Beta readers wanted!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

So... everyone loves a new Pros fic, right? And we all want writers to write more, and more people to write Pros! But it's recently occurred to us here at CI5hq that there doesn't seem to be an easy way for writers to find beta readers for their Pros stories, especially for people who might be relatively new to Pros-dom, and so we thought we'd put out a request...

We're looking for people to include on a list of volunteers prepared to "beta" (edit), proof-read, Brit-check etc Pros fic!
We thought that people could perhaps volunteer in comments to this post, and we will put it up as a link in ci5hq's User Info page, so that future writers can check the post and perhaps find someone to help them out. That way it would be fully update-able too - if you change your mind, or find that you've no time after all, anyone who volunteers can simply add in information to that effect, or delete their original post, etc. Cos we're all about flexibility. *g*

There are, of course, all sorts of different ways that people "beta" a story, and just as many different "requirements" from authors. Some writers are perfectly happy about their language skills, but would like someone to double-check for plot holes, other writers might adore their plot but be less confident about grammar, or spelling. "Brit-checkers" who can peruse stories for non-UK spellings or grammar, and help out with slang or customs are often helpful for non-UK writers. Don't feel that you have to do everything in order to volunteer - a writer might even like to use one person to spell-check, another to plot-check, and another to Brit-check, so every little bit is helpful!

Think you might be prepared to help out every once in a while? If so, please write a brief description of what you'd be happy to do below! Some ideas:

- Level of detail - whether you like to be extra pick-y about things, or more general

- Timing - whether you think you'd be quite quick, are prepared to work at the last-minute, or if you'd prefer a more relaxed pace

- Are you happy for writers to come back to you a second, third, fourth time?

- Are you happy to beta things like death, dismemberment, BDSM, sexual abuse, etc, or is there anything that squicks you so much you'd rather not go near it, even at the safe end of a keyboard..? *g*

- Include a link to examples of your own writing, if you do write yourself (common of course, but by no means compulsory or necessary!)

- Most importantly - how do people get in touch with you (via some means other than commenting to this post, please, otherwise it could all get very messy! *g*)?

Feel free to delete and re-post your offer whenever you like (wouldn't it be nice to have an edit facility on comments?!) - and writers, do check back for changes and additions to the list! Oh, and any suggestions about this are welcome too, of course - I'll add them to this original post!

Another nice idea from sc_fossil - feel free to recommend betas (if they're already volunteering here, that is!) that you've used in the past!

I won't thank people individually below, to keep the list as "clean" as possible, but - thank you to all those who do volunteer!


Screencap from Tauna's Slashden - thank you! And thanks to sc_fossil for added helpful suggestions!

Comments

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Nice idea! I'm not the most experienced beta in the world, but I'm certainly willing to help out. Don't come to me for plot-holes because I might not notice them, but I can help with grammar, sentence structures, Brit-spelling, etc. I think I have quite a good ear for dialogue, so I can especially help with that. I try not to push my style on anyone, and keep advice to helping smn be as 'correct' as possible within her own style,( though as the lovely sc_fossil above will tell you, I *do* have a thing about adverbs and adjectives!!) I don't mind death fics at all, but don't come near me with poems and elf stories.*g*

I'd prefer a more relaxed pace, and I have no objections to third, fourth go-overs, etc. And folk can get in touch with me at: benegenatyahoodotcom

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Hand's off. She's mine. LOL!

Callisto and SlantedLight are excellent betas as long as you enjoy having your story thoughtfully but thoroughly edited, which I do. Thank heavens somebody knows about all those pesky things that I don't!

[runriggers.livejournal.com]

I don't mind beta-ing. I lean more towards sentence structure than canon, (If nothing else its practise for my real work). British-isms might be iffy, but I'm Canadian, so we aren' that different :) Best way to get in touch with me would be runriggers@yahoo.com.

Works in progress are fine as well as finished product - just as long as you give me some time to edit.

[runriggers.livejournal.com]

a slight change - contact me at bardicfaerie@yahoo.ca - the other one gets a lot of spam and I tend to just clear it out without checking what's in it - if its spammed at bardic I'll check it first.

I think the only storyline I am not at all interested in would be those dealing with male pregnancy (I've seen a few posted)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Well I said I'd go first, but I've been beaten already - yeay!

I'm generally very happy to "beta" for people - language, structure, plot, characterisation, Brit-check, modernisms, whatever you can think of, really. I tend to make lots of comments/suggestions, but I'm perfectly happy for people to ignore anything I say - I figure it's all up to the writer at the end of the day, right? I'd prefer to beta slash, though gen is fine too - but not het please, cos that just makes no sense to me in Pros. *g* Otherwise I'm happy with anything - death, bdsm, elves if you really must... *g* Feel free to send things back to me as many times as you like. Timing depends on many things - I can be very quick, though I am currently on the slow and busy side (July 2007) - always worth asking! Contact me at slantedlight at hotmail dot com. Examples of my writing here at Hatstand (http://hatstand.slashcity.net/aa/authors-s.html#slanted).

[rosie55.livejournal.com]

I've no experience of editing or fic-writing for that matter but I would be willing to Brit-check and, being somewhat longer in the tooth than most of you (*bg*) I actually lived (as an adult) through the relevant period and might be able to help out with customs, slang, etc. A bit limited but you never know, it may help someone! I don't mind het, gen or slash!
You can send to me at rowleyrosie at hotmail dot com. Response times may vary according to how RL is at the time but I'll try to be prompt in responding!

[rach74.livejournal.com]

I'm not good at grammar, but plot holes, dialogue, Brit Checking and character stuff, I'll happily help out with :)

[rach74.livejournal.com]

LOL sorry! *dense* send me anything at rachie114 at yahoo dot co dot uk

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Hey, cool idea. I'm always wiling to beta. I'll do it at any level you'd like--from "it's just for fun" to "very well written". I know the limits of my grammar and punctuation skills (sufficient but not brilliant *g*), but I pay a lot of attention to story structure, plot, characteization, pov, and overall coherence. I may tell you things you don't want to hear (but gently.) I write under the name PFL and you can find my stories at The Hatstand or the Circuit Archive. Turnaround time would completely depend on what is going on in my life. I can be very quick or I can take awhile, but I tend to be more on the quick side, I think. I would negotiate with you about the level of beta. *g* I've no desire to crush anyone's spirits...but I can be tough if that's what you'd like. It's up to you! (Mostly, though, I just want more good Pros stories!) Oh, and yes, with Pros I would prefer slash or pre-slash, not het.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

I forgot to add my email contact. Ahem. So, if you should want to reach me, please do so at: msmoat[at]gmail[dot]com. Cheers.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Count me in! I wouldn't call myself an expert in grammar, but hopefully I've learnt a bit from having my own stories betaed during the past few years. I'm happy to do as much or as little as the writer wants and, like rosie55, I was around and in my prime(?) during the Pros era (and living in London too, if help is needed with geographical queries).

I can't always promise to beta a story immediately, but certainly wouldn't keep anyone hanging around for ages if I could possibly help it. Oh, and the story would have to be slash, I'm afraid - I don't sully my hands with that disgusting gen or het stuff *g*.

I've got a few stories up on the Circuit Archive and one on The Hatstand (as Sally Fell), plus a couple on the CA as Chris, if anybody wants to check if their view of the lads tallies with mine.

You can reach me at Sallyfell[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk.

[ancastar.livejournal.com]

I'm happy to beta. I'm not perfect with grammar, but I teach English/writing, so I'm always looking at things like active voice, wordiness, cliches, redundancies, etc. I think I've got a good ear for dialogue and I feel like psychological motivation and through-lines for characters are something I enjoy and seem to do pretty well with. I've beta'ed for awhile now and try really hard not to impose my own vision on someone else's work. But I can be prety thorough, if that's what you'd like.

I'm no good to you for Brit-checking, as I'm a Yank.

I'll work on anything, seeing as I'm helping out with someone else's work and not reading for my own pleasure.

If you're curious as to my own style, I have a couple stories archived at the Circuit under Ancasta. I also have one from Discovered in a Live Journal that can be found under the Seven Deadly Sinds challenge (Past Imperfect, Future Tense). It hasn't made it to the archive yet.

My email addy is ancasta@embarqmail.com. My availability will vary, depending upon the week. But I can usually turn things around pretty quickly.

[ancastar.livejournal.com]

But I can be prety thorough, if that's what you'd like.

I don't know whether to laugh or be mortified. So I think I'll do a little of both.

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

I'm dyslexic with things like dialogue tags, commas and semi-colons (as my betas could tell you). But if you get those things sorted I'm a good nit-picker generally - I'll often pick up typos and other minor problems that have been missed on the first or second go-round. And I have a reasonable feel for pov, characterisation and plot.

Brit-wise I'm a Kiwi: I know a 'fridge from an icebox, but I've been caught with my pantstrousers down about other things.

I can do some sports, in period as well - rugby definitely, cricket pretty good, soccer (sadly) not really.

I'm good on historical research - 17th century and prior - if you're thinking about an AU. And if I don't know it, I know who to ask. Also medical stuff, although it's a minefield (I can barely remember what 70's medical technology was like in NZ, let alone London) and we all assume the Lads have amazing recuperative powers anyway.

I don't bite. Ask me anything - miranda731[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au.

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

PS: I do slash or gen with pleasure, but not het (although a plot-advancing het scene in a story that is fundamentally slash would be OK).

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

Slap me on the list (not the wrist)!

Did a lot of editing work in the days when I was serious grown-up working person and am (for what it's worth) an Eng Lit grad. I work quickly and don't mind last minute deals. Not sure how picky I'd be .. would work this out with the author I think. Happy for writers to come back.

Seventies and Eighties London and popular culture, Britspeak, grammar, structure, spelling, plot -- yes to all these!

Have a soft spot for pre-slash/gen but would be happy to beta anything (except BDSM -- it makes me giggle, I'm silly that way). I have Pros slash on thecircuit, Starsky and Hutch (all gen) at the Bay City Library and Alias Smith and Jones (all gen so far ...) at fanfiction.net ...

I can be contacted day and night at jojo1inthecity at aol dot co dot uk

Beta-ing

[(Anonymous)]

Being a toothless, bearded hag, I worked in London during the seventies and eighties (particularly the areas around Buckingham Palace, and Mayfair/Picadilly). I wrote Pros during the early eighties (the only way I can now be sure what gadegets were in common usage ). Happy to help out with British idioms etc. etc.
Please contact me at the address under Doghouse Press in the Files secton of ProsLib.
Elaine

Re: Beta-ing

[hgdoghouse.livejournal.com]

The anonymous beta volunteer was me, so contact via lj if you wish.

[diegina.livejournal.com]

Prompted by kiwisue, I offer helping with Central European settings (former Czechoslovakia, now Czech Rep. and Slovak Rep., especially, plus CZ and SK languages (Slovak can be a little bit imprecise, though), habits...) and Central/Eastern European names and characters. I know not many people care that a KGB agent has a female surname, and that it is definitely not usual for an Eastern Europe family to have a car or color TV in 1985 etc, but not all readers are oblivious to these facts;-P.

My qualification for this is the fact that I'm from Brno, Czech Republic, living there since I was born ;-)

Since this is a quite unusual offer,and I doubt it will be used much, I can be quite quick with responses. Just name what exactly you want help with. Also I don't mind exchanging several emails if necessary, I really want you to get the details right:-) You can contact me at "seznam.cz", just write diegina before it and @ (yes, I'm a bit spam paranoid:P) and don't forget to mention B/D in the subject so I can find it easier (in the spam folder:-)

Brit checker/poss beta reader

[anadventuress.livejournal.com]

Happy to Brit check, & I'm London based since 86 so can be useful on geography. I was a teenager at the time of the show so not good on period detail, but am familiar with the current London gay/BDSM scene & have several guys (mostly straight) the same age as the Lads I can ask for background on the 80s in general. I'm a good proof reader on my day (cue unobtrusive typo I notice immediately after posting) & I have a reasonably good feel for grammar, but am not educated in either - I can't tell you what tense you're writing in or identify a gerund. I'm generally not someone to ask for speedy turnaround (sometimes go a few days without checking email) but will do what I can. Contact: unnaturalblonde at hotmail co uk Cheers, Lxx

[come-in45.livejournal.com]

At Byslantedlight's kind suggestion, I'm volunteering too, as a late arrival.
I work full time as a proofreader (tho' not of fiction), so obviously I want to do more of it in my spare time!
I'm a native English person, although spent the crucial 1970s-80s growing up in Australia, so my period and London locations knowledge is not the strongest, but I am an avid Brit-checker and spotter of anachronism.
I'm a historian, too, and love historical background to Pro's plots, and fic.

Nothing too weird or completely against the laws of nature, please, I am very squeamish. Same goes for het.
Haven't posted any fic of my own, yet, it's still lurking on my computer.
I can be contacted at judithe92 at googlemail.com.

revised post

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

[the agent formerly known as come_in45]

I work full time as a proofreader (tho' not of fiction), so obviously I want to do more of it in my spare time!
I'm a native English person, although spent the crucial 1970s-80s growing up in Australia. My period and London locations knowledge is not the strongest, but I am an avid Brit-checker and spotter of anachronism.
I'm a historian, too, and love historical background to Pro's plots, and fic.

Nothing too weird or completely against the laws of nature, please, I am very squeamish. Same goes for het.
I can be contacted at judithe92 at googlemail.com.

[theladyhel.livejournal.com]

Sounds great, I'd love to. I'm pretty good on grammar and awkward sentence structures and plots holes and I'll happily brit-check.

Can be contacted on greystill@ukonline.co.uk or ejagreystill@googlemail.com (the googlemail one's probably better to use.)

Beta Reader Offer

[anna060957.livejournal.com]

With Slantedlight's encouragement ringing in my ears, I'm posting this offer to beta for any Pros author who hasn't already got a favourite helper! I'm old enough to have lived (as a teenager and twenty-something) through the seventies and eighties. I can help with language, grammar, general proof-reading and typographical checks and certainly do a Brit-check (although I've never lived in London). I've only done one beta (for Slantedlight), but I'd probably make a lot of comments but perfectly understand that it's the author's work and any suggetions I make would not neessarily be taken onboard. I'm not keen on gratuitous violence or sexual violence, but I'm willing to try anything. I would probably be quite quick, but real life is always busy!

Beta Reader Offer

[anna060957.livejournal.com]

Opps - contact me on
fallgirl@mail.com