Hello

hello

Hope you are doing well, (if not, heres a hug🫂)

Im a bit curious, and i dunno if it was ever asked but:

What do you look for in a beta reader?

Hello my lovely, thanks for the ask!

I am in recovery after TIC5 (I knew it would be hard on me physically, but didn't anticipate how hard it would be emotionally, and the combination has hit me like a sledgehammer) but otherwise am doing quite well, thank you.

Now. So.

I don't actually have a beta reader.

(Gasp, shock, horror, yes yes I know)

I did, for a bit (a very small window in the middle of DFAFM and the first chapter of TIALAINGO) and honestly was so traumatised by that experience that I'm very wary about ever allowing anyone that amount of access to me again.

So here's some advice I think would be worth thinking about. My number one piece of advice is:

You as a writer need to know exactly what you want in terms of feedback, and be honest about that with yourself as much as to any potential beta readers.

So many times beta relationships crumble because writers have not correctly identified their limits in terms of what they want to hear about their work. Are they looking for guidance on tone, character, speech, spice level, or just a spelling and grammar check?

If you struggle to handle criticism (and most of us do, there's no shame in it), then it's essential to communicate to your beta how you are best able to handle this information. Would you prefer them to make suggested alternatives rather than just a criticism? Would you prefer a "shit sandwich" (the criticism sandwiched between two things your beta loves)? Would you prefer that they just tell you bluntly what they feel needs improvement but give you space to work out what's wrong with it?

Additionally, make it clear that you need and want positive feedback, too. Lots of fledgeling betas will assume that their role is limited to finding faults, so make sure they know you need to hear enthusastic cheering, too!

Secondly, although your relationship needs to be a trusting one, I advise not choosing someone who is a huge fan of your work. Sometimes losing your biggest fan to have them see your messy unfinished pieces can be demoralising for both parties. Also, don't pick someone you hardly know. Go for somewhere in the middle, someone you know and trust (ideally they enjoy fics similar to yours) and make sure to establish parameters (as above) before sharing your work.

Thirdly, it should be a fun process. It will feel weird and anxiety-inducing, but the right beta will put you at ease and be enthusiastic enough to keep you motivated, but give you little tips to polish off what is already pretty darn fabulous. If it doesn't feel fun, if it doesn't feel collaborative, if it makes you stressed and anxious or, Someone forbid, upset - they probably aren't the beta for you.

I hope any of this helps.

And maybe someday I'll take some of my own darn advice.

Crowley's mail for The Ineffable Con

Here's a detail of Crowley's mail that Shax was handing out to The Ineffable Con participants as a gift over the weekend.

Making these brought me immense joy because it felt like giving back to the fandom, which is full of amazing people whose creations I enjoy every day. So these are for all of you, my dears!

And there was a little surprise in each of them

Some of the letters are still up for grabs at the Bandstand in Battersea Park in London together with some amazing art by @drimmsydra and @fuzzywhispersbear.

Yay!!!!

Happy season 2 anniversary!!

YAY! Happy season 2 anniversary.

incredible <3

Ok, the funniest thing just happened right at the end of The Ineffable Con.

So short, some of us took a trip to Tadfield with like busses and it was all really lovely organized, and we had rented the community building thing, and walked around the village (which really is tiny, like there are 3 streets) and taking pictures of benches and streets and shit, then eat some crepes and hang out in the building.

9pm comes and we get ready to board the busses back, when who rund out and starts shouting, the realy life version of R.P. Tyler.

Like, Im not kidding. Old guy, with a dog and a stick up his ass so far, it's tickling his brain.

He starts yelling how we are to loud and we should leave...while blocking us from leaving.

His shouting seems to attract more people, since people comes out of their houses to watch or yell too. Some are holding dogs or cats, some are saying we are traumatising their pets.

Another person comes and tries to mediate between the villagers and the bus drivers.

Honestly, that was the best ending and they will never know why we found the whole thing so funny.

Crowley wearing a pronoun pin that changes what pronouns it shows each time someone looks at it and everyone around him wants to be respectful and are understanding of the fact that people can change which pronouns they use/have multiple pronouns but at the same time they could have sworn the pin said she/her like two seconds ago and now it's he/they and a blink later it's he/him. Everyone thinks they are hallucinating. Crowley is a nuisance and he loves it. Aziraphale is fondly exasperated.

<3<3<3

Happy season 2 anniversary!

Happy Good Omens series two anniversary to those who celebrate!

- Mod D