it again. You’re not guessing if the fix worked—you’ll know.
Upfront About What This Isn’t
I won’t promise your manuscript will be perfect. I won’t guarantee you’ll get an agent or land a publishing deal. What I will promise: honest, helpful reader feedback while you’re still drafting.
Start With a Free Discovery Call
Not sure if we’re a good fit? Let’s talk. No obligation. No sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about your manuscript and whether the Alpha Partnership makes sense for your project.
Ready to Stop Writing in the Dark?
You don’t have to finish your entire draft before finding out if your story is working.
You don’t have to spend months rewriting scenes because you didn’t catch the problem at chapter 5.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call and let’s talk about your manuscript.
We’ll discuss:
- What you’re working on
- Where you are in the draft
- The biggest challenge you’re facing right now
- Whether the Alpha Partnership is right for your project
No pressure. No obligation. Just an honest conversation.
If we’re a good fit, great. If we’re not, I’ll tell you that too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to have my entire manuscript finished before working with you?
No. The whole point of alpha reading is to get feedback WHILE you’re drafting. If you’re actively writing, you’re ready.
Q: What if I’m not sure my manuscript is good enough yet?
Alpha reading isn’t about perfection. It’s about getting reader perspective early. Messy drafts welcome.
Q: How do I know if we’re a good fit?
Book a free discovery call. We’ll talk about your project and I’ll be honest about whether I’m the right reader for your story.
Q: What genres do you work with?
Romance (all subgenres), MM Romance, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romantasy, and Rom-Com.
Q: What if I need to pause or stop partway through?
No problem. There’s no contract. You can pause or stop anytime.
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
The Alpha Partnership is billed monthly, so it’s already a payment plan. As long as you’re working with me, it’s $350/month.
Q: What happens after the discovery call?
If we’re a good fit, I’ll send you an agreement outlining everything we discussed, and we’ll schedule your first chapter submission and our first strategy call.
Your Story Deserves Better Than Guesswork
You’ve already invested time, energy, and heart into your manuscript.
Don’t wait until you’ve written 60,000 words to find out something isn’t working.
Get honest reader feedback now. While you still have momentum. While you can still course-correct without massive rewrites.
I only work with five writers at a time. If you’re ready, let’s talk.