Beta reading is the process of handing your book manuscript over to be read, in its rawest form. Usually, the beta read starts right after the first draft is complete, and before any other editing processes. This is done because, at times, the beta reading feedback could influence you to make changes to your book.
This is why it's important to choose your beta readers carefully! They should be people who usually read books in your genre, so they would be able to offer an informed opinion.
"As a new author, I think it’s important to find the right beta reader. Ari was exactly what I needed and more - all for a really reasonable price! She provided useful insight and really helped me better my book with feedback that had me thinking but didn’t change my vision. Couldn’t recommend her enough!"
"Arianne provided clear and actionable feedback (which I truly appreciate). The beta reading was thorough and on-time, for affordable rates (that almost seem too low for the quality of the work). Would highly recommend, especially for newer authors."
"Ari was an extremely valuable beta reader. She took time and answered all of my questions with consideration. I highly recommend her and would work with her again."
"Arianne was extremely punctual with her feedback. She provided many useful suggestions to make the story better in ways that were easy to implement."
You've finished drafting your book, great! After spending so much time with it, and after reading through it more than a couple of times for editing, you're more familiar with it than anyone could ever be. What better way to test your story than by having someone else take a look at it?
A beta reading done well will give you enough feedback to work with, so you can figure out your next steps.
Besides writing, I also do a lot of reading. Some for pleasure, and some for research. I have a trained eye for story structure and character development, and the materials that I would put together for your book could help make a difference.
There are genres I won't beta read, either because I don't have enough experience with them to give valuable feedback, or because I genuinely don't enjoy reading them.
I'm not the best fit for: nonfiction, horror, thriller, heavy erotica, memoirs, religious fiction, poetry, or screenplays.
As an author myself, I have experienced both personal and professional beta readings. Meaning that I paid for a professional beta reader, but I also asked my friends and family to beta read my book. More often than not, people that know us tend to be subjective to our work. The professional feedback that I got was invaluable, and when applied, it really improved my story.
The payment is done for the amount of work and the materials being put together after a beta reading.
Of course, you could always get free beta readings from the people around you. Just make sure they are able to offer unbiased and useful opinions. Beta reading feedback should contain more than "like it/don't like it" comments in order for it to be helpful.
Also, make sure they will follow through!
If you have any questions, please visit this page or contact me directly!
$0.0015 / word