L. J. Stevens

Beta Reader

Welcome!

Hi, I'm L. J.! I'm a freelance beta reader, and I'd love to assist you in revising and editing your work by providing thorough and detailed feedback. Learn more about me.

What's beta reading?

A beta reader is a person who reads through a writing piece before it's published and provides suggestions to the author. It's useful to hire a beta reader if you want feedback on plot, characterization, and pacing and/or want to make sure your work has the intended impact on its audience. Some people make a distinction between alpha readers, who review a draft that's unfinished or unrevised, and beta readers, who review after the author has already done some editing. I do both alpha and beta reading.

Why should I hire a beta reader instead of getting feedback from friends and family?

Friends and family can often give insightful feedback, but they may also be reluctant to provide criticism to someone they're close to — which means you might miss some useful suggestions if you only rely on them! Additionally, a beta reader with experience in writing or editing may be able to give you more specific direction than a friend or family member who isn't as familiar with the writing process.

How much does beta reading cost?

It usually depends on the length of your manuscript/draft and the experience of your beta reader. These are my current rates.

Have a draft you'd like to submit for beta reading? Submit a request here.