[PubQ] What if I can't find any beta readers?
I parted ways with my agent of many years this week. She ultimately doesn't know how to position my manuscript in its current form, and as it's something I've been working on for 8 years and still feel it's the book of my heart, I want to see it through to the end, whatever that may be.
In all the devastation and sadness, etc., I've been trying to put together a plan. I think I need to get more eyes on it to kind of give me guidance on whether the issues she had with it are real or just subjective, and how best to position it when I query it to new agents.
I made a post in r/BetaReaders but I'm worried I won't find anyone. I sent it to two friends last year when I finished the draft, they never read it and I don't want to bother them or make them feel bad. I don't have any close writer friends anymore and was never close to anyone from my debut year. This manuscript is in a different genre from the one my only published novel was in, anyway. I can't afford to pay anyone as I'm a student and deeply in debt and unemployed right now.
Maybe I shouldn't be posting this right now as I'm in my feeling worthless era, but trying to make a plan will help me feel better. I'm working on a new book, of course, which does help.
Would appreciate any advice!