NaNoWriMo Finished and Now What?

Beta-Reader

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You have mastered the challenge of writing a whole book manuscript in one month. Congratulations!
Now your manuscript needs to be polished.
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Take advantage of the great benefit of Beta Readers!
But first let’s see the difference between a beta reader, manuscript editor and a proof reader.  You might also ask “Why should I give my manuscript to a beta reader instead of my trusted friends or family?” Contrary to friends and family member, beta readers are often writers themselves. Maybe even in the same genre and they ought to give you honest feedback, no sugar coating, and constructive critique – while your beloved ones are often afraid to hurt your feelings, and might not be objective.  Dealing with another writer you can exchange in beta-reading each other’s manuscripts. And both of you can learn from the others’ weak points.
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Where Can You Find Beta Readers?

  • Online Writing Forums
  • Writing Groups
  • Beta Readers at Google+
  • MeetUp Groups and Workshops
  • Fellow Writers you meet at Writing Conferences

 

Online Writing Forums
For writers looking for very specific feedback from knowledgeable readers Online forums are a great place to find them. Because participants tend to cluster around particular topics of interest. These are just a few of the online resources available that can help writers to connect.  The most popular one seems to be Wattpad which has now 26 million members.
Even celebrity authors, such as Margaret Atwood, post there from time to time. ‘If the work on Wattpad is public, the authors often are not. As many as half its writers are anonymous or pseudonymous. The traditional publishing industry is watching Wattpad closely, not only as a source of new talent but also for techniques to increase reader engagement”, writes David Streitfeld in a New York Times article.  Brittany Geragotelis has been “discovered” this way.

  • Wattpad.com
  • Scribd.com
  • Writers’ Café
  • the Red Room
  • Nothing Binding
  • Figment.com
  • WritingForums.org
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Writing Groups
Many creative writing groups focus on critique. While Beta Readers are working through your entire finished manuscript, that’s often not possible for writing groups as time is only constraint to a few pages. Try to find a beta reading exchange with other members – aside from the regular meetings of the group.

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Beta Readers at Google+
Google+ offers a variety of fantastic communities for writers looking to connect with like-minded authors. Join these groups, and look out for new ones regularly.

  • Writers’ Critique Group
  • The Writer’s Discussion Group
  • Writers’ Corner
  • Poets of G+
  • JLB Creatives
  • Aspiring Authors
  • Writers, Authors, Bloggers
  • Authors – Blatant Promo 4 Writers, Blogs!

Why not establish your own Beta Reader Group? As more Beta Readers you have, as better! Different people catch different errors.

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MeetUp Groups and Workshops
I recently attended quite a few manuscript critique / beta-reading author meetings, and was impressed by the friendly, constructive suggestions of these Meetup members. They can be mostly found in cities, and include a variety of groups for writers. Some gatherings are dedicated to critique and to beta reading.  This is a great avenue for those writers who prefer face-to-face interaction, and who are also open to meet new writer friends.  Don’t find a beta reader meetup listed for your city?  Then you should organize your own!

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Once you’ve found a handful of Beta Readers to share your work with you, the result will be a manuscript, which is ready for the editor.  Beta Reading might save you a lot of money, if the editor is charging by the hour. Beta Reading also helps to polish your book before the first reviewer or readers gets their hand on your book.

 

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