BOOK EDITOR & BETA READER
I also work with authors over at Left Field Publishers
Alex Shea-Woods
Hello! I’m an author, editor, beta reader of fiction, and possibly the next step in your pub timeline✨I love, love, love working with books. I read and edit in the genres I write in — fantasy, romance, and a bit of erotica — so I’m familiar with their respective major tropes, smut, and world building.I don’t have many triggers, and those that I do have I’m comfortable working through. There’s nothing I won’t read. Truly.
[RATES]
beta reading
~ original ~
• $40 per 10k words
• $40 flat for <10k words~ casual ~
• $30 per 10k words
• $30 flat for <10k words
editing
• Free sample of up to 2k words
• Developmental edits: $.03 per word
• Copy edits: $.018 per word
Half now, half when I finish. You can pay me through Zelle or Venmo. For authors outside of the US, I also have PayPal and Revolut.
[MY PROCESS]
I offer live reader commentary directly in the doc you provide (Word or GDoc) as well as summation bullets of my overall thoughts for both beta reading and editing.The key difference is what I focus on as I read:beta reads - I focus on the storyline, the pace, the characters/relationships, and the reader appeal.developmental edits - I focus on storyline, setting, world building, romance, marketing, characters, and style.copy edits - This is the finish line. I focus on spelling, grammar, continuity, crutch words, punctuation, and syntax.*****The difference between casual and OG beta reads:casual - inline comments only
OG - inline comments and manuscript feedback
I’m the friend that has all the thoughts and opinions when she reads. Comments, questions, critiques, and praise. I will be honest, but I will not be unhelpfully cruel. I will be on your team, but I will not mislead you. Hopefully, whatever feedback I’m able to offer helps you craft an even stronger story or confirms your initial feelings.
[FROM AUTHORS I’VE WORKED WITH]”Alex was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her copy edits were thorough and her developmental feedback was insightful. I really feel like she took the time to understand my story and offered detailed notes that enhanced the plot. She was also just an incredibly kind person who made the editing process enjoyable. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again.”
-Lauren Monica, romance
"I am incredibly grateful for Alex's meticulous and perceptive editing skills. Her detailed feedback on character relationships was precisely what I needed to add depth and nuance to my story, and her thoughtful note was the icing on the cake. I was particularly impressed by her insightful suggestions for making my characters' interactions more dynamic and believable, and the astute questions she posed to help me further develop their motivations and arcs. I look forward to implementing all of her suggestions and working with Alex again in the future!"
-Hussna, fantasy novella
"Alex provided me with a beta read for my debut novel. She was a pleasure to work with because her feedback was helpful, encouraging, and honest. Communication was timely, and she responded to my questions with detailed suggestions, showing that she cared about my characters and story. I would definitely work with her again."
-Maggie Malloy, romance
[AVAILABILITY]
I’m currently accepting projects and looking to work with authors in February, March, and April.Beta reads typically take at least 1 week and developmental edits take at least 4 weeks. Prepare accordingly before inquiring. I'm always happy to talk through deadlines and timelines, but I won't rush through a read/edit, or sacrifice my boundaries.
If booking a read or an edit during these months works for your publishing timeline, I’d love to talk with you about your book!