I am currently OPEN to all service requests.
Below you will find details for what I am offering in relation to beta reading and sensitivity reading services.
Please note that I have the right to accept or decline proposals with or without explanation, even if you follow my instructions to the dot. Please check the red text above to find out if I am currently accepting manuscripts.
Beta Reading:
What is a Beta Reader?
Beta Reading is when a reader goes through your finished, edited, but unpublished, manuscript and critiques it based off of a reader’s viewpoint rather than a writer’s.
Why Me?
I am an avid reader with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and Publishing, Women’s and Gender Studies, and a certificate in LGBTQ Studies. In my education, I focused on grammar and writing, as well as the processes of the publishing industry. I have done educational editing work to prepare myself going into the publishing field.
I have been an avid reader for many years, and in combination with my education have learned how to describe thoughts on different styles of writing and stories. In my free time, I also do timeline work on other series and do deep dives in the backgrounds of the details of characters and the world-building of the books in question.
I have a thorough understanding of all of the work that goes into writing, and what to look for when it comes to various writing styles and details.
What You’ll Get:
After a read through, you will get a 2 to 4 page document detailing what I thought of the plot, characters (as well as their development), setting (and world building), pacing, writing style and more. The document will have my general opinions as a reader and lover of books, as well as anything I might recommend being added or taken away.
I will also send along my notes that I took as I read, for a more thorough understanding of how/why I thought what I did, as well as the development of my thoughts throughout reading.
Sensitivity Reading:
What is a Sensitivity Reader?:
“A sensitivity reader reads through a manuscript for issues of representation and for instances of bias on the page. The goal of a sensitivity reader isn’t to edit a manuscript clarity and logic, although that may be an additional service offered. A sensitivity reader reviews a manuscript for internalized bias and negatively charged language. A sensitivity reader is there to help make sure you do not make a mistake, but they are also NOT a guarantee against making a mistake.” – Writing in the Margins
Areas of Expertise:
- transgender/non-binary;
- asexual/ace-spec;
- aromantic/aro-spec;
- mental illness; specifically depression and anxiety;
- chronic pain, chronic migraines
Why Me?:
I am an out non-binary person in a conservative area who has been reading novels with my identities for over 7 years. I have seen both the good and bad of the portrayal of my identities, and have critiqued them in reviews since 2016.
I am most familiar with my queer identities, with being non-binary, aromantic-spec, and asexual-spec. There are many different types of positive representation, and I am confident I can help determine both the good and bad in manuscripts.
What You’ll Get:
After a read through, you will get a 2 to 5 page document detailing pros, cons, and anything else of note. I will point out page numbers/paragraphs/lines where problematic or stereotypical POVs come in, and my suggestions on what you could do to fix them.
In addition to that, I will also include my general opinion of your story and how well it works.
As always, I will suggest getting more than one SR for a certain marginalization. Everyone has different experiences, therefore will have different opinions on representation.
For Both Beta & SRs:
Genres I Prefer Reading:
While I read a large variety of novels, my preferences change with my mood, and I’ll probably only accept a proposal if I am currently interested in reading something of that genre. Here’s a list of genres that I’m usually interested in reading:
- Fantasy (High/Urban/Magical Realism/Paranormal/etc)
- Science Fiction (Space Opera/Dystopia/Futuristic/etc)
- Horror
- Thriller
- Contemporary*
* – Depends on topic/plot.
While I’m not the biggest fan of romance, I do enjoy well-developed romance as long as it’s included as a secondary plot to one of the genres above.
Other Details to Consider/Include:
Your Email: Subject line should say: Sensitivity Read OR Beta Read Inquiry, depending on which one you need. Please include genre, length (word count), and a short blurb in the body of the email. Obviously, if it’s a SR, mention what I’m SR-ing for. Specifically.
You must include content warnings, or I will not accept it. Asking for content warnings does not mean I won’t read your manuscript, it’s just to prepare myself for anything I might need to be wary of.
If there is any representation for marginalized people, please specify. If it’s a beta read, I might suggest SRs for certain subjects, and possibly recommend people to approach.
Formats I accept: I require a .mobi file that can be transferred over to my kindle. I personally cannot manage to read .pdf or .epub files due to accessibility issues.
Lengths: I take both short stories and novels. For SRs, I can read just specific scenes, but that is a separate cost and will be discussed below. I will take anything from 1-100k, but please realize that an increase in length signifies an increase in the time it takes to read.
Time Restrictions: While I am now graduated, please understand that I do have a job. Please specify if you have any time restrictions at all. Otherwise it could be anywhere from a week to several weeks, however your manuscript will always be my top priority outside of professional obligations. If you are concerned/would like a time estimate, please inquire and I could supply one. My work comes first, but it won’t stop me from working on your manuscript.
Pricing:
Since I am less experienced at this, my prices are less than what is recommended from the Writing in the Margins website. I have also based my prices on other Beta & Sensitivity Readers.
Novels [ 60k-100k ]:
Beta: $100
SR: $200Single Scenes [ less than 10k ]:
SR: $50Other [ less than 60k, more than 100k ]:
Less than 60k:
Beta: $50
SR: $100More than 100k:**
Beta: $150
SR: $250** – These prices are tentative in the sense that it depends on how long the pieces actually are.
– Payment
I will accept payment through Paypal (preferred) or, if necessary, Amazon Gift card. Payment is up front, but if payment is a problem, please still email me and we can work something else out.
– DISCLAIMER FOR SENSITIVITY READS: A marginalized person IS NOT a monolith! I highly suggest you employ MULTIPLE sensitivity readers for each minority in your manuscript. My experiences are valid, but do not define everyone’s experiences. My read-through does NOT guarantee your manuscript to be free of all problems. If we have a disagreement as such, I will direct you to this.
– IMPORTANT!
If you are a teen writer or struggling with money, we can work prices out depending on what the projected price would be. I am also willing to accept other forms of payment, be it trades, or a form of delay pay (only if I know you/have worked with you before).
After you have read this page through COMPLETELY for the service you need, feel free to email me at thebookdeviant@gmail.com (And I will be able to tell if you read it or not. Don’t test me.)
Testimonials:
“Avery provided my manuscript with a highly professional and considered non-binary sensitivity read. As well as drawing on their own lived experiences, they brought an academic rigour to their critique. They also threw in a few bonus beta reader comments for good measure! I feel reassured and confident that my manuscript has had the best-possible review for sensitivity. Avery was also a pleasure to communicate with. I can’t recommend them enough.”
– Chantal Lyons, author
“I commissioned Avery to give my latest novel-length manuscript a thorough trans/enby sensitivity read, and it was worth every penny. They caught things I’d missed and really helped improve it in a lot of ways. It’s a better story thanks to their help, and I’d absolutely recommend their services to anyone.”
– Richard Ford Burley, author of Mouse and Displacement
“Avery brings necessary honesty to sensitivity reading. They read works carefully for material that may prove harmful or triggering. I hired Avery to review a story inspired by Batman and Miami during the 1980s. They did a thorough job examining the story and discussing appropriate and inappropriate terminology. If you want someone who will analyze a story, then you are in good hands.”
– Priya Sridhar, author of Neo-Mecha Mayhem & Carousel
this was updated as of: 05/30/2022