Beta Read

You bring the story. I bring the reader's eye and the editor's instincts. Let's see what we find.

A professional beta read that bridges the gap between casual reader feedback and full developmental editing. You get an invested reader's emotional response paired with an editor's trained eye—honest reactions grounded in craft awareness.

This service answers the questions authors actually need answered: Where did I lose you? Where did I hook you? What's working, what isn't, and why?

What This Is

  • Reader response with professional instincts. I read as a reader first—tracking my emotional engagement, confusion points, and investment—then analyze those responses with editorial training.

  • Actionable feedback, not prescriptive solutions. I tell you where something isn't landing and offer perspective on why. You decide what to do with that information.

  • A collaborative checkpoint. This is your story. I'm here to help you see it through fresh eyes before you move to the next stage.

What This Isn't

  • Developmental editing (I won't restructure your book)

  • Line editing or copyediting (no sentence-level corrections)

  • Proofreading

  • A guaranteed positive review

I specialize in speculative and romantic fantasy:

  • Gothic Fantasy

  • Paranormal Cozy Mystery

  • Magical Academy

  • Supernatural Suspense

  • Occult Detective Fiction

  • Paranormal Romance

  • Romantasy

  • Urban Fantasy

  • Dark Fantasy

  • Supernatural Thriller

Other genres are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Standard Beta Read

Includes:

  • Reader report

  • Annotated manuscript with in-line reactions, questions, and observations

  • Character arc and consistency tracking

  • Pacing and structure observations

  • Emotional engagement tracking (where I connected, where I drifted)

  • Worldbuilding and continuity notes

  • Summary of patterns and priorities (what to focus on first)

Delivery: 3–4 weeks from project start

Beta Read Plus

Everything in Standard, plus:

  • 45-minute video or phone call to discuss feedback

  • Opportunity to ask clarifying questions and talk through solutions

Delivery: 3–4 weeks from project start; call scheduled within 1 week of delivery

Pricing by Word Count

Word Count Standard Plus
Under 60,000 $200 $300
60,001–100,000 $300 $400
100,001–130,000 $375 $475

Over 130,000 words: custom quote

Serialized Beta Read

$100 per chunk (approximately 10 chapters or 25,000 words)

Ideal for authors who want feedback as they draft or revise in sections.

Includes:

  • Reader report per chunk

  • Annotated manuscript with in-line reactions

  • Character, pacing, and continuity tracking across chunks

  • Summary of escalating patterns or concerns

Delivery: 1–2 weeks from receipt of each chunk

Minimum 2-chunk commitment.

Series Continuity Add-On

+$75 per prior book I need to reference

For multi-book authors, I track continuity from previous installments and flag inconsistencies in character behavior, worldbuilding details, timelines, and established canon. Requires that I have read the previous book(s). If I need to read prior books first, standard beta read rates apply.

What You Provide

  • Complete manuscript (Microsoft Word, .docx preferred)

  • Brief content/trigger warnings if applicable

  • Any specific questions or areas of concern you want me to focus on (optional)

  • Context on where you are in your process (first draft, post-revision, pre-submission, etc.)

My Commitment to You

  • Honesty without sugarcoating. I will tell you the truth about what's working and what isn't. You deserve feedback you can use, not reassurance that leaves you guessing. 

  • Reader investment. I don't skim. I read your book the way your future readers will—with attention, expectation, and emotional availability. 

  • Respect for your vision. This is your story. My job is to reflect back what I'm experiencing as a reader, not to rewrite your book in my image. 

Administrative Policies

    • Invoice sent upon booking. Payment is due before reading begins. 

    • Email response within 3 business days

    • A 24-hour notice is required to reschedule the call

    • Missed calls without notice are forfeited

    • +50% rush fee (subject to availability) 

  • This service provides feedback, not revisions. If you revise based on my feedback and want a second-pass read: 

    • Same manuscript, post-revision: 50% of the original rate 

    • Focused re-read (specific sections only): $50–$100 depending on scope

    • Cancellation before reading begins: Full refund minus a $25 administrative fee 

    • Cancellation after reading begins: No refund; partial feedback delivered for work completed 

    • If I cannot complete the read due to unforeseen circumstances: Full refund or option to reschedule 

What This Service Prepares You For

A professional beta read is ideal before:

Developmental editing (helps you identify big-picture issues first) 

  • Querying agents or submitting to publishers 

  • Self-publishing (final reader gut-check) 

  • Sharing with critique partners (gives you a framework for discussion)

FAQ

  • Free beta readers offer valuable perspective, but feedback quality varies widely. A professional beta read guarantees a thorough, structured response from someone trained to articulate why something works or doesn't—not just that it does or doesn't.

  • Developmental editing diagnoses and prescribes—I'd create a revision roadmap, restructure chapters, and work with you on solutions. A beta read diagnoses and reflects—I tell you what I'm experiencing as a reader, and you decide what to do with that information.

  • Draft Zero Development is for authors who need to rebuild their story's foundation before writing or rewriting. A beta read is for authors who have a complete draft and want to know how it lands with a reader. Different stages, different purposes.

  • Yes. If you have particular concerns ("Is the pacing too slow in Act 2?" "Does the romance feel earned?"), let me know. I'll pay special attention to those areas.

  • Good. You should interrogate every piece of feedback you receive. My job is to tell you what I experienced—your job is to decide whether that reflects the experience you intended. Sometimes the answer is "that's working as designed."

  • I treat all manuscripts as confidential by default. If you require a formal NDA, I'm happy to sign one.

Ready to Book?

If you have a draft and want to know how it lands—reach out. Let's see what we find.