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The function of a beta-reader is to look over an author's unpublished work in order to offer gentle critiques and grounded encouragement. The text a beta-reader views is not so much a work-in-progress as a semi-finished product. Thus, beta-readers don't help with the process of creating a book; they help make it better once it is more or less complete.

The "alpha read" or first power-read of a text is done by the author. The beta-read is the second pass, in which improvements are suggested and "good parts" are pointed out. It is the third version, after suggestions by the beta-reader have been considered, that is ultimately presented to an editor, publisher, or literary agent.

The beta-reader is usually previously unknown to the author, and is solicited through writing boards or forums. Beta-readers are valued because they are believed to be more objective critics than loved ones or friends. Yet, a beta-reader isn't expected to be as "hard-core" as a traditional editor would be — a beta-reader is meant to be less of a corrector and more of a "reading-buddy."

My first experience with beta-reading was with a Young Adult novel called Solstice, by a teacher from Texas named Melissa Dean. I am fortunate that this first beta-read was of a text that was so well-written. The story deals with a male angel and his relationship to a high-school girl, and naturally I couldn't help comparing their situation to that of Edward and Bella in the Twilight series. I could honestly see this book, Solstice, becoming a hit once published.

I also consider myself lucky to have done beta-reading for an author who goes by the name of Gemini Wolf. Gemini Wolf advertised for an editor at the Elance freelance website but in answering his ad I convinced him that with the type of material he had to work with, he would be better served by a beta-reader. Editors dissect the lines of a text in a linear fashion, with a sharp focus. While that is valuable, beta-readers are encouraged to take a more organic approach to discussing the text, almost commenting on it in a more stream-of-consciousness manner. This kind of response can work very well for an author who is looking for comments on the feel of a piece rather than grammar corrections.

Due to my background in religious studies, I am interested in spiritual literature of all sorts. Thus I was delighted when I took on the beta-reading of When Two World Collide by author Cindy Bolton. In this story, a doctor's life changes when an Amish patient is put under her care. It is a given in the Christian publishing world that Amish fiction is the new "it." Readers can't get enough of all things Amish, and Cindy's book fits right in.

The earliest beta-readers were fantasy/science fiction fans. An "old-school" beta-reader was expected to be well-versed in the particulars of a certain series, world, or canon in order to make the kind of observations that only a true "fan boy/girl" would be capable of. Beta-reading has now expanded to other genres, and at the present time is particularly appreciated by authors of historical fiction.

Because different beta-readers will bring different strengths to the review of a text, and because one person cannot spot everything, it is recommended that an author take on more than one beta-reader per manuscript. But, the author should keep in mind that it is less important to find a so-called "good" beta-reader than it is to find a match, to find someone who has a real affinity for the material.

For those who are interested in becoming a beta-reader or in finding one, a good place to start is by checking out the beta-readers group at the Writers' Digest website.

What is it that professional indexers do? Do indexers construct an index, draft an index, provide an index, etc...?

To say one compiles an index is not encouraged, because of the connotation of a computer compiling information. That is, to compile an index makes it seem like a mechanical, not a human, activity.

A specialist in books on yarn work says she crafts an index, while the cookbook expert proclaims she prepares indexes. One indexer with a legal background likes to think of himself as drawing an index, as one would draw up a will. Then there is the poetry fan, who composes indexes.

Some might think it is easiest just to state that indexers write an index and leave it at that, but there is resistance to that wording as well, with the reason being given that the action of indexing is not the same kind of endeavor as writing a thesis or a novel or even a letter.

Because there is no consensus, it may be said that what indexers do for a living is to create an index, for there seems to be no strenuous objection to that term. However, index developer may be a good candidate for promotion, as it goes along the lines of web developer and program developer in this computer age.

As one contributor to Index-L stated, maybe we should just think of indexing as akin to the act of the parting the Red Sea, "It's part reading, it's part analysis, it's part writing, it's part just typing, it's part creative editing, it's part agonizing, it's part swearing, it's part . . ."