BETA READING SERVICES

Hi!

Reading and writing are my most favourite pastimes, and I'm happiest when immersed in the wonderful world of fiction :-)

Being a self-published author, I can fully empathise with the need to get a fresh perspective on your book once the initial draft has been completed ... till the time it's ready to be published. 

However, it is an established fact that a good beta reader is someone who is primarily a reader and gives feedback as a fan of that particular genre. 

Hence, I offer my beta reading services not merely as a writer, but also as an avid reader of more than twenty years. A reader, with the tendency to become completely immersed in the world created by the author. A reader, who is highly sensitive to the jarring notes that disturb the otherwise joyous experience of being immersed in that world.

SERVICES:

As a beta reader, I use MS Word track changes to provide comments throughout the document related to story line, plotting, scene sequencing, writing, show versus tell, POV, pacing, characterisation and other such aspects. I don't actively search for grammatical and spelling mistakes, but I will point them out whenever I happen to catch them.

In the end, I provide a two to three pages report explaining what worked for me and what didn't, along with suggestions for improvements. 

My feedback will be honest and will highlight both the strengths as well as the weaknesses. The criticisms offered will be constructive rather than harsh ...and directed towards in trying to help you achieve your dream of getting your book published.

GENRES:

My beta reading services are for the following genres:

• Contemporary Romance
• Young-Adult / New-Adult Romance
• Romantic Comedy
• Chick-Lit
• Romantic Suspense

I prefer not to read books that contain excessive amount of profanity, explicit intimate scenes or graphic violence. 

In other words, on the scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as clean/no graphic violence/no profanity, and 5 as erotica/full of graphic violence/ full of profanity, I'd prefer to avoid books that rate more than 3. 

Just a personal preference :-) 

Stories with light paranormal elements will be acceptable.

I write in UK English, but I read books written in both US and UK English.

RATES:

Free Sample:

Sample beta reading for the first 2000 words or the first chapter is provided free of charge ...regardless of whether you decide for the full paid service later on or not. For details please scroll down to the "PROCEDURE".

For manuscripts up to 100,000 words:

€20 Or $22 Or £18

For manuscripts more than 100,000 words:

€25 Or $28 Or £22

Please note that the rates in US dollars and British pounds are subject to the euros-to-dollars or euros-to-pounds currency exchange rate of the day of the transaction. In other words, the rates I have written above are only to give you an approximate idea of the cost.

To get the exact rate, you can put the euro amount in your PayPal account. It will then calculate the rate in the currency in which you have the account, according to the exchange rate of the day.

When you will make the payment, the amount deducted from your account will be dollars or pounds (or whatever currency in which you have the account), and I will receive the payment in euros.

PAYMENTS:

Payments are requested only after the evaluation has been completed. For details please scroll down to the "PROCEDURE".

Payments are usually made through PayPal. Clients are responsible for all PayPal fees. 

If this is not convenient for you then please share your issues with me through email and we can see if it would be possible to settle on an alternative method of payment.

PROCEDURE:

Step 1:

If you are interested then please email me the following details:

• Genre
• Target audience
• Total word count
• Blurb/Brief description
• The first 2000 words or the first chapter in MS Word.
• Specific deadline under which you might be working.
• Aspects that you would especially like me to focus on while doing an evaluation.
• Any other information that you consider important and relevant.
• Any queries that you would like to make.

Step 2:

If for some reason I am unable to accept your manuscript, I will respectfully decline to continue further.

Otherwise, I will respond with the free sample beta read for the first 2000 words or the first chapter that you send within three days of receiving your email.

I will also tell you:

• the date from which I can start working on your manuscript.
• the time frame for my expected feedback (this is normally between five to ten days, depending on the length and the condition of the manuscript.)
• the payment amount you would be required to make once my evaluation is complete.

Step 3:

If you decide to avail my services, you can send me the complete manuscript in MS Word format a few days before I'm expected to begin. 

Please note that if you won't send me your manuscript till at least a day before I'm expected to begin, I'll consider myself free to give your slot to another author.

Step 4:

I will start working on your manuscript on the specified date and will try my best to complete my evaluation within the time frame set earlier.

Step 5:

I will send you the payment request once I complete the evaluation and will email my feedback to you within three days of receiving the payment.

There will be no formal contract, but our entire interaction will be documented through email. I appreciate that it is not easy to trust your work to someone you don't know, but I assure you that I will never reproduce your words nor will I ever share your manuscript with anyone else.

Please keep in mind that retaining my services does not guarantee that you will find representation for your manuscript or be published.

Please feel free to email me for further queries.

Thanks,
Ramla Zareen 
Email: betareader_ramlazareen@hotmail.com

Note: References will be provided upon request.