Skilled Beta Reading for Your Novel
Following a thorough read through of your manuscript, I will provide you with minor marginal notes and a letter summarizing my feedback. Just like warriors should never walk alone, I will walk with you, pointing out your manuscript’s biggest strengths and weaknesses before you head to your next round of edits!
What’s Included:
Here’s how I’ll help you make your story shine through a skilled beta read:
I’ll do a deep-dive of your manuscript, reading through once and taking notes on pacing, characters, plot lines, world building, and the other magical details.
I’ll provide minor marginal comments with thoughts, perceptions, questions, etc. I know marginal comments always make me kick my feet in delight while I edit.
When I’m done reading your work, I’ll write you at least 3 pages of notes provided to you in PDF format summarizing the feedback with my suggestions on how to approach a revision for you next draft.
This service is not intended to replace copy editing or proofreading. I will be focused on story rather than grammar and punctuation.
Optional additions:
After the completion of your beta read, you are always welcome to email me with questions. However, if you would like to discuss something more in depth, I would be happy to set up an additional zoom call with you.
30 min Zoom session $100 (in addition to price per word)
60 min Zoom session $200 (in addition to price per word)
Skilled beta reading that honors your vision and helps your story shine.
You’ve poured your heart into your book. Now you’re ready for honest, compassionate feedback that helps it land with the impact you know it’s capable of. You want someone in your corner that has the energy of a best friend, but the quality, critical feedback of a book reviewer or reader who will help lift your story to the next level. So, honestly, more like a big sister. My skilled beta reading services are crafted for writers who want to make their manuscripts as commercially viable as possible and desire support that feels like a creative partnership in our hyper-critical and often negative world.
Depending on the size of your project, my bandwidth is limited, so reach out now to see if I’m the right fit for your book. I am also booking into 2026 for writers who would like a deadline on writing a project they are still drafting.
We’ll work great together if:
You have a finished draft in one of my specialized genres: High/Low fantasy, Dark fantasy, Romantasy, Historical Fantasy, Urban/Contemporary fantasy (however, for the right project I am willing to review books in other genres - I have experience in all).
You are looking for an editor who will hype you up, honor your novel’s vision, and help you move forward toward finalized drafts ready for line/copy editors, and eventually publication!
You are ready to receive constructive, supportive feedback that will help take your novel to the next level.
FAQS
-
I approach manuscripts from a point of curiosity and problem-solving. When you hit the contact button, you will help me get a sense of what we’ll be working on together by including:
Working Manuscript Title
Genre
Brief (1-2 sentence) synopsis
Word count and whether or not your manuscript is complete
If there is something specific you are hoping to focus on with your beta read. (Consider pacing, world development, character development, plot, etc.)
How do you best receive feedback? Do you prefer light and breezy, cutthroat, honest, a back and forth discussion, etc?
-
I’ve listed my favorite (and thus preferred) genres, but it never hurts to reach out.
-
To get the most value, you need a finished manuscript. Some authors book BEFORE they’ve finished to give themselves accountability and a hard deadline to finish drafting. Some authors book right after they have finished their first draft. Others wait until they’ve done a few rounds of self-edits. It is entirely up to you! However, you should secure this service prior to hiring a copy or line editor for a final draft.
-
We’ll connect and discuss your project via email.
You review my proposal and realize that I can help take your work to the next level!
You say, “Let’s do this”, sign the contract I send you, and pay the retainer fee. Then it’s all on me to dive into your fictional world and get to work!
-
Depending on my schedule and the size of your project, I may be able to accommodate an expedited deadline for an additional rush fee.
-
Like all art, beta reading is also subjective. My goal with your novel is to maintain the integrity and authenticity of your voice. I look at the big picture of the story from the perspective of a reader. Do the characters feel flat? Are there plot holes? How is the pacing? Is there too much telling? Etc.
-
For beta reading, I require an upfront non-refundable deposit of 30% to hold your spot in my schedule. The remaining balance is due upon my delivery of feedback to you.
Yes! Pay in full or payment plans are available. 30% deposit secures your space and we can split the remainder into two or three payments prior to the delivery of feedback to you.
-
Developmental editing and beta reading are often confused for one another, but are quite different—thus the different price tags. Most self-publishing authors will hire multiple beta readers in addition to professional editors. Who you hire and when comes down to where you are in your revision journey and your specific needs.
My beta reading service includes one read through with minimal marginal comments. It includes a 3+ PDF report summarizing my perspective as a reader, questions I had, etc. This is ideal for folks looking to get a sense of whether or no their reader is ‘picking up what they’re putting down’ or if revisions are effective.
Developmental editing includes two slow read throughs with significant note-taking and heavy marginal comments. The editorial report can be anywhere from 10-25 pages long, depending on how much work the manuscript requires. Because of how much more work is involved, this takes about 5x as long as a beta read. Developmental editing should be the first level of your professional editing passes.
-
I do not offer other editing services that correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Developmental editing looks at the BIG picture elements of your story. Booking a proofreading, copy editing, or line editing package with another editor would be recommended after completing your corrections based on my developmental edit! I would be happy to offer my suggestions to editors I have worked with in the past for those services on my own projects.
-
There is a lot more to getting published than putting words to the page. Editing is one step. Marketing is another. There are factors in between that are entirely up to you and the industry at large. I can tell you that I’ll provide expert feedback and guidance based on my subjective experience and expertise, all intended toward perfecting your writing and ability to self-promote.
I can help make sure your story fits into your chosen genre, but that doesn’t guarantee it will be picked up by an agent or publishing house. Remember it’s about the long game, just because you get a ‘no’ doesn’t mean your novel is bad. A ‘no’ is a not yet, or a not here.
Fight For The Fairytale Editorial is a one woman show! When you book, you will be working with writer and screenwriter, Colleen H. Ochab. As a fantasy fanatic, I can’t wait to explore the world of your projects!
I love helping fellow writers bring their stories to life! There is room for all of us on the bookshelves of the readers of the world, and frankly, we need more quality stories being brought to screen.
You don’t walk alone because “Warriors Walk Together”.
Can’t wait to connect with you!