Beta Reader VS Editor?

[Rockofmarriages]

Can someone express what is the difference between a Beta Reader(s) and an Editor? As a writer, do I need both? One, or the other?

Thank you for reading this obvoiulsy naive question. RoM

 

[WCSGarland]

If you have good punctuation, grammar and/or few errors in your works, you could probably suffice with a beta reader. If you have trouble producing works of sufficient quality to be accepted for publication on Lit, you probably need an editor.

 

[Rockofmarriages]

If you have good punctuation, grammar and/or few errors in your works, you could probably suffice with a beta reader. If you have trouble producing works of sufficient quality to be accepted for publication on Lit, you probably need an editor.

That is a great answer! I'm 6 for 6 (subs to published) and averaging 4.63 ratings. Yet, still get a fair number of comments saying I need an editor.

Presume I use both. Would it go Drafts <--> Editor and then to Beta Readers.

Does anyone provide a "proof of concept" check for stories. A kind of "hey, does this idea warrent diving down the rabbit hole?"

 

[WCSGarland]

Well, incest/taboo is not really my forte, or I might read your works to see why the commenters are suggesting an editor, but I think the beta reader would supply the proof of concept take on the work, while the editor would supply the grammar/spelling/punctuation corrections necessary for publication. It would ultimately be up to you whether you would prefer to work with an editor or beta reader first. I beta read for an author who is not concerned about editing so I just supply proof of concept and overall impressions of the drafts. Since it seems you have a good average rating, and if it were me, I'd be tempted to ignore the comments that suggest using an editor, but rating is not necessarily indicative of whether or not a work is in need of an editor. Anyway, your ratings are a lot better than my average ratings. So take anything I say with a grain of salt.

 

[Rockofmarriages]

Well, incest/taboo is not really my forte, or I might read your works to see why the commenters are suggesting an editor, but I think the beta reader would supply the proof of concept take on the work, while the editor would supply the grammar/spelling/punctuation corrections necessary for publication. It would ultimately be up to you whether you would prefer to work with an editor or beta reader first. I beta read for an author who is not concerned about editing so I just supply proof of concept and overall impressions of the drafts. Since it seems you have a good average rating, and if it were me, I'd be tempted to ignore the comments that suggest using an editor, but rating is not necessarily indicative of whether or not a work is in need of an editor. Anyway, your ratings are a lot better than my average ratings. So take anything I say with a grain of salt.

Thanks for the in-depth response. I want to put out good content, but wow, it takes a lot of work! My last one (now pending) was nearly 14,000 words. I agree on topics being in and out of comfort zones. Two "lightweight" stories of mine are
https://www.literotica.com//s/donk (does involve cousins, but is humorous)
https://www.literotica.com/s/remote-controlled-valentine (husband + wife + toy)
Both were written fast - so probaby contain my most common types of errors

And the salt shaker is ready for service

 

[StillStunned]

Beta Reader v Editor is the grudge match we've been waiting for.