Beta Central - The Old Reviews Lounge Forum

http://www.fanfiction.net/forum/The_Fic_Orphanage/35244/

Topic: Beta Central

We all know that betas make our fics that much more polished.

So, here's some helpful links, and if they don't take your fancy, feel free to ask for a beta or volunteer your services here.

http://www.fanfiction.net/forum/Beta_Exchange/40789/

To request a beta

User Name:

Fic Name:

Estimated Length:

Characters/Ships

Genre:

Your main issues (e.g. spelling, grammar or canon):

To Volunteer

User Name:

Length (min):

Length (max):

Estimated time to edit one chapter:

Anything you won't better? (e.g. A Hermione/Draco ship or a Founders Era):

#1 Feb 10th 2008, 11:13pm

Hi, yall! I'm in need of a beta.

User Name: Bellatrix wannabe 89

Fic Name: The Heir

Estimated Length: Not quite sure at the moment, but I'm on chapter 14, and I'm guesstamating it's gonna have around twenty, twenty five chapters

Characters/Ships: Main Character is Bellatrix Lestrange (the main character in most of my current and future works) Voldemort, Rodolphus, and Hermione. Shippings are Bellamort, Bellatrix/Rodolphus, Hermione/Ron (it doesn't interfere with the story that much) and one sided and very, very little Neville/Hermione

Genre: Drama

Your main issues: I am a grammar nazi's worst nightmare! So grammar is a big issue for me. Spelling needs work as well, but not that bad. Also I always love when my beta add in there own comments about how I could improve or what thye think about my work.

Thanks much anyone who volunteers!

#2 Feb 11th 2008, 1:28am

bonniedoll

Okay... I'll give it a try. :) (What should I call you, 'cos we've already got a Bella on here? ^^) *checks profile* Sheesh, that's long... Oh well, I have loads of spare time on my hands at the moment! Might I add that your grammar can't be all *that* bad, 'cos you've cetrainly got a fairly respectable nuber of reviews going on. =)

#3 Feb 11th 2008, 2:14am

Sandshrew777

Volunteering my services! I'm best at copy-editing, characterization honesty, and narration editing, so if any of those are your weakness, consider me your man! ;)

User Name: Sandshrew777

Length (min): Any

Length (max): Any

Estimated time to edit one chapter: Depends on length. Should be complete in under two days, tops. It would be best if we used e-mail and not the PM service, because it doesn't take the formatting.

Anything you won't better? (e.g. A Hermione/Draco ship or a Founders Era: I'm not a fan of slash, and I despise femmeslash, but I will read, review, or beta anything with as much professionalism as I can muster. :) Rest assured that my prejudices towards certain pairings will not get in my way as a beta.

If you need me, PM me or leave a reply here. :) Thanks.

#4 Feb 11th 2008, 3:50pm . Edited Feb 11th 2008, 3:51pm

something-like-love

*wanders in* 'Ello all :) I'm requesting someone who can beta each chapter of my 100 Quills challenge, Just A Girl, before I add it to the current fic. I only write about one per week, though, in case that makes the 100 look less terrifying! ;)

User Name: something like love

Fic Name: Just A Girl

Estimated Length: 100 chapters :O

Characters/Ships: Ariana, Ari/Gellert, Albus/Gellert

Genre: a bit of everything, I should think!

Your main issues: I frequently type were for where, is for if, and other such mistakes that spell check can't catch :P And my sentences can sometimes get a bit lengthy and odd, so someone who could point them out would be loved, as well as anyone who can help out with keeping the language in check for the late 1800's, as I often forget what time period I'm writing in! :)

#5 Feb 11th 2008, 4:06pm

Deleted Post

#6 Feb 11th 2008, 4:08pm . Edited Feb 11th 2008, 4:10pm

Thank you, BonniDolle (and you can call me wannabe if you want :) )

But I'm halfway through chapter fifteen, it should be done by the end of this week. How do you want me to send it to you? (IE E-mail, PM, some other kind of method)?

#7 Feb 11th 2008, 4:12pm

The Awkward Turtle

Desperately in need of a beta! Just for this one chapter!

User Name: The Awkward Turtle

Fic Name: Oh, It's You Again

Estimated Length: Current story--~8500; New chapter--~5400 (Yeah I know...Yikes!)

Characters/Ships: Draco/OC

Genre: Romance/Action/Adventure

Your main issues (e.g. spelling, grammar or canon): Mainly, I want to know if the events are believable. It's set in 7th year. I was also WAY too tired to check my grammar, etc. so if anyone is available like, right now, that'd be great!

I'll also volunteer my services! :D

User Name: The Awkward Turtle

Length (min): doesn't matter

Length (max): doesn't matter

Estimated time to edit one chapter: 1-2 days.

Anything you won't better? (e.g. A Hermione/Draco ship or a Founders Era): Dramione, slash, or femslash. Other than that, I'll be happy to beta anything else! I swear (Girlscout's honor!) that I'll be completely professional and that my fanfiction preferences will in no way make me biased towards your story. :)

#8 Feb 11th 2008, 8:13pm

User Name: Cuba

Length (min): oneshots

Length (max): as long as you like, but spread the chapters out so I'm not overwhelmed

Estimated time to edit one chapter: depends on homework

Anything you won't better? If it's canon, I'll do it. =D

#9 Feb 11th 2008, 9:44pm

Sirius Horse Lover

User Name: Sirius Horse Lover

Fic Name: Who's the Bully Now? (Ghastly title; I know)

Estimated Length: It's 17390 words so far (eight chapters), but I'm thinking it's going to be sort of long ish. I wouldn't expect whoever volunteers to finish straight away, I know I've already written a lot.

Characters/Ships: James/Lily mainly

Genre: it's under Romance/Adventure, but it's really kind of my version of what may have happened Lily and James' seventh year and in the first war.

Your main issues (e.g. spelling, grammar or canon): I'm worried about sticking to canon. My spelling and grammar tend to really bother me as well. I feel like I overuse words and often overlook mistakes that I've made.

I'd also like to volunteer. I'm better at helping others than myself.

User Name: Sirius Horse Lover

Length (min): no minimum

Length (max): none, as long as it isn't overwhelming

Estimated time to edit one chapter: probably a day or two at most

Anything you won't better? (e.g. A Hermione/Draco ship or a Founders Era): I'm not a fan of slash or femmeslash, but I would really beta anything without letting my personal preferences show through.

I suppose that's it?

#10 Feb 13th 2008, 2:12pm

starcrossedvoyager

can anyone tell me what a beta actually is? its a cloudy matter to me... :(((

Happy Valentines Day

#11 Feb 13th 2008, 5:19pm

A beta is someone who helps edit your story, spell checks it, grammar checks it, gives you insight on what's good and whats bad in your story. They help you soooo much.

#12 Feb 13th 2008, 9:04pm

Stenstyren

I guess i could Beta some stories, got quite alot of spare time and want to try this out.

Also want to do something to the speed at wich authors update:) I think i have subscribed to ~100 stories but only get like 1 mail a week from FFnet xD

User Name:ricsty1 (Sucks i know, was a while since i created this acc)

Length (min): Just not one-shoots

Length (max): No limit

Estimated time to edit one chapter: 1-3 days (Depends, if i have practise/a test it will take 2-3 days, if im free 1 day.) When i wrote my own story (Not published here) i managed around 20-30k words a week, so Betaing the doubble amount shouldn´t be a problem.

Anything you won't betta? Ok, im not homofobic or anything, but Harry/Draco just gives me the creeps. Most Draco pairings gives me the creeps acctualy:) Otherwise i can do anything, love time-travel fics. And please, if you pland to do a "Marauders read Deathly Hallows" talk to me, if im not to Beta is i atleast want to read it.

#13 Feb 14th 2008, 3:13am . Edited Feb 14th 2008, 3:24am

'lo then. :) I came by to volunteer myself :D

User name: -Defier of Reason- (Juju for short)

Length (min): doesn't matter

Length (max): I don't care as long as it's not overwhelming.

Estimated time to edit one chapter: Depends on the length and my work-load, bu probably not over 3 days. Can take half-an hour if I feel like being lazy about my school work XD

Anything you won't beta: I'd prefer not slash, just because I can give less pointers there plot-wise. But I'm ok with pretty much everything. Except gross teacher-student pairings or something of the sort.

Note: I'm really a perfectionist when it comes to writing, so I'll fix everything from using a word too much to grammar to tense confusion. Everything actually. So if you don't like people adding commas to your work, look for someone else XD

Contact: preferably via email (on my profile) or leave a reply here, since PM's often get lost in my inbox.

I'd be glad to help :)

#14 Feb 14th 2008, 8:47am . Edited Feb 14th 2008, 8:52am

Blissfully Delirious

Oops! Wrong thread, duh!

#15 Feb 14th 2008, 4:44pm . Edited Feb 14th 2008, 7:08pm

something-like-love

Defier of Reason, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to beta my multi-chapter fic? :) You can scroll up a bit and see my request post. You sound like exactly what I need, lol ^.^ Think about it?

#16 Feb 14th 2008, 7:19pm

Wow, 100 chapter. Lol. But I guess as long as you send them in only once a week I should be able to cope :) Know what? I'd love to. :) contact me via email!

#17 Feb 15th 2008, 2:11am

bonniedoll

Hey Cuba, do you think it would be a good idea for people to also specify which rating they're willing to beta up to?

#18 Feb 15th 2008, 12:36pm

ToManyLetters

I think that would probably be part of the "anything you won't beta?" question.

#19 Feb 15th 2008, 12:45pm

hm. I think so too.

#20 Feb 15th 2008, 12:55pm

hondagirl

In Need of a Beta!!!!

User Name: hondagirl

Fic Name: My Boys

Estimated Length: 12 chapters, writing chapter 10 as we speak

Characters/Ships: Rose/Scorpius, A Next Generation Fic

Your Main Issues: I need someone to look over it and check for grammer and sentence structure. I really would appreciate people who are nitpicky and aren't afraid to tell me what they think. LOL I didn't mind when I first put it up but now that its gotten reviews I feel kinda embarrassed about it's unbetaness. Chapters 1-9 are already up so you can look and tell me what you think. Its mainly a humor fic if anyone likes those. Thanks in advance for anyone who volunteers!!

#21 Feb 15th 2008, 9:03pm . Edited Feb 15th 2008, 9:10pm

Honda, I might just look it over, since I'm definately what you call nitpicky :D

I'll let you know.

#22 Feb 16th 2008, 4:21am

lol. why does this look precisely familiar?

ohwell. must be my imagination. xD

User Name: Avindara Nirvene

Length (min): doesn't matter, as long as you don't give me too much in one go xD

Length (max): see above

Estimated time to edit one chapter: a couple of days

Anything you won't better? (e.g. A Hermione/Draco ship or a Founders Era): rated M fics, and I think that's it? XD

Contact Me; by PM/email

#23 Feb 17th 2008, 2:36am

That would be because I copied it from the Fic Orphanage, Anie. ;)

#24 Feb 17th 2008, 2:56am

oh ok ;P lol.

#25 Feb 17th 2008, 3:38am

Morning. xx

User Name: Morning

Length (min): More then three sentences

Length (max): No limit!

Estimated time to edit one chapter: Depends on how much time I have...

Anything you won't better? (e.g. A Hermione/Draco ship or a Founders Era): I'm pretty open to anything. Go ahead!

#26 Feb 18th 2008, 2:05pm

dancingcarrot21

PI Serial Number: 5604525653

Actual PI Beta Profile: http://www.perfectimagination.co.uk/BetaReader/profile_Dancingcarrot21.html?fandom=HarryPotter

User Name: dancingcarrot21

Length (min): No limit.

Length (max): No limit.

Estimated time to edit one chapter: It depends how busy I am. It usually takes about a week (maximum).

Strengths: I can help you with characterization, grammar, plot, dialogue, avoiding Mary-Sues, canon, point of view, preventing clichés, and preventing melodrama.

Weaknesses: Briticisms. Sorry, I'm American.

Anything you won't beta? (e.g. A Hermione/Draco ship or a Founders Era): I usually don't beta ships I don't like (see profile), but I might make an exception if it's written well. I will not beta any fic that's pro-incest, pro-pedophilia, pro-human/animal sexual relations, pro-necrophilia, pro-rape glorification, or has massive amounts of OOCness (purposefully). I also don't beta Crack!Fics or stories that bash my favorite characters.

Availability: Sorry, guys, but I'm currently unavailable. :(

#27 Feb 18th 2008, 6:58pm . Edited Apr 10th 2008, 11:14pm

User name: Pinky Green

Length (min): No limit

Length (max): No limit

Estmitaed time to edit one chapter: Depends really, how stressed and busy I'll be. One week max.

Strengths: See below in my beta profile.

Weaknesses: Ditto

Anything you won't beta?: Ditto.

Well, I'm have experienced being a beta for someone, and I didn't really get to beta that much, since she was hurried to update that chapter; seeing as someone was asking her when she'd update. But I'd be quite happy to beta for someone, I have got quite some spare time, and I sometimes practise my musical instruments at school, so that I can have more spare time at home.

If anyone needs a beta, I do have some expectations:

a) Try to change their grammar themselves

b) PM me in advance, telling me what their story (e.g. plots, genres, pairings, ratings so that I may be able to get into the character of so-and-so)is about and how many words they are including in the fanfiction. You can always e-mail your fanfiction to marie-apple-cherries@hotmail.co.uk

c) To have checked the grammar themselves.

After you've finished the fanfiction and sent it to me, if you want to re-write the fanfiction, do tell me in advance so that I'm prepared to read the revised or complete different version. I may tell you which I think will make a better fanfiction to publish, but you are the writer, so it's down to you.

My Betareading style isn't very planned, but I'll be confirming it now. Try to send the fanfiction to me on a Wednesday or Thursday so I can beta-read it on Friday and Saturday and email the revised version back to you on Sunday. Savvy?

I may be leaving a little review note just for the writer and I, so I can tell them my opinion their style of writing and their fanfiction as a whole.

I think it'd be really easy for me to beta-read challenge oneshots and oneshots, but long fanfictions and any length is probably fine for me too.

Yours,

Pinky_x

MY STRENGTHS:

Well, I do do quite a a lot of brainstorming, which helps me get plot bunnies. I also write quite long pieces of writings, and they do get quite some reviews.

Tips:

a) I always check my grammar. I'm a grammar freak. But sometimes there's the red squiggly line under a name or nickname, but I just let that pass.

b) I always, always look at my life and see what has happened in it, what books I've read, things that have happened on the news, and I adapt them so they fit into the context.

c) I haven't ever had a beta-reader myself, and I don't think I plan to have one either. -that's not a tip.

d) I always try getting original ideas.

e) I usually go with genres I can really write, normally Romance and Humour.

MY WEAKNESSES:

I sometimes get the time of the characters wrong, and I do get some tenses wrong sometimes. I also usually don't stick to canon, which is alright, but when I'm writing canon, I really really am a sucker at it.

PREFERRED:

No, not really. But Humour is a big part of my life, so it would be easier for me to see if it's a good humour fanfiction. Ditto with Romance. But any genre is good for me. I love all of them!

NOT MY CUP OF TEA:

I usually don't read slash - except Remus/Sirius, which is love- and femslash, and crack fanfictions. But otherwise, anything really is a cup of tea for me. Although I don't like pairings that include two characters from different eras, generations, times whatever you want to call it e.g. Sirius/Hermione. Also Professor/Student fanfictions are not my cup of tea either, e.g. Snape/Harry.

Anything else is absolutely fine for me!

PM or email me at marie-apple-cherries@hotmail.co.uk for more information. Also do the former and latter if you want me to beta for you.

Cheers!

Pinky_x

#28 Feb 26th 2008, 2:05pm

Hey, have you guys seen the new "Betareader" application FF.net has put up? seems cool! :)

#29 Feb 27th 2008, 4:45am

Yep, that's what I wrote for mine Defier. =D

#30 Feb 27th 2008, 4:51am

Anna Nigma

Hi, I'm looking for someone to beta my Lily/James fic.

User Name: Anna Nigma

Fic Name: A Separate Place

Estimated Length: Eight chapters exactly (I already have the whole thing planned all the way down to chapter contents)

Characters/Ships: The pairing is Lily/James but it also focuses on Remus, Sirius, and Peter.

Genre: Friendship/Romance

Main Issues: Some grammar, mainly in regards to commas vs. colons vs. semicolons with the occasional tense error thrown in, though I always try to find those myself. I always use spellcheck and I'm good as far as things like there/their/they're go but I'm new to writing fanfiction so having someone more experienced to poke me back into shape when I get off track would be great.

#31 Feb 27th 2008, 9:55pm . Edited Feb 29th 2008, 10:10am

mackgirl

Okay I am here to request a beta.

User Name: mackgirl

Fic Name: Friends to Marriage

Estimated Length: 75 chapters (It is a response for Kyota-chan's Love Boat challenge, each chapter is a different prompt)word count for the couple of chapters I have written are around 1000

Characters/Ships George/Katie

Genre: I think it will be a little bit of everything, as of right now I know what each chapter will be about, and have a couple writen

Your main issues (e.g. spelling, grammar or canon): I am horrible at spelling and grammar. I try to go through with Spell/Grammar check, reading it myself but I don't catch all the spelling/grammar mistakens. Basically when I was in highschool, I only passed English because one of my best friends was the top of our class in everything and that was six years ago.

If anyone is interested or wants to see the chapter outline to see if they would be interested you can respond on here, pm me or e-mail me and let me know. Thanks!

#32 Feb 27th 2008, 10:27pm

Xephia

I would really LOVE to have a BETA to work with!

User Name: Xephia

Fic Name: To Love a Loathed Enemy

Estimated Length: Un-sure. So far it's 8 chapters, and still has a way to go.

Characters/Ships: Draco/Malfoy

Your Main Issues: I don't think my spelling is all that bad, but i'd love a little help with my grammar. I often put commas in the wrong place, or use the ';' symbol wrongly.

I'd love it if someone could BETA my story. It's a post-war slash fiction. I'll include a summary:

The war is over, and Harry is struggling to decide what to do with his life. Would he be able to become an auror without full qualifications? And where was he going to live, he knew he couldn't live off the Weasleys forever. And of course, he could hardly forget the questionable letter from Narcissa. Are the Malfoys up to something?

Meanwhile, Draco has problems of his own regarding the future. With his father in jail and his mother falling into a deep depression, he has no one too look to for guidance. How can he live up to his parents expectations now that the Dark Lord had fallen?

And if his luck wasn't bad enough, he is soon forced to seek out Harrys friendship in order to save his father from the dementors kiss... but will Harry oblige?

#33 Feb 27th 2008, 11:08pm

Anna Nigma and mackgirl, I'd be glad to beta for you two, though I have no degree of any kind (if it doesn't matter to you xD)

#34 Feb 28th 2008, 1:57am

Same here. PM me if you're interested :)

#35 Feb 28th 2008, 4:18am

Demoiselle Kyota

I'll Beta for...uh, basically whoever, whatever, as long as it's not M rated/should be M rated or of "My Immortal" quality.

Speaking of which, I just read all 44 chapters. My eyes are severely damaged.

But all throughout it, I wondered "How can you cry sexily?"

...Can anyone teach me? Pleeease? :)

#36 Feb 28th 2008, 6:27pm

Xephia

Kyota-chan, would you be willing to beta 'A Death Note in Hogwarts' or 'To Love a Loathed Enemy'?

#37 Feb 28th 2008, 8:52pm

Xephia, I'd be glad to beta for you as well, but as I said :) I'm not the best editor in the world. (put mildly)

#38 Feb 29th 2008, 1:41am

You're a great writer tho

#39 Feb 29th 2008, 4:51am

Demoiselle Kyota

Sure, Xephia, I'll beta for both stories if you like. ;)

I don't know Death Note, but I could still so things like spelling and grammar check for you. I just wouldn't be able to help you with facts in that story.

#40 Feb 29th 2008, 12:56pm

Who else has done their beta profile?

#41 Mar 01st 2008, 6:10am

I'd like to, but I only have 3 fics so far and you need at least 5...

#42 Mar 01st 2008, 6:13am

Oh. =)

#43 Mar 01st 2008, 6:28am

Demoiselle Kyota

I'd like to, but I only have 3 fics so far and you need at least 5...

Actually, I think you can also do your beta profile if your stories add up to 6000 words. Or something around there...

I set mine up a few days ago, actually. :)

#44 Mar 01st 2008, 7:08am

really? hm. Well, my story are largely over 6000 words XD I'll try..

#45 Mar 01st 2008, 7:28am

bonniedoll

I've done mine, but I set it to 'Beta Hiatus', as I'm a bit busy at the moment... :)

#46 Mar 01st 2008, 9:30am . Edited Mar 01st 2008, 9:30am

I had two requests.

#47 Mar 01st 2008, 10:42am

Bad Mum

I haven't. I'm happy to beta for people I "know", but I don't really want to for people I deon't.

I mean, what would you do if you had to beta a story you absolutely hated? (And you can't necessarily avoid that just by saying "no slash" or whatever. Sometimes it's just a question of style.)

Having said that, I'm happy to beta for anyone here who'd like me to.

#48 Mar 01st 2008, 12:41pm

ToManyLetters

I'm already betaing two stories and had a third request come in. Luckily, it was Dramione and so, because it's not on my list of accepted pairings, I got to turn it down easily.

#49 Mar 01st 2008, 12:59pm