aamina-edits-things

[aamina-edits-things]

How to Beta Fanfic

The Librarian has been doing a few help posts, and this one on beta work has been in high demand! Hopefully authors and those looking to beta find this useful. Happy writing!

What is a beta?

A beta reader is someone who looks over a story before the author posts it publicly, checking it for some combination of spelling, grammar, cohesiveness, flow, plot holes, characterization, etc.

Why use a beta?

Authors can get so caught up in the story that it becomes difficult for their brain to focus in on the tiny typos. If you’re writing a story, your brain will make leaps around typos since it knows what you’re trying to say. A beta reader, someone from the outside, is a great help because every single word is new and fresh to their brain. 

What makes a good beta? 

Communicating with the author: Ask what they’re looking for since some authors only want help with spelling and grammar, while others want feedback on their story and style.

Correct typos and grammar within an author’s style. instead of rewriting whole sentences, try to fix what is obvious and only suggest what could be considered “stylistic choices”. Maybe the author loves commas for spacing, so don’t get hung up on changing their style or flow. 

Offer them a deadline. If you agree to beta 5k words, let the author know when you could have it done. 

Think about pacing, flow, POV, and tense. Are you left confused after the scene? Does the tense switch from past to present? Does the POV switch characters or from first to third? All of these aspects are options for you to review. 

Good beta feedback examples

“I’m confused about the choreography in this scene. Whose arm is going around the back?”

“I loved this joke!”

“Looks like you use a mix of present and past tense. Is there one you’d prefer I correct to?”

“There are six sentences in this paragraph that all start with the word “He”. It might read better with some variety.”

“This part is confusing because he acts like he knows this woman, but it’s the first time we’re seeing her.”

Poor beta examples

Nitpicking or arguing with an author. This is THEIR fic, and while your help should be appreciated, remember that this is not a collaboration. 

Being vague and negative. “I don’t like this part” is of no help to an author. Be specific with reasons like, “You had Sirius acting very confident and then he’s suddenly very weak here, which confuses me without knowing the motivation for his change”. 

It shouldn’t have to be said, but do not copy an author’s ideas, plot, or lines when you are given the privilege of an early read. 

Authors: How to work with a beta

Make sure to thank them! Beta’s are volunteers that deserve praise too!

Run through spell check and reread it yourself FIRST. 

Use multiple betas! The more help you get, the better your fic can be!

Do not assume that a beta knows what you want without talking to them. If you’re only looking for help with typos, say so upfront. 

Do not assume a beta can correct an endless amount of words or is interested in reviewing the same piece multiple times after many changes. Ask for help with each chapter and version. This gives someone the chance to say no, since everyone who does this is only volunteering in their free time.

Do not ask a minor to beta explicit content. 

Do not rush a beta. If you waited until the last minute to finish your fic before a festival, do not assume that a beta reader can drop everything to help. 

Offer to reciprocate! Most betas are also authors, so if someone takes time to offer you help, please return the favor. 

Where to find a beta/authors who need a beta

Festivals with servers are a great way to meet new people in the fandom, and find someone to beta/someone to beta for. 

Tumblr! If you have a mutual who’s activity you’ve noticed in your dash, start a conversation! You can also  make a post or put it in your profile header.

Join the beta discord server! This is great place to meet authors and beta alike: https://discord.gg/n49Pnc

Alternatives to a beta

If you use Google Docs, click Tools and select “check spelling and grammar” for additional grammar suggestions on your fic. 

Grammarly is a great online tool and browser extension that will allow you to set your style and country’s language.

Betas are NOT Sensitivity readers 

A sensitivity reader is someone who is hired to read and assess a manuscript with a particular issue of representation in mind, one that they have personal experience of.

Just because you and a beta enjoy your fic, does not mean it is not potentially misrepresenting the people it portrays. As much as we talk about fiction being fantasy, when you write about people as if they’re real, it’s important to not push harmful stereotypes. 

The Librarian learned a LOT when researching deafness for a recent list, and getting feedback from who speaks from experience can be even more helpful. Make sure you stay open to critique from those you represent so you can grow as a writer and not further harmful words. 

Note to Non-betas

Do not comment on published fics with corrections. Many, many fics have seemingly obvious mistakes, but remember that you do not know the author’s mental state, native language, education level, or desires. At most, thank the author with a detailed comment, and offer yourself as a beta for future works if you truly love their style. 

Other help posts:

How To Tag Your Fic

How to Write Fanfic Summaries

How to gain friends & fans writing fanfic

[aamina-edits-things]

Anyone Need A Beta

Hey all! Still have some beta spots if anyone is interested. Usually read for Carry On and Harry Potter but I can read for other fandoms depending on which one. 

Visit my blog for more info. DM or send me an ask with any questions!

[aamina-edits-things]

Anyone Need A Beta

Hey all! Still have some beta spots if anyone is interested. Usually read for Carry On and Harry Potter but I can read for other fandoms depending on which one. 

Visit my blog for more info. DM or send me an ask with any questions!

[aamina-edits-things]

I don’t know what writer needs to hear this

but you can write something very plain. 

You don’t have to write some genre-redefining masterpiece. You can write a story about two people very simply falling in love. You can just write a story about a person going to the store. You could, if you were so inclined, just re-write Star Wars but like, make all the names start with M.

Don’t let the fear of not-writing something transcendent stop you from just writing.

[aamina-edits-things]

Maybe I am motivated to do things for the aesthetic but at least I know Oscar Wilde would support that

[aamina-edits-things]

Save The Date | Follow @siriusblackfest | More info will follow soon.

[aamina-edits-things]

Prompting : August 20-31 Claiming: September 02 Due Date: October 25 Fest begins: November 03

Rules & FAQ

Keep reading

[aamina-edits-things]

Pride Flag Book Recs! 🌈

Let’s be honest, we’ve all wanted a rainbow on our bookshelves at some point in our lives. So I’m gonna help you make one with all LGBTQ (f/f) books and hopefully also help you with your pride tbr ideas as well!

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar, Blood Countess by Lana Popović, When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey, The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey, Everything Grows by Aimee Herman

All Eyes on Us by Kit Frick, After Happily Ever After Anthology, Once Upon a Pastry by Ashley Uzzell, Pulp by Robin Talley, Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen

The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron, The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, The Meaning of Birds by Jaye Robin Brown, The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth, You Only Live Once by Jess Vallance

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski, Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow, The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee, Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi, Going Off Script by Jen Wilde

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone, The Afterward by E.K. Johnston, Outrun the Wind by Elizabeth Tammi, House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess, The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum

Super Adjacent by Crystal Cestari, These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling, Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan, Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor, Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy

Happy Pride Month Reading!  ❤️💛🧡💚💙💜

[aamina-edits-things]

Anyone Need A Beta

Hey all! Still have some beta spots if anyone is interested. Usually read for Carry On and Harry Potter but I can read for other fandoms depending on which one. 

Visit my blog for more info. DM or send me an ask with any questions!

[aamina-edits-things]

Carry On Fanfiction

About Me:

I have been in that Carry On Fandom for about two years and am open to reading anything related to it! I absolutely love this fandom and its characters. I am extremely familiar with this fandom and will be able to provide helpful and insightful feedback about character development.

Types of Reading/Editing:

Line-by-line editing includes spelling, grammar and word choice. I will read for general ease of reading and deep edit each line. This doesn’t mean I’d be helping with plot at all or character development. This would generally be chapter by chapter reading.

Plot and Development editing would mean noting things about plot progression, character development, and general story. Line-by-line editing would generally mean suggesting specific changes whereas plot and development would likely be a separate set of notes with more general changes that could be made to enrich the story. This could be chapter-by-chapter though I would recommend it to be multiple chapters at a time.

Process editing would mean we would be working together from the outlining stages, I would help develop the story and characters as you write.

All of this being said, we could work together to find the editing style that works best for you.

Visit my blog for more info and dm me if interested, other fandoms as well as fiction editing available. 

[aamina-edits-things]

HP Fanfiction Beta Editing

About Me:

I’ve been in the HP fandom for, well, ever. I have previous experience in beta editing and am extremely diligent when editing. Typically, I read next-gen and marauders works, so I have quite an extensive knowledge in that kind of lore. That being said, I also enjoy reading things from the original series and do have proficient knowledge in them. I will read for most ships except for ones with inappropriate age differences or incest (ex. I wouldn’t read for Snarry or Snamione).

Types of Reading/Editing:

Line-by-line editing includes spelling, grammar and word choice. I will read for general ease of reading and deep edit each line. This doesn’t mean I’d be helping with plot at all or character development. This would generally be chapter by chapter reading.

Plot and Development editing would mean noting things about plot progression, character development, and general story. Line-by-line editing would generally mean suggesting specific changes whereas plot and development would likely be a separate set of notes with more general changes that could be made to enrich the story. This could be chapter-by-chapter though I would recommend it to be multiple chapters at a time.

Process editing would mean we would be working together from the outlining stages, I would help develop the story and characters as you write.

All of this being said, we could work together to find the editing style that works best for you.

More info on my blog, other fandoms available as well as general fiction editing. 

[aamina-edits-things]

HP Fanfiction Beta Editing

About Me:

I’ve been in the HP fandom for, well, ever. I have previous experience in beta editing and am extremely diligent when editing. Typically, I read next-gen and marauders works, so I have quite an extensive knowledge in that kind of lore. That being said, I also enjoy reading things from the original series and do have proficient knowledge in them. I will read for most ships except for ones with inappropriate age differences or incest (ex. I wouldn’t read for Snarry or Snamione).

Types of Reading/Editing:

Line-by-line editing includes spelling, grammar and word choice. I will read for general ease of reading and deep edit each line. This doesn’t mean I’d be helping with plot at all or character development. This would generally be chapter by chapter reading.

Plot and Development editing would mean noting things about plot progression, character development, and general story. Line-by-line editing would generally mean suggesting specific changes whereas plot and development would likely be a separate set of notes with more general changes that could be made to enrich the story. This could be chapter-by-chapter though I would recommend it to be multiple chapters at a time.

Process editing would mean we would be working together from the outlining stages, I would help develop the story and characters as you write.

All of this being said, we could work together to find the editing style that works best for you.

More info on my blog, other fandoms available as well as general fiction editing. 

[aamina-edits-things]

Carry On Fanfiction

About Me:

I have been in that Carry On Fandom for about two years and am open to reading anything related to it! I absolutely love this fandom and its characters. I am extremely familiar with this fandom and will be able to provide helpful and insightful feedback about character development.

Types of Reading/Editing:

Line-by-line editing includes spelling, grammar and word choice. I will read for general ease of reading and deep edit each line. This doesn’t mean I’d be helping with plot at all or character development. This would generally be chapter by chapter reading.

Plot and Development editing would mean noting things about plot progression, character development, and general story. Line-by-line editing would generally mean suggesting specific changes whereas plot and development would likely be a separate set of notes with more general changes that could be made to enrich the story. This could be chapter-by-chapter though I would recommend it to be multiple chapters at a time.

Process editing would mean we would be working together from the outlining stages, I would help develop the story and characters as you write.

All of this being said, we could work together to find the editing style that works best for you.

Visit my blog for more info and dm me if interested, other fandoms as well as fiction editing available. 

[aamina-edits-things]

Carry On Fanfiction

About Me:

I have been in that Carry On Fandom for about two years and am open to reading anything related to it! I absolutely love this fandom and its characters. I am extremely familiar with this fandom and will be able to provide helpful and insightful feedback about character development.

Types of Reading/Editing:

Line-by-line editing includes spelling, grammar and word choice. I will read for general ease of reading and deep edit each line. This doesn’t mean I’d be helping with plot at all or character development. This would generally be chapter by chapter reading.

Plot and Development editing would mean noting things about plot progression, character development, and general story. Line-by-line editing would generally mean suggesting specific changes whereas plot and development would likely be a separate set of notes with more general changes that could be made to enrich the story. This could be chapter-by-chapter though I would recommend it to be multiple chapters at a time.

Process editing would mean we would be working together from the outlining stages, I would help develop the story and characters as you write.

All of this being said, we could work together to find the editing style that works best for you.

Visit my blog for more info and dm me if interested, other fandoms as well as fiction editing available. 

[aamina-edits-things]

HP Fanfiction Beta Editing

About Me:

I’ve been in the HP fandom for, well, ever. I have previous experience in beta editing and am extremely diligent when editing. Typically, I read next-gen and marauders works, so I have quite an extensive knowledge in that kind of lore. That being said, I also enjoy reading things from the original series and do have proficient knowledge in them. I will read for most ships except for ones with inappropriate age differences or incest (ex. I wouldn’t read for Snarry or Snamione).

Types of Reading/Editing:

Line-by-line editing includes spelling, grammar and word choice. I will read for general ease of reading and deep edit each line. This doesn’t mean I’d be helping with plot at all or character development. This would generally be chapter by chapter reading.

Plot and Development editing would mean noting things about plot progression, character development, and general story. Line-by-line editing would generally mean suggesting specific changes whereas plot and development would likely be a separate set of notes with more general changes that could be made to enrich the story. This could be chapter-by-chapter though I would recommend it to be multiple chapters at a time.

Process editing would mean we would be working together from the outlining stages, I would help develop the story and characters as you write.

All of this being said, we could work together to find the editing style that works best for you.

More info on my blog, other fandoms available as well as general fiction editing.