Resource The Beta Reader Index v4.1 and Concrit Index -- April 2008 Update (New Info + Survey)

Thanks! The ABCs were fun to do... we came up with some pretty ridiculous entries before we got to the ones you see now.

Thanks for the great interview, Idrelle! It was tons of fun.

Great ABC's. Very practical.

Just a random bump and comment.....for me, my 'B' is 'Backwards'. I will often catch things if I read a story from the back front, paragraph by paragraph - reading each paragraph frontwards.

The beta index would like to announce that we have added KELIA as an indexer. Congratulations!!

Congratulations, KELIA!

I'd also like to add that I really liked the Beta Alphabet.

We also have a new update coming soon -- once I get my act together.

But, to add my voice to Nat's plea:

Please, please, please volunteer your time! Betaing's fun!

hi! i'm looking for at least two beta readers to help edit my story. it's called "Ten Small Words" and it's set in the jedi temple when Order 66 is carried out. It's rated PG and only three microsoftword pages long. Thank you for your time!

THE BETA READER INDEX -- APRIL 2008


Index News

• As mentioned in posts above, KELIA has joined the team of Beta Reader Indexers. Thanks, KELIA!


• Due to an assortment of problems and issues with finer details, the plans for the Beta Reader Academy have been scrapped. We apologize to anyone who wanted to be a part of this, but we've decided that there isn't enough interest in beta training and that none of us have the time to run proper training sessions and write up lessons.


• Due to the low numbers of betas in the Index, you can now post beta requests in the thread. We ask that when you have found a beta for a particular request, you add a note in the thread letting any potential betas know that the request has already been fulfilled. You can still use the beta listing in the first pages of this index. A reminder that it is more likely that your request will be noticed if you PM a beta; a posted request is no guarantee that you will find someone.

You may also use the following form in your beta requests:

Timeframe: (JA, PT, OT, IT, NJO, LOTF, etc.)
Length: (vignette, multipost)
Genre: (drama, romance, action, etc.)
Characters:
Summary: (be brief -- this should be just enough information to give a potential beta an idea of what your story is about)
Notes: (anything else you may have to say)

Discussion

There has been a huge drop in the number of beta readers in the index. As Indexers, we think it would be beneficial to know what you think of the Index and what you would like to see to help it run smoother for those wanting to find betas for their fics. Please take the time to answer the following survey.

1. Do you find the index helpful?
2. What you do think we could do to make the index more visible/helpful?
3. If you need a beta, would you use the index? If not, why?
4. If you beta pieces, would you submit your name to the index?
5. Do you use the index when you need a beta?
6. Do you like the articles/discussions that accompany the updates? Do you find them useful?
7. Do you like the beta interviews? Are they a good addition to the index?
8. We haven't had a tips centre in a while, but it was one of the original ideas we had when redesigning the index. Would you find it useful, or should we scrap the idea?
9. Is there anything that you think would be a good addition to the index? Is there anything that should be changed or taken out?

Your input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!




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Beta request for a fanfic I am planning (I need the beta ahead of time so I can toss ideas at if I get stuck. I'll probably write several chapters/posts ahead of time, most likely before starting to post the story).

Timeframe: Set in the time between the trilogies, but its as if Anakin didn't become Vader (same timeline, no villians)
Length: Multipost
Genre: Drama, maybe some romance
Characters: Luke, Leia, Mara Jade, Obi-Wan & ?, Wedge, Mirax, OCs,
Summary: 'Anne of Green Gables' using Star Wars characters & a few OCs (but with a twist or two)
Notes: A beta that is familiar with the Anne of Green Gables book series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Also probably need to be familiar with the film by Kevin Sullivan.


EDIT: That was fast! Thanks for volunteering, NYCGurl!

This is a story I started a couple months ago that I would like a beta for:

Title: The Face of a Warrior
Timeframe: LOTF
Length: Epic
Characters: Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, Jacen, Tenel Ka, Han, Leia, Luke, OC's
Summary: As Jaina struggles to understand what it means to be the Sword of the Jedi, an old friend from Jag's past emerges that could be the key to ending the war--for either side.
Notes: You can find what's up so far here. I just finished mapping out the plot, and it's extremely convoluted.

EDIT: Thanks to NYCitygurl for volunteering!

One piece of information that would be really nice to know when looking for betas is their individual average response time (try saying that fast ten times in a row ) based on the length of the posts they're getting.

I'd like a beta for an AU story I'm trying to write.

Timeframe: YJK era, right after Crisis at Crystal Reef
Genre: Undecided
Characters: YJK's, Luke, Mara, Han, Leia, Boba Fett and Mandalorians, OC's
Summary: I have a few plot details worked out but basically it will pick up after the end of YJK and will replace NJO.

I am trying to find a beta for a story I started some time ago that is getting almost totally revamped.

Title: Shards of the Heart (a link to the original is in my profile)
Timeframe: About 2 years before AOTC to start, will go to ROTS or beyond as it progresses.
Genre: drama, angst, dark humor
Length: Epic (as of now)
Characters: Primarily Anakin and Obi-Wan (for part 1, more canon characters will appear as it progresses), some OC's. This is also a x-over with Ruroni Kenshin, but those characters are getting a bit made over to fit.
Summary: Anakin and Obi-Wan go to assist a planet's transition from isolation to becoming a member of the Republic, and discover the planets best kept secrets.
Notes: The first part of this story is actually the backstory to the original, then it will continue along some of the same lines that I had begun then.

thanks

--later--
6669


EDIT: Thanks Kelia for being my Beta!

I started this about a year back and I would like to find a Beta for it:

Title: The Rise of Lady Vader
Timeframe: Post ROTS - ROTJ - NJO Swarm War and Legacy (I have several scenes already written that are sprinkled throught the time line and more just floating around in my head.)
Length: Ambitious
Characters: Amidala(Padme), Vader, Leia, Palpatine, Armand Isard, Yasanne Isard, Wrenga Jixton, Han, Chewie, Luke, Pooja Naberrie, Mara Jade, Bail Organa, several OC's, Xizor, Tarkin and likely more.
Summary: This is AU and basically deals with how things might have gone differently had Padme/Amidala survived childbirth only to be brought back into the Imperial fold by Vader. Deals a lot with her heartache over their lost child and eventual discovery of said child. All the while dealing with the rigors of being part of the Imperial court.
Notes: This is what I have so far. LINK to Story I have about half of an outline or timeline done.

Thanks in advance.
ccp

EDIT: Myriad_Daydreams is going to Beta for me. Thanks Myriad.

Hey, I'd be happy to beta for anybody. You can add me to the Index, and anyone is welcome to PM me. I'll try and check here every so often to see the new requests.

I'll have to come back here and make a request some time. Last year I tried finding a beta for my trilogy, but couldn't find anyone. Now that the trilogy is nearing it's end, there's no point getting one for the trilogy now. My next story, I definetly want to get a beta though.

The lists have been updated. Remember, if you would like to become a beta, please PM us the information found in our profile. If you are in need of a beta but cannot find one by just posting here, you could get a faster response by PMing someone in the index.

We'd also love it if you guys could take the time to fill out the survey for us

I am starting a new story and I would really like to have a Beta reader for this story.

Timeframe: AU, 60+ years after RTJ
Length: multipost
Genre: drama, action
Characters: Anakin Solo, Jacen Solo, Jaina Solo, Jacina Skywalker Mars and other OC characters
Summary: As the galaxy is healing from the devestation left by Sithious, a mysterious and dark group sets in motion a plan to weaken the already fragile Jedi Order in order to sabatoge the rebuilding of a new government by the new alliance formed between the former Imperial and New Republic governments.


found beta

Timeframe: PT
Length: Multipost
Genre: Drama
Characters: Ani, Padme, Palpy, Obi-Wan
Summary: A post ROTS AU. The Emporer has informed Vader that he, the Emporer, killed Padme in effort to rid him of the conflict he's struggled with between the dark and the light. Vader is coping with the loss of his family, struggling between his loyalty to the Empire and Anakins love for Padme and wish to do justice to her memory. In effort to steer his apprentice's attention away from Padme, he sends him on a wild goose chase after Yoda, whom he thought dead after the purges. But.. is Padme really dead..?

Notes: I haven't been writing SW for long, and only have basic knowledge, and sometimes even there I get things mixed up, so I'd really like a beta that can correct my blunders. As well as my sometimes disasterous spelling and overuse of the comma.

Edit:I have found a beta for this fic.

Beta lists have been updated.

We encourage anyone who is good at editing to sign up to be a beat, especially in Before and Saga, since we only have a few (3 and 5, respectively) betas for each. We also welcome Beyond betas.

If you guys could take a minute or two to fill out the quick survey posted in the update, that would really help us make the index a more useful resource.

Okay, I'll bite. Been here for about wo years (as MsLanna)

1. Do you find the index helpful?

Yes, I think an index like this is important. even if it looks as if nobody ever bothered to read the rules.


2. What you do think we could do to make the index more visible/helpful?

More traffic would be good, so it'd stay afloat. But I know that that is difficult to generate. Maybe besides being in the general index, trying to have it mentioned in the first posts of other indexes might help?


3. If you need a beta, would you use the index? If not, why?

If I didn't have one, I'd certainly try. I would be suspicious about my chances of success, though. Seeing how I tended to lose my betas before.

4. If you beta pieces, would you submit your name to the index?

I am not a native speaker, so i am WAAAAY careful of volunteering to beta. I'd do my best for my padawan, but since I don't trust my abilities at spotting grammar/spelling and certainly not interpunctuation mistakes. I wouldn't say, I'm a good choice....

5. Do you use the index when you need a beta?

I just might have. Can't relly remember though.


6. Do you like the articles/discussions that accompany the updates? Do you find them useful?

I like to read them. But, obviously, I'm not much of a commenter.

7. Do you like the beta interviews? Are they a good addition to the index?

Yes and yes. It's good to know what kind of beta you get. if you connect well, the betaing will go much smoother.


8. We haven't had a tips centre in a while, but it was one of the original ideas we had when redesigning the index. Would you find it useful, or should we scrap the idea?

I like tips. Though I usually try to improve my own stuff with them....

9. Is there anything that you think would be a good addition to the index? Is there anything that should be changed or taken out?

Not really.

Lanna out.
*tips hat*

1. Do you find the index helpful?
Yes, I think it is very straightforward, though it is a bit hard to find the actual beta readers amongst all the other stuff you have (concrit indexes, etc) but not too overly complicated

2. What you do think we could do to make the index more visible/helpful?
I think letting people post beta requests in the thread is helpfu for upping the thread, but other than that there's not much I can think of. More discussions perhaps?

3. If you need a beta, would you use the index? If not, why?
Depends on the story. If its a quick story or something short and sweet I'd probably go to one of my friends on the boards, though if I truly wanted an opinion from someone I'm not friendly with who was unbiased I suppose I'd use it.

4. If you beta pieces, would you submit your name to the index?
Already have, and love it

5. Do you use the index when you need a beta?
See #3

6. Do you like the articles/discussions that accompany the updates? Do you find them useful?
I like the fun ones such as the ABC's of writing and things not to do in writing

7. Do you like the beta interviews? Are they a good addition to the index?
I would like to see more, and yes I think they are a good addition

8. We haven't had a tips centre in a while, but it was one of the original ideas we had when redesigning the index. Would you find it useful, or should we scrap the idea?
Useful & interesting, I love reading tidbits about various writing aspects from TFN

9. Is there anything that you think would be a good addition to the index? Is there anything that should be changed or taken out?
Maybe keeping a closer eye on some of the thigns you have in the beginning of the thread that are old and/or not used as much anymore. For example, I find the "authors who want concrit" to be a bit odd. Other than that I think you do a great job!