Beta readers and Critiquers
Hi,
Nice to see the various definitions of the term used here of "Beta Reader" - I was beginning to think that the AW site didn't have such things as it's very well hidden.
Initially I got lost in The Library, which is full of already published works - not what I was looking for at all.
I was looking for "Critters" "Critiquers" or "Workshops", as I had not heard the term "Beta Reader" before.
I am looking for Beta-readers/Critiquers because I have 2 novels I need feedback on.
One novel is completed, and is I hope 'polished' to the extent of having been run through a spellchecker, (one which picks up on grammar too).
It is however not as polished as would make it ready for sending out.
The other novel feels dangerously close to stalling at about 1/3 of the way through.
I have done critiquing many, many times before, I have run critique groups, and do pretty in-depth critiques myself.
I like to comment on what works and what doesn't including why (if I can figure that out) and sometimes offer suggestions - if I can think of any.
But can't seem to do this job on my own work the way I can on other people's work.
I too prefer not to have to spellcheck or highlight gramatical errors - as others have said in this thread - because for me that makes it hard to see the story, if I'm continually bogged down in minutiae.
My biggest problem has been finding people writing in the same genre as myself.
My novels are Whoodunnits set in the UK, they are not violent, or degrading, or very dark, 'Cosy' would probably fit best although they are Police Procedurals, not amateur detective based. There are deaths, sometimes quite a few, I'd say think Caroline Graham's 'Midsomer Murders', although I hope not too close, rather than Ian Rankin's work.
I have set both whodunnits in my home town, using a combination of real locations and added locations.
I have the same protagonist and sidekicks in both, and book 2 pretty much runs on from book 1.
I would like to know the procedure for both getting and being a beta reader.