New Author Review Exchange discussion
Beta Exchange Circle
>
Beta Exchange Circles - Authors Helping Authors Get Better
date
newest »
newest »
I'd be very happy to join a beta reading group. I've just had my first sci-fi novel published, but I'm struggling with the sequel. I suspect there are plot holes, but I just can't see it any more!I'm also happy to exchange reviews, but I always explain that if I don't think the work warrants three stars or more, I'll message the writer privately and not post the review. I don't know if that's violating a code, so please shout at me if it is, and I'll stop doing it!
Mod
..."
No, there is no such code. I think this is a nice option to give the author -- that along with some constructive criticism should help more to improve their work than just dropping a bad review in their lap.
I agree. In the few Review exchanges I've done, I always feel bad about leaving a bad review, particularly if they don't have very many. I've just decided over time that I enjoy looking at Betas and giving constructive criticism that actually makes the work better, rather than publicly crushing someone's spirit.And E.R., My new novel is a near future, YA/NA sci-fi. I'd like to see if we get a couple more takers of course, but if you've got a synopsis of the first volume, I wouldn't mind taking a look at yours. We can talk about the particulars later, but I really enjoy doing it chapter by chapter. (i.e. I read a chapter of yours and give feed back then you do one of mine going back and forth until we both get to the end). If I know I have another feedback e-mail to look forward to it helps keep me motivated, and the feedback is always more detailed and helpful that way.
I support the idea of forming a Beta Reading Circle to get those plot holes, errors and typos. I would prefer someone to read the whole book and check how it flows and if things are connected so they can give an overroll view of the story. I am writing my third book and it is proving to be more of a struggle than the first two books. I am on second edit but it is going to be a while before it is presentable.
If I have to give a three star review or lower, I always contact the Author for a discussion.
I'm interested in a beta reading group. I have a major rewrite to do before I share. I wouldn't want my work posted here, though. I'd prefer a private exchange.I've done this in the past and given pages of suggestions and received half a page back. Will there be guidelines/expectations?
Just got back from out of town. I hope everyone had a nice Easter! So... let's decide who's in... It sounds like the consensus is for a private exchange. I think I would still prefer a chapter by chapter trade (I read your Ch. 1 and comment, then you read mine and comment. We continue back and forth until we finish our respective books). I also think it would be nice if everyone could read everyone else's book to get more varied perspectives, so how about we trade off again after everyone finishes the first round? Please post here if you want to participate. You can also private message me with your contact info as well as a brief description of the work you want to share, and I can assign first round partners, if everyone is okay with that.
I'm looking forward to it, and I hope you are too!
Bonnie wrote: "I've done this in the past and given pages of suggestions and received half a page back. Will there be guidelines/expectations?"This is one reason why I'm a big proponent of chapter by chapter feedback. Even just a paragraph of feedback over a chapter can be helpful, but over a whole novel is unlikely to be so.
I think we should all try to be as detailed and concrete with suggestions and observations as possible, but remember that we are evaluating content, not copy-editing. I'd lay off the grammar, punctuation, and spelling (you can easily get bogged down in it) except if it's a real problem just to say "You need to check over the grammar and spelling of Ch. X. There's a lot of errors." At the same time writing style observations can be really helpful. (i.e. "I think you are too wordy here. It slows down the action," or "You have a page and a half of info-dump narrative here. Could you rewrite this as dialog between characters to deliver the same information in a more interesting way."
Also, let's try to point out the positive as well as the negative as much as possible. However, let's also all go into this with the understanding that we really are trying to help each other and commit to taking even seemingly pointed criticism in that spirit.
How about this? Let me know by Wednesday 4/19/17 if you are in, and I'll try to send out contact information for pairs (or maybe a trio if we have an odd number) on Thursday. Sound good?
David wrote: "How about this? Let me know by Wednesday 4/19/17 if you are in, and I'll try to send out contact information for pairs (or maybe a trio if we have an odd number) on Thursday. Sound good?"Sorry I'm late. Busy weekend. Sign me up. Chapter by chapter sounds good. I have a YA paranormal/fantasy set in Elizabethan times.
Bonnie wrote: "Sorry I'm late. Busy weekend. Sign me up...."Great! GR mail me your contact information. As soon as I know who all is going to participate for sure, I'll let you know who your partner is. (It might be me - mine is YA/NA near future SciFi, so I think those are pretty complimentary genres)
David, count me in for the exchange. My book is a Dystopian/Christian science fiction novel set within the End Times. I'll message you, David, with my contact info.
J.K. wrote: "David, count me in for the exchange. My book is a Dystopian/Christian science fiction novel set within the End Times. I'll message you, David, with my contact info."Okay. If we end up with an odd number, we can do a trio.
Hello, I don't write novels. I write 'flash' and 'micro' stories and I resent anything being arranged here in public that cannot be used by everyone online. What we all do off-line is our privilege, of course. Book reviews are something I write regularly - an average of one per seven - 10 days - and I've already offered to exchange reviews with people here. This would mean that if they're ready to go public, they'd get good publicity for their work on the three best-read of my seven blogs. So if anyone's interested in a mix of 62 short tales - 1, 000 words max. - some with a Jewish slant and a lot of black comedy!- ranging from family memoir to intimate conversation and from war stories and macabre fantasy to modern twists on well known Old Testament bible stories - please let me know. While writing here, I want to assure those struggling financially (including me!) that Amazon and some of its rivals offer totally free packages for self-publishing e-books. Of course, they take a far bigger percentage of any royalties. But to start, my own wish is to be seen and read by as many people as possible. The financial gains may come later. Who knows? As an extra thought, I'd like to warn against a wide circle of 'beta readers'. Too many cooks spoil the broth. I have read the work of many, many indie writers and all too often I've seen good yarns spoilt by well meaning but inept interference from those who do not understand the original author's intent. So gaping plot holes and an ugly stylistic mishmash emerge. For my part, I would appreciate the helpful opinion and advice of just one or two people. If anyone's interested, please let me know. Regards. Natalie (Wood).
Natalie wrote: "I'd like to warn against a wide circle of 'beta readers'. Too many cooks spoil the broth. I have read the work of many, many indie writers and all too often I've seen good yarns spoilt by well meaning but inept interference from those who do not understand the original author's intent..."And I have read far many more mediocre works that were pretty good ideas, but not at all ready for publication and really would have benefitted from another few sets of eyes to look over them.
I don't think you understand what a Beta Reading Circle is. No one should adopt every criticism from every reader whole-sale. Authors have to know what their vision and purpose is. They have to be confident enough to see it through to the end, and exercise judgment when considering criticisms. However, if four different people all identify the same problem with your work, it's probably something you should consider changing.
I'm not against publishing and making money, (I recently published a paperback novel through Amazon myself) but your work will be far more successful if you let other people look at it and give their opinions. Often, authors (myself included) get so close to their own work that they fail to see issues that are fairly obvious to casual readers. It is much better to catch those problems before you publish, when they can be fixed, rather than after publishing when all they will do is tank your average star rating and dissuade other people from giving your work a chance.
"And I have read far many more mediocre works that were pretty good ideas, but not at all ready for publication and really would have benefitted from another few sets of eyes to look over them."Yes, I know wha
"And I have read far many more mediocre works that were pretty good ideas, but not at all ready for publication and really would have benefitted from another few sets of eyes to look over them."Yes, I know wha
Last call for round one everybody! Let me know if you'd like to participate. I'll contact everyone about first round partners tomorrow. Thanks again and I'm really looking forward to it!
Should we do some discounting on Amazon or wherever for our books to be reviewed? To make them more affordable, I mean. Like 99 Cents to a $1.99. That was being done in another group (or proposed anyway, not much took place after that).
J.K. wrote: "Should we do some discounting on Amazon or wherever for our books to be reviewed? "Well, specifically for this feed we are going to read each other's UNpublished work, but in a general sense I think it is more useful to price your work in accordance with similar texts in terms of genre and length rather than go bargain basement. If you are giving it away, you are also inviting people to wonder why no one is willing to pay for it, and that can be counter-productive.
What I have actually found the most helpful (and if you look at my author profile, you'll note that I currently have 344 ratings and 278 reviews for my first novel, so I have had some success with it) is to directly contact book review bloggers and offer them free review copies in exchange for an honest review. Virtually all of them will have their submission guidelines listed on their blog. For best results, you should probably be querying a couple dozen of these sites every day. If they agree, you can electronically send them a pdf copy via e-mail for free, or through Amazon Gifts where you'll get at least 30% of the purchase price back in royalties. Some only want physical copies, so you'll have to decide from the beginning whether you want to fool with that or not, but however they read it, getting your book in the hands of bloggers and by extension getting their reviews of your work in front of the readers who follow their blogs can really help generate sales.
If your work is good and your reviews positive people will be willing to pay a fair market price for it, so don't sell yourself short.
Please count me in for the exchange too. I write paranormal/supernatural horror. Don't know if that will be a turn-off. This last book has been giving me fits. Let me know if you have room for me. Thanks!
Julian wrote: "Please count me in for the exchange too. I write paranormal/supernatural horror. Don't know if that will be a turn-off. This last book has been giving me fits. Let me know if you have room for me. ..."Sure! I'll send out pairs tomorrow.
Okay... So it looks like we have five circle participants. PLEASE VARIFY THAT YOU ARE STILL PARTICIPATING. In the first round how about:Bonnie & Julian (Since you are both paranormal)
And then Me, E.R. and J.K will form a trio - I'll read J.K., J.K can read E.R. and E.R. can read me.
Sound good?
We'll mix it up after everyone finishes their round one book and comments, and open it back up to additional participants in Round 2. Remember it is Chapter by Chapter. Be constructive but honest. Be open to criticism (that's why we're doing this after all). And I hope you find this to be a helpful and rewarding experience. I'm looking forward to it! Thanks again everyone for participating
I'll GR-Mail or e-mail you about contact details of your partner. If you haven't sent me your contact e-mail yet, please do so.
Just a quick reminder. All work should be unpublished and shared with partners for FREE. We are being paid with time and valuable commentary, so that when we do publish, our work is just that much better and more successful.
Just saw your posting for this being unpublished works. So I guess I'll have to back out. I'm working on my next book, but I'm not ready yet for an exchange on that. If you're willing to read A Hope Of Life, then I'm game.
J.K. wrote: "Just saw your posting for this being unpublished works. So I guess I'll have to back out. I'm working on my next book, but I'm not ready yet for an exchange on that..."No worries. I might take a look if I get a chance. Just keep following this feed. As soon as your new book is ready for a look, just jump back in in a latter round.
Round One has now officially started. If you haven't already, please send your book to your partner. Thanks again for your participation!
A few of us have started finishing up our Round 1 Beta Reads, and so far it seems to have been a fun and helpful experience. I hope everyone's partnerships are going well, and as you finish up, please post a few comments here in this forum about what you thought of the experience. As soon as everyone is done with Round 1, we can start talking about shuffling partners for Round 2. Also, if there is anyone who did NOT participate in Round 1, but would like to be included in Round 2 please post, and let me know your title, genre, and brief description of your work, so you can be assigned a partner. Thanks again everyone for participating!
Hi David, sent but haven't received yet. I know horror is not everyone's "cup of tea".
Julian wrote: "Hi David, sent but haven't received yet. I know horror is not everyone's "cup of tea"."Julian ... I write dark Historial that some say borders on Horror. I'm finishing the last 2 chapters and would love a good beta reader for it. Please read my reviews for Ten for the Devil ... and let me know if you are in agreement.
Julian wrote: "Hi David, sent but haven't received yet. I know horror is not everyone's "cup of tea"."Have you heard anything from Bonnie at all yet? If not, maybe you could do your round 1 with Deborah, and then we'll switch. Remember to read and comment on one chapter at a time and alternate until you finish each other's books.
David wrote: "Julian wrote: "Hi David, sent but haven't received yet. I know horror is not everyone's "cup of tea"."Have you heard anything from Bonnie at all yet? If not, maybe you could do your round 1 with..."
Thank you David.
Just exchange contact info through GR mail and you can send each other your work. When you finish, post here and we'll switch partners.
David wrote: "Just exchange contact info through GR mail and you can send each other your work. When you finish, post here and we'll switch partners."thank you I will
Just checking in. How's the Beta exchange going? I hope it's proving helpful for everyone involved!
Wow !! Such things I own let me share it's Saptturang Shelf - Author's Community where author/self-publisher can get free promotion and Review in Lieu of helping other author just by doing for one
If you can get in a Beta Reading Circle with three or four other authors who all agree to read each other's work and provide honest, frank feedback you can catch little plot hitches, inconsistencies in the story/character development, awkward execution, and other small mistakes in plenty of time to fix them. It can really take a good work and make it great.
If a few of you would be interested in forming a Beta Reading Circle, I'd be open to it. Just post below. Also, how about we post comments on each others work in this stream so people can see the process? What do you think?