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Beta readers

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  • 22-06-2015 4:15pm
    #1
    femur61
    Registered Users Posts: 1,588 ✭✭✭


    Does anyone know how I get a professional Beta reader, and how much does their service cost? Or, do people use friends for their Beta readers?


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    #2
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Is it for a novel or a short story (or a poem!)?

    If you're looking for a professional reader's report by a published novelist, writing.ie do a paid service. Not sure of the cost.


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    #3
    femur61
    Registered Users Posts: 1,588 ✭✭✭femur61


    Das Kitty wrote: »
    Is it for a novel or a short story (or a poem!)?

    If you're looking for a professional reader's report by a published novelist, writing.ie do a paid service. Not sure of the cost.

    Its for a novel. I'd rather not use writing.ie.


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    #4
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Friends are crap beta readers. They'll tell you what they think you want to hear. It's best, if you can, to get a professional reader to give you a report. Someone who's successfully worked a novel through from start to finish.

    You could get into a feedback exchange with another writer doing the same thing. It can be difficult to find someone you mesh with, whose writing you can get along with, and who gives and takes feedback well.

    There are also review sites to consider. You upload a chunk of it and give and receive feedback.


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    #5
    Cassandra1
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭Cassandra1


    I used the service of Jasmine Kallay for my script. She has also written a book called Beat Girl.

    as a new user i am not allowed to give the url but just pop her name in with no spaces and dot com



    Good luck

    Cassandra

    Mod edit: Here you go: http://jasminakallay.com/


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    #6
    femur61
    Registered Users Posts: 1,588 ✭✭✭femur61


    Cassandra1 wrote: »
    I used the service of Jasmine Kallay for my script. She has also written a book called Beat Girl.

    as a new user i am not allowed to give the url but just pop her name in with no spaces and dot com



    Good luck

    Cassandra

    Mod edit: Here you go: http://jasminakallay.com/

    Thanks so much, I've sent her an email.


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    #7
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    I use friends and fans as beta readers. The trick is to tell them that you want them to tell you everything they don't like about the novel. Tell you what is boring, confusing, doesn't make sense. What characters do they not like? What factual mistakes did they notice? What annoys them about it?

    Tell them that the more brutal they are, the happier you'll be.

    Normally, I'll use about six beta readers, ones with different interests.


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    #8
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    Remind them that their job is not to tell you how to fix anything, just to tell you the bits they didn't like. Your job is to fix it.


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