Beta Center

Welcome to Beta Central. This is a compendium of the members of the graveshiftcsi group that have graciously volunteered their time and skills to help out the authors. But first, for those who are new to the world of fanfiction, what is a beta or beta reader?

Quite simply, a beta or beta reader is someone who is willing to read through your work of art and, hopefully, tell you what they think about the story, where you can improve, what you got wrong, and/or give suggestions to improve the story. There are different types of betas: Some will just read your story and tell you that it is good enough to post to a group or archive, others will look for glaringly obvious and not so obvious errors and let you know, and, finally, some will critique your story. On a rare occurrence, there are betas who behave more as an editor than a beta. Most betas are also very willing to help you battle with writer's block.

It is the recommendation from most (if not all) of the authors in the group that you find a beta, or two, or even three, that will be honest with you and help you with your problem areas. So, without further ado, below is a list of betas, how to contact them, what they specialize or have strength's in, preferences, and normal turn around time.

If you would like to become a beta, please fill out the beta questionaire and submit. Betas, if you want to add your name to the list, please do the same.

Authors, as a common courtesy, the staff of the Graveyard Archive ask that you email your chosen beta before simply sending stories. Also, if you would like to recommend your beta, send your comments to the above address and compliment to your heart's desire.

Shown below is the most important information for each beta. The checkbox under the "More" column links to the full questionaire.

Name	Strongest Feature	Beta Style	Turn Around Time	More
Allison	Plot checking, characterization	Commentary.	I try to get them done within a day or two, unless class work comes up, then it takes me a little longer. It helps if someone specifies when they want it done by.
Andrea Wilhelm	usually I check plot first, that’s the most important thing. Grammar is still important, but I would rather have a good plot than good grammar.	Commentary style, maybe some pointing out errors directly	It would probably take me a week, if that.
Angie	Hmm... I'd have to say plots and characters. But I do fairly well grammar wise.	Commentary, I like to point out what I like.	Depends on how long the fic is, and how many fics I have to beta. Anywhere from a day to about a week generally.
b8kworm	I guess grammar.	I mostly point out things that do not seem to make sense and some commentary.	Please email me first to find out about my schedule. Typically: the shortest = that same day, the longest = 3 days.
Bev	Grammar and flow of text.	mostly pointing out errors with a suggestion to try to help.	one to two days usually
Borys	Grammar, translation, & realism (in forensics issues)	Commentary	From 6 hours to 3 days
Brooke	My strongest point is grammer, and smoothness of plots, and story lines.	I am willing to do both as well as giving pointers if someone is stuck.	I can get a story of about two chapters done accurately in less than two hours. And i can respond to an author in twenty-four hours.
Dana	Grammar, spelling, tense matching, wording, character information.	I like to point out positive things. I make suggestions about grammar, spelling, tenses, wording (and in the case of fanfic, character information).	I have no idea. I've never been a beta before, but I will try to read/review anything that comes in within a day or two.
Emily	*Grammar*, plot checking, characterizations	Correcting errors, inserting comments	Depends on length ... 24 hours tops
Gomey	Grammar and vocabulary are probably my strongest features, though I prefer a more artistic approach to grammar rather than technical.	Commentary style, being a writer myself, I judge as how I'd like to be judge.	I don't know, I've never been one before...but I would assume less than a day - I seem to tackle fics hungrily.
Helena	Grammar, characterizations and making sure the story flows	Well I point out the errors, but also commentary with suggestions if needed to improve the story. Usually depends on the style the author wants.	Depending on school usually 2 or 3 days, usually less.
Jaclyn	Probably grammar, and overall smoothness of the story	Short commentary on overall effect of story, then point out errors, make suggestions if requested, but will feedback however you like, just ask.	A week at most, normally less
Justine	Grammar	I like to give my positive critique and help the author improve any grammar errors necessary, along with commentary	It really depends on how long the file is, but I like to read things through thoroughly.
Kat Davies	Spelling, Plot Checking, Honesty.	I give honest comments and point out errors.	I make sure i read them through a number of times, so it can take up to 2 hours.
Kate	grammar and characterisations- also the way the story generally flows.	I usually correct grammar/errors etc and give overall commentary.	5 days, give or take a chemistry assignment
Katie Davies	Spelling and grammar	A bit of both - probably initially pointing out errors with spelling, grammar and charecterisation, but if asked by the author I would offer my comments	Depends on the size of the story. I would say a week maximum
Kimmie	No answer...	Any	less than a day
Manda	Plot, wording.	Commenting on what I do and don't like...pointing out things.	A week or so, depending on schoolwork. Definitely a week at most.
Marianne	Writing flow and smoothness/characterization.	Commentary style	2-3 days at worst.
Melanie	Hm... Spelling/Grammar, tense agreement, characterization, flowing of text...	I can do either, but if the author specifically points something out they need help on, I can do that too. Just ask :-)	Depends on school..ooh, probably a day or so, but if something's going on maybe 5 days, absolute worst. If someone tells me sooner, I can get it done faster though..
Mentally_unstable	Grammar, plot checking, etc.; Grammar, I think. But do point out if your misspelling stuff for humor..which I do a lot. lol (Freek, lurve, etc..hehe)	Commentary. I think just pointing out errors is rude and mean..even if it's to help. And yes, I speak from personal experience. (Only SHE wasn't a beta..*shivers)	As long as it takes me to read it.
Nicole	Probably Grammar	Depends on the story.	1-5 days depending on school.
perfectvelvet	Grammar, spelling, and punctuation.	I tend to insert comments here and there with a summary at the end, but if the writer has a specific request, I will do my best to fulfill it.	It depends on the length of the fic, though I'd guess a day or so.
Sarah	Charaterization and grammer.	Commentary style	longest I have taken was three and a half days.
Shane	All of the above	Both	One day
Stephanie	Grammar and spelling (but just to let you know I am used to British English for spelling)	Which ever the author prefers	Depending on homework, usually a day . . .
Sydne	Plot checking, character histories, and grammar	I can do either. It depends on what the writer wants. I prefer to point out errors.	I can do it within 48 hours.
Trialia	I'm English and very pedantic about my first language.	Both. I tend to point out the best and worst parts of a fic and any errors I can see. I also proof-read.	For a short fic, I'll have the turn-around within days. Usually two, maybe three, unless I get bogged down with work. For a long fic.. well, it depends how long. I'm not online at weekends so I usually work on them then.

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