beta and alpha reads

Because Sometimes Your Story Just Needs a Second Chance

Whether you’re gathering early feedback or double-checking a nearly finished draft, beta and alpha readers can help highlight what’s working—and what’s not—before you publish or revise.

Sometimes you need story-level insight without the pressure of a full edit. Beta and alpha reads give you an outside perspective from a thoughtful, engaged reader—someone who can highlight strengths, flag confusion, and help you understand how your story lands.

EDITING | RUSH EDIT | PROOFREADING | STORY COACHING | STORY RESCUE

Whether you’re testing a new project, gathering feedback before revising, or just want to know how your story holds up outside your own head, I offer two options:

Alpha Read

Stage: Early draft or exploratory version
Rate: Free (limited availability)

Includes:

  • Gut reactions and big-picture impressions

  • Light comments on structure, character, flow

  • Short feedback letter or summary email

📌 Perfect for messy first drafts or story experiments. I’ll offer supportive insight and let you know what’s working—or where you might want to pause and rework.

Beta Read

Stage: Polished draft, post-revision
Rate: Free (limited availability)

Includes:

  • Reader reactions and chapter-level comments

  • Questions or confusion points noted

  • End-of-manuscript feedback summary

📌 Ideal for testing how your story lands with readers before final edits or publishing. This feedback focuses on reader experience—not line edits.

What's Included with Every Read or Edit

What’s Included with Every Edit or Read

No matter which service you choose—hybrid edit, developmental feedback, or an alpha/beta read—you’ll receive thoughtful, personalized insight designed to support both your story and your creative goals.

Every project includes:

  • A transmittal letter outlining key edits, revision suggestions, and the editorial focus

  • A summary report highlighting strengths, opportunities, and clear next steps

  • Optional promotional support, including:

    • Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and StoryGraph

    • Social media engagement when your content crosses my feed

Curious how I review books I read?Whether it’s an ARC, a beta/alpha read, or a book I’ve edited and later reread for fun, I often share reviews from a reader’s perspective—not an editorial one. I focus on the experience of reading: what resonated, who it might be perfect for, and what didn’t quite land (always with kindness).
Click here to read my reviewing policy for more on my approach, platforms I post to, and the kinds of stories that tend to speak to me.
 

If you’re happy with our work together, spreading the word makes a huge impact. A tag, shoutout, or referral goes a long way—and it’s one of the kindest ways to support freelancers and indie editors.

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File Submission Guidelines

To keep edits efficient and focused, please submit a clean, well-formatted file.

  • Format: .docx preferred (Google Docs okay with comment access)

  • Style: 12 pt, double-spaced, standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial)

  • Cleanliness: No tracked changes unless discussed; basic spellcheck completed

Especially for rush projects: Clean files = faster edits. If your draft needs major cleanup, we’ll factor that into the timeline.

View Full Submission Guidelines for file naming, chapter breaks, and more.

Have questions about turnaround times, file types, or what to expect once you book? I’ve got you.

Visit the FAQ page for more details on how edits are delivered, what software I use, and what kind of support I offer after the edit is complete.

Want in?

Beta and alpha reads are free but limited. I select projects based on availability and interest. If you’d like to be considered:

Submit a request through my intake form with details about your story, draft status, and timeline.

Note: This is a feedback-only service, not an edit. If you’re looking for detailed editorial support, check out my editing services instead.