Beta Reading
If you are in the early or mid stages of a work, especially a work of fiction, a beta read can give you a quick sense of how you are connecting with your reader.
When I beta read, I read just as though I had borrowed your book from the library, except that I write down all of my impressions. If I’m feeling amused, sad, confused, angry, bored, surprised, etc., I note it down. I write my first impressions of characters and how my opinion of them changes over time. At the end of each chapter or section, I write my experience so far: what I liked and didn’t like, if I feel like I just have to read the next part or if I’m feeling like putting the book down, where I think the story is going next, and anything else that comes to mind.
This isn’t the time to fix grammar or spelling mistakes. It’s all about the experience. Is it engaging? How can it become more so? In essence, a beta read is meant as a diagnostics test to make sure that your plot, characters, themes, scenes, and such are hitting the way they are supposed to.
I charge about .1¢ per word.
Editing
Editing is meant for the later stages of a project, typically when you are done making new drafts but you still may be making significant changes. It focuses on the flow of the manuscript on the chapter, scene, paragraph, and sentence level.
During editing, I correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation issues while giving suggestions on how to rearrange elements of your manuscript to improve communication, tone, and readability. The goal is not to simply preserve your voice, but enhance it.
I typically work with Track Changes for quick fixes and Comments for tone and structure. I also type a summary at the end of each page or section to go over patterns that I’ve noticed, larger structural issues, strengths and weaknesses of the chapter/section, and so on.
I charge about 2¢ per word.
Proofreading
At the very end of the process all that’s left to take care of are the fine details. And that is proofreading.
Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. A proofreader’s job is to make sure that all of these elements are error-free. Your grammar will be perfect, your punctuation will be on point, you spelling will be flawless, and your formatting will be consistent. (Please note that this is not the same formatting that a formatter is in charge of. They make sure that your manuscript will look correct on the page, while a proofreader makes sure that your font, point size, indentations, etc. are consistent.)
I do proofreading in two rounds. First I do it in Word (or Google Docs, your preference) with Track Changes, then I print it out and do it the old-fashioned way. Finally I copy the changes over to the digital copy, with Track Changes still on so that you have the final say.
I charge about 1¢ per word.
If you are in the early or mid stages of a work, especially a work of fiction, a beta read can give you a quick sense of how you are connecting with your reader.
When I beta read, I read just as though I had borrowed your book from the library, except that I write down all of my impressions. If I’m feeling amused, sad, confused, angry, bored, surprised, etc., I note it down. I write my first impressions of characters and how my opinion of them changes over time. At the end of each chapter or section, I write my experience so far: what I liked and didn’t like, if I feel like I just have to read the next part or if I’m feeling like putting the book down, where I think the story is going next, and anything else that comes to mind.
This isn’t the time to fix grammar or spelling mistakes. It’s all about the experience. Is it engaging? How can it become more so? In essence, a beta read is meant as a diagnostics test to make sure that your plot, characters, themes, scenes, and such are hitting the way they are supposed to.
I charge about .1¢ per word.
Editing
Editing is meant for the later stages of a project, typically when you are done making new drafts but you still may be making significant changes. It focuses on the flow of the manuscript on the chapter, scene, paragraph, and sentence level.
During editing, I correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation issues while giving suggestions on how to rearrange elements of your manuscript to improve communication, tone, and readability. The goal is not to simply preserve your voice, but enhance it.
I typically work with Track Changes for quick fixes and Comments for tone and structure. I also type a summary at the end of each page or section to go over patterns that I’ve noticed, larger structural issues, strengths and weaknesses of the chapter/section, and so on.
I charge about 2¢ per word.
Proofreading
At the very end of the process all that’s left to take care of are the fine details. And that is proofreading.
Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. A proofreader’s job is to make sure that all of these elements are error-free. Your grammar will be perfect, your punctuation will be on point, you spelling will be flawless, and your formatting will be consistent. (Please note that this is not the same formatting that a formatter is in charge of. They make sure that your manuscript will look correct on the page, while a proofreader makes sure that your font, point size, indentations, etc. are consistent.)
I do proofreading in two rounds. First I do it in Word (or Google Docs, your preference) with Track Changes, then I print it out and do it the old-fashioned way. Finally I copy the changes over to the digital copy, with Track Changes still on so that you have the final say.
I charge about 1¢ per word.