Alpha, Beta, ARC, Sensitivity, and Proof Readers.
Reader Types, and How HHP defines each, and how can Readers join?
A Sensitivity Reader is a role that can be defined as a person whose human experience gives them a unique view of the world around them. These people often are representative of experiences outside the scope of the Author. These experiences include but are in no way limited to;
Those who wish to include these readers should be mindful that their experiences give them an insight that the Author may not have a complete understanding of, and thus, they should be open to the feedback that they receive.
Those who wish to become Sensitivity Readers should also understand that the Authors who ask for their feedback are doing so to open a dialogue to better understand the world around them.
This relationship should always be viewed as an opportunity for growth and a chance for all involved to improve our understanding of things with which we may not have experience. Sensitivity Readers and the Authors who use them should approach the subjects with raw honesty and in many cases empathy.
An Alpha Reader is the most heavily vetted and critical member of the team for authors looking to include them.
Alpha’s have the longest and heaviest role. Alpha Readers receive manuscripts in raw, unedited form before the editors. Their feedback is collected and passed on to the Author to possibly utilize in their work.
ALPHA’S MUST BE:
OTHER ROLES INCLUDE
Looking for inconsistencies in
Plot
Setting
World-building
Character development Ie, distinctive voice, descriptions, mannerisms, etc.
Look for the natural flow of the narrative.
Offering possible solutions, not just pointing out issues.
(If you do not understand these terms, this is not the role for you.)
Alpha Readers will be expected to provide this information in writing with reasons to back up any criticism, be they positive or negative. Simply stating something did/didn’t work is not an explanation.
This is an extensive process and requires a commitment to the manuscript.
A Beta Reader is vetted based on their understanding of genres, tropes, and settings as they relate to the Author's narrative.
Beta’s make a commitment to refining a manuscript.
Beta Readers receive manuscripts after the Alpha or when the Author has done their own editing and is in need of further story development. Their feedback is collected and passed on to the Author to possibly utilize in their work.
A BETA READER MUST BE:
Detail-oriented
Able to ask and answer critical questions
Able to offer constructive feedback for all manuscripts to which they are given access.
Able to provide constructive feedback to streamline the Author’s work
Understand that suggestions should not be to alter or change the narrative but to point out inconsistencies that the author may have missed.
Offer ways to improve the flow from exposition to dialogue and suggest where show versus tell could be more effective.
A Beta Reader is not an Editor and is not to be used as a way to sidestep this pivotal process. OTHER ROLES INCLUDE
The ability to Identify Plot holes and inconsistencies
Provide feedback based on the current narrative to improve these issues, and not offer alternatives that have not been put in place by the author already.
The Beta's role is to enhance, not rewrite, the Author’s work.
They should pay mind to and point out Names or physical/geographical descriptions and/or misspellings.
Point out factual inaccuracies that can be proven to be true, such as but not limited to, Real-world Contemporary, Scientific, or Political realities.
Make suggestions to tighten or expand scenes
Actual grammar or structural issues should be left to the Editor/s and Proofreaders.
(If you do not understand any of these terms,
this is not the role for you.)
Beta Readers will be expected to provide this information in writing with reasons to back up any criticism, be they positive or negative. Simply stating something did/didn’t work is not an explanation.
This is an extensive process and requires a commitment to the manuscript.
An ARC is a request for a subjective Review of a manuscript in exchange for early/unpurchased access. Often, ARCs are provided prior to publication however, backlist options are also available. This is the only reader that should leave public reviews and opinions.
ARC readers are tasked with reading the manuscript provided in its entirety where possible and are to provide an honest opinion (Advanced Review) on the overall story.
Their feedback is provided publicly.
An ARC Reader receives the manuscript in its closest to publication form after all developmental and critical changes have been made, and the editor has had time to review it.
ARC readers are to understand that these manuscripts will often have some typos, as well as grammatical or structural issues, and should not be included as a basis for their subjective opinion of the manuscript.
An ARC Reader is expected to have an understanding of the Tropes, Themes, and plot devices used by the Author. They are asked to only accept manuscripts that they can approach with an open mind and that the genre(s) are in alignment with the types of books they often read.
If an ARC reader does not have familiarity with a trope, genre, or theme, then they will often be unable to provide feedback in a constructive way, so it is asked that they only accept manuscripts that they believe they may enjoy based on past experience.
This does not mean that a reader cannot offer to read something outside of their trope, or theme, because new experiences are the whole point, but we would ask that they explain this in the event it was not to their enjoyment.
An ARC reader’s role is not to offer suggestions or alternatives to the narrative. This is to be treated as if they have purchased the manuscript and have no access to the author. It is to be a spoiler and synopsis-free narrative based solely on the experience of reading the ARC manuscript provided. These reviews are to be posted publicly to the platforms to which they have access.
In the case of Pre-Release Reviews, if a critical review is at or below three (3) stars, it is asked that they kindly hold back until five (5) days after release to allow the author time to finish their promotions. We also ask that when possible, reviews be constructive without offering spoilers or plot summaries. Mentioning broad triggers is permitted where applicable.
This is the only phase of access where a DNF is acceptable.
Proofreading is the only service that includes payment. A Proofreader is contracted to read the entirety of a manuscript to find grammatical and punctuational issues that may have been missed by the editor. They do not offer any feedback on the narrative as all of this would have been handled between the Author and their team. A Proofreader is a fresh set of eyes that helps to make a manuscript shine. They do not replace Editors and do not leave reviews.
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