Beta reader needed...

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Hi Ken

It’s good to see you around the place again. Congratulations on finishing your manuscript.

In regard to your request for a beta… I will state right now that I do not have the time to dedicate to that job. Beta-ing takes time and I have far too many projects and commitments on the go right now. Perhaps Kimmi could help you with finding a beta, or maybe she could take it on.

The Block is a very small community. We love having people around, and welcome everyone with open arms. That said, there are some protocols to which even we adhere. For starters, when requesting a beta, you should be very specific about the length, and as it is standard in the writing world, a word count is how we relate to size; pages are too arbitrary. Because we are so small, we are a true community, helping and supporting each other as we try to become better writers. No one here has any sense of your writing, your voice, or you yourself, so it makes it that much harder to commit to something as personal and important as a beta read. And it should go without saying that your manuscript is totally ready for the beta – that means edited to the best of your ability.

My bigger concern, Ken, isn’t so much protocol and procedure, but the fact that you are willing to trust your work to someone of whom you have no knowledge. You really are not familiar with anyone here, and although I can vouge for most of em, you should know something about the person who is going to advise you on your work. The person who volunteers under these circumstances could be a raving idiot, totally illiterate, or have any number of wild and crazy issues. It says to me that you have no intention of taking the beta-ing process seriously, but that you are going through the motions, and if others get the same impression from your request, you will have a hard time finding a beta worth a pinch of crap.

You might find it easier to get a beta if you post a chapter or two of your work in the memoires room. That would give people a chance to see what it is about, get familiar with you and your style, and get drawn into the story.

Very well suggested , Mary

I think if he were to post a few chapters in the memoir thread, folks could get an idea before committing or passing on the task of beta reading.

Like Mary, right now I have a full plate as well. I also wish you great success with your writing, Ken

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Hey Ken
no toes to be stepped on here. One of the things we treasure and take pride in is the fact that we are a small community. It helps us to get to know each other, how our minds work, what our "voices" say and that in turn, helps us offer each other support, crits and advice. We've come together, like a neighborhood, where we feel comfy.. we would let our children play with each other's children , in each others yards.

I don't think AmandaLyn was intending to get you crazy. She works very hard here to ensure this forum is taken seriously and that we all benefit from the time invested.

I agreed with her suggestion of having you post some of your writing samples. This will help others to decide if they feel they can offer you helpful advice.

If you need help navigating around this site, just ask, we would be happy to help you and it will be great to see you around more often. We are always looking for more writers to work with. Our goal is to make sure each of us becomes the best writer we can be

Hi Petunia, thanks... I posted 3 poems so if you have a chance please check them out. I will post a chapter or two of my ms, but am not sure as to where to post them? Maybe in the Beta-reader needed forum? Thanks... Ken

I'm reading your posts now, thank you

You should post your chapters in the thread marked memoirs, if you need help, I'll be glad to show you.

The poetry you posted, you put in prose, would you like me to move it to the poetry critique or the poetry chapbook section for you

Petunia, I will not post chapters tonight as I am not sure which to post, have to check them out. As for the poetry, please move them to where you think they should be posted. Thanks and maybe lets go with poetry critique... am curious as to what others think of my work. I have had it critiqued by a creative writing professor and a few other writers. Thanks for your help and please know that I will more than likely be calling on you from time to time for help. I hope you don't mind? K

That's what we are here for, Ken

I hope to see more of your work..

Thanks Petunia, will see you around... k

Rubarbb will not be needing a beta. This thread is closed.