One other thing: This inofficial research
paper has not been beta read. If you would like to apply
for the job, or if you find any mistakes or awkward phrases,
please
email
me. Of course you can also email me to
let me know what you thought about this "study".
If you want to read this little study on beta reading in one file or on
your ereader, click here for the
pdf file
Why do you need a beta reader...
...even if you are an experienced writer?
Read this list of sometimes hilarious mistakes that a good
beta reader could have helped to avoid.
Resources
for and about beta reading
A list of online resources for beta readers
and writers. If you know any other good sites, please
email
me.
The results of my survey
The questionnaires
View the questionnaires the writers and
beta readers filled out.
The participants
Who participated in the survey? How much
experience do the writers and beta readers have? For how long
have the writers worked with beta readers? How many fandoms
do the beta readers cover?
Beta harems?
Do most writers work with more than one
beta reader and if yes, why? What is the ideal number of beta
readers? How many writers work without a beta reader? With how
many writers do beta readers work? Do writers use beta readers
for each and every one of their stories?
Approaches to beta reading
Take a look at the different approaches
to beta reading and find out how beta readers work
Approaches to working with
beta readers
Do writers prefer to send their whole
story or parts to beta readers? Why? Do they send the revised
story to the beta reader again before posting?
The do's of beta reading
What beta readers should do
The don'ts of beta reading
What beta readers should avoid
Red pens?
Find out how beta readers mark the changes
and comments they make and what method writers would want them
to use.
The resources beta readers
use
Do beta readers belong to beta organizations
(mailing lists etc.)? Do they exchange information with other
beta readers? Do they read books about writing or editing?
Which websites and other resources do they use?
The resources writers use
Which tools and software do writers use?
Do writers read books and online articles about writing? What
other resources do they use for writing? Do they incorporate
any standards into their writing?
Writers as beta readers
and beta readers as writers
How many beta readers write their own
stories, too? How many writers beta read for others?
To writers with love
Advice from beta readers on how writers
could make the beta reading process easier
To betas with love
Advice from writers on how beta readers
could make the collaboration easier
What writers want
What do writers hope for in their beta
readers?
Less than productive
What were some of the problems and less than productive
cooperations writers encountered with their (former) beta readers?
Motivation
Why do beta readers beta read? What motivates
them to put so much time and energy into a story that is not
their own?
War and Peace
What happens when writer and beta reader
disagree? How do writers handle criticism?
To be continued...
Do writers post their stories before they
are finished and beta read?
Summary
What I've learned from this survey and what I still don't know.
The
pre-beta-reading discussion
As a result of the survey, here are the things writers and beta readers
should clarify before they start working together
I'd love some feedback from writes, beta readers, and readers.
Email me and tell me what you thought about this little study
jae_s1978 [AT] yahoo [DOT] de
