tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315549757556103515.post7992066453723623974..comments2023-09-25T16:45:55.402+01:00Comments on The Sweet Bookshelf: Are Beta Readers Doing Their Job?MARY IN SCOTLAND http://www.blogger.com/profile/04390613561715464322noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315549757556103515.post-48741626655404794082013-04-25T06:38:40.740+01:002013-04-25T06:38:40.740+01:00I think a beta reader is placed in an interesting ...I think a beta reader is placed in an interesting position, as they are expected to offer their opinions, critique and helpful advice about an author's work. While I've never been an author's beta reader, I can imagine that the position calls for dedication, attention to detail and an ability to be frank YET constructive. I do think, however, that there should be enough time for the beta to read and then for the author to work with the beta's comments.Alexa S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13185723439360170259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315549757556103515.post-24695808592212972612013-04-18T15:33:21.904+01:002013-04-18T15:33:21.904+01:00Hi Mary,
This is a great post! Thank you for put...Hi Mary,<br /><br />This is a great post! Thank you for putting into writing what many of us have had as thoughts in our heads. I love to support indie authors and self-publishing, but I too have been surprised at how often I come across unpolished pieces that have technically been published. It is so important that authors take the time to really polish and tighten-up their writing. They've obviously worked incredibly hard yet leaving syntactical, grammatical, or errors of story flow in the published work detracts from the reader's enjoyment. Remember, first impressions are very difficult to change. <br /><br />I am a newbie with being a beta reader. I do love it and always hope my positive intentions of feedback are recognized by the author. I would not be doing he or she any favors if I just praised the book while knowing there are a few mistakes, that if fixed, take the book possibly to another level of quality writing. I, too, commit a date to the author by which they will have received my feedback.<br /><br />As a book blogger, I truly want to help spread the word about great writers and their works. However, I will not spread the word about mediocre or poorly written stories. <br /><br />Beth :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14026991387816223277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315549757556103515.post-34436128369655294522013-04-17T16:45:00.184+01:002013-04-17T16:45:00.184+01:00I think a beta reader is a broader read not to cat...I think a beta reader is a broader read not to catch typos but the broader plot and character development problems. Though if I saw a typo, I would mark it. Those are the type of things I look for when I beta read. And I generally want 4 to 6 weeks to do it and I commit to getting it done. My problem as the author getting a beta read is not getting a firm commitment on when it'll be done. Like I've waiting months and months for the notes. From now on, I'll be more careful on who I use as beta readers and get a firm deadline for it to be completed.<br /><br />Sad you're seeing some unpolished self-published books. It's really important the author not be in such a rush to publication and put out a bad product.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315549757556103515.post-79271895868439588982013-04-17T13:15:13.994+01:002013-04-17T13:15:13.994+01:00I’m a reader but I’ve asked myself what is it that...I’m a reader but I’ve asked myself what is it that beta readers really do. Like you said, there are a lot of mistakes in books that are self-published, things so simple as names misspelled and plot issues that don’t come along well in the end, and when you have people who read your work prior to the publishing process, I expect for some of those problems to be, somehow, fixed. Pedacinho Literáriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08089714687711909540noreply@blogger.com