Beta readers

A beta reader reads a full manuscript and gives holistic, structural feedback. It is a longer commitment than passage-level peer feedback, so it works a little differently: requests are public, readers offer, and the writer chooses. Inkbreaker handles the matchmaking; the reading happens in inline comments or off-platform. It lives at /beta-readers.

Posting a beta request is a paid Pro feature, because it asks several readers for weeks of their time. Offering to beta read, listing yourself in the directory, and doing the reads are free for everyone.

Asking for beta readers

From /beta-readers, choose Post a request and fill in the manuscript's type, word count, a synopsis, what kind of feedback you are after, any content warnings, the timeline in weeks, and how many readers you want. Your request appears in the directory for readers to browse.

When a reader offers, you see their profile and decide whether to accept. Accepting commits them to the timeline. Once you have enough committed readers, the request fills and comes off the open list. An unfilled request stays open for 60 days, with a reminder 7 days before it closes.

Offering to beta read

On the I'm available to beta read tab, set up your profile: the genres you read, your preferred manuscript length, a short bio, and how many manuscripts you will take at once. You then appear in the readers directory.

To offer on a request, open it, read the synopsis and what the writer wants, and confirm you understand the timeline commitment before you send your offer. The writer reviews offers and accepts the readers they want. You can withdraw an offer any time before it is accepted.

Track everything you have posted or offered to read under My beta reads.