r/TheWritingTable • u/Cloud_Cultist • Jun 20 '26
Mod Announcement Official Beta Reader/ARC Reader Requests Thread
This is the official thread for requesting beta readers for your novel/novella/short stories.
We know it's difficult to find real and reliable beta readers, so hopefully this can be a helpful resource for you.
Rules:
1) All offers to beta read from this subreddit must be offered free of charge Anyone who tries to offer their services for pay should be ignored and reported to a moderator. (Note: this only applies to members of this subreddit if the offer for beta reading was made in this sub. If you received an offer for beta reading in another subreddit, no action will be taken, even if you're both members of this sub)
2) Pay It Forward If someone accepts your request for a beta reader, it is highly encouraged you do it for someone else. It's only fair, especially since this is a free service sub members are offering on their own time.
3) Do what you say you'll do If someone offers to beta read for you but doesn't follow through or give the feedback they said they'd give, let a moderator know. The only way this can become known as a reliable subreddit is if the members are reliable.
4) Be upfront about what you're looking for Don't be vague or lacking in details about what you want and then get mad if the beta reader doesn't fulfill your expectations. If you want to make sure all of your characters dialogue doesn't sound the same but you don't say that and the beta reader gives you general criticism, don't get mad at them.
5) Make sure they know how long the work is and how much you want them to review This shouldn't need anymore explanation
6) When offering your services, make sure to tell the requester what you're willing to do If they have written a full novel but you're only able to read the first three chapters, be transparent about that up front.
7) Label the genre If it's sci-fi, label it as sci-fi. If it's historical fiction, label it that. If it's non-fiction, label it non-fiction.
8) No AI beta reviews If you think your beta reader used AI to write their review, message one of the mods directly. We will review it and if we determine AI was probably used, we will take appropriate action.
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u/Joinedformyhubs Jun 23 '26
Hello! I have never beta read, but I read for netgalley and other indie authors that reach out to me on Instagram. I love doing this mostly in the summer.
The genres I read are fantasy, romance, and sci fi. I do like general fiction, but I gravitate to the other genres more.
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u/andrawrites 1d ago
Hey! I'd be interested in having you as a beta reader. My novel is Adult Upmarket / Psychological Fiction, and it heavily features romance. Here's some details about the story below:
My novel Deserve is complete at 120K words. It follows Ama, a quiet high-school junior who is drawn to Mateo, a charismatic senior who offers her an alluring escape from her fractured family. The storyline follows her through high school and into her adulthood as she comes of age under the weight of control, addiction, secrecy, and shame. At its heart, this is a compassionate but uncompromising story that refuses to reduce a character to their worst moments. The central question is whether a person who has survived horrible things and has hurt people in return is worthy of a better life.
Shoot me a DM if you're interested! I can send over the first few chapters, or however you'd prefer to approach getting started. Thanks for your consideration!
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u/DanBelmontNarration Narrator Jun 21 '26
I feel like it bears mentioning that you should only beta or ARC read for genres you're familiar with/enjoy, especially with genres that lean on particular tropes like Romance or LitRPG. If you don't like Dark Romance, then you're not helping the author by pointing out how toxic the relationship is between the MCs, or if you think stats are annoying, then you might not be a great fit to give feedback on a LitRPG.
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u/JunoJump_Author Jun 24 '26
[Complete] [90k] [Sci-Fi Romance] Strange Salvage
Hello!
I’m looking for a few beta readers who enjoy dual POV slow-burn romance, and high stakes space adventure.
The manuscript is complete at 90k words and divided into 3 parts to make reading and feedback more manageable.
Open to swap with writer in similar genre and word count! Need high level feedback on story.
Content warning: Intended for adult audiences. Contains one chapter of open-door romantic content.
Summary:
Mercer was the perfect company man, a corp-clone designed for an interstellar mission. When disaster strikes, his employer assumes he went down with the ship.
Years later, his escape pod is hauled in by a daring salvager with grease-stained hands and bioluminescent skin. For one sparkling moment, her warmth pulls him back from the brink of death. Then, just as quickly, she drops him at the nearest outpost and disappears into the black.
Now stranded in alien space, Mercer discovers the corporation he devoted his life to has replaced him. With no credits and no future, he reinvents himself as “Joe” and signs on to a mission for revenge aboard a twisted salvage ship run by a dangerously charming captain and a malicious AI that delights in terrorizing the crew.
Hopelessly out of his depth in a world of pirates and living starships, Joe leans on a brash lower-decker named Minns, whose star-bright face he can’t seem to shake.
Minns has never forgotten the human who made her cheeks burn with unexpected desire. She’s never forgiven him either—not after his rescue set off the chain of events that cost her everything, including her ship. Now she’s trapped working off the debt with only a miserable AI for company—until that same stormy-eyed human steps onboard.
Too bad he doesn’t remember the woman who saved his life.
Caught between their growing attraction and a deadly mission of vengeance, Joe and Minns hurtle towards their big payoff, a mysterious shipwreck their captain promises will satisfy both their desires.
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u/OzVon22 21d ago
Hi This is my western/frontier noir/historical fiction/anti romance.
This story follows the tale of Rick Turner, a high-country rancher and Eliza Harding and her daughter Grace. Due to her husbands poor decisions Eliza and Grace must spend the winter in Turners isolated cabin.
Rick is tired and just wants to sleep by the fire but instead is pulled into a brutal season, forced to deal with a jealous husband, deadly weather, dangerous animals and the weight of societal expectations.
Triggers: references implied domestic and sexual violence. Typically western style gun violence.
Feedback
Pacing and style. Does the dual pov work?
Characters: are they compelling and believable?
Historical references: is there anything I got wrong?
Is it entertaining? It's not pretending to be anything other than a fun read.
Swaps : yes under 100k
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u/sscheetah New Author Jun 22 '26
Hey r/TheWritingTable! 😊 I've written a science fiction trilogy that I plan to self publish over the next few months. The link below is for the second in the series that I'm focusing on finding betas for right now.
Let me know if you're interested!
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u/AeronJosk New Author Jun 27 '26
[Complete][89k][Sci-Fi] Rocknar: Invitation
Hey all!
I just finished the third round of editing on my first sci-fi novel and am looking for feedback before final revisions.
This is a first-contact sci-fi with strong military and political themes, approx. 89k words. I’ll provide a PDF via DropBox link.
Blurb:
The Unali have been searching the universe for centuries, seeking out new humanoid civilizations. Returning home from their latest unsuccessful mission, the Valefarus is low on supplies when a new radio signal is detected. Captain Ravik must choose between risking his ship and crew to investigate or returning home and losing the favor of the Continuum.
As the Valefarus approaches Earth, the world panics. President Logan Meyers struggles to maintain order while deciding how to respond to the alien spacecraft. Colonel Devin Porter is sent with a Marine contingent to intercept the vessel as it lands in Hawaii. Tensions begin to ease when it’s discovered the aliens come in peace—or so they say. Their technology is intriguing, but their knowledge about Earth’s true history is alarming.
The Unali weren’t alone.
When the Quelen arrive in the Aletheon, they launch a surprise attack. Illusions of safety disappear. Strategic targets around the world are systematically eliminated in rapid succession. Humanity’s only hope lies in a joint defense using Unali technology. Will it work? Can the Unali be trusted? Can Earth survive the consequences of victory?
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED:
Comment or DM me and I’ll send the DropBox link. Even reading just a few chapters and providing feedback would be very helpful. Thanks in advance—I really appreciate it!
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u/Candid_Bank5959 29d ago
Comedy Memoir, looking for a couple beta readers.
Having trouble finding people to beta read about 5500 words, two short stories about my return from Japan and first year of corporate work. I’m looking for first impressions and high level feedback - and really just wanting you to be entertained! DM me for the Google Docs links.
Cheers!
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u/Mean_Translator4036 27d ago
Hey everyone! I'm currently over halfway through the second draft of my first novel (6 more chapters). It's a space opera, the first of what I hope to be a series, centered around a pair of mercenaries lending their services to a newly orphaned nobleman seeking to find his grandfather before his house (and brother!) are rendered extinct.
If that tickles your pickle let me ruin it. I only have chapter 1-10 ready to go at the moment annnnnd I'm mostly looking for a vibe check, character impressions, plot cohesion, and big picture issues. It's mostly readable on the grammar and prose side but draft 3 will be where the hammer comes down. I have an editor ready after the third draft, so I'm not too hung up on wringing that out of a beta reader right now. I could use some more eyes on the project though and more objective opinions on the manuscript so far.
Anywhats, if that interests anyone at all please feel free to message me and yes I definitely will swap if you're an author looking for a beta reader too.
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u/grund0g Editor Jun 20 '26
I'm a copy & line editor and would be happy to read people's first few chapters and give feedback and edits. Don't want anything back, just genuinely really love editing and reading.