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Beta Reading Opportunity

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Beta reading window: February 9–16, 2026

Lost Island Press is seeking 20–30 beta readers for Avarium, a YA dystopian novella by Mel Torrefranca.

If this window doesn’t fit your schedule, stay tuned for future opportunities.

Please read the information below before applying.

What is the book about?

At a military boarding school, Evaris discovers that her roommate, Cal Avarium, isn’t like the other academically gifted students. She gained admission through murder.

Who is eligible to beta read?
  • New readers (without series context)
  • Readers of Nightshade Academy, Maelin, and/or Underground Royalty
What do beta readers have to do?
  1. Read an in-progress draft of the book
  2. Leave comments along the way (optional)
  3. Fill out a survey at the end (required)
How long will this take?
  • Read time: 3–5 hours
  • Survey time: 10–45 minutes
How will I read the book?

We currently host our beta books in Google Docs. If you’re selected, our team will email you a private link to access the story.

What will I get in return?
  1. A direct role in shaping the final version of the book
  2. Your name featured in the acknowledgments (if you want)
  3. A free ebook of the published version upon launch
  4. Ticket to Mel’s invite-only launch party on April 11, 2026 (via Zoom)
  5. Chance to win a free BlueBound of the published version
Do I need to review the book too?

Please do not post public reviews of the beta draft, as it is not a finished book. Beta reading is for internal feedback, not marketing. If you read the published version later, you’re welcome to review it then.

Do you have any content warnings?
  • Mild profanity (e.g. damn, hell)
  • Intense violence with blood
  • Animal harm
  • Death of a child
  • No sexual content
  • No substance use
When will the official version launch?
  • Insider launch: April 11, 2026
    The book will be available in ebook and paperback via Lost Island Press (website only)
  • Public launch: May 9, 2026
    The book will be available through major retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others)
Ready to become a beta reader?
Apply now