Review Group discussion

I entered an Entrada Free Book Review contest and.... drum roll... I won a free review. It was completed in 3 weeks !!! and is very positive and supportive !!!
I'd like to know if any of you have had any experience with Entrada either for reviews or beta reading. There has been absolutely no sales pitch or request for money. But I cannot find any objective commentary on the company either. They do occasionally publish books, so function as well, as a traditional publisher.

Never heard of them, sorry.

I've had Entrada review one of my books as a beta read. They do a good job, and I won it through a free entry as well, and they're good, it's just that I prefer my beta readers to be emotionally invested in my book to the point where they're offering advice or alternate story-telling devices or scenes (but not sabotaging the book either!)

I already have beta readers who put in that personal commitment, so I'd say I'm pleased with what I have now, and that Entrada will do a good job, just depends what you're looking for.

Scott wrote: "I've had Entrada review one of my books as a beta read. They do a good job, and I won it through a free entry as well, and they're good, it's just that I prefer my beta readers to be emotionally in..."

An interesting comment, Scott.

Lately there have been some comments about Beta-readers 'trying to change my book'. Personally, I welcome that sort of comment from a Beta. I have a lot to learn about the craft so I'll take all the free lessons I can get. I often follow these hints, not always in the direction indicated but the mere fact of the comment being made tells me that I could do better. Often I more or less retain the objectionable' passage, but might go a few pages earlier to provide a better context for it when it appears.

And when I Beta for others, I also try to provide some constructive options as well. At all times I recognise that the writer is sovereign and my comments are entirely for him/her to accept or ignore; they don't owe me any reasons for that decision.

In short, I think Authors and Betas are both an important part in producing a good work. The need to be honest, creative and at the same time respectful of each other's roles.

Scott wrote: "I've had Entrada review one of my books as a beta read. They do a good job, and I won it through a free entry as well, and they're good, it's just that I prefer my beta readers to be emotionally in..."

Thanks Scott. Your comment reinforces my notion that they're legit. Did you have any contact with anyone other than Rachel? Other than you, no one seems to have worked with them.

They're definitely legit.

Entrada dealt with me as a firm, so I don't recall the names of any of its prinicipals. They're very ethical, so why not give them a try.

I have a great experience with them for reviews, beta readers, editorial reviews and contests. They even did a free review of my French translation, after I won a free editorial review.