cap_ironman | Beta Reader Resource Post

If you've ever had a question about what to do if you want to have your fic beta read, or how to be a beta reader, then read on!

We have tips on what to do after you receive your betad fic back, we have resources for where you can sign up to be a beta reader, and we have outlined the general etiquette code for both betas and writers.

The Cap-Iron Man community presents the one-stop-shop for any beta-related queries: if something isn't covered, scroll down to the very end of the page and let us know!

What is a Beta? | Contacting Betas | How Do I Choose? | Tips for Writers | Becoming a Beta | Tips for Beta Readers | Endnote

★ What is a Beta Reader and Why Do I Need Them? ★

First of all: what’s a beta reader?

It’s a term that gets tossed around a lot in fanfiction as well as in the RL publishing system that originated from software design (people would test the beta version of a website, for example, to find any bugs).

For Cap-IM’s purposes, a beta reader is a trusted person that looks over a writer’s fic before they post it publicly, checking for various things like SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar), syntax, sentence flow, cohesiveness, plot holes, structure, canon-compliance, characterisation, and so on. They may also offer thoughts, questions, encouragement and personal opinions on the fic as they read; in effect, they are your test audience. The level of beta reading depends on the person you pick, and on what you ask them to do. It’s very important to be clear on what kind of beta reading you’re looking for!

Alpha readers and cheer readers are other terms you might be familiar with. There is some overlap between the terms, but in general, alpha readers will be introduced earlier in the fic-writing process; they are brainstormers and idea-bouncers who are willing to help with figuring out how the rest of the story goes. Cheer readers are a subset of this; people who will go through your fic (at whatever stage it is in) and find all the things you’re doing well, encouraging you to keep writing.

Why is having a beta reader a good thing?

No matter how good you are or how many times you go over your fic, there will always be things you miss; a dropped word, awkward dialogue, a tense change mid-way through a paragraph … having a second (or more) pair of eyes can help with that, especially if you’ve become too desensitised to the effect your words are having! Some beta readers may be able to help you with more than just SPaG, and also provide input into characterisation, setting and more!

It can be helpful to have more than one beta reader. Having different perspectives can give you a wider range of opinions on your fic before you publish, and help you pinpoint what does and doesn’t need improvement!

★ What Should I Say when Contacting a Beta Reader? ★

First of all, figure out where your fic is at: what sort of service would you like your beta reader to provide?

Next, head on over to the Cap-IM Beta Reader List, full of active beta readers ready to help! Check for someone who offers what you need and get in touch with them via their preferred form of contact.

If you’re pressed for time, it is advised that you get in touch with a few beta readers in case some have their schedules full or don’t end up being compatible with you. If you need more beta readers to choose from, try the Beta File, a multifandom beta reader directory sorted by timestamp, or post on the Beta Reader Wanted tumblr. Remember that if your fic is for a challenge or an event where staying anonymous is important, you should not disclose details of your fic publicly. However, if that’s not a consideration, then another way to find a beta reader is to advertise on your own fandom-related social media site (follow the guidelines below for what to include!).

When contacting a beta reader, it doesn’t matter if you know them or not: make sure to establish clear boundaries.

Always let your beta know what kind of fic you need help with (length, genre, rating, canon/universe it’s set in, deadline/timeline you need to adhere to) and any content and trigger warnings (the kind of things you’d tag for on Ao3: explicit sex, gore and violence, non-con or dub-con, character death, mpreg etc.) that come with it when requesting help, whether they’ve previously said they’re okay with X or not.

Discuss what kind of advice and and help you as the writer are looking for, and what the beta is willing to do. Make sure you both have similar ideas of what’s expected.

If there are specific sections or aspects you’re worrying about, tell your beta, or mark them in the fic with a comment or some highlighting. It can be helpful to send your beta reader some focus questions to keep in mind, such as:
- Were the characters’ goals/motivations clear and understandable?
- Did the dialogue seem natural to you?
- Were there moments where your attention started to lag, or the fic began to drag?
- Was there ever a moment where you didn’t know who was doing what?
Pick your preferred method of editing (we suggest either the Suggestions mode of Google Docs or the Track Changes function in Word, OpenOffice or LibreOffice) and make sure to let your beta know if there’s a special system you like to use (for example, green for changes because it looks friendlier than red).

If your fic has a deadline, make sure to clearly communicate when you would like the fic back from your beta reader, and leave some time to go over changes.

After you’ve got replies back, send your fic off to be betad, keeping in mind all the below tips for working with a beta reader. If you’re unsure, send only the first chapter or part of a fic to be read, and then assess if you want to keep working together with this beta.

★ How Do I Choose a Beta Reader? ★

Once you get your fic chapter or fic back, check:

Do you get along with this beta? If you can’t talk to them without feeling uncomfortable or irritated, you don’t want them to be your ongoing beta, no matter how amazing their advice may be. There are plenty of others that will suit your needs better, and if you’re both having a good time it will come across.

Does their feedback ring true? If you disagree with almost everything a beta says, make sure that you’re trying to be unbiased, and then if you still feel that they aren’t helping, find someone else. Good beta readers will tell you how they think you need to improve, which may be hard to swallow, but after the frustration and anxiety fades, you should be left with motivation to develop your writing!

Do they explain why? If a beta reader is not pointing out a flaw and explaining why it is wrong, then they’re not useful to you in the long run. You will always need beta readers, but you also want to understand how to fix your mistakes for next time, or why a scene isn’t working so well. If a beta reader cannot give you piece of feedback in a way which you personally can understand (it’s fine to ask for clarification!), then they aren’t useful to you.

Are they keen on your work? Ideally, you want a long-term beta reader who is genuinely enthusiastic about the types of fic you write and your style. They’ll talk about it more, are more likely to keep to set schedules, will be dedicated to making the fic better, and may end up as a good friend of yours!

Most importantly, if you don't feel comfortable working with a beta reader, or feel like their style is incompatible to yours, then you are under no obligation to work with them again. Sometimes you might just not click with a beta, despite the fact that they’re doing a good job! They are helping you for free, so be polite and thank them for their efforts, but never feel guilty or ashamed if you don’t contact them to beta again. Of course, the same also applies for beta readers, who may not want to work with you again either—don’t nag or harass them if they have stated that they don’t want to beta read for you anymore.

★ On Working With a Beta Reader ★

Once you get the fic back:

Show gratitude. Even if you disagree with everything your beta reader said, never discount the effort that went into making those comments and changes. They have spent time trying to help you improve your fic for free; remember to acknowledge that. Thank them publicly when posting your fic (a great place for this is in the Ao3 notes at the top of a chapter) and use the username your beta prefers to be associated with (it's always a good idea to double check)! If they don't want to be recognised publicly, be sure to express your appreciation in private.

Don’t take offense. Give your beta the benefit of the doubt and assume they just want to help you; they’re not trying to be mean. Don't complain about your beta somewhere they could see it. Even if you disagree with what they’re saying, try the good old “That’s a good point. I’ll take it into consideration” and come back it after you’ve had some time to process. You do not need to accept all their changes!

Don’t argue. Opinions are never wrong. Keep in mind that sometimes reader feedback is not always straightforward. A beta might not like a scene in your climax because they never understood a concept you introduced much earlier in the fic. They might not feel the angst attached to your killer emotional scene because they never connected with the character you wanted them to be emotional about. Make sure to find the root of the beta reader’s dislike before you commit to changing things, and remember that you don’t have to.

Reach out. If you need clarification on a comment or change, then say so! If your beta reader asked a questions, answer it and think about why they asked. Beta reading can be a conversation rather than a done-and-dusted sort of thing, depending on if you want it that way or not! If you are making more substantial changes that you’d like a beta reader to go over after they’ve handed back your draft, make sure to mark them so they are easy to spot.

Respect the beta reader’s time. Don’t ask beta readers for impossible turnover rates. Don’t make changes to the document while they're still reading. Don’t pester them for updates if your pre-arranged deadline hasn’t passed yet. Don’t just assume that a beta reader will be willing to help you figure out how to fill plot holes and decide what to write in the missing scene they’ve identified. Brainstorming requires extra time and effort, and may not be something they feel comfortable doing; always ask if they’re willing to do anything extra than what was first discussed.

Offer to return the favour! If you are able to and feel comfortable doing so, offer to read something in return for the beta reading services someone provides you. Betaing is a very behind-the-scenes part of fandom, and just like any other part of fandom, manners and acknowledgment are important in building both good friendships and good writers.

★ So You Want to be a Beta Reader ★

You think you have what it takes to beta read? Awesome!

BEFORE YOU BETA ANYTHING:

The first thing you want to do is identify your strengths as a beta. These can be one or more of the below:

Spelling, punctuations and grammar (SPaG)
Sentence flow and syntax
Canon-compliance
Structure and plot-holes
Characterisation
Dialogue
Smut/explicit content
Specialised expertise (Ameri/US-picking, 1940s history guru, etc)

Once you’ve solidified that, think about your free time, and what sort of commitments you are able to make!

Are you available all year ‘round?
If you’re doing a thorough beta read, approximately how long does it take to get through 5K?
What is the longest fic you are willing to beta read?
Are you happy to beta fics that are Works in Progress (WiPs)?

Then think of your hard nos, and the genres and tropes that you especially like to read about. These are personal preferences, so remember to keep them as a straightforward list, as other people might enjoy creating what you may dislike and vice versa, and you don’t want to shame them in any way (YKINMBYKIOK applies).

SIGNING UP AS A BETA:

If you want to beta Stevetony fics, look no further than our Cap-IM Beta Reader List! Sign up here using the information you just considered.

If you are open to beta for a variety of fandoms, you can sign up to The Beta File here; this spreadsheet acts as a multifandom beta directory.

Have a look at challenges like Big Bangs; often there will also be beta sign-ups.

Advertise via your social media platforms that you are open to beta reading: post on Tumblr or Twitter, advertise that you're available as a beta in any fandom spaces you chat in, and add it to your Ao3 profile! Remember not to offer your beta reading services unsolicited though.

When you’ve been contacted to beta read for someone, it doesn’t matter if you know them or not: make sure to establish clear boundaries.

Communication is key. Be up front with:

The kind of fic you are happy to help with (length, genre, rating, warnings, canon/universe it’s set in)
The kind of beta reading you are confident in doing
What sort of turnaround time you expect to have

It may be useful to have a beta reading template email that lists these out, so that you don’t have to write everything out every time you get a request.

Most importantly, if you don't feel comfortable working with a writer, or feel like their style is incompatible to yours, then you are under no obligation to work with them again. Sometimes you might just not click with a writer, despite the fact that their fic is up your alley! Try to fulfil any commitments you have made (finish the fic or chapter you’ve been given to beta), but don’t feel guilty or ashamed if you tell a writer that you don’t want to beta for them again. You are giving up a lot of your free time; make sure that your beta reading experience is a positive one! Of course, bear in mind that the same also applies for writers, who may not want to work with you again. Please be respectful and understanding.

★ On Being a Beta Reader ★

First of all, no matter if you know the writer or not, whether their English is impeccable or full of mistakes, be KIND. Assume that a writer has only left mistakes in their draft because they haven’t seen them, not out of disrespect or to make you do more work.

Now with that in mind:

Respect the writer’s guidelines. After discussing what the writer expects, stick to those expectations. If a writer says that they don’t want a SPaG edit yet, don’t ignore that and start fixing spelling errors! Similarly for the way you beta: if a writer has asked for comments and no direct edits, abide by that request. Unasked-for criticism will not only be wasting your time, but also killing the writer’s confidence in their story. Remember that unless you are explicitly told to do a straight edit, never ever make a change without noting it somehow, either with a comment or by using the Track Changes on Word/LibreOffice or the Suggestion mode on Google Docs.

Don’t override your writer. You are beta-reader, not a co-author. If you have a personal dislike for the way a character is portrayed, the endgame pairing or the genre of the fic, then potentially you aren’t the right person to be betaing this fic! There’s a difference between pet peeves based on technical mistakes and those specific to you. Keep the latter to yourself. Remember that sometimes “proper English” doesn’t lend itself to speech or a specific writing style; take these considerations into account. Do not re-write whole swathes of text unless your writer has specifically given you permission to do so; if you do, make sure the writer can see exactly what you’ve done. Do your best to figure out what the writer’s vision for the fic is and shape your advice to help them actualise it more successfully.

Be honest. Be sincere in both your criticism and your praise. You won’t be useful if you’re doling out false feedback, and writers will be able to tell, but remember that being honest doesn’t mean degrading someone’s writing! Be constructive in your criticism, even if the author asks for the most detailed, scathing editing job you’ve ever done. Take the time to tell the writer what you thought could be better in a way that gives them something to work on in the future and doesn’t just bring them down. This isn’t an anonymous copyedit service, this is fandom, and fandom is about connecting and enjoying something together.

Be specific. Generalities aren’t helpful, and don’t properly address what the writer did well or how they can improve. In comparison “This sentence is so heartrending!” or “This scene is like being wrapped up in a fluffy blanket!” or “These lines of dialogue sound awkward” noted next to something specific can hold a lot more weight, and help a writer pinpoint exactly where their strengths and weaknesses lie.

Explain why. If you make a change that’s not simple grammar, note why you’ve made it, and if it’s a more subjective thing (for example, sentence structure that might have been used for effect but didn’t achieve its intended result in your opinion) make sure you clarify that this is not a hard rule. Even if you start out with only a gut feeling about a sequence, do your best to figure out why you liked or disliked something. Give your writer something concrete on which to build their revisions. If you find you’re making the same correction multiple times, it’s a good idea to explain the grammar rule or point your writer to where they can learn more about correcting this mistake. Not all fanfic writers are native English speakers, and even those who are don’t know every rule in the book (just like betas don’t either).

Be curious. Sometimes your comments will come in the form of questions: ask them! A theme might develop in the questions, and this will help you—and the writer—to identify a problem with the fic. Don’t feel like you have to confine yourself to SPaG unless you’ve specifically been asked to only do a line-edit. Think about the feel you get from a fic, and where it might be going.
- What would it take to really get those emotional punches?
- Does the characterisation fit with what they’ve already written?
- Is there internal continuity?
- Are you confused? Tell the writer!
If you have an idea of something that could be tweaked or added, suggest it in a comment along with why you think the change is appropriate. Even if the writer doesn’t run with it, your thoughts might inspire them or be a jumping-point.

Be positive. Avoid negative absolutes. A writer needs to know what they do well, in addition to areas they can improve. It’s tough getting back a fic full of criticism, so whenever you can, be lavish in your comments on a fic’s good points. Beta reading is a great opportunity to express the sorts of reactions that are difficult to distil in AO3 comments; if you react to a sentence or word or scene, note it in for your writer to see (emojis and excited gibberish are also valid feedback!). Even if you get the rawest rough draft you’ve ever seen, find something good to say. Writers want their stories to be read and enjoyed, and the more positive feedback you can give them now, the more motivation they’re likely to have to really polish that draft up and make it shine.

Keep to your deadlines Yes, you’ve offered to beta someone’s work for free, and yes Real Life does get in the way sometimes. But you’ve made a commitment and you have someone depending on you, so try your utmost to follow the timeline you’ve agreed to. If you’re going to be unable to meet the deadline, always take a moment to let the writer know about the delay.

Respect the writer’s autonomy. No matter how much effort and time you spend beta reading a fic, there is no guarantee the writer will make the changes you’ve recommended after you hand back the fic. It’s not your responsibility to talk the writer into using all your suggestions. You are welcome to grind your teeth in private, but resist the urge to comment on rejected changes or send your writer an email complaining that they haven’t listened to you. At the end of the day, it is up to the writer to decide what to change.

Thanks for reading! We welcome anonymous comments with more tips and things to keep in mind from both sides! Let us know what, in your personal experience, works best and what to avoid doing … please don’t use any names or identifying information if you’re giving examples!

Beta Reader Resource Post