The Question of Beta Readers

[dawn_felagund]

Because I think too much about such things, the other day I found myself pondering beta readers. Before I go any further, I would like to invite those of you who are willing to give me some thoughts in a poll:

Poll The Question of Beta Readers

Comments

Sorry, again, but now without spelling mistakes...

[rhapsody11]

Heh the poll results are fun to see. A year ago or something like that, I wrote an 'essay' piece on this matter, what a beta is about and what to expect (from both sides and all of that jazz). It is a wikific, which means it is open for everyone to edit and add to it, although I did wrote the basic outline, but I can't tell who changed what and where. In that sense, I am hesitant to call it mine. Congratulations! It is a beta!. Anyhow, I wonder about crediting in the original fic, I mean I so often crack open a book and have to get past a page (or two) where the author gives his or her eternal thanks to whomever helped, including the editor. So, I wonder if the non-crediting position is globally applied or if it varies from short works to novels. I think you are right about short works, but longer works come with credits. At least that is what I mostly see happening. Also from the commercial non-fic angle I've been in: it would be weird to have your article come with thanks to those who edited it because a) a journal/magazine has an

Re: Sorry, again, but now without spelling mistakes...

[heartofoshun]

A beta reader and an editor are two dramatically different animals to me--a beta reader exists to help me write the story that I want to write. It's a collaborative experience. Both the Beta reader and the writer should feel exicted and happy about the end product. And editor in my professional experience (non-fiction) may, on occasion, may correct some of my stupid mistakes, but as often as not, my experiences have been of a semi-antagonistic nature. In journalism once you have given the story to the editor it is no longer yours. They do what they do and you take the money and run. My feeling was always it had better be good and right the first time or I could see my baby shredded and multilated--the parts I loved cut and the end product possibly worse than what I sent them. But the writer learns not to blame the editor--my motto is it's my own fault--if I have given them better copy this never would have happened. I learned that length is important here. Believe what the tell you they want; it is always one's favorite lines that get

Re: Sorry, again, but now without spelling mistakes...

[rhapsody11]

I never had much issues with things edited out with editors to be honest and I worked as a documentalist at one of the largest publishers in this country for editors of management/marketing/human resources journals, so I do know how they work and how hard they work to get a journal published. To work for them was a great honour. To be at the author side a few times (much later on), prepared me for a lot

Re: Sorry, again, but now without spelling mistakes...

[heartofoshun]

I completely agree with you on that "as a beta I am very very hesitant to tell an author how to write a story: it is their story after all and I will not ever change their voice or take on it." On the other hand, the reason I don't use a Beta often is that I have had people want to argue with my vision or make me change my stories. On the other hand, the two people who I ask over and over seem to be able to crawl inside my head and know what I am trying to do. I have another friend who refuses to Beta, but, on occasion, can be forced to copycheck (she's recently been too busy and I miss her). I don't expect a Beta to copycheck/nitpick/catch stupid typos--in fact, I am usually apologetic if a Beta finds too many typos. (Since I call myself the "typo queen" I am embarrassed a lot before my Betas! LOL)

[pandemonium_213]

Heh. I'll comment on this from a completely different perspective

[rhapsody11]

. I mean, it's not as if "pandemonium_213" is gonna end up on a science citations database!

Hmmm how tempting!!! It would be nice though! Its been a while since I worked with the SCI, but didn't they also kept track of pseudonyms?

And not exactly off topic, I thorought enjoyed your latest verdant original fiction offering. Detailed comments will be forthcoming on that.

I am so behind on that *looks around to find a couch to hide behind*

[pandemonium_213]

but didn't they also kept track of pseudonyms?

Good grief, I sure as hell hope not!

I am so behind on that *looks around to find a couch to hide behind*

Big thumb's up for the Green Knight from me. Highly recommended.

OK, one of my sr. scientists will be in for a 1 on 1 meeting. She's tall, blond, very good-looking, incredibly smart, outspoken and rather high maintenance. I think I'll nickmane her...Galadriel!

[rhapsody11]

but didn't they also kept track of pseudonyms?

Good grief, I sure as hell hope not!

*runs off to check that*

Hmmm, I don't have access to web of science, so I am not sure what is actually in the author abstracts or how author finder works. *sighs* I am sometimes too curious, but I know there was something about it.

[enismirdal]

I suppose you're right about the original fic conventions...I find it rather odd. If I was publishing a book I'd written, I'd want credits to all the editors involved inside the front cover, perhaps on the title page!

I don't so much feel I "deserve" credit when I'm doing beta reading as regard it as a courtesy, something people do for each other to show that they are appreciative of the work the beta did (and also as some sort of assurance that they actually read any of the beta comments!).

I wonder if part of the difference between fanfic and original fic is that a large amount of fanfiction is published without a beta, and by putting a beta credit, it's sort of some stamp that their work should be at least readable! How much original fic - Anne Rice not withstanding - is published completely as the author submitted it, without an editor ever laying a finger on it?

I'd better stop rambling now...too much to do this evening and not enough time!

[binkaslibrary]

Well, I use a beta reader because I speak Ponglish *winks at Rhaps* and I don't want to invent some awkward, quasi-English grammar and make people go like: wtf she's talking about. ;) Also, I use a beta reader because sometimes their comments are the only feedback I get.

I'm a beta reader because I'm fairly good as far as canon is concerned. I'm a qualified editor and proof-reader so being a beta is not very far from what I'm doing for a living and it helps me improve my skills. :)

[rhapsody11]

LOL Ponglish!