Inlet Beta Readers Club Overview

The 2024 season is coming soon…

All spring 2023 season club members will be contacted when the new session arises. If you’d like to join the Inlet Beta Readers Club contact list, email Angela: angelarydell@gmail.com.

Manuscript Profile Submission Period for 2024 is TBD

Browsing Period: TBD

Inlet Beta Readers Club Video Explainer from the 2023 season.

Writers need readers. Some people believe a book is never truly complete until it’s read by a reader.

The relationship between writer and reader is participatory, not passive. Novel readers aren’t manipulating characters manually with consoles or joysticks, but they are holding your creative work in their hands, and as they read, their imagination and intellect populates the world you wrote into existence.

A beta read embraces the role of a reader–and honors the value of an off-the-cuff, off-the-shelf read.

A classic beta read is typically a read of a late-stage manuscript, given by someone who’s unfamiliar with the work–and who may not be not a writer. Maybe they’re in book club, or they’re a kindly neighbor who likes a good read.

BUT it’s not always easy to find that perfect someone to be a beta reader.

You can’t ask a critique buddy because they know where the dead darlings are buried.

You can’t ask a significant other or friend because they’re too caught up in what the book means to you, and what you mean to them.

And that casual acquaintance, your kindly neighbor with three kids and a job as a night nurse? Asking her to read your full manuscript is a heavy lift.

It’s gonna take quite some time to get your full manuscript to near-final phase, too.

SO… why not make the beta-reader finding process easier? And why wait until your novel is ready to be seen by an agent to get a gut-reaction reader-read?

The Inlet Beta Readers Club circumvents the beta-read wait time by inviting a gut-check reader-read earlier in the process, and inviting writers who share a need for beta readers to come together in one place at one time.

Rather than wait to complete a manuscript to get a reader-read, what if, instead, you reach out to a beta reader when you have 10 or 50 pages that “feel” like the launch to your book? Pages packed with the promise of what you want your book to be.

This often happens during key shifts in your draft phases (check out the Author Tip Sheet for more reader readiness tips):

when you shift from first draft to second
when you move within deep revision to a plateau stage or into final draft stage
when you shift from final draft to polished manuscript
…or when you’ve been drafting and getting feedback enough to feel like you have a launch of 10-50 pages that represent the promise of your novel. When it’s time to set those pages on the windowsill to cool.

Enter the Inlet, and its new Inlet Beta Readers Club.

Inlet Beta Readers aren’t just any beta readers.

Inlet Beta Readers are craft-informed writers willing to provide a reader-focused read for a complete or partial novel manuscript they have not critiqued.

Since an Inlet Beta Reader is a craft-trained writer, they have double vision: a sense of what they’re looking for in a good read, AND what audiences are looking for in a good read. Plus they know a bit about crafting, and how to give a more informed reader-read. Not just what they feel, but WHY. Many read widely and know what readers in specific genres are looking for, too.

I created the Inlet Beta Readers club so you can:

Find beta readers more easily.
Get a fresh read on pages already critiqued by your closest readers.
Shift from critique fix-it mindset to reader-need mindset, imagining your completed book in the hands of a reader. Then get a real “beta test” result from a reader reading the opening pages (or the full manuscript if it’s ready).
Receive a fast gut-reaction impression of your novel’s first 10 pages (or first 50) rather than just the final pre-agent-submission draft.
Supplement critique feedback with fresh perspectives from readers reading as if plucking a book off a shelf, rather than picking up pages with pen in hand.
Shift into the mindset of a reader and remind yourself what readers are really looking for.

But there’s more to the club than getting more eyeballs on your pages.

The club encourages community building and casual networking between members. You may want to:

Reach out to other writers to commiserate about the challenges of drafting and revising a complete novel manuscript.
Find writing buddies, maybe even an accountabili-buddy (a writing friend who helps keep you accountable, a la Elisabeth Blair).
Grow your pool of critique partners.
Start making connections now with an eye towards building a community to rely upon for things like blurbs, peer reviews, publishing tips, book-tour reading opportunities, podcast interviews, conference panel talks, and more.

A club like this can only work when more than a handful of writers agree to participate. That’s why I’m running the club for FREE.

And that’s why the club is OPEN TO ALL KINDS OF WRITERS AND READERS:

Poets who love to read novels. Mystery novelists who want to read other mystery novelists. SF/F buffs looking to swap pages. Essay writers supporting novelists and looking for other CNF writers who may want to join a critique group. Flash fiction writers trying their hands at novels and eager to read your novel’s opening pages. Literary fiction readers. Literary fiction writers.

Use the club to find readers, regardless of your genre.

Regardless of the writing you do (poetry, flash fiction, novel, memoir, essay, etc) you are not only invited to beta-read novels—that’s the focus of the group—but encouraged to let other writers in the club know if you’re interested in finding a writing buddy in or swapping pages.

Here’s the where, when, and how of the Inlet Beta Readers Club.

The club matches writers with readers in a virtual space at the Writers’ Inlet website. The “page where it happens,” the Club Hub, has everything club members need, from page links to the DOWNLOADABE Manuscript Profiles all Authors post for browsing.

All writers who join agree to give at least one beta read of a manuscript that’s at least 10 pages long.

And you can choose more than one manuscript to read and make even more connections. We’ll meet during a specific timeframe to make the process more manageable.

The club is open between now and May31st and divided into two periods:

- Manuscript Profile Submission Period: TBDYou’ll write up and share a Manuscript Profile (click for a download of the profile) of key novel components plus a blurb (luring readers like a movie trailer, or jacket copy).
- Browsing Period: April 16th-May 31st. Read/browse Manuscript Profiles and check out manuscripts before the browsing period closes.

Club Soirees: We don’t meet regularly as a large group but you’ll get one or more bonus gatherings on Zoom for camaraderie and breakout conversation in March and April.

The Inlet Beta Readers Club is not a substitute for a critique group, coach, or writing buddy. But it’s an invaluable supplement to all those things, and more…

I’ve been working with writers for twenty years, so my email list includes many novelists who want to connect with other novelists and don’t quite know where to find peers. They just need a little help–I see the club as a way to easily make connections and take a manuscript to the next level.

And you can sign up to get and give a fresh perspective without knocking yourself out. Nothing too intensive–just, what did that read “feel” like?

So, if you do join the club, it’s a win-win. My salon novelists and other Inlet novelists will support you on your writer’s journey, you’ll support them on theirs–and your support will help my business by growing my email list, providing my Salon Novelists with fresh perspectives, and expanding and building networks for novelists now and for years to come.

Where do you begin?

Here’s how you become a member:

Once you RECEIVE your invitation with the club pledge password

–if you haven’t received an invitation but would like to become a member (either through direct invitation from the Writers’ Inlet email list, the Inlet Novel Salon, or referral & application), click here for an application—

after you READ over this overview and the top ten FAQs

and WATCH the Beta Readers Club explainer video

if you decide you want to join the club,

do a self-assessment of your manuscript and your mindset:

Here’s a handy test to see if your manuscript is Inlet-Beta-Read Ready. For a more in depth assessment, peruse the Author Tip Sheet. It also helps you get your manuscript up to snuff so reading is a snap, and your readers will feel like they’re simply plucking your book off a shelf.

Does your manuscript fit the bill, or will it soon, by April 15th ( and new members can now apply to join for our Second Wind Profile Push May 4th-12th!). Get your DOWNLOADABLE Manuscript Profile (click for a download) here. Are you willing to provide an Inlet Beta Read for at least one other member after April 15th? Then you’re ready to join as a MANUSCRIPT MEMBER. Scroll down to “Agree” below.

If your manuscript doesn’t fit the bill, you can still join as a READER ONLY MEMBER. Yes, you’re welcome to join and read at least one manuscript (or more!) after April 15th, even if you don’t have a full or partial manuscript. Why join without a manuscript?

- - - Use the club as a stepping stone to finding alpha readers.
    - Build your community of writerly support.
    - Expand your network to make the “business of writing” more manageable.
    - Come for the exclusive benefits like bonus Inlet Beta Readers Soirees.

then, to join as a Manuscript Member (reader & writer with a manuscript to share), or as a Reader Only Member, use the pledge password you received in your invitation or receive after your application is accepted, and:

AGREE to the (password protected page) Inlet Beta Readers Pledge (the pledge walks you through the promises you’ll make to share respectably and in a timely manner as writer, reader, and member)

and you’re in the club!

(If you need a resend of your invitation with the password, email Angela at angelarydell@gmail.com)

once you’re in the club

you’ll receive the Club password, be invited to post your Author/Reader Bio and directed to the Club Hub–the page where it happens. The hub collects all links in one place, and it’s where you’ll do all your Manuscript Profile posting and browsing.

Then (here’s the final piece) you’ll follow the steps below, for:

Authors preparing manuscripts & Profiles, opening a Manuscript Profile on the Hub, & accepting a Beta Reader request.

Readers browsing for a manuscript to read, and reaching out to an Author to check out their manuscript.

STEPS FOR AUTHORS REQUESTING AN INLET BETA READ

After you’ve settled in and posted your bio, prepare for an Inlet Beta Read.

STEP ONE: PREPARE YOUR MANUSCRIPT

Prepare your manuscript for an Inlet Beta Read by reading the Author Tip Sheet.

STEP TWO: POST YOUR MANUSCRIPT PROFILE

Click here to download your Manuscript Profile template. Prepare and post your profile on the Club Hub between now and April 15th–the submission period of the club. (New members can now apply to join for our Second Wind Profile Push May 4th-12th!)

STEP THREE: RECEIVE A REQUEST

Wait until a Beta Reader requests your manuscript between April 15 and May 31st, the browsing period of the club. Then make arrangements with your reader for your own reading period & Afterwords conference.

STEP FOUR: CLOSE YOUR PROFILE

Once you’ve made your plans with your reader, “close” your Manuscript Profile (simply reply to your Profile post and indicate that your manuscript is now “checked out” by a reader).

STEP FIVE: SHARE YOUR FORMATTED MANUSCRIPT

Make any final edits/tweaks, format/prep your manuscript based on your reader’s needs, and share your manuscript at the agreed upon time.

STEP six: review the author tip sheet

Review the Author Tip Sheet as you prepare to ask your reader questions about their Beta Read.

STEP seven: MEET WITH YOUR READER

Meet with your Reader for a one-to-one Afterwords conference. Take notes. Lean in and listen. Then thank your Inlet Beta Reader for their time.

STEPS FOR READERS GIVING AN INLET BETA READ

Open up time in your schedule to give an Inlet Beta Read of a manuscript’s first ten or fifty pages, or a full manuscript. Keep an eye out for manuscripts as they’re posted, and respond when you’re ready.

Step One: READ THROUGH THE MANUSCRIPT PROFILES

Read the Manuscript Profiles as they’re posted on the Club Hub between now and April 15th (you’ll receive notifications), and during our Second Wind Profile Push May 4th-12th.

Step Two: CHOOSE A MANUSCRIPT BEFORE MAY 31ST

Request (or “check out”) at least one manuscript anytime between April 15 and May 31.

Step ThreE: EMAIL THE AUTHOR

Once you’ve chosen the manuscript you want to request/check out, contact the Author via email. If the manuscript has already been checked out, please consider another manuscript.

Step Four: MAKE PLANS WITH THE AUTHOR

Communicate the dates/times you’re available for an Afterwords with the Author.

step five: REVEIW THE READERS TIP SHEET

Review the Reader Tip Sheet for suggestions on how to get out of alpha reader mindset and into Inlet Beta Reader mindset.

Step SIX: READ!

Relax and read. Sit back in a big fat chair with the manuscript, and simply be a reader reading–without holding a pen in your hand.

Step SEVEN: MEET FOR AN AFTERWORDS CONFERENCE

Meet on the appointed day for a casual conversation about what it felt like to read the Author’s manuscript as a reader.

And while we don’t meet regularly as a large group, you’ll get bonus gatherings with others in the club, we’ll occasionally meet for pop up Soirees. Stay tuned!