Beta Etiquette--please help!

[perevision]

Where would one go to find a beta if one is a fanficcy unknown? And when is a good time to approach one?

I've been writing a prompt fill over at the sherlockbbc_fic kinkmeme, and it's gotten longish and I'm about ready to de-anon. Have been posting a haphazardly-edited chaptered version on the dreamwidth journal, but I would really like to polish it up and post it here. Then I want to sign up for archiveofourown, to have a place to put finished fic.

Thing is, should I finish it first and then look for a beta? Or ask some lovely person to work with me chapter by chapter?

Times like these I miss the YSML (is old omg)

Fanficcing flisters, what do you do?

Comments

[petronia.livejournal.com]

In Sherlock fandom ppl seem to ask outright for betas on the comm, whenever they feel comfortable in the process. That being said, if you want me to look at it, I can - I've been reading it, certainly. XD;

[pere-chan.livejournal.com]

That would be brilliant; you are my dream beta but I was afraid you'd be too busy :D

I have it on Google Docs; I can unlock it, or send it by email in .rtf or OpenOffice format. Got a preference?

[petronia.livejournal.com]

Google Docs would be best; just give the petronia Gmail editing permission, and bob's yr uncle. :D

[pere-chan.livejournal.com]

Done! Hooray :D