What is A Beta Reader?

      A beta reader is someone who reads a book that is on the road to being published, but is not fully polished, and gives the author feedback (both good and bad) about said book, or sections of the book they were given. Most authors will outline what they are looking for from you when they put out a “Call” for Betas. Mine is below.

    As a rule I try to have at least one person who has NEVER read ANY of my books BETA read for me, so if you've not read my books, don't worry! You should be able to keep up... At least for the Created Angel Chronicles. However, The Born Angel Novels: The Kalista Chronicles are much more involved and you need to read them all first (There are currently 6). 

    If you're looking to just read and review, Click the link below!

Arc Reader Info

What do I look for in a Beta Reader?

• Those who can commit to reading the full book.

  ~ You may think this, "no, duh, Of course you want us to read the FULL book," but you'd be surprised at how many people don't get that going into it... Especially the ones who are just out to make a buck of Indie Authors like myself. ~
  
  1. I will give the time frame, Content Warnings, Possible Triggers, and so on before you start ANY book.
  2. ⚠️WARNING: my books are addictive (so I've been told). If you Beta read one book, there is a likelihood that you will want to Beta Read others and I HIGHLY encourage it, but I also understand if you can't/don't want to do that. It is best if you have a Root App (Like Discord without the AI) account as I have a Beta Reader Club Community there where you get all the info, newsletters, chunks, art, and quotes long before books release.

• People who check their messages:

  1. Again, this may seem like a "No, duh" statement, but again, you'd be surprised how many Betas forget to check their emails, DM's or the Root Beta Club Community for weeks during the process. 
  2. I do have a Root App Beta Club Community, but I also offer Beta Reading over Email. The Root Community is not a "must" but it is nice to have everyone in one place for discussions about the books and just general interaction as I like to check in on my beta readers and get to know you better. I do NOT @all unless it's for new releases to be Beta Read/ARC read or other pertinent information. 
     ⚠️WARNING: We are a tight knit group, so be prepared for lots of interesting topics, real life moments, some mild teasing between those who have been around the longest, and dark humor memes...
  3. I have Generalized and Social anxiety: During the beta reading process this gets worse. I have found that communication is the key to keeping my anxiety under control. So, I need people that can commit to being in communication at least once a week. This is so I know you haven't "dropped off the edge of the world" or had a major life event that causes you to be unable to read or function like normal.

• People who can give feedback (outlined in the next portion):

  1. At the end of each section, I need to know that you have completed it, and give feedback via a 5 question survey on the section before you get another section.
  2. If you're on the Root Beta Club Community, I give sections on Friday of each week during the set timeline, if I get more than half the "surveys" back, but like for feedback to be given in the appropriate Channel. (more in the section below).
  3. If you leave me on read, or I do not hear from you in two weeks, I will assume that something has come up in your life, or you hate the book and have ghosted me. 
  4. That being said, PLEASE, keep me informed if you are not going to finish. I understand things come up, Life happens, and I promise not to yell or be mad at you for not being able to hold up your end of the bargain {aka book to read for comments about book}

• What Feedback am I looking for?

  • General Feedback:

    1. Did you like it?
       - This can be a simple yes or no, but the more details the better.
    2. Was there any part that stuck out to you as odd, rough, or wrong?
       - Again, this could be as simple as “It seemed well worded, I enjoyed it, and found no errors.” Or you can go into great detail on how the character arc is off, how you don’t like the drinking, swearing, lifestyle choices of characters, and what not... that won't change, but I appreciate the feedback.
       - Newsflash: sometimes I don’t like it either, but they are their own individual, and if every character were like me in values, lifestyle, and beliefs, it a) wouldn’t be realistic and b) would get old very fast.
    3. Was their something that you absolutely loved... or hated?
       For Example:
       
       • Did a quote make you laugh, cry, scream, or have to stop and ponder life?
       • Did a scene hit you emote (portray emotion in a theatrical manner)?
       • Did I hit you in the feels with a ten-fifty pound mallet of emotion?
       • Was there something that made you want to throw the book across the room?
       • All of that encourages me to keep going and helps me know what “worked”, or didn't.
       • Please, don't 'spare my feelings.' If there is something that feels odd for the established character, or simply rubs you wrong, please, tell me. Odds are, you aren’t the only one thinking it, but everyone else is too afraid to say so.
       • Do not be afraid to voice your opinions. I am hard to offend, and take criticism well (so I've been told😥).

  • Corrections:

    For any and all corrections, I need you to have a direct quote from the book or screenshot it. Do not just type in a single word or small quote as this can make it harder to find; Copy and paste is better, as you may misremember it. Even page numbers can be different depending on the reader/copy of the book, so chapter and quote is best!

    1. Did you see any typos?
    2. Were there any misused, misspelled, or omitted words, etc.
       Note: This is usually caught by editors, but even traditionally published books have errors that come through. Even editors can get caught up in reading and not catch things, if they’re not using software that flags things. It’s not a big deal if you don’t find any and someone else does, this is why I have 10-20 betas, at least 3 editors, and more eyes on the project before publication.
       
       

  • End Notes:

         After you’ve read the entire book, I like a bit more general feedback, see if anything has changed now that you've completed it.
    For example:
    1. Were all your questions answered?
    2. Did you find any plot holes?
    3. Did something not get resolved?
       ⚠️Beware: most are a part of long series, so what you’re looking for may not be resolved until the next book.
       
       

• Reviews: Optional

      After the book release, it would be ever so helpful for the book, and for me as an Author, if you would leave a good/decent/honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Hoopla, or anywhere else the book is sold, OR on your social media (see below). One or the other is okay, a few would be amazing, or all would be a godsend.
  
  
• This step is not required for Beta Readers, but is for ARC Copies.
• It will help me and my books succeed.
  
  • How so?
  • In terms of social media:
    - Reads are like views: If a book gets 20 reads on kindle (if you're on KU), that’s great.
    - Star Ratings are like favorites/likes.
    - Written Reviews are like a comments. It lets sites know that the book is worthy of being pushed to other people.
    
    

• Sharing about it on socials/word of mouth:

      I usually don’t state this, because I haven’t worked it all the way out yet, but if you talk about it with someone you know or an acquaintance that might love it. This will help immensely as I’m a "underrated" author, even after nearly 5 years and 13 books, and still growing my fanbase.
  • Where & How can you share it?
    1. Share my social posts to your pages, stories, or just press “Share” and “Copying link” this will let the algorithm know that people like it and are sending it to other people.
       📝 Tip: if you do share it, and you write a little snippet like “quoting” a bsky instead of just reposting it, or writing a little note, or (even one line) excerpt from the book or a favorite quote from it will help it reach more people.
    2. Make your own social media post about the book/books:
       1. Talk about the book itself.
       2. Maybe talk about the beta experience.
       3. Say why you liked/loved/enjoyed it.
       4. This is like a review but on your socials where your followers, and the rest of the world might see it instead of  just on sites you can get the book.
          📝Tip: don’t include a link in the main body or text of your post. This can drag your views down and cause it to not be scene (on places like IG, TT, X, and anything other than BSKY). If you put it into the comments that helps and is easier for others to copy and paste.
    3. Word of mouth:
       1. Talk to someone about it in person.
       2. Mention it in passing conversation. Redirect them here to the website.
       3. It could be an icebreaker at places like doctors offices, luncheons with family, friends, or awkward business parties.

For the upcoming book!

An Angel Enraged!

book 7 of the Kalista Chronicles

This book is 120k words, and will come in 4 sections of 6 chapters each!

June 12 - July 17

~ The beta reading will run from June 12 to July 17 ~

If you sign up via email, you will get one chunk then be expected to submit a brief survey when you have finished before you will be sent the next chunk. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Beta reading is done in Chunks of chapters both for my peace of mind and for ease of reading. PDF is the chosen format.