Mairangi Writers - Arresting Prose

This week's post is from the website beloved by indie authors - Indies Unlimited. They are running a survey about how writers go about self-publishing and would like as many responses as possible, so if you're a self-published writer, hop on over to their site here and fill in the survey. (Takes about 15 minutes.)
"When we realized how much variance there was in how each of the minion authors accomplished the task of going from first draft to release and the initial promotional push, we came to the conclusion that this was the perfect opportunity for a survey. We’re hoping that by asking you, we’ll all get a better feel for the most common approaches and possibly how well each works. To gauge the latter, there are also some questions about your personal goals on your writing journey and how far along you’ve made it on your path to success. Nothing in the survey will allow us to identify any particular person’s answers, so honesty and accuracy of the answers will help us all.
The survey will be open for a month (through February 23, 2015). The more respondents we get, obviously, the more data we’ll have from which to glean results. So, we ask that you spread the word to your fellow authors by sharing this any place you frequent where authors congregate such as writing groups on Facebook and Linkedin, and email loops, or suggest at the next meeting of your critique group that the members drop in and complete the survey once they get home.
The survey is open to any author who has self-published at least one book.
Definitions
Because some of the terms we use might not be familiar and to make sure of a mutual understanding of what we mean, these definitions are what we’re thinking when these terms are used in the survey.
Critique Group
A group of fellow writers who meet regularly, either in person or possibly via live chat online, to discuss and critique the writing of the other members.
Self-Editing
Under this heading are all the steps you take in revising your writing after the first draft other than applying edits specifically suggested by an editor or proofreader. Depending on the complexity of the changes and where it happens in the process, you might also hear this called rewriting or revising.
Beta Reader
A person, typically an avid reader, with the ability to critique a book from that viewpoint.  This is a volunteer rather than someone you hire. If there is any cost it is a gift you choose to give as thanks or a favor done in return. Many times an author will use multiple beta readers to get more perspectives and for the ability to compare and contrast their feedback in deciding how or even whether to make changes in their book based on this feedback.
Alpha Reader or First Reader
An alpha reader is no different in qualifications or lack of pay than a beta reader. Those who use alpha readers typically do this early in their book preparation process to shake out any big issues before passing the book-in-progress on to an editor or a beta reading team. They focus on the big picture: high level structure, completeness of story arc, plot holes, and identifying scenes that don’t work or aren’t needed. An alpha reader is looking at the forest while mostly ignoring the individual trees.
Content Editor
A content editor is a paid professional, although that pay might be accomplished using an exchange or trade of services. A content edit (sometimes called a substantive edit) often serves the same purpose and provides feedback on the same kind of things as an alpha reader. An author who uses both an alpha reader and a content editor would do so to shake out any issues raised by the alpha reader in order to minimize the cost of the content editor (plus the obvious benefit of getting multiple perspectives). A content editor is also more likely to provide ideas for fixing issues found than an alpha reader would be able.
Copy Editor (also called a line editor)
A copy editor focuses on the minutia, making sure that proper spelling and grammar rules are used. Rather than focusing on the forest, the copy editor is looking at the individual trees and even the leaves on each tree to make sure they’re correct (from the individual word up to the paragraph). Some copy editors might provide feedback on bigger picture items they spot, but those big picture items aren’t normally considered part of their job. Like the content editor, the copy editor is a paid professional: someone you provide hard cash or a quid pro quo in trade for their services.
Proofreader
A proofreader performs the final [polishing steps, focusing on strictly technical items, shaking out any remaining spelling, punctuation, and grammar issues missed by the copy editor. Historically the proofreader would compare the final version of the edited manuscript to the proof or test copy of a printed book to uncover any issues introduced during typesetting, but this role has evolved in non-traditional publishing to something slightly different.
Formatting
Formatting is the process of taking a final edited manuscript (typically, but not always, in a file format used by a word processor), and converting it into the formats needed to publish the book. Typically this would be mobi or other Kindle compatible format plus an epub format. If you’re also releasing a paper version of your book, the formatter would create a file compatible with the needs of your printer or print-on-demand vendor.
ARC Reader
Sending their book to ARC readers (typically several) is used by some authors as a last step before a book’s release. This is normally done when the author believes his or her book is ready for release. That doesn’t preclude these readers providing the author feedback on minor issues (those last few typos that haven’t been eradicated for one) to be used in making final tweaks to the book prior to release.  However, the primary purpose of an ARC reader is the promise of an honest review to be posted as soon as the book is released in exchange for receiving the book for free before it was available to the general public. The primary difference between an ARC reader and a beta reader is the point in the process where they are used.


We estimate that it will take 15-20 minutes for an average author to complete the survey.
Here's the link again.
http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2015/01/23/whats-your-book-production-process-and-how-is-it-working/