Thread: Finding Beta readers at your local university?

I was wondering if anybody had ever tried to find beta readers (or proofreaders or other editorial assistance) via the English department at your local college or university?

And if so, how did it work out? Are there any pitfalls to be aware of? How much would you expect to have to pay somebody – say an upper level undergraduate student – per page or per word to go over a manuscript looking for spelling, grammar, punctuation errors, unnecessary adverbs, inappropriate dialog tags, that sort of thing?

Thanks in Advance, a.s.

Never tried it but most universities will have tutoring for each dept that are upper level students. You could approach one of them.

Adam Smith,

Consider that most English majors will be more experienced in research, essay writing and reading & analyzing literature and such as opposed to editing works of fiction (evaluating dialogue tags and necessity, adverb usage, etc.). If you were going to do such, if there are folks who are majoring or minoring in creative writing, you might have better luck.

It sounds close to a shot in the dark, not knowing how effective/experienced the individual will be. Referrals from English professors you might know, or references from work the potential editor/student might help you decide.

Just a few thoughts on the topic, for what they're worth.

Terry

Pay an undergrad to give me their opinion of my work? No more than I'd pay them to advise me on what car to buy.

Unless you're specifically writing for an audience of English majors, it's a waste of time and money.

I agree with Jonathan. Pay them? That's not a beta reader, that's an editor. Big difference.