challenge_mod (challenge_mod) wrote in severus_sighs, @ 2010-04-29 01:10:00 |
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Entry tags: | admin: challenge_mod, event: grand challenge 2010 |
Grand Challenge Beta Sign-up/Find a Beta Post
Greetings to those who've signed up for the Grand Challenge!
We have a great cross section of fandom authors and artists participating. Many of you are veterans to fest participation and will no doubt have your own art and fic betas. To those who are new and need a beta, here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you try to find someone. Beneath the cut is a template for beta readers to sign up. All participants who need a beta are encouraged to respond to these volunteers in a comment or via email if it seems the two of you might be a good fit.
The following guidelines are only suggestions and should be taken as such.
1. Every story should be beta read. (In fact, this post was beta read because snow throws commas around like they were cotton candy). Remember that the Mods will read your story after your submit it, and although minor errors are inevitable, any story that appears to have missed the beta reading process will be returned.
2. You should try to find a beta with grammar/punctuation/spelling skills as well as someone fluent with HP canon facts. While it might be easier to simply allow your friend to read it, remember this story is going to be read by many people, and will be preserved on the SS site for future readers. Having a competent beta edit your story will ensure quality and help make your story/art excellent.
3. If you choose to have more than one beta, make sure your betas are aware of each other. Sometimes a second beta reader can help catch an error that the first might have skipped, especially if your primary beta's grammar is less than perfect.
4. Please give your beta reader enough time to work on your submission. Keep your beta up to date on how long your fic will be; that way she will be able to give you a time estimate on how long the editing will take.
5. Don't be afraid to ask for help with your plot (and plot holes) and characterization difficulties that arise. Your beta's responsibilities don't have to end on SPaG (spelling and grammar). There are many betas who will help you develop your plot and characters. These betas are the best of all and shall have first dibs on Severus when the times comes.
Below is a template for those willing to beta read.