Knowledge Base

What is the Beta-Reading (BR) Queue?

A BR queue is a type of private queue. Only Premium and Premium Gold members can create one, but any member can critique within the queue if invited by its owner.

In CC terms, a beta-read is the reading of a polished product before the novel is submitted to agents/publishers, or is self-published. However, a BR queue can also be used for ‘big-picture’ feedback on any large segment or text e.g. assessment of a draft, or the first Act of a three-Act structure.

It is intended for a holistic overview, rather than chapter-by-chapter critiques, and gives an on-site option for feedback on overall pacing, plot structure, subtext, character arcs etc. This helps to counter the serialisation effect caused by submitting weekly to the public queues.

Ordinary private queues have always been used for beta-reads, and still can be, but the BR queue has added features that some might find useful.

Additional features of a BR queue:

·      Cheaper submission (see below)

·      Flexibility to apply bonus credits (see below)

·      Option to prevent segments being read out of order

·      Option to disallow inline comments (allowing only start and end comments)

·      An integrated forum thread for discussion about the novel

Credits: Submission Cost

Unlike a normal private queue (3 credits per submission), cost is based on overall word count.

Premium members pay 1 credit per 2000 words submitted.

Premium Gold members pay 1 credit per 4000 words submitted.

A minimum of 10 credits is payable in total, regardless of word count.

E.g. for a 100k (100,000) word novel:

-       Normal private queue with submissions of 2500 words: 40x3 credits = 120 credits

-       Normal private queue with submissions of 5000 words: 20x3 credits = 60 credits

-       Premium BR queue (regardless of how the novel is divided) = 50 credits

-       Premium Gold BR queue (regardless of how the novel is divided) = 25 credits

To calculate how much it would cost for your novel, divide the word count by 2000 (or 4000 for Premium Gold) e.g. 73245 ÷ 2000 = 36.6225. Submission cost would be 36 credits.

Credits: Critter payment

A critter can earn both standard and bonus credits. Payment is made on each segment e.g. if the author has divided the novel into four segments then there are four opportunities to earn credits.

1. Standard credits – paid by the CC site.

The critter will always get the standard payout based on the word count of a crit (identical to critting in the public queues).

150 words = 0 credits, 151-300 = ½ c, 301-600 = 1 c, 601-900 = 1 ½ c, >900 = 2c.

2. Bonus credits – these are paid by the queue’s owner from their own account.

You can donate from 5 to 100 credits per segment per critter. This is done via the ‘Set Credits’ option under the ‘Beta Reading’ tab when you open a BR queue.

You can allot the credits as you wish. A suggested minimum is 50 credits overall per critter, because a beta-read involves a significant amount of time. However bonus credits are not compulsory.

You have the option to check someone’s crit before awarding the bonus credits. You don’t have to donate extra credits even if promised, although a critter has the option to stop critting if not paid.

Note that bonus credits cannot be offered to any crit unless it exceeds 300 words.

Some suggested variations for distributing bonus credits:

-       A single large bonus for the last segment, to encourage completion

-       An incremental increase in amount as the segments progress, to encourage completion

-       Zero bonus credits, for example if you and crit partners agree to beta-read swaps

-       Smaller amounts for smaller segments

-       Higher amounts for longer segments, or if numerous questions are asked

-       A five-credit bonus for the first segment if you don’t know your critters well, so both parties have a chance to assess the partnership

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there minimum or maximum word counts for a BR queue?

There is no minimum word count, but the minimum cost for a BR queue is 10 credits.

There is currently no limit on the size of submission, so a full-novel read in one segment is possible.

How do I ensure I get the type of crit I want?

There is no set formula, as authors will use the queue for different reasons. Specify the type of feedback you want within the author notes for the novel.

You have the option to check a crit before awarding bonus credits.

If you intend inviting critters who are not regular crit partners (e.g. via the classifieds) then you might want to keep the first segment short to allow evaluation of crit styles and quality.

You can remove a critter from the queue at any time. Rude or substandard crits (e.g. copy and pasting the same material) should be reported to the moderators.

What size segments should I divide my novel into?

This is entirely your choice and can be tailored to the level of feedback you need.

Some suggested variations:

-       For traditional publishing, agents often request just the first three chapters. By making the first segment that long, you can get separate feedback just on that section.

-       Segments of 15-20k have proven popular. This helps balance critter reading time with the level of feedback required by the author.

-       If your novel is already sub-divided into segments in some way (e.g. Parts, Acts) then those make natural submission segments.

-       Offering the whole novel in one segment will more accurately mimic a reader experience, although can result in less detailed feedback overall.

Can just any member access my BR queue?

No. As with a normal private queue, it is your choice as to who gains access to your queue.

What happens if I don’t have enough credits in my account to pay the bonuses?

You should advise members in your BR queue and discuss a delay in critting until you have built up credits again.

Before a critter begins critting, they will be notified that they won’t get bonus credits for the crit. They will still get standard credits. It is their choice whether or not they continue to crit.

It is advisable not to invite new members to your queue if you do not have enough credits to pay out promised bonuses.

I critted a segment and didn’t receive my bonus credits. What can I do?

The BR queue relies on good faith from both the critter and the queue owner.

-       Check if the segment you critted offers bonus credits

-       Ask the author why you didn’t receive bonus credits. They may have temporarily run out of credits, or may have been off-site for a time due to personal commitments

-       If the author doesn’t want to give you bonus credits that you think you deserve, then stop critting the novel. If the author is rude via the messaging system then report them to the moderators.

I chose to prevent segments being read and critted out of order. Can I still let a critter start partway through?

You can do this by arrangement with the critter.

Discuss where you want them to start critting properly. For example, if they critted the first segment chapter-by-chapter in the public queues, then you would want them to start their beta-reading from segment two.

If a critter gives a token crit of a few words, then the system will allow them to move on to the next segment. They won’t get bonus credits, even if those are set to be awarded automatically, as the crit will be under 300 words. They can repeat this process until they reach the segment where you want them to begin.

Can I advertise my BR queue in the classifieds?

Yes. You can do this in the same way as a normal private queue by choosing the ‘Looking for members’ option.

The advert will have an icon of upright books, indicating it is a beta-reading queue.

Why do I need to use the novel system to have a BR queue?

Many of the features on offer will only work because of the novel system, e.g. preventing segments being read out of order.

If you don’t want to use the novel system, you can still ask a critter to read your whole novel by posting all of the chapters into a normal private queue.

Do BR queues have a fixed time limit?

There is no set time limit, because the author may want people to start the beta-read at different times or segments.

The amount of time spent to complete the full novel should be negotiated between the author and critter, and will depend on things such as: availability, critter reading speed, size of novel.

Is there a video on how to use the BR queue?

Yes. You can find the tutorial video here

Only premium and premium gold members can create their own private queues.

To read more about it, click HERE.

One of the benefits of a Premium membership is the ability to create your own private queues.

To get started go to My Queues and click Create Queue. Here are the options that you should fill in

Queue Name and Description

Type the title of your queue and any information that your members will be able to see. This may include the purpose of the queue, what kind of feedback you're hoping to get, what kind of stories will be submitted. You can also select an icon and a color for your queue. These can be changed at any time.

Choose queue type

Choose what kind of queue you want to run. There are two choices. The most used choice is Normal which is a queue into which you or your members submit stories similar to the public queues. The other queue is Beta Reading which is a highly specialized queue type for beta reading instead of the normal inline critique process. See more information here. Once you create your queue this cannot be changed.

Do critters get credits?

Do you want to use the credit system? You can choose to have the same kind of credit system as the public queues (three credits to submit a story, credits given depending on length of the story, etc.). Or you can choose to use no credits; people post their stories for free and don't get credit for critiquing. You will typically want to use credits. Once you create your queue this cannot be changed.

Is this a period queue?

Choose a time period for your queue. You can choose to have your queue run on CC's Wednesday to Wednesday schedule, where there are a limited number of stories each week and they're switched out every Wednesday. Another choice is to choose no period for the queue, where stories go up as they're submitted and there is no time period. In this case, people can critique at their leisure until the owner chooses to move the stories into the archives. Our members will most often choose not to run on a period.

There are some additional steps at the bottom of the form which you can change at any time in the future.

Allow other people to submit stories into the queue

If this is toggled then other premium members are able to submit stories into your queue. Typically personal queues are only meant for the member who created the queue but in certain instances you might want to allow other people to submit stories as well.

Invitation only

If the queue is marked as 'invitation only' other people will need to request an invitation to the queue. Otherwise other people will be able to add themselves into the queue, for example if you send them a link to the queue.

Looking for members

If your queue is marked as 'looking for members' it will be listed on the open queues page and other people will be able to discover it and join from there.

Once you create the queue you can start inviting members into it and submitting your stories. You add members by going to the Members tab on your queue page and you submit stories to your new queue by selecting it on the 'submit story' page.

You might want to watch this tutorial video on Private Queues. It is a little outdated but gives some good advice.

Premium queues can be advertized in the classifieds to attract new members. This is a great way to fill up your queue and meet new critters who want to see your work!

Go to 'Classifieds' in the story queue (at the bottom). You will see an option to 'add my queue to the classifieds'. Select this, and it will show a list of all the queues you currently have. Select the one you wish to place in the classifieds, and hit, 'Create advertizement'.

Fill in the fields required and then post your ad. It will now be part of the classifieds for 4 months maximum. You can remove your queue at any time from the classifieds.

If after 4 months you don't have a full queue and want to continue using the classifieds, you will need to add your queue again to the classifieds, using the above steps. 

When you want to invite members to your private queue you choose the queue you want to work on.

After you have done that you click on the Edit option. On the top bar for the queue you see several option, one of which is Members. Click on that button.

Now you will see Invite a new member to this queue. If you click on that you will be able to pick members from the member list.

Keep in mind that if you have a many-to-many queue where everyone can submit stories only premium members are eligible and only those will show up in your search results.

If you have a personal queue (for a full novel crit for example) you can invite anyone, up to a maximum of 8 members (for Premium subscribers) or 24 members (for Premium Gold subscribers).

If you're a premium member, you can arrange your Queues however you want to.

You will see your queues listed in a seemingly random order with a 'section' called (Automatically Arranged) at the top. This means that all the Queues under that bar are managed by the system into the following categories: Public Queues, Private Queues, My Queues and Closed Queues. You must drag any queues you wish to reorder so that they are above the Automatically Arranged bar.

You might want to have names for your own sections. Try inserting a new section by clicking Add Section. You can give your section a name and click 'ok'. Your new section appears on top of the default section. You can now drag your Queues out from the default section and into your new section.

Note that everything beneath the (Automatically Arranged) section will not be ordered and any new sections under it will be deleted once you click "Save" so make sure you place any new section headers above the (Automatically Arranged) bar.

You can always reset your arrangement by dragging the (Automatically Arranged) section to the top. Dragging your Queues around under the (Automatically Arranged) section will have no effect.

You can drag Queues to the top without any section above them. This will just put them onto the top of your Queue page. You can even just drag the (Automatically Arranged) section to the bottom and leave it at that to have all your Queues lined up the way you want to.

Quick questions:

Q: How do I delete a section I created?

A: Drag it below the (Automatically Arranged) section and it will be deleted when you click Save

Q: I arranged my Queues and it doesn't work when I click Save.

A: You were probably arranging Queues underneath the (Automatically Arranged) section. Those Queues cannot be arranged. Try dragging them above the (Automatically Arranged) section.

Q: My new section vanished when I clicked Save.

A: Your section was beneath the (Automatically Arranged) section and was deleted.

Q: Can I arrange Queues in the (Automatically Arranged) section?

A: No, you must create a new section above the (Automatically Arranged) section and drag your Queues into it in order to arrange them.

Note: If you don't understand something, ask the moderators.

Premium and Premium Gold members can have up to 3 active queues.

Every so often you might want to delete a Queue that you've created. To do this you click "delete" on the queue on the Story Queue page. 

If there are any stories anywhere in the Queue then you will not be able to delete it. You will have to "reject" all submitted stories, making the Queue effectively empty before deleting it.

A deleted queue is not removed from the database so the stories in the queue will still be accessible to you but to no one else.

Yes. Enter the queue and pick users. Tick the username of the member you want to remove and click remove.

Please remember to send the user a message to explain why you removed him/her from the queue.

Any material that complies with CC's global rules. That is, the material you submit has to be your own, and pornography and fan-fiction is not allowed.

All your existing queues will be automatically bumped up to 24 users when your Gold membership is processed. 

Members will always have access to their stories, critiques of their stories, and critiques they've given on other peoples' work, even if the stories were located in a private queue that has been deleted or closed. The same is true if you choose to remove a member from your private queue.

If you have a story in a private queue that has been closed or deleted other people will not be able to see or crit the story.

If that is the case the user you invited hasn't accepted your invitation yet.

He/she does that by clicking on a link, embedded in the invitation you sent. He/she can also decline the invitation by clicking on the link.

If, for some reason, you have to give up your Premium subscription we'll keep your queues in archive for at least one year — unless you ask for them to be deleted. If you decide to join the Premium system again you can do so within a year and find your queues intact.

Yes. Go to Stories: Story Queue. On the bottom of the page, you will see Add a Queue subscription:

If you click on the dropdown that says Choose Queue, you can choose the queue you want, then click on Add subscription.