Hello,
Here is some information on my style of beta reading. Why choose beta reading, my process with your manuscript and questions to answer in your query.
To know more about my preferred formatting, please refer to the formatting section of my services page.
When do you need beta readers?
You have finished at least one of your major revisions.
You have polished your manuscript to the best of your abilities. You need fresh eyes on your story to see the things you have grown blind to.
Why beta reading?
If you want to self-publish, beta readers can save you a lot of money in editing. If youto go the traditional publishing route, free beta readers will help you polish your manuscript one last time before sending it off. They may also give you the boost in confidence to do it.
Keep in mind that with beta reading the feedback is less in depth than editing. Therefore it is better to invest in a lot of beta readers from different backgrounds.
Beta readers can be paid professionals with experience and past projects to prove it. But if you are going the beta reading route, my advice is not to neglect the free beta readers.
It’s not about being cheap, it’s about diversity. Having at least one professional can ensure quality feedback. Coupled with book gremlins in search of their next fix on a budget or fellow writers ready to swap books, you get a varied overview of your story.
In short, beta reading is most suitable for new authors or self-published authors who don’t have the funds for a developmental editor.
What to expect
As your beta reader, I will act as a member of your audience giving you feedback on your manuscript.
As I read through your manuscript, I will comment on the document. After reading it at least twice, I will write up a one to two-page report on broad elements you have asked me to provide feedback on. For example pacing, chapter and scene transition, or character design. If no specific feedback has been requested, I will stick to broad issues and strengths that stood out to me.
Depending on the length of your story and my availability, this could take a month or two. You can provide a deadline for me, and I will tell you if it is possible with your story at that moment.
This is essentially just me giving you my overall opinion. You take what you want from it.
You can expect constructive honesty from my feedback. I’m not the kind to be brutal and will never tell you something is “wrong” and leave you hanging. The way I do things, when I find something is not working, I will give an example from your manuscript and deconstruct the why I think this does not work. I will also point out what you appear to be good at. Because this kind of information helps you understand your writing style and work with it in its development as opposed to attempts at moulding it to other people’s expectations.
The vocabulary I will use in my feedback will depend on what I know of your experience as a writer. Which is why I will ask you to provide information in your query that will help me gauge the best way to communicate with you.
Query questions
Here are some questions to help me tailor the feedback to you. Answer what you can. If you do not answer, at least an, “I don’t know,” I will consider us ill matched and might turn your query down. If you forgot to, don’t worry, I will ask them in my reply email.
Do you have another means of communication you prefer than emails? (For example, if they feel too official to you and stress you out, you may add me on Facebook/Meta and we can communicate through there. Keep in mind, I will require that all document transmission be done by email. If you just want to confirm you have received a document, using messenger can work.)
What is your previous publishing experience? (Showing past works to friends or teachers? Online self-publishing platforms like Wattpad, Inkitt and AO3. Self-publishing through Kindle. Published through a publishing house. Printing and spreading it where you can like a chapbook.)
What is your favourite literary device and why?
What is your writing experience? (Things like essays for school or reports for work. Maybe some fiction, poetry and non-fiction like journalling.)
What are your goals with this story? Do you want to get it published? Is it just for fun or to learn? Is it for yourself to read later or share with your friends?
When would you like to receive the report? Do you have a deadline to follow?
What do you want help with the most? (“I don’t know” is a valid answer. It is fine if you don’t know where to start.)
What are the genres and subgenres of your story? Can you guess what they are? Do you know what you want them to be?
What age range are you aiming as an audience for with this project?
What has compelled you to write this piece?
What is it about?
What is the premise?