This thread is fascinating to me - I've often thought about volunteering to beta, but been uncertain as to what an author is looking for. (Especially since I'm not a writer myself!) Judging just from this thread, it seems that there are authors who are just looking for SPAG/vocabulary help, people seeking plot/characterization guides, and those who want a more collaborative/cheerleading experience. Wow.

That's a pretty broad spectrum! A beta directory sounds like an awesome idea to me. Prospective betas could list their strengths, weaknesses and styles along with contact info and authors could look for someone who would match their preferred approach. Maybe each beta could run through a certain standard passage of text with their changes or annotations attached, so the authors could get a sense of what each is capable of/willing to do? Like an audition - or is that a silly idea?

Speaking for myself as a beta, I'm not much on trying to edit someone else's process or style - I just want to make fic read more smoothly! So I won't try to wrangle plot or characterization, except in extreme cases of wtf?. It all boils down to readability. I'm good for things like spelling, vocabulary, fixing those pesky homonyms (the ones that throw me out of a story every time: there/their/they're, et al.), adjusting verb tenses, finding useful euphemisms for 'he said', making sure that when 'she reached around her and grabbed the bag she'd stashed' everyone is clear on who did what (and that two people were involved), and I'm resonably competent at "Ameri-picking" after years in Supernatural fandom where British/European vs. U.S. idiosyncrasies really stand out.

I'll only offer a personal opinion on a piece if specifically asked. I guess, because I'm not an author, I don't really feel secure in steering a fic along a particular plotted course, although I am pretty good at coming up with answers to 'what if's. My basic premise is that an author knows what she is trying to do, the effect she's going for - so my job is to aid that vision and try to eliminate any technical mistakes that may detract from the overall work. ;) So I guess I'd be on the 'Natasha's raised eyebrow' level of beta-ing?

I definitely agree that manners and constructive criticism are key - no one should harsh on an author's hard work! It's always amazed me that fanfic is free. Free! And readily available in the way that most other more regulated drugs aren't (yes, I equate good fic with drugs - an addiction is an addiction *sly wink*) And we should be respectful and supportive of our suppliers! To my mind, a beta is just someone who wants a fic to be the best it can be, so that readers can have the best, most authentic experience of an author's work.

It's weird to come at the discussion from this side, when almost everyone else commenting is an author - do you guys think that only those who write (and therefore understand all the problems and issues that writers face) should beta?