u/edisun

I’m looking for beta readers for BAXTER DOT COM, my completed 21k-word detective comedy novella!

The Hook

Most cybersecurity teams isolate malware, Baxter and Dot, punch it in the face.

The Premise

Inside of every computer exists the "Digital Layer", where servers are cyber cities, programs make up the architecture and files populate the streets.

Down there, malware is not just bad code, it's a real monster and the citizens of the systems suffer for it.

Enter Baxter and Dot, freelance cybercrime detectives who go after the bad guys from the inside. Baxter is a polar bear with a flair for dramatic destruction and a lead foot. His partner is Dot, a fennec fox master engineer with hacker instincts and the tools to rewrite reality. Together, they ride in their orange 81' Camaro across the 'information super highway', stopping threats and causing chaos.

Their latest case has them up against one of the most notorious malware attacks in modern history, WannaCry. What should have been an easy job of kill and decrypt quickly spirals into something far more dangerous that concerns the entire world.

Why I Wrote It

I have worked in the cybersecurity space for over 20 years. Everything from a threat analyst to the Director of Malware Intelligence. My biggest challenge has always been on getting people interested in cybersecurity in their everyday lives. It is a fascinating world and I want to share how I see the "Digital Layer."

Feedback I’m Looking For

I would very much appreciate thoughts on:

• Pacing: Does the story move well and keep good momentum?
• Character Chemistry: Do Baxter and Dot work well together as a duo?
• Accessibility: Does the cyber world make sense even without a technical background?

Sample

I have the first three chapters (about 4,500 words) available if you’d prefer to test the waters before committing.

Content Warnings

Language, cartoon violence, digital horror imagery.

Note

I am seeking dedicated beta readers only and am not available for critique swaps right now. Please DM me for link to the PDF.

I’m looking for beta readers for BAXTER DOT COM, my completed 21k-word detective comedy novella!

The Hook

Most cybersecurity teams isolate malware, Baxter and Dot, punch it in the face.

The Premise

Inside of every computer exists the "Digital Layer", where servers are cyber cities, programs make up the architecture and files populate the streets.

Down there, malware is not just bad code, it's a real monster and the citizens of the systems suffer for it.

Enter Baxter and Dot, freelance cybercrime detectives who go after the bad guys from the inside. Baxter is a polar bear with a flair for dramatic destruction and a lead foot. His partner is Dot, a fennec fox master engineer with hacker instincts and the tools to rewrite reality. Together, they ride in their orange 81' Camaro across the 'information super highway', stopping threats and causing chaos.

Their latest case has them up against one of the most notorious malware attacks in modern history, WannaCry. What should have been an easy job of kill and decrypt quickly spirals into something far more dangerous that concerns the entire world.

Why I Wrote It

I have worked in the cybersecurity space for over 20 years. Everything from a threat analyst to the Director of Malware Intelligence. My biggest challenge has always been on getting people interested in cybersecurity in their everyday lives. It is a fascinating world and I want to share how I see the "Digital Layer."

Feedback I’m Looking For

I would very much appreciate thoughts on:

• Pacing: Does the story move well and keep good momentum?
• Character Chemistry: Do Baxter and Dot work well together as a duo?
• Accessibility: Does the cyber world make sense even without a technical background?

Sample

I have the first three chapters (about 4,500 words) available if you’d prefer to test the waters before committing.

Content Warnings

Language, cartoon violence, digital horror imagery.

Note

I am seeking dedicated beta readers only and am not available for critique swaps right now. Please DM me for link to the PDF.

I think I remember a music video animation that played during sesame street or another kids show, circa '92-'94.

It had an animation style similar to Keith Haring, but with darker colors and it ended with a bunch of the characters dancing/grooving in a line into the horizon.

It used "Sign Your Name" by Sanada Maitreyu / Terence Trent 'D Arby as the song. Or something that sounds a LOT like it.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I think I remember a music video animation that played during sesame street or another kids show, circa '92-'94.

It had an animation style similar to Keith Haring, but with darker colors and it ended with a bunch of the characters dancing/grooving in a line into the horizon.

It used "Sign Your Name" by Sanada Maitreyu / Terence Trent 'D Arby as the song. Or something that sounds a LOT like it.

Thanks in advance for your help!