Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Literature, Writing & Publishing 5

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers sharing their secret passion for writing fan-fiction online.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   credits their online community for helping them fix technical language errors?

2   was motivated to start writing original material instead of fan-fiction?

3   hid their hobby out of fear that their peers would mock them?

4   found that copying established authors helped them develop their own style?

5   received formal academic recognition as a direct result of their hobby?

6   deliberately kept their writing a secret from their family to avoid criticism?

7   initially felt self-conscious about their lack of literary talent?

8   mentions that their chosen fandom is not particularly well-known?

9   learned how to successfully manage the rhythm and progression of a story?

10   focuses on exploring the psychological complexity of the characters they write about?

The Secret Scribes: How Fan-Fiction is Shaping Young Writers

A Chloe

I’ve been publishing fan-fiction based on a popular fantasy series for nearly two years. I’ve always kept it entirely under the radar, especially from my parents. If they ever found out, they’d undoubtedly argue it’s a pointless distraction from my exam preparation, so I prefer to leave them in the dark. Paradoxically, this covert hobby has done wonders for my overall academic performance. When I first started posting chapters, my sentence structures were incredibly clunky. However, in the fan-fiction community, we frequently use ‘beta readers’—other dedicated users who rigorously proofread your work before it goes live. Thanks to their detailed, constructive criticism, I managed to iron out my persistent grammatical mistakes and significantly expand my vocabulary. It’s far more engaging than doing standard textbook exercises! My closest friends are well aware of my online profile, but as far as my family is concerned, I’m simply conducting extra history research whenever I’m typing furiously on my laptop.

B Sam

My passion for writing gritty detective stories set in a famous superhero universe is something I strictly keep to myself at school. Let’s face it, teenage boys aren’t exactly known for being supportive about things like writing emotional fan-fiction, and I know I’d never hear the end of it if my classmates ever discovered my secret. Despite the necessary secrecy, dedicating my weekends to this craft has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Before I took up fan-fiction, I struggled massively with the flow of my narratives; my stories would either rush clumsily to the conclusion or drag on endlessly for pages. By planning out complex, multi-chapter sagas for my online readers, I eventually got the hang of story mapping. I’ve figured out how to build genuine suspense and control the pace effectively. Even though I wouldn’t dare share my username with the guys at football practice, I’m immensely proud of the tension-filled thrillers I’ve managed to produce.

C Mia

The television show I base my stories on was abruptly cancelled after just one season, so it hardly has a massive mainstream following. Because my chosen fandom is quite niche, I keep my online writing a closely guarded secret; trying to explain the complicated premise of the show to my peers is just too exhausting. Nevertheless, writing for such a small, dedicated audience has allowed me to really dive deep into the inner workings of the protagonists. I spend hours exploring their underlying motivations and unresolved psychological conflicts. This intense focus on character development paid off unexpectedly last term. Our English teacher assigned us a challenging creative writing piece, and I seamlessly applied the descriptive techniques I’d honed online. To my absolute astonishment, I was awarded top marks, with the teacher specifically praising the emotional maturity of my work. Little does she know, those advanced literary skills were forged entirely through writing fan-fiction!

D Leo

When I first stumbled across fan-fiction forums, I was desperately eager to participate, but I held back for months. Looking back, I was acutely aware of how clumsy and unpolished my writing was, and the terrifying thought of anonymous strangers tearing my work apart kept me from posting. To overcome this crippling self-doubt, I began closely analysing how my favourite published authors constructed their paragraphs and formatted their dialogue. By deliberately imitating their stylistic choices, I slowly started to find my own rhythm. I kept my hobby completely hidden until I felt confident enough to stand by my words. Now, the feedback I receive is overwhelmingly positive. In fact, the whole experience has boosted my self-esteem so significantly that I’ve decided to take a leap of faith and move away from borrowing other people’s universes. I am currently outlining the first draft of my very own science fiction novel, something I never would have dreamed of attempting a year ago.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four self-published authors talking about the exhausting marketing and promotional work required when you don’t have a traditional publishing house.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   mentions an early financial miscalculation that forced a change in their approach?

2   expresses frustration about how technology companies control their exposure?

3   initially felt self-conscious about urging people to purchase their novels?

4   appreciates the opportunity to hear readers’ opinions in person?

5   regrets paying for a service that failed to deliver the expected benefits?

6   points out that marketing responsibilities ate into their writing schedule?

7   found that offering something at no cost proved to be an effective tactic?

8   admits they had not anticipated the high price of tangible promotional items?

9   eventually found a sense of pride in mastering the commercial aspects of publishing?

10   experienced physical fatigue from constantly moving between different locations?

The Hustle Behind the Book: Life as an Indie Author

A Mark

When I first decided to bypass traditional publishers, I assumed I’d just upload my thriller and watch the sales roll in. I couldn’t have been more wrong! I quickly realised that keeping up with social media is a relentless grind. What truly gets on my nerves is the unpredictability of it all; just as you figure out an algorithm, the tech giants change the rules, significantly limiting how many people actually see your posts. Consequently, I found myself spending ten hours a week networking online, which drastically cut into the time I should have spent drafting my sequel. In a moment of desperation, I handed over a small fortune to a freelance marketing expert, hoping they’d take the weight off my shoulders. Sadly, it was money down the drain, as it generated barely any extra sales. I even tried giving away a free chapter, though nobody seemed interested. Ultimately, you just have to come to terms with the fact that you are your own marketing department.

B Chloe

Unlike many indie authors who rely entirely on the internet, my promotional strategy revolves around real-world interactions. I spend most of my weekends hauling boxes of fantasy novels to local literary conventions and regional bookshops. Honestly, the sheer amount of time spent driving up and down the motorway leaves me completely drained by Sunday evening. When I first started out, I was taken aback by the hefty printing fees for things like glossy banners, bookmarks, and display stands; I had completely underestimated how much physical merchandise would set me back. At first, I felt a bit awkward standing behind a table, but I soon grew to love it. There’s absolutely nothing quite like chatting face-to-face with potential fans and hearing their immediate thoughts on my cover designs and blurb. It’s far more rewarding than deciphering online statistics. If I hadn’t made the effort to get out there, my series would have undoubtedly sunk without a trace.

C Julian

As an independently published science fiction writer, I rely heavily on paid digital advertising. If I had known how steep the learning curve would be, I might have reconsidered! During my first month, I excitedly poured hundreds of pounds into an online ad campaign without doing proper research, burning through my entire budget in just three days with absolutely zero return. It was a harsh wake-up call that forced me to completely rethink my strategy and educate myself on target demographics. Now, I carefully monitor every penny. While my fellow writers often complain that promotion distracts them from their artistic process, I’ve managed to establish a strict routine that balances both perfectly. It hasn’t been easy, but after months of trial and error, I actually feel a profound sense of achievement now that I fully understand how to run a profitable business. It proves that you don’t necessarily need a prestigious publishing house to back you.

D Samira

For me, building a dedicated newsletter subscriber list has been the holy grail of self-publishing. Since I absolutely hate the idea of travelling to conventions, I decided to focus all my energy on email marketing. However, whenever it came time to announce a new release, I used to feel incredibly awkward and deeply embarrassed about actively encouraging my readers to hit the ‘buy’ button. It felt far too pushy! Everything changed when another author suggested a different approach. I decided to offer an exclusive, full-length prequel novel to anyone who signed up to my mailing list entirely free of charge. To my absolute astonishment, it worked like a charm. Not only did my subscriber numbers go through the roof, but those new readers eventually bought the rest of the series. I never had to pay for expensive digital ads or hire an assistant. The whole experience has taught me that generosity is often the best promotional tool you can have.

Exercises:   123456