The great thing about the internet is the instant connection to people of similar interests. No need to post an ad in the paper for a writers group, jut tweet it or facebook it!
So here is what I am proposing awesome readers, a Beta Party.
This way everyone can get acquainted and find their betas! (If you don't have a WIP or MS that's OK! You can still enter the drawing for the prize!) You can still beta read too if you want, just say so.
i In the event that the winner has nothing to critique, I will give them a gift card to Amazon for the equal amount and pick another winner until I get one who has a WIP or an MS for me to beta.
Down in the comments please post like so:
Title (if any)
Genre
Word count (or current WIP word count).
And total points to enter for the prize (see below)
What you want from a beta and what you can provide
Contact info*
*Don't forget to include a way for me or other party animals to get in touch with you! Feel free to link back to your blog. If you are comfortable posting your email you can.
Remember to tell us what your looking for. If you really just want a test reader, no grammar correction, say so. Or if you're in need of an in depth edit, say that. But remember, people will be expecting to get back what they put in, so you have to be willing to return the favors you ask for.
Mine is:
Rebel in Remission
Coming of Age Literary Fiction
WIP at 11,700 words
7 points (blogged about it LINK, I'm a follower, I facebooked it)
smithem@bgsu.edu
I really just want a critique of the plot, characters, and prose. I'm in my first draft so the grammar is messy and there are all sorts of typos, but I don't expect a copy edit, so don't worry about correcting it.
How to get the prize you ask? (PS, the beta read from me is no-strings-attached, winner is not expected to beta my MS.)
AND CLARISSA'S 3 CHAPTER CRIT!
Here's what you do:
1 point for my followers (new and old)
2 points for Facebooking or Tweeting about it
3 points for blogging about it
In your comment please add up your points and don't forget to link back to this post!
If/when you find a beta, you can leave another comment to celebrate! That way at the end of the Beta Party I can tally how many matches were made. (Hint: Don't wait for a beta to find you. Come back now and then to see if any new partier's sound like a good match!)
And don't forget, I'm searching for my beta too! So if you're interested, shoot me an email and/or say so in your comment!
That's all there is to it!
The winner will be randomly selected and announced on 10-10-10! (This Sunday)


Hey, this sounds pretty cool! I'm gonna Tweet and Facebook this, for sure! I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to do one more revision of my YA Dystopian, TALENT'S BLOOD (64,000 words) before I query it. I think it's pretty well set up at this point.
I'm working on a Middle Grade Adventure, THE COLLECTOR (I'm about 55 pages or 12,000 words in) and would love help with feedback regarding plot, pacing, characterization, and "voice." (I haven't shown this one to anyone yet, as it's brand new, WIP).
laurabdiamond@yahoo.com
Keel Hauled
ReplyDeleteHard SF/Space Opera
Completed 100,000 Words
info@ddtannenbaum.com
I am looking for someone to read it critique the plot and characters. Especially to tell me where things go wrong!
I ma Facebooking this and Tweeting this, so I guess that is 2 points, or maybe 4 points depending on how you count!
Thanks for this opportunity.
Dan Tannenbaum
What a Cool Contest! I would love to play...
ReplyDeleteRAQS RORY
Erotic Romance...My first attempt :)
Completed - in final edit stage
69000 words
linda@lindagraves.com
I would like a critique of the plot, characters, and prose. But I don't expect a full copy edit, but will appreciate any comment concerning editing, redundancy, tense change, pov probs... I am still working on a self-critique process and would appreciate any pointers.
Thanks for the opportunity Erica...
Oh yea, and I need a beta reader too!
ReplyDeleteRebel in Remission
11,700 words WIP
Coming of age Literary Fiction
Need a crit of prose, plot, and characters. Not asking for any copy editing, it's a first draft.
smithem@bgsu.edu
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea.
I'm a new follower and I'll tweet about this momentarily so 3 points for me. :)
I would love a Beta reader
Drawing Free
Women's Commercial Fiction
85,000 complete
Need an overall impression crit. Does the story flow, grab you, make you want to turn the page etc. How about characters? Believable? No copy editing needed, just reader impressions and any GLARING mistakes.
thanks
leenietwins@shaw.ca
This is a great idea! I just starting following you, so I only have one point... But that's okay.
ReplyDeletehttp://kindacoolblog.blogspot.com/
cheesepuff5292@yahoo.com
I have two WIPs. One is a finished literary fiction novella first draft that I'm trying to expand into a novel. It's currently untitled at 40K. My other is progressing much faster I think, though it's only 20K. Also untitled, I plan to finish it at the end of October. I wouldn't need a beta until then for that one, but the other one could always use some eyes!
Thank you so much Erica!
Great idea, Erica.
ReplyDeleteI'll go and play retweet in a minute to match my follow :)
I have Fantasy - at the 20,000 word mark needs a light touch: prose, plot, character
I'm at the querying stage with an (boy-centric) MG action adventure that I'd love fresh eyes for.
Thanks
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ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I'm all set with betas, but I tweeted it. (2 points plus 1 point follower = 3)
ReplyDeleteHi Erica
ReplyDeleteMY WIP is 34,000 words so far, it's a chick lit and I'm calling it 'Once Forgotten'. I hope I'm going in the right direction with it. I don't tweet or Facebook, so I'm low on points here I'm afraid, but happy to comment and put a link on my side bar at http://scribbleandedit.blogspot.com/.
The book looks really interesting. I feel out of touch 'cos I've never heard of Beta readers. :O)
I don't really have a manuscript available but I will facebook and tweet it. Also, if you're interested, I will do a three chapter critique for the winner.
ReplyDeleteCD
Hey Erica cool contest, how did I miss this till now? I shall blog about this tomorrow and send you the link.
ReplyDeleteYou just come up with the coolest ideas ever don't you?
No, not a three PAGE, a three CHAPTER!
ReplyDeleteCD
Unless, three chapters fit on three pages, in that case, yes, I guess it's three-page. But no, I'm offering three-chapters.
ReplyDeleteCD
@ Clarissa: AHH Dyslexia strikes again!! let me go fix that. oy.
ReplyDeleteErica, I would be happy to critique your work if you'd like. I was in a critique group and had to pull out due to life gobbling up all my free time. Evaluating five other people's work was just beyond my time and emotional constraints (a dear friend was deathly ill at the time.)
ReplyDeleteI'm not into competing against my friends so I hope someone worthy wins.
I wouldn't punish anybody with my urban/literary fantasy. I hope kindred spirits meet in your blogfest. A truly unique idea, Roland
@Roland: Thanks for the Beta offer! I can send you a sample (or you can read some right here on my blog) and let me know via email if you're still interested. : ) I'd definitely be willing to take a peep at your MS, though Fantasy isn't my usual.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Erica. I have my work out to three betas and I'm critting two others – or I'd be all over this.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun! I wish I had something for betas right now. Thanks for letting me know about it, though. Hope you all have fun.
ReplyDeleteVery good idea. I am in the second stage of editing my romance/fantasy novel which is a little over 65k words.
ReplyDeleteAny writer working on romance can mail me at suprex06atgmaildotcom i will be happy to point out inconsistencies characters and gaps. I also want feedback on those aspects.
Be aware: I am from India and can give you grammatical headache. of course, that's a work of an editorial team. I am trying to weed out Indianism from the MS. If you can feedback me on those on reciprocal basis, i will be happy to available myself for beta reading.
Thanks
Ok, Brand new follower here. But I'll be sure to hit the facebook thing too. I'm desperately seeking beta and am willing to do same in return.
ReplyDeletetitle: Lovestruck Succubus
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance (suspense elements)
Word Count: 56K
Total Points: 1 so far working on two.
One can find me on Facebook or at my blog titled, True Life and Fiction.
In my story Azra, a demon succubus is unhappy with her plot in life and constantly finds herself in trouble with her clan after visiting the mortal world in search of love. After being cast from her clan and forced to live in the mortal world, she finds the only man that does not suffer death by her love. But two things stand in the way. He is a police investigator trying to build a case against her and he harbors a terrible secret of his own.
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ReplyDeleteI'm over whelmed as it is with two critique groups, an editor and revisions out the butt...however, I will let others know about your fest.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
What a fantastic idea! I don't have any completed manuscripts at the moment, just a couple of partials (although I wish I did). I'm willing to beta for anyone. I'd probably be best at romance since that's what I write and read most often but I enjoy just about everything. I can be reached at Sondraebennett@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Erica,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invite to your Betafest. However, I'm new to this Beta business ;)
I'm currently working on my own anthology but I don't have a MS per se.
I hope I can still qualify for the book giveaway :))
Cheers!
Claudia
http://www.claudiadelbalso.blogspot.com/
This is a great idea Erica, and I see it finishes today! Better get cracking.
ReplyDeleteI've been searching online for a beta reader so this is very timely.
Title: Ruby
Genre: Sweet Romance
Word Count: 52,000 ish
Points: New follower (2?) Will tweet (1?) so 3.
What you want from beta: Good look over MS so far,looking for POV errors, plot snags..not too worried about typos/grammar as that is my strong point. Happy to return the favour.
Contact: den.covey@gmail.com
Okay, so it's 10-10-10! At 7pm the winners will be randomly drawn by random.org! Stay tuned...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. So sad I caught this too late to promote, but as I'm in need of betas right now I can at least enter at the last minute :)
ReplyDeleteTitle: The Elder
Genre: Scifi Romance (aka subgenre of paranormal romance)
Word Count: 87,000
Points: 1 (darn it)
What I look for in a beta: Same, same. Plot, characterization, pacing, etc. I prefer someone who truly enjoys the genre, either reading or writing, because I hope to find a lasting crit partner relationship. Honesty is important because I don't bleed easy. I don't mind if someone wants to beta read but isn't ready for me to beta read in return.
What I can offer others: Any input you'd like. If you don't have a full MS, that's fine. I don't mind alpha reading partials. I'm pretty good with grammar as well. And the honesty works both ways. I'm not a cruel critter, but I won't sugarcoat either (used to edit a newspaper). Tact though, ya know.
Samples of my writing are pretty much all over my blog. Thank you, Erica, for finding it and following and for holding such a great contest!