I will beta read, critique, and provide feedback on your writing
Gig Summary
Professional writer, editor, researcher
Top Rated
Top Rated sellers are individually selected by Fiverr after meeting specific benchmarks for quality and service.
Buyers keep returning
Danny DeCillis has an exceptional number of repeat buyers
What people loved about this freelancer
rocketw

United States
In a world full of fakes, Danny’s authenticity stands out immediately and I have deep respect for that. Listening to him was a treat. Working with Danny is...
lucasstoffel78

United States
I was so happy to work with Danny. I was excited about it from the start—I contacted him to say, “I’m using an unconventional structure; are you open to reading...
peter2484

United States
Top work, as always. Danny’s erudition and logic shines through like a breath of fresh air in a world increasingly bereft of those things. He often shares little...
mmbotrck

United States
One of the most thoughtful, honest, and high-level beta reads I’ve received. Danny delivered exactly what I was looking for—and more. His feedback was detailed,...
strangelight2

United States
Danny is hands down the best beta reader I've ever worked with. His feedback was very helpful because it addressed key elements of my work that no one else...
About this Gig
*Please ask for quotes on longer texts.*
Looking for objective feedback on your writing? Uncertain about how well your story hangs together, or whether your characters are engaging and plausible? Send your work to me for feedback!
I will beta read your book, short story, or article and provide a detailed, constructive critique. My feedback will include commentary and analyses on structure, voice, reader engagement, language use, and anything else I find that may help you develop your work to its potential. If necessary, I'll provide a sample edit for spelling, grammar, or writing technique.
I have extensive qualifications both in fiction and non-fiction. I have a PhD in literature, my specialty being narratology - the study of narrative structure. I also have 18 years of experience working as a professional writer and editor for a policy research institute. Consequently I know what makes a text tick. Providing honest, unflinching analysis and feedback is part of my training and experience. Let me share this expertise with you, and help you reach your writing goals.
Language:
English
Delivery style preference
Please inform the freelancer of any preferences or concerns regarding the use of AI tools in the completion and/or delivery of your order.
FAQ
What does your beta read service include?
I will read and analyze your text and provide a separate editorial report with four sections: an overall summary assessment and detailed assessments of structure, style, and language. Reports typically average approximately 1000 words for full-length novels.
Do you mark up the document as you go?
No. Inline commentary is part of a different service, Developmental Editing, which I offer at https://www.fiverr.com/decillis/provide-substantive-developmental-editing.
What genres do you read?
I am highly flexible and read nearly all genres, fiction and non-fiction, all the way from children's books through YA and adult fiction.
Is there a limit to how long my book can be?
Due to my scheduling limitations, at present, I am generally only accepting beta reads for texts which are under 100,000 words. I have worked on longer texts in the past and may again at some point.
Are you willing to read part of a book?
Yes. I am happy to read whatever portion of a book you wish to share.
Do you do Amazon reviews?
No, I do not do Amazon reviews, either as part of or after a beta reading job. Sorry.
Do you use AI in your analyses or writeups?
No. I do not use AI in any aspect of my work.
Do you hire people to read books?
No. I perform all analyses myself. I do not subcontract anything.
Can I pay extra for faster delivery?
Sometimes. I accept rush orders if my workload permits it; rush fees will depend on how quickly you need the work and how busy my schedule already is. This is typically only possible for shorter works.
2,005 reviews for this Gig
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Rating Breakdown
- Seller communication level
- Quality of delivery
- Value of delivery
Sort By
S szilbatt

Hungary
Danny helped me a great deal by allowing me to see my book from an outside reader’s perspective. He provided comprehensive, in-depth, and genuinely professional feedback on both its strengths and weaker points, particularly in terms of structure, characters, and worldbuilding. One of the most important...
$200-$400
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?D denizhankaplan

Turkey
Ongoing collaborationThis is my second time working with Danny, and once again he saw my manuscript from angles I couldn’t see myself—sometimes understanding what I was trying to do even better than I could articulate it. His feedback is thoughtful, precise, and genuinely insightful. If you want to see a real pro at work,...
$100-$200
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?S 
shaunmalcolm

United States
Excellent beta reader! The feedback I received was thorough, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful. They clearly took the time to understand not only the manuscript itself, but also the audience I was trying to reach. I especially appreciated the detailed feedback on the book’s structure, pacing, tone,...
$50-$100
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?M midwestroyal

United States
Danny provided an excellent beta read and critique of my novella. His feedback was thoughtful, detailed, and focused on the story itself rather than trying to rewrite it into something different. He identified both the strengths and areas that could be improved, and his comments showed that he genuinely...
$100-$200
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?D dylan112

United States
Ongoing collaborationDanny provided an incredibly thoughtful and detailed beta read. His report went beyond surface-level reactions and really analyzed the structure, themes, pacing, and overall direction of the story. He highlighted strengths while also pointing out areas worth considering, always explaining the reasoning...
$100-$200
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?
2,005 reviews for this Gig
| (1,901) | ||
| (91) | ||
| (9) | ||
| (2) | ||
| (2) |
Rating Breakdown
- Seller communication level
- Quality of delivery
- Value of delivery
Sort By
S szilbatt

Hungary
Danny helped me a great deal by allowing me to see my book from an outside reader’s perspective. He provided comprehensive, in-depth, and genuinely professional feedback on both its strengths and weaker points, particularly in terms of structure, characters, and worldbuilding. One of the most important...
$200-$400
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?D denizhankaplan

Turkey
Ongoing collaborationThis is my second time working with Danny, and once again he saw my manuscript from angles I couldn’t see myself—sometimes understanding what I was trying to do even better than I could articulate it. His feedback is thoughtful, precise, and genuinely insightful. If you want to see a real pro at work,...
$100-$200
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?S 
shaunmalcolm

United States
Excellent beta reader! The feedback I received was thorough, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful. They clearly took the time to understand not only the manuscript itself, but also the audience I was trying to reach. I especially appreciated the detailed feedback on the book’s structure, pacing, tone,...
$50-$100
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?M midwestroyal

United States
Danny provided an excellent beta read and critique of my novella. His feedback was thoughtful, detailed, and focused on the story itself rather than trying to rewrite it into something different. He identified both the strengths and areas that could be improved, and his comments showed that he genuinely...
$100-$200
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?D dylan112

United States
Ongoing collaborationDanny provided an incredibly thoughtful and detailed beta read. His report went beyond surface-level reactions and really analyzed the structure, themes, pacing, and overall direction of the story. He highlighted strengths while also pointing out areas worth considering, always explaining the reasoning...
$100-$200
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?
