Beta Readers: offering to be one, finding one

[kate_nepveu]

Here is an unofficial form to offer to be a beta, for spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPAG) only; non-English languages; areas of expertise; and/or specific fandoms. Include a machine-readable email address and you'll get a copy of your answers and the link to edit your responses in a handy reference email.

Here is the spreadsheet where responses are collected and, when time permits, manually indexed.

(If anyone would like to help with the indexing, let me know; it's just some copy-pasting!)

If you need a beta for a fandom or a topic that isn't on the spreadsheet yet, you can (1) try the IRC chat (less populated lately, I'm told) or the Discord server; (2) post here ANONYMOUSLY to say "I could really use a beta about X!" and see if anyone adds something to the spreadsheet or comments here to give your their contact information.

Edit: if you also want to post some/all of the information you submit to the spreadsheet, here in the comments, feel free! Or just post here in the comments, up to you, but I will not be transferring that information over to the sortable spreadsheet.

Let me know if you have any questions!

(I no longer post to LJ, if someone wants to post a link there, feel free.)

Comments

[donutsweeper]

Just an observation, but the IRC chat was pretty empty last year and has been even emptier this year (frequently having less than a dozen people logged in). It might not be the best place for a beta search any longer.

[kate_nepveu]

Thanks; I don't do either, so I didn't know! I'll edit the post accordingly when I'm not getting on the road.

[morbane]

Would you mind if we-posted our form submissions as comments as well? I've seen more people over the year talk about disliking google spreadsheets - while I think yours is fine for the purpose, if I could reach more people with a comment, I'd like that. (But open to suggestion because the comments are obviously good to keep 'clear' for people's requests later on...)

[kate_nepveu]

Sure! Updated post accordingly, with caveat that comment-only information will not be pulled over into the spreadsheet.

[morbane]

Thanks very much!

My offers

[morbane]

[This information has also been submitted to the spreadsheet]

Contact me at gmail, same name.

Happy to beta for spelling, grammar, plotting, pacing, and tone in fandoms I don't know as well as those listed below.

No squicks or triggers.

Advance warning appreciated but still may be available at the last minute.

Fandoms I know reasonably well:

Interstella 5555
Shoujo Kakumei Utena | Revolutionary Girl Utena
Simoun (Anime)
Tiger & Bunny
Black Jewels - Anne Bishop
Blue Castle - L. M. Montgomery
The Changeover - Margaret Mahy
Crown Duel - Sherwood Smith
Damar Series - Robin McKinley
Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Darkangel Trilogy - Meredith Ann Pierce
Derkholm Series - Diana Wynne Jones
Dragon Prince Trilogy - Melanie Rawn
Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine
Emelan - Tamora Pierce
Exiles - Melanie Rawn
Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
Farmer Giles of Ham - J.R.R. Tolkien
Fire and Hemlock - Diana Wynne Jones
The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison
Hexwood - Diana Wynne Jones
Honor Harrington Series - David Weber
Hornblower - C. S. Forester
Immortals Quartet - Tamora Pierce
Kushiel's Legacy - Jacqueline Carey
The Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle
Magids Series - Diana Wynne Jones
Malory Towers - Enid Blyton
Monstrous Regiment - Terry Pratchett
The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells
A Night in the Lonesome October - Roger Zelazny
Norse Religion & Lore
Obernewtyn Chronicles - Isobelle Carmody
Oz - L. Frank Baum
Psmith - P. G. Wodehouse
The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baroness Orczy
Seven Kingdoms Trilogy - Kristin Cashore
Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde
Smith of Wootton Major - J. R. R. Tolkien
Spindle's End - Robin McKinley
Spinning Silver - Naomi Novik
Sunshine - Robin McKinley
Uprooted - Naomi Novik
Watership Down - Richard Adams
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Attack the Block (2011)
Dark City (1998)
Drive Angry (2011)
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Goon (2011)
Jupiter Ascending (2015)
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)
Maleficent (2014)
Pleasantville (1998)
Princess Bride (1987)
Push (2009)
Sky High (2005)
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Sucker Punch (2011)
Tomorrowland (2015)
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Zombieland (2009)
Chess - Rice/Ulvaeus/Andersson
Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty: A Gothic Romance
The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.
Better Off Ted
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (TV)
Hornblower (TV)
Legion (TV)
Wellington Paranormal (TV)
Wonderfalls
Star Stealing Prince

Thanks!

[glassesofjustice]

Happy to help with indexing, let me know if you need more hands.

Re: Thanks!

[kate_nepveu]

That'd be great! PM or email me ( knepveu@steelypips.org ) with a GMail address, so I can give you access and send you instructions? Thanks so much!

[silmaril]

I don't do Yuletide and it's been *mumble* years since I read any fanfic let alone wrote any, but I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring for proofing this year anyway.

The Magicians fandom beta request please

[(Anonymous)]

Hi there - I'm going to need a beta reader for The Magicians fandom - needs to be someone who's seen all 3 seasons please. It won't need much in terms of SPAG, hopefully, more to make sure it's not nonsense in terms of canon. Should be 2000 - 4000 max. I'd aim to have the draft ready 1-2 weeks before deadline, or whatever works for you. TIA!

Re: The Magicians fandom beta request please

[(Anonymous)]

Same anon - I have a beta now, thanks.:)

I could really use a beta for the Dead Poets Society fandom

[(Anonymous)]

As per the subject line, I could really use a Dead Poets Society beta. For the love of Walt Whitman <3

Re: I could really use a beta for the Dead Poets Society fandom

[karios]

Hi! I'm Karios here and on AO3 and if you're still needing a DPS beta you can email me.

Edited to add: we connected and I'm on it!

[(Anonymous)]

I'm looking for a beta for Tam Lin (the ballad, not the book) - is anyone interested?

[isis]

FYI there is one offer on the spreadsheet, aedifica at gmail dot com. That person will not beta stories with archive warnings Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con so they may not work for you, though.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm having trouble navigating the spreadsheet - I can see the offers for all fandoms/SPAG, but not individual fandoms?

[kate_nepveu]

Are the tabs at the bottom not appearing for you?

[isis]

Check the tabs. One tab is for fandoms.

[(Anonymous)]

Found it! Thanks.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

[(Anonymous)]

Anyone who's read Seraphina (and hopefully Shadow Scale too) by Rachel Hartman willing to beta? I'm looking for thoughts on characterization and whether the world feels right in addition to just general technical editing.

Re: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

[isis]

Drop me an email (isiscolo@gmail.com) and include the story length, rating, and any pairings, as well as your recip's AO3 name - I'm a regular hippo, and I'll put this in the want-ads on the Yuletide Discord server. If anyone bites I will connect you.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi! I need a beta for BBC's Class (the Doctor Who spinoff). I couldn't find one in the spreadsheet, is anyone here willing? It's not a long story.

[morbane]

Hello! I don't know the fandom, but if you PM or email (morbane@gmail.com) me with the details of the fic, I'll advertise your need for a beta through the hippo system in Discord.

Useful details: story length, rating, warnings, and recip's ao3 name.

Thanks!

[(Anonymous)]

Hi! Thank you, but the problem has been solved!

[daken]

Hey, I can beta it for you! E-mail me at vulcanesque@gmail. My ao3 is ~spock.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi! Thank you, but I found a couple of betas through other means!

[bethynyc]

ok I have not done this before, but if I need a beta and go the the spreadsheet, can I just email one of the people on the spreadsheet? The person I am considering lists the fandom I am writing in, though I am primarily looking for SPAG and "Does it make sense?"

Is there a specific subject line to use?

Argh.

[kate_nepveu]

Yes, just email! And something like "Yuletide beta?" or "(fandom) beta?" would be totally fine!

[bethynyc]

oh thank goodness. Discord was not actually logging me in properly.

Thank you O Modly One!

[kate_nepveu]

Not a mod, but glad to help!

I could really use a beta about Friends at the Table

[(Anonymous)]

Last minute, I know, but I'm in need of a Friends at the Table beta! I don't know Discord at all, so I'm hoping I can find one by posting here!

Re: I could really use a beta about Friends at the Table

[shadaras]

I can beta for you, if I'm not your recipient! I'm Shadaras over on ao3; dunno what the best contact info is to give you (if you use dreamwidth, feel free to contact me here) -- I'm @breathingdreams on twitter?

Re: I could really use a beta about Friends at the Table

[(Anonymous)]

THANK YOU! Sent you a message on Tumblr.