Find Your Beta Readers: Frequently Asked Questions
by Elizabeth Solar
We often hear about beta versions of new technology or consumer products. A select group of people try out an app or device and report back on their experience before the tech is released to the general public. Beta users report back on bugs, areas of improvement and overall user ability.
Writers can place their novel in the hands of beta readers, who read your manuscript and provide feedback on undeveloped plotlines or characters, inconsistencies and where they lost interest or focus in your story. Consider it quality control before you publish your novel.
If this is uncharted territory in your literary journey, let’s provide some clarification about what beta readers are, and why you need them.
1. What is a beta reader?
A beta reader gives you feedback on your finished manuscript, so you can make changes before you self-publish or start querying literary agents. They help you identify any problems with the readability, logic or salability of your manuscript.
2. How is a beta reader different from my reading and critique partners, aka writers group?
Your critique partner or group look at your manuscript from a writer’s viewpoint, posting question about craft issues. They take the ‘fine tooth comb’ to your novel, often pointing to issues the casual reader may miss. You select beta readers to comment from a reader’s point of view. After all, if your plan is to publish, you want to make sure people engage in and enjoy the writing.
3. When do I know my book is ready for beta readers?
First, it helps to have that writers tribe that have seen, read and given important feedback during those first couple of drafts. Once you have done the revisions to bring your vision to life, some quality time with and editor will help polish your manuscript. A good editor will search your manuscript as if it’s a Where’s Waldo of plot holes, pacing, character development issues, grammatical errors and other literary snafus.
With the editor’s job complete, your manuscript is now beta reader-ready.
4. How many beta readers do you need?
You need more than one, but probably not more than ten. Everyone has opinion. This is no different. Save yourself the overwhelm of too many ‘cooks in the kitchen,’ and keep your number of beta readers manageable.
5. Where can I find my readers?
Start in your writer community. Your critique group has probably seen all they can see of your novel. If they have yet to experience the entire story, by all means ask them. Otherwise, ask other writers you know. You already know many of them, and if they know writing and the publishing fields, you know your work is in good hands.
Twitter. Yes, Twitter. There are myriad writers’ groups and hangouts in social media. Put the word out. Maybe you can do a trade: I’ll read yours if you read mine. Start following people on all the platforms, read their blog. Form those relationships so reaching out to them will feel natural and not awkward or transactional.
Your book-devouring friends. People who read – a lot – are great beta readers, since they consume literature like it’s their job. Incentivize them with a pledge to gift them with an autographed copy of your published novel for their time. If only!
Goodreads also provides a great place to find or be a beta reader.
6. What makes a great beta reader?
-Art is subjective, and not every book is for every reader. Approach readers who enjoy your genre. If your reader loves murder mystery, they may not be the best reader for your historical fiction romance.
Same with demographics: A middle-aged city-dweller may not be the best reader for your Young Adult Fiction. Likewise, that middle-schooler won’t appreciate how to become your best self, as envisioned by a life coach.
An exception is the savvy reader who can see the strength of your novel and appreciate it even though it’s not their typical chosen genre.
-People with strong opinions and kind hearts. These discerning readers will give you honest feedback without hurting your feelings and destroying your dreams. They ask thought-provoking questions that help you think about what you could do differently without being prescriptive.
When our opinionated little writer’s tribe get too ‘helpful’ about ‘fixing’ our parts of our, we can always depend on our Nancy Sackheim to gently remind us. ‘This is so-and-so’s story, and I trust they’ll figure out what to do here.’
A beta reader’s feedback is invaluable, and often makes your story that much better. Be careful not to take too much feedback to heart. After all, it is your story, and their vision my not align with yours. Trust your vision.
-They have some distance from your book and you. That means your mom, spouse, kids, best friend. Disqualified. They are as close to you as you are to your book. This is the time for objectivity, not trophies. Your most loved ones will think every word you commit to paper, or screen, is brilliant. Or they will pile on advice and criticisms we can all do without. Let that stuff accumulate until Thanksgiving. After all, that’s what the holidays are for.
Rather than overwhelm you with an already overwhelming process, find more resources here and here.
Once you get your beta readers, you are that much closer to publishing your book. Now, to find an agent!
Have stories about how you found your beta readers? Let us know here.
-
