How to get a long-term Beta reader?

[MimSS]

I was wondering how you can keep a longterm beta-reader? I have a few friends who's looked at one chapter and such, but I need someone who can look at a chapter multiple times and multiple chapters.

Have you just asked friends that's agreed?
Do you always have to pay a Beta-reader?
...contract?

Any advice helps!

[rajillustration]

I cheat and use my brother who has an English degree in technical writing. I also have friends who majored in creative writing, but they're so busy with their own projects that they hardly have time for mine, so we don't really use eachother, you know?

But truly, outside of family and friends, I think a lot of people would be willing to proofread your chapters for you if you did offer a rate, even if it was a low rate. I'm not sure what the going rate is, but if you think about $ per hour, make sure it's something reasonable, since a proofreader, even for a technical writer, will get VERY nitty gritty, and it does take them a while to do.

[adrienclifton]

One of my best friends and I read each other's (and work together) on each other's work.
I'm lucky to have met them in a long term written rp and the friendship and writing never stopped even after the rp derailed.

Find a partner who (for the most part) writes what you write, enjoys what you enjoy, and works well with you as a team. Reading other people's work is so boring if your not in it for the friendship, and it's hard to trust compliments and take critiques from strangers. If you know your partner's skills in writing you can trust that they know what they're talking about, and it also hurts less if they say "it kinda sucks, actually." Bonus, you get to incorporate ur dumbass inside jokes into your stories : P

[MimSS]

That's a good idea! I have a RP partner who I've talked about my story with. It's just a little hard for me to ask her cause she's doesn't write stories so I can't offer her anything in return

[adrienclifton]

I'm always surprised to hear of rp folks that don't write outside of rp!! Maybe she writes fanfic? Or maybe she will be inspired to try writing stories once she helps you work on yours?

It's not a huge leap in my opinion, especially when u have a partner to bounce ideas off of.
I conceptually kidnapped my friends character to write a new story very, very loosely inspired by a rp from 15 years ago i was in on neopets and we are literally vibing.

[MimSS]

It's actually the opposite for me. I think majority of my partners didn't write outside and this is my first time writing a non fanfic story. But I'll definitely ask her

Also, OMG that story inspiration tho I love it!

[Zaboem]

Adrienclifton made an excellent suggestion that a lot of beginning authors here should seriously consider. It bares repeating. A trade situation of you-read-mine-I-will-read-yours is a fair and respectful use of both creators' time.

[Inspector_Spinda]

I'm currently looking for one too! I'll read yours if you read mine.

[MimSS]

Thank you! But I always worry about introducing people to my story cause it's BL, is that okay with you? If you're okay with that then I'll be happy to read yours in exchange

[Inspector_Spinda]

totally fine with it. how should we communicate?

[MimSS]

Great!

Do you have discord? my username's MimSS#8437

[Maxedrox]

If you get one is a miracle, but you know, if you get at least two opinions it's better because you can make comparisons about what you are doing right and wrong. I would like to join in if you want to help me too. We help each other about what would work better for our stories

[MimSS]

I'd be happy for your help! Though I just wanna let you know that's my story's a BL novel. Is that okay with you?

[Maxedrox]

I have LGBT characters too so I dont have any problem, just share you link and I share mine, you can share here or via DM

[MimSS]

Awesome!

Could we chat via discord?

[Maxedrox]

Sure I think I saw your discord so I'm going to write to you in a few moments

[lil-sea-salt]

fiction press has a whole tab for betas. try ur luck.