Answers, at last! Kinda.
The Beta Project is an exercise designed to pair AW members with appropriate beta readers for their manuscripts. If you don’t know what a beta reader is, HALT! Go back to the main page of the beta reader forum and read the stickies. It will save you some headaches later.
This experiment first kicked off its only trial in 2007, then named the Great Beta Reader Challenge. We had about 15 participants, all of whom submitted to me in a PM the first 750 words of their manuscripts. Based on participants’ genres and reading preferences, I assigned each participant three other participants’ works to read and critique in the span of two weeks. In exchange for agreeing to critique three people’s excerpts, it also ensures you three separate critiques of your own work. *If you don’t want to critique someone else’s work, this project isn’t for you.* If you feel like those critiques were helpful, then it is encouraged you ask one (or more) critic to be a beta reader for your entire manuscript. At the end, you also might be asked to be a permanent beta reader for someone else.
Now for the fancy Q&A portion of the explanation.
Q: Do I need to have a completed manuscript to enter?
No. However, it is in your best interest to have a completed or near-completed manuscript, edited and polished as fully as you can make it, before we begin. Beta readers are usually one of the last steps writers take before they start approaching agents. If you don’t think you’re ready for that next step, maybe this project isn’t for you. However, only you can decide when you’re ready for a beta reader. If you don’t quite know if you want a beta reader at all, this project might help you decide.
Q: Is this project exclusive to novel writers?
No! Everyone is encouraged to join, whether you write short stories, screenplays, nonfiction, poetry, etc. However, in 2007 most (if not all) participants were writing novels. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t join, but be aware that someone might critique your work who is not as knowledgeable in the genre, and vice versa. If you’re interested, make sure to recruit your friends from other areas of the board. If you’re working on shorter pieces, Share Your Work might be a better option, but that’s up to you.
Q: What if I get stuck critiquing in a genre I absolutely hate?!
Don’t worry—that won’t happen. Along with your manuscript excerpt, I will ask you to fill out the answers to a few questions. Among them will be thoughts on your preferred genres, the style you critique in, etc. I read everyone’s submissions carefully to make the most appropriate matches I can.
Q: Uh, YOU assign our critiques? *Nervous*
In 2007, I took everyone’s submissions as private messages. I assigned each writer three submissions to read, scrambling them up as much as possible. So, if I can work it right this year, the readers who you critique will NOT be the same ones critiquing your work. This expands your pool of potential beta readers—not only will you see how someone critiques your work, you also get to see another someone’s else writing style. Some critiques may end up overlapping, but I’ll do what I can to avoid that. The number of critiques you end up working on (and therefore receiving back) may vary this year, depending on the number of participants. I know you’re all busy, so I can promise you no more than five. Also, since I’m controlling the submissions, everyone’s work stays anonymous until the end. Still nervous? That’s okay!
Q: What if I end up not liking any of my critiques and don’t want them for beta readers?
That’s a disappointment, unfortunately, but a risk of the project. You’re not required to ask anyone to be your beta reader. After final critiques are passed around, that’s it—I’m out of the project. It’s up to you to approach (or not) critics to keep working with you. Also, I will anonymously post on the forums the initial excerpts you send me. It serves as a “hey, I want a beta!” call to the rest of the forums. If they like what they see, they’re free to PM me and I’ll give them your user name. You’re more than welcome to work with someone else on your own in addition to participating in The Project.
Q: WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON? Are you insane?
A) I have a sneaking suspicion that the majority of people who may be interested in The Project are not yet ready for a beta reader and might need some extra incentive to get ready. Plus, there are currently a bunch of WriMos out there writing their novels this month and might want to use this opportunity on their NaNo novels. So, in effect, official rules won’t post until December 1, and the actual critique swapping won’t begin until the first week of January. Once the rules post in December, you'll also be given a questionnaire to fill out related to your manuscript. The extra time ensures you have time to complete this section. This gives you less than two months to get your manuscripts nice and shiny, and plenty of time to debate whether this is worth your time (it is). I also have a sneaking suspicion there are quite a few of you raring to go right now—if that’s that case, drop a note in this thread or send me a PM. Maybe we can work out a more immediate system for you. Also, you’re more than welcome ask for beta readers on the main forum, as usual. B) Yes.
Q: Okay, shut up already! I have work to do!
Yes, you do! Happy editing, betas.
Oh, and don’t forget to tell your friends we’re here, yeah? I’m sure you still have questions, so leave them in the thread.
The Beta Project is an exercise designed to pair AW members with appropriate beta readers for their manuscripts. If you don’t know what a beta reader is, HALT! Go back to the main page of the beta reader forum and read the stickies. It will save you some headaches later.
This experiment first kicked off its only trial in 2007, then named the Great Beta Reader Challenge. We had about 15 participants, all of whom submitted to me in a PM the first 750 words of their manuscripts. Based on participants’ genres and reading preferences, I assigned each participant three other participants’ works to read and critique in the span of two weeks. In exchange for agreeing to critique three people’s excerpts, it also ensures you three separate critiques of your own work. *If you don’t want to critique someone else’s work, this project isn’t for you.* If you feel like those critiques were helpful, then it is encouraged you ask one (or more) critic to be a beta reader for your entire manuscript. At the end, you also might be asked to be a permanent beta reader for someone else.
Now for the fancy Q&A portion of the explanation.
Q: Do I need to have a completed manuscript to enter?
No. However, it is in your best interest to have a completed or near-completed manuscript, edited and polished as fully as you can make it, before we begin. Beta readers are usually one of the last steps writers take before they start approaching agents. If you don’t think you’re ready for that next step, maybe this project isn’t for you. However, only you can decide when you’re ready for a beta reader. If you don’t quite know if you want a beta reader at all, this project might help you decide.
Q: Is this project exclusive to novel writers?
No! Everyone is encouraged to join, whether you write short stories, screenplays, nonfiction, poetry, etc. However, in 2007 most (if not all) participants were writing novels. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t join, but be aware that someone might critique your work who is not as knowledgeable in the genre, and vice versa. If you’re interested, make sure to recruit your friends from other areas of the board. If you’re working on shorter pieces, Share Your Work might be a better option, but that’s up to you.
Q: What if I get stuck critiquing in a genre I absolutely hate?!
Don’t worry—that won’t happen. Along with your manuscript excerpt, I will ask you to fill out the answers to a few questions. Among them will be thoughts on your preferred genres, the style you critique in, etc. I read everyone’s submissions carefully to make the most appropriate matches I can.
Q: Uh, YOU assign our critiques? *Nervous*
In 2007, I took everyone’s submissions as private messages. I assigned each writer three submissions to read, scrambling them up as much as possible. So, if I can work it right this year, the readers who you critique will NOT be the same ones critiquing your work. This expands your pool of potential beta readers—not only will you see how someone critiques your work, you also get to see another someone’s else writing style. Some critiques may end up overlapping, but I’ll do what I can to avoid that. The number of critiques you end up working on (and therefore receiving back) may vary this year, depending on the number of participants. I know you’re all busy, so I can promise you no more than five. Also, since I’m controlling the submissions, everyone’s work stays anonymous until the end. Still nervous? That’s okay!
Q: What if I end up not liking any of my critiques and don’t want them for beta readers?
That’s a disappointment, unfortunately, but a risk of the project. You’re not required to ask anyone to be your beta reader. After final critiques are passed around, that’s it—I’m out of the project. It’s up to you to approach (or not) critics to keep working with you. Also, I will anonymously post on the forums the initial excerpts you send me. It serves as a “hey, I want a beta!” call to the rest of the forums. If they like what they see, they’re free to PM me and I’ll give them your user name. You’re more than welcome to work with someone else on your own in addition to participating in The Project.
Q: WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON? Are you insane?
A) I have a sneaking suspicion that the majority of people who may be interested in The Project are not yet ready for a beta reader and might need some extra incentive to get ready. Plus, there are currently a bunch of WriMos out there writing their novels this month and might want to use this opportunity on their NaNo novels. So, in effect, official rules won’t post until December 1, and the actual critique swapping won’t begin until the first week of January. Once the rules post in December, you'll also be given a questionnaire to fill out related to your manuscript. The extra time ensures you have time to complete this section. This gives you less than two months to get your manuscripts nice and shiny, and plenty of time to debate whether this is worth your time (it is). I also have a sneaking suspicion there are quite a few of you raring to go right now—if that’s that case, drop a note in this thread or send me a PM. Maybe we can work out a more immediate system for you. Also, you’re more than welcome ask for beta readers on the main forum, as usual. B) Yes.
Q: Okay, shut up already! I have work to do!
Yes, you do! Happy editing, betas.
Oh, and don’t forget to tell your friends we’re here, yeah? I’m sure you still have questions, so leave them in the thread.
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I'd like to join in.