Taking Flight & Seeking Insights: 'Raven's Curse' Soars While I Seek Beta Readers!

Hello everyone!

I'm bursting with a mix of excitement and nerves to share some significant news: I've officially sent my gothic historical fiction novel, "Raven's Curse," out on its first "official" submission! This moment feels like a huge milestone on my writing journey, and I'm so grateful for all the support that has brought me to this point.

To celebrate this step and to continue refining "Raven's Curse" while it's out in the querying world, I'm also looking for beta readers! Your insightful feedback would be invaluable as I prepare for the next stages, whatever they may hold. If you love gothic mysteries, strong female characters navigating unconventional circumstances, and a touch of the uncanny, I'd be thrilled for you to take an early look. (More details on how to become a beta reader are at the end of this post!)

To give you a taste of the dark and intriguing atmosphere of "Raven's Curse," here's a sneak peek at the opening of Chapter One:

A judgmental obsidian eye locked onto mine, its intensity only broken by the occasional swipe of a scaly eyelid. The raven was an unsettling presence in my fine parlor, hopping close enough to touch. I flinched away as it drew nearer... My eyes flicked from the sticky crimson stain underneath me on my Persian carpet, to the bird of dark omen, and back, trying to fill the dark void in my mind.

What had happened?...

My vision swam as I ripped at the the ribbons of my emerald gown, then my nightgown, to find the mark I felt must be there, fingers numb. The bloodstained fabric pooled at my ankles as I stood there, naked and exposed in the center of the opulent room. My chest was smooth, the skin unblemished but for the goosebumps spreading across my whole body.

Yesterday afternoon, this very spot had been graced by the gossiping matrons of society... My mind began to dissect the scene, sorting the events. The crimson stain, the torn bodice, the twisted cold lead the bird had brought me, all testaments to a violent act whose memories sat in my mind.

Yet, my skin remained flawless, untouched. How could that be? The bullet, the searing pain, the stench of gunpowder – all figments of a horrific dream? No, not a dream, not with all the blood soaking the carpet, the spent bullet that lay on my pooled clothing.

As you can see, Susanna's world in 1890s Charleston takes a decidedly strange turn! If you're intrigued by this opening and enjoy providing constructive feedback on character, plot, pacing, and overall reader experience, I would love to hear from you.

Call for Beta Readers:

If you're intrigued by this opening and enjoy providing constructive feedback on character, plot, pacing, and overall reader experience, I would love for you to be a beta reader for "Raven's Curse"!  Beta readers help authors like me know what works and what doesn't... you don't need special experience!

To make the process easy for both of us, I've listed my novel on BetaReader.io, a free platform designed for connecting authors and beta readers.

If you're interested in reading and providing feedback on this 89k word novel, please fill out the request survey.  I'm looking for readers who are willing to provide thoughtful feedback by June 1, 2025.

I'm excited to connect with readers and gain valuable insights as "Raven's Curse" continues its journey!

Copyright Notice:

© Jennifer Tillock 2025. All rights reserved. This excerpt from "Raven's Curse" is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced or distributed without the author's express permission.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting part of the journey! Your support, whether through encouragement or beta reading, means the world.

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