The Lodestar Circle
Lodestar (noun): a star that leads or guides
Our Lodestar Circle consists of a group of passionate readers who love supporting indie authors through Beta and Arc reading, and participating in Street Teams.
Applications to join the circle are officially open. See details below.
What is the Lodestar Circle?
The Lodestar Circle is a group of readers who get early access to a selection of incredible indie books. This is not just a group of readers, the Circle is a group of people who live and breathe for literature, and who are passionate about helping authors to improve their work and make a bigger impact on the world.
As a Lodestar member, you will get exclusive early access to stories before they’re published. In return, we ask that you leave reviews on important platforms such as Goodreads, Amazon, The Local Book Hive and Social Media.
Applications to join the Circle are open. Click the button above to apply.
How it works:
First off, we feel it necessary to make it quite clear that North Star Author Services takes a strict stance against the use of generative AI within the writing and creative process of authors, as well as captions, images and videos used by our Lodestar Circle’s social media posts.
Once you’ve applied to become a member of the Lodestar Circle, one of our team members will get in touch with you to see if you are the right fit for our tightknit family of authors and readers. This is a no-pressure video call where we can simply get to know one another.
As soon as your application has been approved, you will be added to our email newsletter list as well as WhatsApp contacts. You will be our first contact when an author joins us and needs the services of a Beta Reader, ARC Reader or Street Team Member. You will have the choice of which books and projects you want to be involved in.
As an early reader, you will receive free eBook copies of the books you opt to take part in and, in some instances, physical copies and book boxes will be made available to Street Team members. We also have reward tiers for Street Team Members who exemplify the support we wish to show our authors.
More information will be made available once your application has been received.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ARC reader and a Street Team Member?
An ARC (Advance Review Copy) reader receives an early copy of a book before release in exchange for an honest review. Their feedback and reviews help authors build excitement and visibility before launch.
Street Team Member:
A Street Team member is an enthusiastic supporter who helps spread the word about an author and their books. They share posts, recommend books, join launch activities, and help grow the author’s community. Street Team members might not review every book, but they must love championing the author’s journey.
Does it cost anything to be a member of the Lodestar Circle?
Joining the Lodestar Circle is entirely free, but your continued membership is dependent on your level of participation.
What is a Beta reader?
A Beta Reader reads a manuscript before it’s published and provides honest, constructive feedback on the story, characters, pacing, plot, and overall reading experience. They help authors polish their work before the final edit, focusing on the reader’s perspective rather than grammar or proofreading. Their insights help make the story stronger before publication.
How does it help authors to participate in the Lodestar Circle?
We all know that word of mouth is the single most powerful marketing tool available to any product. A book’s success or failure greatly depends on the attention it receives within the first weeks of its life. By joining together, becoming a hype squad for our authors, we’re creating shooting stars that propel these stories to new heights.
Honest reviews, consistent social media postings and recommendations to friends and family go a long way in supporting authors.