Welcome to the Beta Readers, Writing Partners and Advisors forum. This forum is designed to help writers find suitable beta readers and writing partners.*
In order to decrease the number of people who join AW and immediately post here looking for a Beta reader, we require members to have 50 substantive posts before they can start a thread requesting a Beta.
Use those first 50 posts to introduce yourself in the New Members forum, to greet new members and help them find their way around AW, to volunteer to Beta for someone else, to crit some in Share Your Work, and to talk about writing.
That should give you time to read the stickies in the Beta forum and Share Your Work, and to have an idea about what it is Beta readers do and what to expect and request.
If you post in someone else's Beta reader request thread seeking your own Beta reader, I will remove the post, and possibly, you.
Make sure you have read The Newbie Guide to Absolute Write.
Volunteering to Beta Read
If you want to volunteer to Beta, please post in the Willing Beta Readers thread.
If you're looking for a Beta Reader please read:
Once you have engaged with the community and you have 50 posts, you can start your own thread in the Beta forum requesting a Beta reader.
When You Post a Request for A Beta Reader
Before you post a request for a beta reader or writing partner, please take a moment to consider what you would like in another member of your team. People are more likely to respond to specific requests, and if most of the information is availabe initially, you can find a good match faster. Here are a few things to consider:
This list is merely a jumping-off point. If you think you've found a match, be sure to cover a few ground rules so you both understand each other and can get the most out of the experience.
The difference between a writing partner and a mentor
I've taken the liberty to reproduce one of Jenna Glatzer's posts describing her definitions of the two terms. Yours may vary, and so may the individual's with whom you buddy up with--so make sure everyone understands each other.
Best of luck, and don't forget to check out all the resources AW has to offer.
* Much of the content of this post was by our very own katiemac now retired as the moderator of this forum, but not forgotten.
In order to decrease the number of people who join AW and immediately post here looking for a Beta reader, we require members to have 50 substantive posts before they can start a thread requesting a Beta.
Use those first 50 posts to introduce yourself in the New Members forum, to greet new members and help them find their way around AW, to volunteer to Beta for someone else, to crit some in Share Your Work, and to talk about writing.
That should give you time to read the stickies in the Beta forum and Share Your Work, and to have an idea about what it is Beta readers do and what to expect and request.
If you post in someone else's Beta reader request thread seeking your own Beta reader, I will remove the post, and possibly, you.
Make sure you have read The Newbie Guide to Absolute Write.
Volunteering to Beta Read
If you want to volunteer to Beta, please post in the Willing Beta Readers thread.
If you're looking for a Beta Reader please read:
Once you have engaged with the community and you have 50 posts, you can start your own thread in the Beta forum requesting a Beta reader.
When You Post a Request for A Beta Reader
Before you post a request for a beta reader or writing partner, please take a moment to consider what you would like in another member of your team. People are more likely to respond to specific requests, and if most of the information is availabe initially, you can find a good match faster. Here are a few things to consider:
- Genre. Non-fiction and fiction attract different kinds of people, as does mystery, humor, fantasy, etc. Take, for instance, novels and greeting cards, or freelance articles and poetry anthologies.
- Feedback. Can you take harsh criticism, or do you prefer a little hand-holding? Are you looking for someone to simply answer questions, offer tips, or do you want someone willing to read and evaluate your work? Are you looking for guidelines, or someone to make sure you're reaching your goals?
- Publishing. While most people prefer trade publishing, many are knowledgable about self-publishing. Which is for you? Do you need help pitching to magazines? Querying agents?
- Credentials. Do you want your writing partner to have specific background credentials, like a published novel, or do you feel comfortable working with all knowledgable individuals?
This list is merely a jumping-off point. If you think you've found a match, be sure to cover a few ground rules so you both understand each other and can get the most out of the experience.
The difference between a writing partner and a mentor
I've taken the liberty to reproduce one of Jenna Glatzer's posts describing her definitions of the two terms. Yours may vary, and so may the individual's with whom you buddy up with--so make sure everyone understands each other.
Jenna Glatzer said:
Best of luck, and don't forget to check out all the resources AW has to offer.
- List Your Specialized Subjects on the Story Research Board is a compilation of AW members and their knowledgable areas. It's worth a look if you need quick answers. Please Note: This is NOT a list of potential beta readers.
- Check out agents and publishers on the Bewares and Background forum, which now features an Index of all previously discussed houses and agencies.
- The Learn Writing With Uncle Jim thead on the Writing Novels forum is a great asset to writers, new and old, looking at fiction and publishing.
- Finally, if you notice a poster with the title Absolute Sage under his or her name, listen up! When it comes to publishing, these guys know their stuff.
* Much of the content of this post was by our very own katiemac now retired as the moderator of this forum, but not forgotten.
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