Promoting Yorkshire Authors

Beta Buddies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the PYA Beta Buddies scheme and what are its objectives?
• The PYA Beta Buddies scheme is an initiative by Promoting Yorkshire Authors (PYA) to facilitate informal collaboration between PYA members. Members can become "Beta Buddies" who read and review each other's work, offering constructive advice to improve its quality. The scheme aims to help authors improve their writing through reciprocal feedback, with the understanding that quality is subjective.
• How does the PYA Beta Buddies scheme work?
• The scheme operates within a private, closed Facebook group called "PYA Beta Buddies," accessible only to full PYA members via invitation. Members can post requests for beta readers, providing details about their manuscript (genre, synopsis, desired feedback). If another member agrees, they provide feedback directly to the author. PYA is not involved in the review process but expects participants to be respectful and supportive. Ill-mannered exchanges are not tolerated. The service exchange is free, working on trust and reciprocity.
• Is there any cost involved in participating in the PYA Beta Buddies scheme?
• No. The PYA Beta Buddies scheme is based on the principle of mutual, free exchange. Participants offer their beta reading services in return for receiving feedback on their own work from other members. No monetary payment is allowed.
• What frameworks are available to guide the beta reading process?
• The PYA Beta Buddies scheme suggests two frameworks: Informal and Clinical. The Informal Approach uses a series of open-ended questions focusing on the reader's overall impression and specific aspects of the story (e.g., engagement, plot, characters, believability). The Clinical Approach provides a more structured review with scoring for elements like editing, characters, scenes/plot, dialogue, pace and illustrations (if applicable). Participants can choose the approach that best suits them.
• What kind of questions are asked in the "Informal Approach"?
• The "Informal Approach" involves answering questions such as: "What was your overall impression of the story?", "What did you like about it most?", "Was there anything you didn’t like about it?", "Did the story grab you from the beginning?", "Was there anything you found confusing?", and questions about character engagement and whether the plot is believable.
• What areas are covered in the "Clinical Approach" scoring system?
• The "Clinical Approach" scoring system evaluates various aspects of the work, including: Editing (grammar, punctuation, spelling), Characters (development, relatable, consistency), Scenes/Plots/Story-line (consistency, originality), Dialogue (realism, character-specificity), Pace (consistency, engagement) and Illustrations (relevance and quality, if applicable). Each area is scored on a scale, with clear descriptors for each level.
• How do I join the PYA Beta Buddies Facebook group?
• To join the PYA Beta Buddies Facebook group, you must be a full PYA member. Request membership by adding a comment to the pinned post labelled "PYA Beta Buddies" within PYA's closed Facebook group. The group admins will review your request and may ask questions to validate your membership.
• What happens if there are problems or disputes between beta buddies?
• While PYA encourages amicable and supportive relationships, if problems arise, members should report them to the admins of the PYA Beta Buddies Facebook group. PYA reserves the right to remove individuals from the platform if necessary, particularly in cases of ill-mannered exchanges. However, it's expected that most issues can be resolved through open communication between the authors and beta readers.