One of the things that is hardest to find when you are writing is someone who will read it for you and give you impartial feedback. Family and friends are often biased or don't give you the kind of information you may need. I created this page with the idea of finding people who are willing to put in the work required of a Beta-Reader and/or Editor and also as a resource for writers.
This list is not meant to be exclusive to this page. I created this as a resource for writers, no matter where their work ends up posted.
Contents:
The following is based on the things I look for when I'm asking someone to Beta-Read/Edit for me. They may not be exactly the same things that every writer is looking for but they should give you a general idea of what a Beta-Reader/Editor is asked to do. If someone contacts you about possibly editing for them, I suggest that you find out exactly what they are looking for before accepting the story.
WARNING: If you are looking for simple "that's good" type of feedback, you don't want a Beta-Reader/Editor. Likewise, if you are considering volunteering, you must be prepared to tell people the bad as well as the good. I'm not talking flames here, just honest constructive criticism.
When most people think of editing, they think of checking for spelling and grammar errors. While that is part of what an editor does, it is not everything. A good editor does not simply read a story, fixing any punctuation errors they find. They will go over the story in depth, pointing out flaws in characterization and flow. An editor critiques the story.
Constructive criticism is the most important thing a good editor does for a writer. Being open and honest about your reactions is extremely important. If something bothers you about a story, a character doesn't feel right or a paragraph seems awkward, those are all things the writer needs to know. The writer may be trying to convey a particular emotion, or has simply forgotten that their readers won't know what they haven't told them.
The key word here is constructive. No one wants to have someone simply tear their work apart, pointing out all the negatives. If something is confusing or bothering you, explain why. Point out ways that the writer might be able to fix it. It's also good to point out what you do like about a piece. Sections that stand out, grab your emotions, or bring the characters to vivid life. In that way, the writer learns what is working.
Editing/beta-reading is not a quick or easy thing. You are going to invest a bit of time in each story you agree to edit. It can be a frustrating and time-consuming task with your only likely reward being the knowledge that you helped someone.
If after reading this you still want to be an editor, then I can only say thank you. In my opinion, good editors/beta-readers deserve much more credit than they are ever given.
So you've decided to volunteer your services as a Beta-Reader/Editor? That's great! Simply fill out the form below and press the send button when you are finished. The information you submit will be forwarded to me and I will add you to the list as fast as I can.
The following are links to some other pages you might find helpful.