be·ta reader
a person who reads a literary work before it is published to provide objective feedback and suggest improvements.
noun
The Process
1
Commitment
Making a commitment to this process means you are providing open, honest feedback - a critical success factor to this project.
Please Note: the manuscript has not gone through Proofreading, so please ignore typos, grammatical errors, etc.
2
Internet Access
The manuscript is housed on a web-based portal, which you can access on a desktop or laptop computer.
Depending on your tablet, the portal may or may not display correctly. At this time, there is no option available for smartphones or e-readers.
3
WrittenFeedback
As your reading progresses, you will be prompted with questions that are subject to your personal opinions and perspectives on the material.
All questions should be answered candidly, with as much detail as possible. A binary response - yes or no - should be avoided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of feedback are you interested in receiving?
At different intervals, you will be prompted with questions that will guide the type of feedback we are looking for. However, please note the manuscript is currently going through an extensive process and Proofreading is the last step before publication. We ask that you ignore any typos, grammatical or punctuation errors. We are more interested in feedback that will help us craft a compelling, intriguing and engaging story.
When do I have to complete my reading of the manuscript?
Our hope is the reading will be completed in 6-8 weeks of when you started. If it takes you longer, that's fine as well. Please Note: the portal will remove access if it has been more than two weeks since you last advanced your reading (turned a few pages).
What happens after I finish reading the manuscript?
As a Beta Reader, you will be provided a First Edition copy of the final book once it is in print provided you disclose your physical address. Upon completion, you will receive an e-mail requesting this information.
When will the final book be published and available?
The traditional book publishing process is complicated and current expectations is to have the final book in print sometime in 2025. This, of course, is subject to change. The book is still in the developmental stage and, once selected by a traditional publisher, it can take anywhere from 18 months to 2 years to see it in print.