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Beta readers?

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KWPech:
So how do you all (those that have used them) handle beta readers?
How do you find reliable(trustable) people? Just ask around and take chance? Or ask around those you know?

I'm looking for tips and pointers. I have no idea how to approah this, so I figured I start here by asking those who know.
I'm within a week or so of needing to get chunks of my piece looked over and commented on for fixes and feedback.

Starbeam:
You can join a writer's group, or try to put one together.  You can ask on forums for volunteers.  I'm not at the point where I'm even considering betas; all I have so far is one alpha reader--my fiance.  When I get to more polished draft, then I'll start looking for betas.  I'll probably ask people I know that I think can spare the extra time and I think would be good for different types of things--grammar/spelling, continuity, flow, timeline, etc.

Apocrypha:

--- Quote from: Starbeam on November 19, 2010, 02:10:13 AM --- I'll probably ask people I know that I think can spare the extra time and I think would be good for different types of things--grammar/spelling, continuity, flow, timeline, etc.

--- End quote ---

You still have to be careful who you ask when it is someone you know personally.  I tried this once and a couple of them basically told me how everything I wrote was great when even I knew it needed more work.  They seemed more inclined to stroke my ego then question anything.  I probably could have handed them a grocery list and have them tell me it was better than Shakespeare.  ;)

Blaze:
There are some people on the boards who will beta read for you, and make good suggestions. 

Starbeam:

--- Quote from: Apocrypha on November 19, 2010, 04:20:00 AM ---You still have to be careful who you ask when it is someone you know personally.  I tried this once and a couple of them basically told me how everything I wrote was great when even I knew it needed more work.  They seemed more inclined to stroke my ego then question anything.  I probably could have handed them a grocery list and have them tell me it was better than Shakespeare.  ;)

--- End quote ---
I wouldn't even consider asking anyone who might even have the remotest chance of doing that.  Which means no one related to me. When I say people I know, I mean mostly some of the friends I made in college who were in some of my writing classes, and other people I know who are similar.  The ones who don't need to be lead by the nose to learn to critique.

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