No, readers cannot download the manuscript. Beta Copies on StoryOrigin are only readable in the browser making your manuscript much more secure than simply sending out a Word doc or EPUB file.
StoryOrigin is the third beta reader feedback service I've tried. I think it's perfect. I've no plans to use any other service, ever.
StoryOrigin has made gathering feedback for my novel The Void Beyond the Walls, as well as other shorter stories, a breeze.
I love the StoryOrigin beta-read feature. The functionality is simple and easy to use for both writers and readers. Highly recommended!
...switching my beta reader process over to StoryOrigin I have seen both the number of people who complete the beta process and the quality of feedback increase.
I used the beta copy option for the first time last fall. All of my beta readers loved the setup... it proved far easier for all of us compared to sharing documents separately as I did in the past.
I love how the beta copies feature makes it easy for me to approve readers, collect all the beta feedback in one place, upload new versions for review or new readers, and track how I approach my edits.
The single best feature I've used is StoryOrigin's beta-reader management system... every book I write in the future will take advantage of the StoryOrigin system.
I absolutely love the beta reader feature. Its suggestions and customization has helped prompt my readers to give me more in depth feedback. Super easy to use!
The beta reader feature has been a game-changer for me in getting centralized feedback for the books in my series. I would have gone crazy managing this with Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Readers unlock each chapter by leaving feedback on the previous chapter
Embed questionnaires between chapters to collect over-arching feedback
Sort feedback across versions, readers, and keywords
Track each reader's progress through the book at a glance
Secure content and control each individual reader's access and expiration time
Readers only see their own comments, so they don't bias each other's feedback
Readers have to leave end-of-chapter feedback to unlock the next chapter.
Add critique guidance or questions at the end of each chapter solicit specific feedback from readers.
See how far long each beta reader has gotten through the book.
Set access expiration dates for beta readers or turn off their access anytime.
Beta readers can leave short inline comments on specific words, sentences, or paragraphs.
Mark & filter comments as to-do items or filter inline comments to only see comments by specific readers.
Filter end-of-chapter feedback by chapter, reader, keyword, or status (unread, to-do, etc.).
Readers can only see their own feedback, but everything is compiled and easy to sort through on your end.
The beta copies feature on StoryOrigin allows authors to securely share manuscripts of their books to beta readers to gather feedback before the book is published.
No, readers cannot download the manuscript. Beta Copies on StoryOrigin are only readable in the browser making your manuscript much more secure than simply sending out a Word doc or EPUB file.
No, the beta copies feature is available for all types of books across various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, romance, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, etc.
Note: the Beta Copies feature does not support uploading images, so it does not work well for books that depend on readers being able see pictures embdedded along with the text.
No, the Beta Copies feature is totally free on the reader side.
Readers do need to create a FREE account, so that StoryOrigin can tell you who left which comments / feedback.
Yes, you can add questions to the application process and choose to approve or decline requests from beta readers based whatever criteria you want (genre preferences, # of books they've read before, etc.).
Yes, authors can set deadlines for beta readers to submit their feedback. This helps to manage the beta reading process effectively.
Yes, you can turn off access to your beta copy to any particular beta reader at any time.
StoryOrigin provides you with your beta reader's email address, so you can email them directly.
You cannot communicate with beta readers directly through StoryOrigin.
Yes, you can see how many chapters each reader has completed, so you know how far along each beta reader is in the process.
Is there a 5 star rating system on this? Because StoryOrigin is at least 6 stars. At least! I've used the other platforms... and none of them approach the flexibility and power of StoryOrigin
I used to use several sites and groups to facilitate things like newsletter swaps, multi-author book promos, reader magnets, and reviews, but I can do it all and better on StoryOrigin.
I love StoryOrigin. I've used other sites for promotions and newsletter swaps but this one is easier and more author-focused. Highly recommend for new or serious authors.
StoryOrigin changed my life, and it's the BEST tool that actually works with increasing sales, subscribers, and reaching new readers.
... compared to a lot of similar sites designed to help authors, StoryOrigin has the best UI, the most features and a great community of authors.
StoryOrigin is absolutely the must-have author tool. You can build your newsletter list with interested people, sell your books, find newsletter swaps, get reviews, and more