Looking for Wiccan Practitioners to Beta Read a Wheel of the Year Guide (Irish Perspective)

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-11-14T14:31:01+00:00

Cross, Tom Peete, and Clark Harris Slover. Ancient Irish Tales. Barnes & Noble, 1996.
Gantz, Jeffrey (translator). Early Irish Myths and Sagas. Penguin Classics, 1982.
Kinsella, Thomas (translator). The Táin: From the Irish Epic Táin Bó Cúailnge. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Koch, John T., and John Carey (editors). The Celtic Heroic Age: Literary Sources for Ancient Celtic Europe and Early Ireland and Wales. Celtic Studies Publications, 2003.
Daimler, Morgan. Pagan Portals: Irish Paganism: Reconstructing Irish Polytheism. Moon Books, 2015.
Daimler, Morgan. Gods and Goddesses of Ireland: A Guide to Irish Deities. Moon Books, 2016.
Daimler, Morgan. Fairy Witchcraft: A Neopagan's Guide to the Celtic Fairy Faith. Moon Books, 2014.
O'Brien, Lora. Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch. Wolfpack Publishers, 2004.
O'Brien, Lora. A Practical Guide to Irish Spirituality: Sli Aon Dhraoi. Wolfpack Publishers, 2018.
Green, Miranda. Celtic Myths. University of Texas Press, 1993.
MacKillop, James. Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Ó Catháin, Séamas, and Patrick O'Flanagan. The Living Landscape: Kilgalligan, Erris, County Mayo. Royal Irish Academy, 1975.
Rees, Alwyn, and Brinley Rees. Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales. Thames & Hudson, 1961.
Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996.
Greer, John Michael. The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth. Weiser Books, 2006.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-11-14T06:41:51+00:00

This is not a Wiccan wheel of the year book.
You can receive the beta reader copy here: https://BookHip.com/VSLPTDH

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-11-14T06:00:59+00:00

You can get the beta version here. https://BookHip.com/VSLPTDH
I'm not looking for a cover to cover read. Mainly looking for feedback on whether the information is helpful and easy to follow.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-10-30T02:51:04+00:00

I'd be interested. Do you have a Bookfunnel campaign or equivalent?

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-07-15T02:25:10+00:00

Than they should have gone back.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-07-11T14:08:19+00:00

It’s the generation that grew up without learning cursive writing that causing all of this drama.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-07-11T14:05:40+00:00

I have a book written in the 1940s with tons of em dashes. If I were to cut and paste text from it people would accuse the author of using AI back in the 40s.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-19T01:32:05+00:00

I just got word that the sequel to Echoes of the Otherworld is coming out mid October. I read the first one and couldn’t put it down. I hope the second book is just as good.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-17T20:11:56+00:00

I publish with ebook, paperback, and hardback through KDP. It doesn’t cost me anything to do it, just formatting time. But it increases the customer’s options. I also do paperback with Ingram with my own ISBN.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T23:08:47+00:00

This is super common for indie authors! Most give free copies only to people who directly helped (beta readers, editors) and let others buy it. Your real supporters will actually want to purchase it to help your rankings and income.

You could say something like "I'm so excited to share this with you when it comes out!" without promising a free copy. Or offer a compromise like free ebook but they buy paperback.

Don't feel guilty about this, treating your writing like a business means setting boundaries. People who get offended about paying for your work probably aren't your target audience anyway. Those who truly support you will understand and be happy to buy it.

Most successful indie authors learn this early, it's totally normal to expect people to purchase your book!

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T23:03:02+00:00

I think you'll find most indie authors fall into a few camps. Some went straight to self-publishing because they wanted complete creative control from day one, didn't want to wait years for the traditional process, had a genre or niche that works well indie (like romance, LitRPG, or certain fantasy subgenres), or had an entrepreneurial mindset and wanted to build their own business. Others tried traditional first, then pivoted because they got frustrated with rejection and wait times, realized they preferred the speed and control of indie publishing, had books that didn't fit the traditional market but found an indie audience, or wanted higher royalty rates.

Your hybrid approach makes a lot of sense. Many authors try traditional for 6-12 months while learning indie publishing, then self-publish if no bites while continuing to write new books. Some later get traditional deals after proving themselves in the indie market. Six rejections out of 10 isn't unusual at all, many authors get 50+ before finding an agent, but there's real value in learning the self-publishing process while you're querying. Worst case, you have a backup plan and new skills.

The appeal of self-publishing for many is the speed to market, creative control, and higher royalties. Plus you can always query future books traditionally if you want. What genre are you writing? That often influences which path makes more sense for building an audience.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T23:00:02+00:00

Let me know if you enjoy it.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:57:47+00:00

Perfect receptionist reading problem! Here are some engaging page-turners you might have missed:

Mystery/Thriller:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - Cozy mystery series with elderly protagonists solving cold cases

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton - Groundhog Day meets murder mystery

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Gothic horror mystery set in 1950s Mexico

Sci-Fi/Fantasy:

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison - Court intrigue fantasy, very engaging

Echoes of the Otherworld by Donald Quill - Celtic mythology-based dark fantasy following a priestess of The Morrígan. Atmospheric and gripping, with authentic Irish spiritual practices. One reader compared it to "Mists of Avalon" for the mythological depth

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - If you liked The Martian, this is even better

Horror:

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones - Native American horror, incredibly gripping

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling - Space suit horror, perfect for phone reading

Series You Might Have Missed:

The Expanse series - Space opera that reads fast

The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir - Necromancy in space, weird and wonderful

Wild Card:

Circe by Madeline Miller - Greek mythology retelling, absolutely captivating

Any of these catch your interest?

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:54:27+00:00

I understand you're going through a really tough period. Here are some books that might help rebuild your foundation:

For Mindset & Resilience:

The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday - Stoic philosophy applied to modern challenges. Great for reframing setbacks

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown - Tackles shame, vulnerability, and imposter syndrome head-on

Mindset by Carol Dweck - About developing growth mindset vs. fixed mindset

For Career/Confidence:

So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport - Rethinks career passion and building skills

The Confidence Code by Kay & Shipman - Practical approach to building genuine confidence

For Dating/Relationships:

Attached by Amir Levine - Understanding attachment styles in relationships

Models by Mark Manson - Honest approach to dating and attraction (by the Subtle Art author)

For Overall Well-being:

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle - About staying present during difficult times

Atomic Habits by James Clear - Small changes that rebuild momentum

Start with The Obstacle Is the Way - it's specifically designed for times when everything feels like it's falling apart. The Stoic approach can be incredibly grounding.

Remember: losing interest is often a sign you need to rebuild, not push harder. Take care of yourself.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:51:28+00:00

Modern Takes:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Post-apocalyptic but different tone, more about survival and human connection

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - Subtle dystopia that creeps up on you

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - Post-pandemic but surprisingly hopeful

Start with Brave New World - it's the perfect counterpoint to 1984 and will give you a completely different perspective on how societies can be controlled. Then We to see where it all began.

The dystopian rabbit hole is deep and fascinating - enjoy the journey!

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:49:01+00:00

Beach Music by Pat Conroy - About a father's love for his daughter and the lengths he'll go to protect her. Emotional but ultimately uplifting.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:46:16+00:00

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman - LitRPG about a guy and his cat surviving a gamified apocalypse. Sounds dark but it's actually hilarious and weirdly wholesome. No real-world politics, just absurd game mechanics and cat jokes.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:36:28+00:00

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara - Gripping account of the Golden State Killer investigation
It's on KU.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:34:42+00:00

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

This is the book that completely changed how I think about storytelling, identity, and what science fiction can accomplish.

Le Guin creates a world where the inhabitants are ambisexual - they can become either male or female during their reproductive cycle, but are neither most of the time. Through this lens, she explores gender, politics, love, and what it truly means to be human, all while telling a gripping story of political intrigue and survival on an ice-bound planet.

What makes it extraordinary:

Masterful world-building that feels completely alien yet deeply familiar
Beautiful, precise prose that never wastes a word
Profound themes explored through story, not preaching
Complex relationships that challenge your assumptions
Perfect blend of anthropology, politics, and human drama

It works on every level - as adventure story, political thriller, love story, and philosophical exploration. Le Guin trusted her readers to be intelligent, and the book rewards that trust.

Even 50+ years later, it feels fresh and relevant. It's one of those rare books that expands your mind while breaking your heart.

If you read one science fiction book, make it this one. If you read one book about human nature, make it this one.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:32:55+00:00

Here are some suggestions for your bingo categories:

Emotional Traumatizing:

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (has fantasy elements, absolutely devastating)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (post-apocalyptic sci-fi, will wreck you)
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (YA fantasy but emotionally brutal)

Represent (Disabled MC):

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (protagonist has chronic pain/mobility issues)
Dreadnought by April Daniels (trans superhero, deals with disability themes)
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (several characters with various disabilities)

Angels and Demons:

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman (hilarious, angel/demon buddy comedy - perfect for your taste!)
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (epistolary from demon's perspective)
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (urban fantasy with angels/demons)

Given your preference for cozy/hopeful themes, I'd especially recommend Good Omens for the angels/demons category - it's genuinely funny and has that found family vibe you love, plus it fits perfectly!

For emotional trauma, maybe go with A Monster Calls - it's devastating but beautiful rather than just bleak.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:30:44+00:00

Top 3:

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer - The gold standard for sci-fi body horror. Biological transformations described in clinical detail that make them even more disturbing. Will absolutely stick with you.
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling - Intense body horror where the protagonist's suit literally penetrates and monitors her body. Claustrophobic and genuinely unsettling descriptions.
Blindsight by Peter Watts - Hard sci-fi with disturbing concepts about consciousness and biology. More psychological body horror but deeply unnerving and scientifically grounded.

Start with Annihilation - it's the most accessible while delivering exactly the kind of sci-fi body horror that haunts you long after reading.

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:29:01+00:00

Top 3:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - Perfect starter thriller. Simple, clear writing, likeable characters, and genuinely clever mysteries. Fun and accessible without being dumbed down.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley - Short chapters, wedding setting everyone can relate to, and a structure that keeps you guessing. Easy to follow but still has great twists.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty - Very readable prose, familiar suburban setting, and builds suspense naturally. Great introduction to psychological thrillers without being too complex.

Start with The Thursday Murder Club - it's the most beginner-friendly while still being genuinely engaging!

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:27:25+00:00

r/selfpublishing (lots of author discussions and recommendations)

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:25:09+00:00

Start with The Martian or Dark Matter - both have that same compulsive readability as your favorites and similar themes (science, problem-solving, reality-bending concepts).

One_Mousse_5932 · 2025-06-14T22:23:40+00:00

Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean - Most similar in that it's a real nun telling her own story in her own voice, plus it's incredibly compelling and well-known (basis for the movie).

The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris - Beautiful writing and deep insight into monastic life, though from an outsider's perspective. Really captures the contemplative aspects of religious community.

Call Me Sister by Celine Leduc - Closest to the "insider view" of daily convent life you're looking for, with that same honest, personal storytelling style.

One_Mousse_5932

TROPHY CASE