If there aren't other writers interested in swapping con-crit, equally useful to me would be volunteers interested in following the novel as it's written and providing feedback. I'm a professional writer and editor: mostly tech journalism, but my short fiction has been published in Dragon magazine (back when Dragon was still around) and my first novel will be e-published this fall. However, for those who haven't done beta-reading before, it's probably important to note that first-draft stuff (which is what you'd be seeing) is significantly less polished and professional than a final, edited novel. You'd be witnessing the sausage-making, is what I'm saying.
I can post the first page or so of the book if potential readers are interested.
I'd be interested in seeing the first few pages. I don't know whether I would be interested in seeing the sausage making but I'm provisionally willing to give it a try.
This community has a recurring interest in "rationalist fiction," and several members who are writers. I wonder if it would be useful to create a space where Less Wrong members could provide each other constructive criticism and encouragement on in-progress original writing projects?
Disclosure: I'm working on a sci-fi novel right now, and my regular circle of "beta readers" are fantasy fans and aren't providing much feedback on the new project. I am much, much more productive as a writer when I get steady feedback, so I have a personal interest in looking for something like this. Less Wrong came to mind as a community of intelligent, creative, forward-looking types who are likely to enjoy sci-fi.