Most manuscripts benefit from an independent read-through by someone who understands the process of writing and can offer honest opinion and comment on the text. Beta readers provide this service. Their role is not to edit the work but to suggest ways of improving it - e.g. in relation to the story, its characters its setting, the style of writing, and issues such as grammar and punctuation. Beta-readers are most useful when you have a complete and revised/checked draft but before final editing and proofreading. They can be particularly useful for self-publishing writers.
Note: some provide the service for free; others may require payment. Contact them to check their terms.
ANNABEL SCHULER Genre: Non-fiction, Fiction (no YA, fantasy or sci-fi). Academic Dissertations and Essays Contact: [email protected]
ANN BRIGGS Genres: Short stories, Poetry, Fiction (mainly literary fiction, modern fiction – not chick lit or fantasy), Non-fiction (education, leadership). Contact: [email protected]
DAVID BRIGGS Genres: Fiction (no YA, fantasy or sci-fi); Scientific works (especially in areas of Earth and natural sciences) Contact: [email protected]