Maryn,
I know I'm a month late in responding, but that can't be helped since I'm a newbie.
Pleased to meet you. No apology or explanation necessary. I'm a huge newbie fan.
But, from what I could take from your explanation you felt compelled to post, you've read several, if not numerous novels, cover to cover, out of the generosity of your huge heart. And in return, you received nothing (or in one case a rude comment).
To me, that sounds like a lack of communication between you and the author(s). If that is true, then you are just as much to blame for the author not reciprocating your generosity or not sending you reams of praiseworthy words worth your effort.
Wait, you lost me here. I have not asked anyone for whom I beta read to read my work. Instead, I have agreed to beta read for others who assured me their work was submission-ready. Sometimes it was, sometimes not.
If indeed you did communicate and still did not receive anything in return, then why did you keep reading the author(s) novel(s) and writing/sending "...five or ten thousand words of commentary"? Again, this seems partially your fault.
I didn't read and comment on a second novel for any author who lacked the basic courtesy to show gratitude for the first beta. However, at one time I would agree to new beta arrangements far more readily than I do now, giving the new person length commentary.
Now, so I'm not a total meanie...
Nah, I think maybe you just haven't been burned enough times and are still trusting and hopeful. Good for you!
I know that you probably wrote that in frustration and did not mean it in the way it looks... "I'm better than you newbies because I've posted X amount of times and until I approve of your worthiness, do not bother me."
Well, Ray, you can take it that way if that's the spin you prefer to put on it. Or you can become a part of the AW community, someone we've all seen around and have no reason to dislike, whose intent to improve his writing seems genuine. After too many negative experiences, that's one way I can vet the people who seek beta readers.
I do appreciate the insight you have given, especially and more specifically, the second half of your post. If that part was the only section posted, I would have found your post the most helpful post a newbie could read (Obviously, you have a lot of information and knowledge to offer). Instead, I am partially turned off by your chest beating and ranting of how unworthy we are as newbies, despite the fact that I agree with most of your points.
I'm not sure I understand where you get the chest-thumping superiority version of me. Stick around and you'll see the Maryn who's more often awash in self-doubt. But I do stand by my opinion that I, personally, will no longer beta read for people who are strangers to me. Instead of taking offense at that, or assuming I think you are not worthy, get acquainted with me, and with AW in general. There are many, many ways to do that, lots of them requiring no particular writing expertise or experience. I cordially invite you to the Office Party thread Ray's House of Love, where I stop at least once daily. We just chat, joke around, sometimes talk writing. You are more than welcome to join in. (Everyone is.) Plus, we meet in person every so often, and those who I've looked in the eye are even more likely to get a beta out of me.
I guess this is an example of how it is stated as opposed to what is stated.
Sorry you didn't care for my approach. There are plenty of agents who seem to share your opinion.
Anyway, I'm glad you spoke up, and I continue to be pleased to meet you.
Maryn, actually a very nice person