Lin’s Comments (group member since May 06, 2013)

Lin’s comments from the Beta Reader Group group.

I sent you a message via goodreads last night with my email - did you get it ok?

I can take a look if you want - still at work for another week then winding down, then free time! Let me know if interested and I'll give you my address. What specifically are you looking for? Understanding/clarity?

Proofreaders will purely correct spelling/punctuation, you should not expect a beta reader to do that, although some will. An accredited proofreader will be a professional so you'll have guarantee of accuracy.

I agree with what's said about reliable beta readers. I've been holding off on offering to read more because I know that it will be a couple of weeks before I really have time to read, but when I do read, I'm trying to keep authors up to date on my progress - easiest was when I got a book one chapter at a time. I email the author with comments regularly and return the finished file with my comments added. But I did have one author who thanked me for my first impression comments on the opening chapters and then gave no response whatsoever to the more detailed response I gave having read the whole manuscript and written comments all the way through, which was fairly disheartening.
I try to suggest when I feel engaged with the book most, when I struggle with the book, and any areas that have me confused. I can correct spelling/grammar etc, but far better to pay for a professional to give a final pass and help you format for kindle etc before hitting the publish button. I had a book I read by an established author the other day that drove me mad because the formatting was wrong!

Isn't beta reading a little late if it's already been released?

I would suggest building up your bookshelf so people can get an idea of what you like as a reader, and I'd be very careful about your own spelling and punctuation, to be honest - if you're expecting to help someone out in checking for errors, it helps if you demonstrate you can recognise correct writing ;)
Other than that, it's generally "read testing" a book - is it interesting, does it flow well, at what points are you confused/bored/excited/more interested, can you spot any plot holes, etc.
I found a good explanation of a beta reader's role here - http://www.smallbluedog.com/what-make...

If you want another pair of eyes I can look over the first chapter for you - coinlea@gmail.com.

I'm currently offering services as a beta reader, and of the novels I took in a couple of weeks ago I've already sent back marked-up copies of three or more novels/opening chapters along with general feedback and more specific comments.
But then I'm intending to set up a business to do the job professionally, so I'm building up experience/references/testimonials in return for giving up several hours of my time to help people who may or may not take on board what I've said (although response to my comments so far has been positive and I'm continuing to work further with a couple of the authors).
I suggest that you either decide you're dedicated enough to pay for a professional job, or be prepared to wade through several beta readers until you find one who suits your style/way of working, who is willing to devote the time to your reading and whose feedback you find useful (or maybe a combination of both: beta readers to get the plot/bulk sorted, then go professional for final polishing).
Please bear in mind that it can take skill, experience and several hours of concentrated work to really go through a substantial novel and pick it to pieces, then write detailed feedback. There are people out there who will be willing to do that for free, but lots more who are either unable to do the job properly or who are just looking for free reads.
Funnily enough, a friend wrote a blog post on just this topic very recently - http://lifeonmagrs.blogspot.co.uk/201... - I strongly recommend that anyone seeking beta readers takes a look at it. Basically the question is how seriously you are willing to take your work.
My website is www.coinlea.co.uk, btw, but work commitments for the next month or so mean I'm very limited as to what I can take on just yet. However, I'm willing to consider free evaluations of the first section of novels (think amazon kindle free sample size) just to give feedback on first impressions. After all, it's the first few pages that will often make or break a book. My pet peeve is writers who say "Yes, I know that bit is tough/confusing/boring but if you can get through to chapter xxx it all becomes clearer/more exciting/more relevant."
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go spend more of my week off work reading a few more chapters and giving feedback on plot, sentence structure and typos/grammar errors :)

I can take a look, but I have three novels and a set of opening chapters at the moment, so it might take a week or so before I can get to it.
I'm aiming to give a first impression report within a couple of days for each project, with more complete feedback to follow.

I'm looking to build up experience as a beta reader, happy to take a look if you want - looking from POV of a reader who hasn't read previous books in the series and who is from the UK.

Yeah sure. Drop me a line at coinlea@gmail.com. Just let me know if there's anything you want me to look for specifically and I'll take a look.

Hello, I'm new around here - some experience of beta reading elsewhere. I'm a teacher (English, Maths and ICT) based in the UK, so can provide advice on localisation if necessary. You can see from my bookshelf the sort of books I like to read - anything from YA to SF, romance, crime, pretty much anything.
I'm aiming for a fast turnaround and to become established as a quality beta reader, looking for major flaws as well as proofreading if required.
Feel free to ask if you're looking for assistance!

I would be interested in taking a look for you. I'm signed up to nook press under coinlea@gmail.com.
I would aim for a fast turnaround - I understand you don't want to be left waiting too long!
Lin