Editing
Beta Reading for Fiction and Non-Fiction
Find out where readers lose interest while you can still fix it. You get a structured written report, not a vague opinion.
- Starting price
- $150
- Delivery
- From 10 days
- Revisions
- 1+ included
Marlowe will assign the right specialist
You don't search or compare freelancers. After payment, our team matches your book with a vetted specialist by genre, availability and track record — and stays responsible for the result.
About this service
A beta reader is not an editor. They are a careful, articulate reader who tells you how the book actually lands: where it drags, where they got confused, and whether the ending earned itself.
Marlowe assigns a reader who genuinely reads your genre and returns their feedback against defined categories, so it is usable rather than just encouraging.
Right for you if…
- You have a complete draft and want reader reaction before editing
- You suspect something is not working but cannot say what
- You want to catch problems before reviews do
What's included
- Full manuscript read
- Structured report (PDF)
- Ratings across plot, pacing, characters, clarity and engagement
- Chapter notes where attention dropped
- Top three recommended changes
Typical delivery: 7–14 days
Packages
Choose your package
Prices include the words shown; longer manuscripts are priced per additional 1,000 words and calculated for you on the order form.
- Most popular
Reader Report
One reader, one structured report
$150
Includes 30,000 words, then $4 per 1,000
10 days 1 revision- Structured PDF report
- Category ratings
- Chapter notes
- 1 follow-up round
Detailed Critique
Report plus in-manuscript comments
$300
Includes 30,000 words, then $8 per 1,000
14 days 1 revision- Everything in Reader Report
- Margin comments throughout
- Character arc notes
The process
How your order runs
- 1
Place your order
Upload the manuscript and say what you want the reader watching for.
- 2
We assign your specialist
Marlowe matches your book to a vetted specialist who works in your genre. You never have to search or compare freelancers.
- 3
A real read
They read it as a reader would, noting reactions as they go.
- 4
Your report
Review the report, ask follow-up questions and approve.
Specialists
Some of the specialists who deliver Beta Reading
You don't need to pick one. Marlowe assigns the specialist best suited to your book — these are examples of the people in our network.
- FS
Professional Book Formatter specializing in Kindle and Paperback formatting
2 Marlowe projects completed
Reviews
What authors say about Beta Reading
No reviews for this service yet. Reviews come only from customers with completed orders.
FAQ
Questions about this service
Is a beta reader the same as an editor?
No. A beta reader reports how the book reads; an editor changes the text. Most authors beta read first, then edit.
Ready to Turn Your Manuscript Into a Professional Book?
Tell us what you need. We'll match your project with the right specialist and manage the process from order to delivery.