Kara Shane Colley
Beta Reader
I love to read. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved going to the library and coming home with a stack of books. Now as an adult, if I have a free day all to myself, I surround myself with a pile of books, a few sections of the Sunday newspaper, and a hot cup of coffee. I would love to read your manuscript!
Experience
Since 2015, I have offered feedback on middle grade and young adult novels.
What I offer:
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I will fully engage with your story. I will dive deep and immerse myself in your story!
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I will offer honest character and plot-based reflections. If something a character says doesn’t make sense or if a plot point needs more fleshing out, I will find it.
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I am detail-oriented and I will likely find grammatical errors.
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I will identify the strengths/selling points of your manuscript.
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Above all, I will offer my feedback as a passionate reader. I heartily agree with Logan Pearsall Smith when he said, “People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading.”
Feedback: I will give you a 3 to 4-page written report. I will capture my thinking as I read your novel, giving you a snapshot of my thoughts at 20% done, 40% done, 60% done, 80% done, and 100% done. I will also provide detailed annotations in your manuscript as I read.
Fee: USD 2 / 1000 words
Testimonials
If you want a professional reader who will fully engage with your story and help you shape it for publication, I highly recommend Kara Colley. She asks all the right questions, pinpointing plot points that could be developed and places that aren’t clear. She’s also meticulous and detail-oriented and will find “repeats” and syntactical/grammatical errors. Most of all, she reads as someone who adores delving deep into stories—your stories! She’s everything you want in a beta reader.
-Kerry Duff
Portland, Oregon
I wanted a complete stranger who reads lots of books and knows what they are talking about to give me their thoughts on my novel The Unicorn Society. Kara not only did that very well, but did it quickly. It was incredibly useful to find out what she was thinking at five stages of her read (20% through, 40% and so on). It meant I found out what is working and what needed more work. A very good and important experience.
-Mark Jolly
London, England
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Kara has read several of my manuscripts. Her comments have unfailingly helped my novels to improve. Her critiques are constructive and positive, as well as honest and matter of fact. She views manuscripts as a reader, first and foremost, and her insights as to how my writing will be perceived and received are extremely helpful. I have already recommended her to many of my colleagues as a fantastic source as an editor and reader.
-Kristin Burchell
Camas, Washington
