Chances are you don’t know what a beta reader is unless you’re a writer or friends with one.
Beta readers are usually the second
people to peruse a story after critique groups or partners. Nothing is set in
stone, but beta readers often provide their feedback before the novel goes to
the editor.
Since they see the book before it
is published, they serve a special function by finding plot holes, mistakes,
and problems.
Beta readers are not other writers,
but people who love books and reading. They tell us the boring parts, the
places where they dropped out of the narrative for one reason or another, and
many other things.
What qualities do you need? First,
it’s important to like the type of work you’ll be evaluating. You’ll bring to
the table an awareness of what fans of the genre appreciate. Also, you’ll have
more fun with the process.
Being able to finish a book quickly
is also helpful. No one expects beta readers to devour the book in a day, but
we do prefer to hear from you in a reasonable length of time. Authors are
anxious to release their books as soon as possible.
A critical quality is the ability
to give honest reactions. We need to know where the work can be improved, and
we won’t get mad at you for telling us. Please be specific. Just saying the
book was great or terrible isn’t enough. Tell us exactly what you didn’t like
and why. We can take it!
What you don’t need is expertise
in grammar or punctuation or an eagle eye for spotting typos. Editors and proofreaders
address those issues.
What do you get for doing this? You
probably won’t get paid in cash. However, you will get the book for free, and your
name may be listed on the acknowledgements page. I also give my beta readers
paperback copies of the book, bookmarks, and other swag, and take them to lunch
or dinner. I treasure my beta readers and treat them like solid gold, because
that’s what they’re worth to me.
If you’re asked to beta read for
someone, I hope you’ll consider it. It means the author trusts you with their
baby before it is completely ready for the world, and they believe you can help
them make it better.
Are you already a beta reader? What
has the experience been like for you? If you aren’t, are you interested in
trying it out or isn’t it for you? Do you have questions about anything I didn’t
cover? I would love to hear from you in the comments.
Thank you so much for visiting Pen
Dames and checking out this post.
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Great post, Kathy. I'm glad you mentioned that Beta Readers do need to be timely in getting the manuscript read and back to the authors bc many authors are on tight deadlines. I hope this article brings a healthy response from readers and maybe potential beta readers.
ReplyDeleteBest description of a Beta reader I’ve seen! So good, in fact, you may be bombarded with volunteers! They truly are invaluable to a writer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I'm glad you liked it. I'm selective about who I ask to beta read, but I'm always looking for one or two.
DeleteThanks, Loretta. This is something that has been on my mind lately because a lot of people I talk to think they aren't qualified to beta read since they aren't writers or grammar experts.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew about these folks. I read fast, but often have a different perspective and interpretation than others about things we read. Not sure I would qualify if Beta’s need to represent the “norm”. Thanks for the info%z!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Jean. I'm sure you'd be a great beta reader if you're ever interested!
DeleteKathy, this is a timely and useful topic. You described the job perfectly. It is vital and has its rewards. I am looking for a couple more beta readers as well.Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Flossie. Hope you find your beta readers. You can always direct people to this post if they want more information before they commit.
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