Under the Covers Beta Readers

The term "Beta Reader" originated in computer software. "Beta Testers" and "Beta Readers" were those individuals who reviewed software before its release, to check for bugs, critique ease of use, and basically test it to make sure it's something that should be loosed upon the world. Online fan fiction adopted the term several years ago to refer to volunteer copy and content editors who preview a story and provide critical and constructive feedback to help the author whip a story into shape before it is loosed upon the world.

A beta reader should be someone with a strong grasp of the mechanics of writing, but need not be a writer. However, a certain level of knowledge regarding spelling, grammar, pacing, plotting, and copy and content editing is required in order to truly help a writer edit his or her work before he or she publishes it to a mailing list, newsgroup, fanzine, archive, or website.

Line and content editing are vital, but at the very least, a beta reader should be able to:

Tell you what's working, and why

Tell you what's not working, why, and give suggestions on how to fix it

Beta readers who simply volunteer because they wish to be the first to receive new fiction, without providing critical and editorial feedback, are frankly a waste of time and should be avoided. Beta reading takes an enormous amount of time and effort, and a skilled beta reader is the author's greatest asset.

Beta Request

Should you contact one of the beta readers below, please let our archivist know how it went. We will keep adding to this list with author comments about various beta readers.

Name

Description

Allison

allisonv7@yahoo.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac, AJ/Mac
Other: Can help with military jargon, JAG character history, past storylines, pretty much anything.

Amy

startrails@hotmail.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac, Mac/Gunny, Harm/Harriet (which I wish people would write more of!) Other: Can help with general histories of the characters. (I also have formal editing experience, so I'm good with grammar/spelling, too.)

Cherie
(confirmed 11-27-11)

cleansteel@aol.com

Will read: Harm/Mac, AJ/Meredith, AJ/other, Webb/Catherine G., Webb/other

Other I'm not really into slash fiction. I'm an avid JAG fan and have all of the episodes on tape. So I know the story continuity and am able to look things up if I need to. I have access to some military info and some medical info. I can help with spelling and grammar. I also like all of the characters for what they bring to the mix, even Mikey and Singer.

Christy

Anamaaio@aol.com

Will read: Any story, but like Harm/Mac
Other: Not much, but I know the basics about English and grammar and spelling.

Cindy

fireeagle25@yahoo.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac. Other: I can also help with jargon and some character history.

clottingson

clottingson@yahoo.com.sg

Will Read: Harm/Mac

Crystal

crramsey5@yahoo.com

Will read: Harm/Mac, AJ/Mac, Webb/Mac Other: Can help with JAG character history

Dorothy

dor1249@aol.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac
Other: Can help with some military jargon and engineering

Han

hanna.kyostila@phnet.fi

Will Read: Harm/Mac Other: Ehm, well, guess I'm really not that much of a shining star when it comes to military jargon and such... So let's just say that I'm simply very anxious, eager and most definitely willing to be of help otherwise.

J Hall

priestess_kassandra@hotmail.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac, AJ/Other, Bud/Harriet, Webb/Other
Other: I have written a few fics for the X-Files, and I am currently working on one for JAG. I know a lot about the shows.

Kat BeBeau

kfb1963@yahoo.com

Will Read: Gunny/other, Gunny/Mac, Mac/other, Webb/other, Mac/Webb, if needed will read Harm/Mac as well
Other: Good at continuity issues, some marine background general English issues.

Katherine

KatD1977@aol.com

Will read: Harm/Mac, Mac/Other, Gunny/Other
Other: I'm a journalist (an editor, in fact!) and minored in history, so I guess those are my top areas of expertise

Kelly

kelly_macp@yahoo.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac, Harm/Harriet Other: Can assist with Military jargon and acronyms, and law enforcement related questions. NB-I will also Beta Mac/Harriet, Mac/other and Harriet/other slash fic if you ever get requests for that. I know that UTC does NOT house slash fic, but just in case you're asked you may feel free to refer them to me.

Lyndsey

carter995@hotmail.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac

Megan
(confirmed 11-22-11)

meggie116@hotmail.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac

Melissa

kaylin_01@yahoo.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac or any others really Other: Can help with JAG character history and little odd facts.

Myla

myla8a2002@yahoo.com.mx

Will Read: Harm/Mac, AJ/Mac Gunny/Mac

Roswita

roswita.horn@nexgo.de

Will Read: Harm/Mac, Bud/Harriet
Other: Military (Fighter-bomber), Weapons , China, Germany, History

Sam

salvic2@hotmail.com

Will Read: Anything, Harm/Mac, AJ/Mac, Webb/Mac

Samantha

Grnis1013@aol.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac, Clay/anyone (not slash), Mac/AJ Other: Can help wit DC area landmarks, basic military jargon, canon

Sharon

sharonrp@bellsouth.net

Will Read: Harm/Mac
Other: Military terms, military history, been to West Point and Annapolis.

Sheena

devilishbelle@yahoo.com

Will read: Harm/Mac Other: I love JAG and have been watching since the beginning!! GO JAG!! And I love fanfictions!

Sheila

diversamno@yahoo.com

Will Read: AJ/MAC Webb/Mac Any thing with AJ, Mac, Webb, Gunny, not a Harm/Mac shipper but willing Other: Can help with Medical information

Tess

Mjjbm@aol.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac; Gunny/Mac
Other: can look up military jargon

Tina

rednblack83@aol.com

Will Read: Any character combinations
Other: I am an avid jag watcher and I know about the character histories and would love to help.

Tracy Hawkins

tracyleehawkins@yahoo.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac Other: I can help with JAG character history, continuity of story lines.

Tricia

reilly7591@yahoo.com

Will Read: Harm/Mac Other: Good with government jargon thanks to my job in the government

Vicki Ashby

vickleberry@msn.com

Will read: Anything
Other: Can help with JAG character history and Military jargon