Sample Briefing Document for Beta Readers
Here's a sample briefing document that I actually used for my team of beta readers on one of my … Read more...
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Sign up with your email below. Receive a new article each month, and other occasional alerts. My … Read more...
What makes a good beta reader?
Last time we talked about what is a beta reader and why you need one. A beta reader gives you … [Read More...]
Editing your book? Print it out!
Yes, we all live in an electronic world these days, untethered by concrete reality, communicating … [Read More...]
What is a beta reader and why do I need one?
You might have seen the term 'beta reader' as you're browsing writing websites, or maybe this is the … [Read More...]
Proofreading our own work: Overcoming ‘autocorrect’
I'm always saying how hard it is to proofread our own writing. In fact, in my professional life I … [Read More...]
What to do when you’ve finished the First Draft
Picture this: you've typed The End on your manuscript. Maybe you won NaNoWriMo, or you've just been … [Read More...]
Should Writers Do Their Own Editing?
Like most of the vexing questions I post on this blog, my answer to “Should writers do their own … [Read More...]
The brutal truth about finding beta readers
Every time I post about beta readers and how wonderful and essential they are, I get more requests … [Read More...]
How to find a beta reader
How do you find a good beta reader or "test pilot" to critique your manuscript, preferably for … [Read More...]
Writing a book? Go for it.
Are you writing a book? Wishing you could write a book? Go for it. I believe in you. Not because I … [Read More...]
Survey Results: The Pros and Cons of Beta Readers
I conducted a survey via my mailing list asking about people's experiences with getting feedback on … [Read More...]
Briefing a Beta Reader: Practical details
Beta readers are those wonderful people (often volunteers) who read and critique the manuscripts of … [Read More...]
Is my book ready for beta readers yet?
Many people are not quite sure of the best time in the development of their book to ask for a beta … [Read More...]
Briefing a Beta Reader: The Approach
I've heard horror stories of people receiving snarky and offensive beta reports on their manuscripts … [Read More...]
Why you shouldn’t ask Beta Readers to do copy editing
A Beta Reader critiques your manuscript, and provides feedback to help you improve it. Lots of … [Read More...]
How to brief a Beta Reader for amazing results
I’m a big fan of beta readers, and especially of MY beta readers. Their feedback helped make my … [Read More...]
Useful Books for Writers
Read my mini-reviews of some of the writers' books I've found useful over the years... I'll keep … Read more...
Gifts for Writers and Beta Readers
Are you looking for an inspirational, cute or quirky gift for a writer or beta reader? I've made you some mugs, book bags, phone cases, clothing and lots of other options. I've really enjoyed creating … Read more...
Ms. Pollard:
This is my first attempt at writing anything!
I’ve written tons of pages describing the incidents in my life I think are relevant to the book’s theme…but some may not be. Do you offer a service that can help me narrow my
focus to the pertinent themes I consider important and most meaningful?
Thank you gratefully. smallbluedog.com
Hi Martin, yes I do offer coaching for authors, and it can be focused on whichever aspects you are needing guidance with. Working out the themes of a memoir is a challenge but can also be powerful in helping you create a cohesive and engaging book.
Have you found my “memory matrix”? It will give you some useful ideas.
https://smallbluedog.com/how-to-write-a-memoir-subscribe
Check this page for some more info about coaching: https://smallbluedog.com/book-coaching
I coach online on Zoom so we can meet from anywhere in the world.
And if you decide you’d like to explore further about coaching, you can email me via my Contact page here: https://smallbluedog.com/contact
Very best wishes for your book! 🙂