Skilled Beta Reading
I’ll read through your manuscript once, leaving the occasional comment with my reactions, and write a short note summarizing what I feel are the book’s main strengths and weaknesses. While not as thorough as a developmental edit, a beta read can be an economical alternative that provides you with a reader’s perspective.
What's Included
Ready for someone else’s eyes on your manuscript? Here’s what you’ll get from me:
I‘ll read through your manuscript once, taking notes on what sticks out to me as a reader, including strengths, questions, anything confusing, etc.
When I’m done reading your work, I’ll write you an approximately 2-3 page note summarizing my reactions to your manuscript, the biggest strengths and weaknesses, and any light suggestions I may have.
Fiction rate: $0.008 USD per word
Upcoming Availability
- March: BOOKED
- April: BOOKED
- May: 2 available
- June: 3 available
- July: 1 available
- August: 2 available
Common Questions About This Service
What happens after I reach out?
- We’ll connect and I’ll send you a link to schedule an intro call (if you want!). We’ll get to know one another and discuss your manuscript.
- If you think you may want to move forward, I’ll provide you with an official quote, an estimated time to complete, and tentative delivery date.
- You review my proposal and realize that I can help take your work to the next level.
- You say, “Let’s do this,” sign the contract I send you, and pay the retainer fee. Then it’s all on me to dive into your fictional world and get to work!
Should I book developmental editing or a beta read?
Developmental editing and beta reading are often confused for one another, but are quite different—thus the different price tags. Most self-publishing authors will hire multiple betas in addition to professional editors. Who you hire and when comes down to where you are in your revision journey and your specific needs.
Beta reading includes one read through with minimal marginal comments. It includes a 2-page note summarizing my perspective as a reader, questions I had, etc. This is ideal for folks looking to get a sense of whether or not their reader is “picking up what they’re putting down,” or if revisions are effective. Beta reading is not a replacement for developmental editing.
Developmental editing includes two slow read throughs with significant note-taking and heavy marginal comments. The editorial report can be anywhere from 10-25 pages long, depending on how much work the manuscript requires. Because of how much more work is involved, this takes about 5x as long as a beta read. Developmental editing should be the first level of your professional editing passes.
I need this done ASAP. How soon can you start?
Depending on my schedule and the size of your project, I may be able to accommodate an expedited deadline for an additional rush fee.
How do payments work?
For beta reading, I require an upfront retainer fee of 50% or $300, whichever is greater, to hold your spot in my schedule. The remaining balance is due upon my delivery of feedback to you.
If I work with you, will I get published?
There is a lot more to getting published than putting words to the page. Editing is one step. Marketing is another. But there are factors in between that are entirely up to you and the industry. I can tell you that I’ll provide you with expert feedback and guidance based on my subjective experience and expertise, all intended toward perfecting your writing.
Ready to turn the page?
You've Got Mail! (Almost)
Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with what's happening at In the Margins. Receive details about new services, upcoming writers' groups, specials, and last-minute availability in my schedule.
Important Info
After you hit "Subscribe," you will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription.
If you don't open this email and confirm, you will not be added to my list of subscribers. This is an anti-spam measure to ensure that only those who have given their explicit consent will receive emails from me.