Beta Reading and Building Community or Why Your Relatives Don’t Make Good Editors

Join us for Beta Reading and Building Community or Why Your Relatives Don’t Make Good Editors. The beta reading workshop will be held in The Moose Room at Z.J. Loussac Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

RSVP at bit.ly/awg-beta

Developmental editors, Mollie and Elizabeth, will walk you through the beta reading process, talk about when your work is ready for beta reading, and how to give and receive productive feedback. This workshop will feature writing exercises, opportunities to go in depth about your writing projects, beta reading practice, and group critiques. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring a 500 to 1,000-word writing sample from a work in progress. These samples will be used to illustrate the beta reading process along with other writing examples. Mollie and Elizabeth will guide participants through the beta reading interview and provide insight on how to set up expectations and boundaries when giving and receiving a beta read. Participants will come away with practical tools for building a writing community and be empowered to engage in the beta reading process both as a reviewer and an author.

Mollie Roache is a writer, editor, and work in progress. She has a degree in writing and literature along with a minor in history. Mollie works in libraries and is an avid reader. She uses her background in coaching track to help authors find their voices. On the weekend she enjoys doing large puzzles and serving as a butler to her dog and cat. She also has 3 little boys and a handsome husband. You may follow her on Instagram @AthroughL.

Elizabeth Amber is an artist, writer, editor, and creator. She loves planning creative workshops and has led small groups and regular gatherings for women and writing over the past 15 years. She specializes in unique approaches to writing and brings wisdom and wit to every conversation. Her favorite morning drink is black tea. She has a husband whom she adores and a cat that she obeys. She is currently working on a memoir about living with chronic illness. Follow her on Instagram @creamandsalt.