Hello!
I have read and reviewed over 500 books from self-published and indie writers – often being contacted for feedback on their second or third book. Since then, I’ve discovered a passion for beta reading – I love having the opportunity to build stories up and bring them to publication.
- Click here if you are interested in a list of recent books that have been edited.
- Here’s a link if you’d like examples of feedback that I provide for authors.
- Check this out if you want to read testimonials from authors who I’ve worked for.
- Here’s a link if you are more interested in developmental editing or would like to know the difference between beta reading and developmental editing.
Services Provided (Beta Reading):
This is ideal for authors looking for preliminary editing feedback as they continue to prepare their final drafts. My goal is to give the author honest feedback of the strengths and weaknesses in the story and provide the first-impressions I have as a reader.
As an experienced beta reader and book reviewer, I will write up a short summary (half page to full page) after each chapter that addresses the main concerns regarding plot and character development. I will also address pacing, setting and other aspects that impact the enjoyment and structure of the story. Some flexibility is offered depending on if the chapters are very long or unusually short.
I have a PhD in biophysics and a BS in Biochemistry, therefore I will provide accurate and reliable feedback for stories that involve various scientific concepts. I am a skilled researcher, therefore even if the concepts are outside of my base field, I will still be able to provide an expert’s opinion on the scientific realism.
In addition, I will provide a summary (1.5 pages minimum, single spaced) regarding overall thoughts and impressions of this draft and will be available for some discussion regarding my comments. The author may send a short list of questions that I will answer based on my experience reading their book.
What doesn’t get addressed:
I will not be acting as a line editor, proofreader, or developmental editor during a beta read – I may comment here and there about a particularly tangled sentence but I will not be commenting on spelling mistakes or punctuation errors. Ideally, the manuscript will be sent with few errors because it becomes difficult to focus on the story when it is littered with grammatical errors.
This is not developmental editing, therefore comments will not be as frequent nor as in-depth. Beta reading provides feedback for the author about broader story elements as well as the reader’s reaction to the story. It can provide general feedback on where the story should go, but doesn’t provide a detailed/close read (Follow the link for more information on developmental editing.)
Format & Genres
I prefer to work with google docs or Microsoft Word. I am open to all genres except for erotica or poetry.
Pricing & turnaround time:
My standard pricing is $2.00 per 1,000 words.
Turnaround time is 2 weeks or less. Please allow additional time for manuscripts over 50k words.
I acknowledge that some people will beta read for free, however I spend a great deal of time per manuscript and I have invested heavily in building my skills as a beta reader. Please understand that offering my services for free just is not financially feasible.
What if my book isn’t the first in a series?
If an author desires for me to just provide feedback on a book later in a series (i.e. beta reading the sequel without reading the first book), this is something I have successfully done before. However, I will say that I am most effective if I have read the previous books in a series and can provide fact-checking and series consistency feedback.
If desired, the author can request for me to read read the earlier books in a series however, I must be provided with a digital copy (Microsoft Word, PDF, or Google Docs) and an additional $25 per book (to be read) as compensation for the time spent.
For example, if the author wants me to read the first book before beta reading the second, then it would be an additional $25 plus the cost to beta read the second book. If it was the third book in a series, then it would be $50 (to read the first and second books) in addition to the cost to beta read.
Miranda Reads 