Beta Reader Group discussion
Writing Advice & Discussion
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New Mod?
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Library Lady 📚
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Mar 10, 2014 12:20PM
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Awesome. Let us know and also let us know if you need any help.
Mod
Great! I actually tried to get a hold of the mod. not too long ago with a suggestion and saw it had been a long time since he has even been on goodreads. I would love to see some organization to this group.
Mod
Lena wrote: "Just to let everyone know, I heard back from Goodreads and they are looking into getting us a new mod, most likely yours truly, since I contacted them. I will post more when I hear back."Well done Lena. I think I already said I was happy to lend a hand here and there. Looks like you will be able to get quite the team together from the responses you have got :)
Mod
Would authors be interested in having such a thread to use when selecting betas? I'm fairly new to beta reading and am wondering if I should be asking authors if I can use them as a reference in case I am ever asked in the future. What do you guys think?
Mod
Would we have that as an ongoing thread, or should we have a folder for beta feedback? I'm afraid it might turn ugly if someone has a bad experience though. We don't want it to turn into beta/author bashing session. But, if we can take over as Mods, we can delete the threads and make sure to keep things professional. If you have a bad experience, it seems fair to warn others (and this goes both ways...authors behaving badly shouldn't be able to use the group, either).
Mod
Once you are made the moderator, will you be able to clean up all of the threads we currently have going? I'm happy to do this or help with it if you want. It seems that it would be easier to find things if we had multiple folders.
I agree on fair warning and it going both ways. I wonder if we should make this two separate folders as well; one for positive feedback and one for warnings? I'm agree with your hesitancy and would hate to see any bashing. I'm new to the group, so will defer to what everyone else thinks on this.
I think that if an author wants a beta to read a book it should be made clear what they expect from the beta. I think that a lot of betas treat it like a r2r program when it's not.
Mod
Otherwise, I'm not sure. I'm open to suggestions. That's IF we even get a new mod. I wrote the one here a while back, but I never heard anything. Maybe he'll respond to Goodreads? Who knows.
It would be nice to see some organization here and a new mod would be nice. I've enjoyed being here, but it does get hard to sift through so many threads and see who are readers and who need readers. I agree that the feedback could be a good news/bad news sort of thing though.
I like the idea of possibly having a folder for different genres
Lena wrote: "3 folders for sure: discussions, seeking betas, and betas offering services. Otherwise, I'm not sure. I'm open to suggestions. That's IF we even get a new mod. I wrote the one here a while back, ..."
If you gonna be mod I suggest starting one topic to remind authors to explain their terms/expectations before giving away a book.
If it was me I would post immediately another topic to remind authors to put more descriptive titles. I don't even open topics that say "Beta needed"! Beta needed for what? At least the genre should be in the title.
Also when you become mod it would be nice to show more topics per folder. I would suggest the active betas to keep a single personalized topic where they can put links to topics where they have responded to authors. Seeing they have done some beta work before will re-assure new authors.
And good luck.
P.S. 3 folders as a starting point is okay. There is no need to make more until you see if there is enough diversity of the genres. Authors can simply put the genre name in the beginning of a title.
A great start in any forum is a sort of "Rules of the Road" type of post. This identifies what is expected from authors and what is expected from Betas. What can get you kicked out of the group and other such important information...
Mod
Completely agree: At least the genre is needed when authors offer. Instead of 'beta needed' it should say something along the lines of 'ya vampire romance' or something along those lines. If we have a folder for authors seeking betas, they don't even have to write 'beta needed' at the beginning of each topic, as we will know those posting there are seeking betas. If that makes sense...
Mod
This is a very big deal for authors. Basically, you would create a topic within the folder with your blurb. It is just 1-3 paragraphs, so any beta reader or fellow author could critique it. I think it would be immensely helpful for authors to have advice on making blurbs stronger, and betas don't have to invest a lot of time like when taking on a whole book.
Anyone else like that idea?
Mod
Lena wrote: "You can start that thread if you want. I have feedback for a couple awesome betas. Would we have that as an ongoing thread, or should we have a folder for beta feedback? I'm afraid it might turn ..."
I guess this could be quite tricky - a beta who has been very useful for one author may not be so for another author, but a negative comment might prevent a new author from contacting that beta? The mods may have to do a balancing act...
Mod
So...who wants to help out? I think 2-4 active mods could make sure the group is always running smoothly. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to move all the old posts into the folders I've made. Anyone who knows how to do that en masse, instead of one at a time, you're hired! lol...
Seriously, though, if anyone could help with this monumental task, or others, please let me know and I'll add a few more mods.
Here's to organization!
Lena wrote: "nyone who knows how to do that en masse, instead of one at a time, you're hired!"It's not possible.
You can create another topic that you are looking for a mod, or post in the Moderator Support Group.
Mod
It's not possible."
I was afraid of that. *groan*
Lena wrote: "Ellie [The Empress] wrote: "Lena wrote: "nyone who knows how to do that en masse, instead of one at a time, you're hired!"It's not possible."
I was afraid of that. *groan*"
I know. You can create the new folders and move the only future topics. Since the older ones are in one folder, you can rename it to anything and move it to the bottom until you deal with the old topics, or have enough mods to do that.
Mod
I'd be happy to help as well. I have some morning availability right now, but won't have much evening availability until June. Let me know if you'd like my help. If not, I still think it's great you've taken this on and thank you :)
