The Write Author

elliot lane

As your beta reader, I promise to give you honest (but loving) feedback. How much is up to you! See your two options below.

Beta Reading Services

Human Reader - Human Feedback

You've read it. You've revised it. You've read it again.

Now you need another pair of eyes on it.

Enter: Your beta reader. A real one. Who understands story structure and is trained in caring, constructive criticism.

Honest feedback. On time. Your story deserves it.

"Rebecca's critique helped me to understand what in the story was working—and fix what wasn’t. I highly recommend Rebecca and The Write Author to anyone seeking editing, proofreading, or general feedback."

— Lauren Henry Brehm,
Author of The French Court: Essays from One Family’s Legacy of Mental Illness

Why me?

Because I've been reading since I was a toddler. I have been in love with words my entire life. I was born a wordsmith. I have a B.A. in English, a M.A. in Literature, and I completed the Writing for Children and Teens course from the Writer's Institute of Children's Literature. I have spent over 50 years honing my craft and coaching others how to improve theirs.

i'm passionate about

helping you

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how it works

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service package

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PRICES STARTING AT $3,400

service package

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PRICES STARTING AT $3,400

Reader Response Review

Your soul has been spilled onto the pages for the world to read. How will they respond? Find out from an authentic reader first!

With my Reader Response Review, you will receive the invaluable perspective of an experienced reader. I will immerse myself in your story and provide honest, insightful feedback that focuses on your story's impact and effectiveness.

Overall Enjoyment: What did I love? What kept me turning the pages?
Emotional Impact: Did the key moments evoke the intended feelings?
Pacing and Engagement: Were there parts that dragged or flew by too quickly?
Clarity and Understanding: Were there any points of confusion or questions left unanswered?
Character Connection: Did I connect with your characters and believe in their journeys?
Plot Flow (Reader's Perspective): Did the story progress logically and hold my interest?
Get crucial insights into the reader experience and identify areas to strengthen your connection with your audience.

Note: While this review focuses on the reader experience, I'll also flag any noticeable typos or grammatical errors that disrupt the read.

Your investment: $0.005 per word.

Want a Sample?

To help you experience the quality of my feedback before committing to a full project, I offer a paid sample assessment.

Sample Fee: $20

What You Get: A review of 2,500 words of your manuscript, along with a brief written assessment of my reader analysis.

Credit Toward Service: The sample fee can be credited towards your Reader Response Review (or chosen service) if you book within 30 days of receiving the sample feedback.

"I entrusted the manuscript of my newest book to Rebecca for feedback as a beta reader, the last step before publication. She did a great job of proofreading, finding some errors I had missed despite reading it dozens of times. More importantly, she was able to offer observations about the overall structure and organization of the book as well as the emotional impact, letting me see the effect my work might have on readers in the general public. Rebecca's critique helped me to understand what in the story was working—and fix what wasn’t. I was able to go back and see my work through her eyes in making those critical, final edits. I highly recommend Rebecca and The Write Author to anyone seeking editing, proofreading, or general feedback."

Lauren Henry Brehm, Author of The French Court: Essays from One Family’s Legacy of Mental Illness (also acknowledged by the author in the Acknowledgments section)

Curious about authentic reader insights?Request Your Reader Response Sample!

Ready to connect with your audience?Get Started with Your Reader Response Review!

Red Pen Review

You love your story. But you can't stand to look at it again. You can't remember if you read something in the manuscript or if it was part of the plot in your head that didn't make it to paper.

With my Red Pen Review, you get more than fresh eyes and a standard beta reading. I offer you both the crucial perspective of a real reader and the sharp eye of an editor. You'll receive comprehensive feedback that includes everything in the Reader Response Review,

plus targeted editorial suggestions (that don't change your voice!) on:

Clarity and Conciseness: Identifying redundancies, wordiness, and areas for clearer phrasing.
Flow and Sentence Structure: Pointing out awkward sentences and transitions.
Consistency: Noting inconsistencies in plot, character, and worldbuilding.
Pacing: Identifying areas for tightening or expansion.
Show, Don't Tell: Suggesting opportunities for more immersive writing.
Mechanics: Basic grammar and punctuation corrections.
Gain a deeper understanding of your story's impact and receive actionable editorial guidance to refine your manuscript.

Your investment: Rates start at $0.010 per word.

The specific quote for your manuscript will be determined after a paid sample assessment.

Ready for Detailed Feedback? Start with a Sample!

To ensure the most accurate quote for your manuscript and help you experience the quality of my comprehensive feedback before committing to a full project, I require a paid sample assessment.

Sample Fee: $50

What You Get: A review of 2,500 words of your manuscript, including sample edits and a brief written assessment.

Your Next Step: Based on this sample, I'll provide your personalized quote for the full Red Pen Review.

Credit Toward Service: This sample fee can be credited towards your Red Pen Review if you book within 30 days of receiving the sample feedback.

From the dedication of A Journey into the Himalayas: Flannel, Flights and Footprints by Pirela L. Cross

"To Rebecca E. Schmuck For your unwavering support, keen editorial eye, and relentless pursuit of clarity. You read, reread, edited, re-edited, and hunted down errors with the precision of a literary sleuth. More than that, you helped me become a better writer. This book would not be the same without you."