A Place in the Story: Introducing HG Early Readers
There is a moment in creating a book when the story is ready to reach beyond the person who wrote it. The characters have found their voices, the pages have taken shape, and a new question emerges: how will it feel to someone reading it for the first time?
At Hush Grove Studio, we’re opening the door to that next chapter with HG Early Readers, a new program inviting readers to help shape our books before publication.
Your perspective matters
Early reading is about sharing your experience of a story. Which moments made you want to keep reading? Where did your attention wander? Did the characters feel believable? Was there a scene that stayed with you after you closed the book?
You don’t need editing experience or a background in publishing. We’re looking for thoughtful readers who feel comfortable telling us what connected with them—and what could be stronger.
Honest feedback helps us return to the manuscript with a clearer understanding of what readers are experiencing.
Our first invitation: The Things We Carry
Our first early reader opportunity features The Things We Carry by Elodie Wayne, a contemporary novel exploring love, independence, and the boundaries we learn to honour.
We’re seeking five volunteer readers for this first round. Selected readers will receive an advance manuscript, reading instructions, and a feedback questionnaire to guide their responses.
This is an unpublished work, so participants will be asked to keep the manuscript private. There is no expectation to promote the book or post a public review. The heart of the program is your honest reading experience.
Join us
If you enjoy discovering new stories and would like to take part in the creative process, we invite you to apply through the HG Early Readers page on our website.
With five places available in this first round, submitting an application does not guarantee selection. We’ll contact selected readers by email with the next steps and reading timeline.
We’re excited to share this part of Hush Grove Studio with you—and to discover what these pages hold through someone else’s eyes.
