Beta Bio: general description as a beta reader
**I AM CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING STORIES THAT ARE OVER 5000 WORDS TOTAL. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ME IF YOUR STORY IS OVER 5000 WORDS TOTAL.**
I will, however, offer to read up to 5000 word EXCERPTS of longer stories.
I am an experienced grammar and content beta. I have beta-read fan fiction, original fiction, and non-fiction/academic pieces of writing for various persons. I am also experienced with writing fan fiction myself.
I prefer to beta for content and style rather than for grammar. While I am proficient at grammar editing, I find it rather boring, and I am generally unwilling to read stories that have absolutely massacred the English language. Instead, I would rather critique and give feedback on things such as character development, plot progression, plot holes, structure, writing style, use of literary devices (I will point out your mixed metaphors!), and et cetera. I do, however, realise that we all make mistakes and that we always have a little more to learn about English grammar, so I will point out both minor and recurrent grammar issues as I read for content and style issues.
In general, I will beta just about any decent story. However, because of “real life” time constraints, I may not be able to beta every chapter in a multi-chapter work. Therefore, if you plan on sending me a multi-chapter work (WIP or otherwise), you might want to line up another beta-reader for times when I simply can’t take the time to do in-depth edits for you. One-shots are usually not an issue regarding time.
As well, I also reserve the right to refuse to beta or cease to beta a story. This would rarely happen, but I figured it might be good to throw this disclaimer up here anyway.
Basically, if you are a serious or even semi-serious author who is open to real and sometimes harsh (but never mean or unfair) criticism, we’d probably get along famously. |
My Strengths: beta, writing, or reading strengths
I have an eagle-eye for grammar mistakes, so even if I am reading primarily for content and style, I will often pick out most of the grammar boo-boos that are floating around as well.
I also excel at helping authors address content and style issues. I can pick out plot holes and OOCness quite easily, and I am also capable of critiquing things such as literary devices and story structure.
I am honest. I won’t gloss over problems or try to save your ego. I will be harsh if necessary. But I am never, ever mean. My comments, feedback and suggestions will ALWAYS be constructive.
Also, I fully respect the author’s right to reject my suggestion. I will NEVER force you to change something. The final decision belongs to you and you alone. |
My Weaknesses: beta, writing, or reading weaknesses
My greatest weakness as a beta-reader is my lack of time. I am a full-time, senior university student preparing for graduate studies, so September to April is a pretty hectic time for me. That means that I might have to decline some beta requests, and that the ones that I do accept might take a little bit longer than usual. |
Preferred: types of entries I prefer over others
Due to the time constraints mentioned above, I prefer to beta one-shots or shorter multi-chapter works. I am already editing one longer story right now, so I generally only have time to beta shorter projects. If you have a longer multi-chapter story that you would like me to beta, just let me know. If it’s something that I find particularly intriguing, I just might agree.
I also prefer more serious stories. I’m not the best at beta-ing humour stories. I’m also not generally that fond of stories are romance for the sole sake of romance (stories with romance in them are fine), or porn-without-plot unless it is incredibly well-written.
My preferred fandoms are Zelda, Phantom of the Opera, Harry Potter, and (well-written only) Shakespeare, though I am open to a few others.
For Shakespeare fan fiction, I am very familiar with the following plays: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Antony and Cleopatra, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Measure for Measure, Henry V, King Lear, Twelfth Night. If you have a story for another play and would like me to beta-read, let me know. If I have the time, I would be more than willing to read that play and help you out with your story.
Finally, I am fine with any rating, including M, and I have no qualms about reading stories that contain adult content. I also don’t mind odd or unusual pairings. |
Would Rather Not: types of entries I do not want to beta for
There are a few things that I simply will not beta:
Poetry – while I love poetry, fan fiction poetry is just not my cup-of-tea.
Incest – any stories containing this as a viable pairing will be refused. If the character as been assaulted or molested by a family member and the event is handled sensitively and tastefully, and not written in a sexualised manner, I will still consider beta-reading the story.
Non-con – non-consensual sex that is handled in a sexualised manner or is written with the intended purpose of arousing the reader (i.e. smut) will be refused. If the story contains rape, but it is sensitively and tastefully handled and not sexualised, I will still consider beta-reading the story.
Mary Sues – if you have a character who is a Mary Sue and you want serious help de-Sueing her, I will certainly consider your story. If, however, it has a Sue and you are not willing to make an effort to improve, or simply want to keep your Sue, I will not read the story. |
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