Beta Reading for Authors
A close read of a complete or nearly complete story, with honest feedback on what works, what does not, and what stays with the reader.
How does the finished story feel to a reader?
Completed or near-final drafts.
WHAT WE LOOK AT- Overall reading experience
- Characters, plot and pacing
- Dialogue, opening and worldbuilding
- Themes and emotional impact
- Continuity and questions that come up while reading
- Annotated manuscript with useful inline comments
- Overall beta reader report
- Specific reader reactions and recurring issues
- Priorities to consider in revision
- Developmental, line or copy editing
- Proofreading
- Ghostwriting or full-manuscript rewriting
We start with what happened while we were reading.
Where did we lean in, hesitate, get confused or lose interest?
What scene, line, choice or piece of information caused that reaction?
Was it one rough spot, or does the same thing happen elsewhere?
We look past the symptom and consider the story, character, pacing or prose issue underneath it.
Which problem is worth tackling first, and which can wait?
You decide what stays and what changes. Our job is to give you a clear second opinion.
Known-scope work can be estimated. Diagnostic work is scoped to the question.
Where a published rate applies, the calculator gives an estimate. Where the work depends on diagnosis, scope is confirmed after we understand the manuscript and the question.
Make sure you are getting the kind of help you actually need.
If the manuscript is still changing, a reader may be more useful than an editor. If something feels wrong but you cannot find the cause, an assessment may be the better starting point. If the story is settled and the prose is the concern, line or copy editing may make more sense.
Compare all services →Other services that may fit.
Before you send the manuscript.
Who is Beta Reading for?+
Completed or near-final drafts.
What will I receive?+
Annotated manuscript with useful inline comments, Overall beta reader report, Specific reader reactions and recurring issues, Priorities to consider in revision.
What is not included?+
Developmental, line or copy editing, Proofreading, Ghostwriting or full-manuscript rewriting.
What if I am not sure this is the right service?+
You do not need to know the service name. Send a sample and tell us what is bothering you. We can help you work out what kind of help makes sense.
Want to see how we approach your pages?
Send a sample and tell us what is bothering you. We will help you work out what makes sense before you commit to a larger project.
Tell Us What's Not Working