Hiring beta readers is a key step in your road to getting published. When you spend months or years writing and editing a book, it’s hard to look at it objectively. How good is it, really? These beta readers can pinpoint failures in your story, readability, or characters. They can spot mistakes before you print your book, so you have time to fix them.
- What Are Beta Readers?
- Are Beta Readers the Same as Editors?
- Beta Readers Aren’t Reviewers, Either
- What Beta Readers Can and Can’t Do
- How Many Beta Readers Do You Need?
- How to Find Beta Readers
- How It Works
- Choose the Right Beta Readers
- What to Do With Your Responses
- Early Beta Readers Should Be Part of Your Publishing Team
What Are Beta Readers?
A beta reader is a person who enjoys reading—especially in your chosen genre—and has a good perspective on what readers want in a book. Good beta readers can deliver honest, perceptive opinions of your book.
The right beta reader is an avid reader who especially enjoys reading in your genre. That’s why their opinion is valuable. They know what readers of your chosen genre or subject expect from their favorite books. They also know what will turn off potential readers.
Are Beta Readers the Same as Editors?
No, and this distinction is important for all writers to keep in mind. This is a reader whose only job is to tell you whether your book is an enjoyable read.
Like beta testers for a software program, their only job is to see whether your book “works.” Is it enjoyable, is it believable, and is it something they would buy if it were for sale in a bookstore? They are the stand-ins for actual readers who will buy your book and leave reviews for it on Amazon or other sites.
Beta Readers Aren’t Reviewers, Either
Reviewers read a book after it’s finished. They include professional reviewers, online bloggers, and book buyers who post reviews on online platforms. If your book isn’t getting great reviews, there may be a problem that beta readers could have spotted before you published.
What Beta Readers Can and Can’t Do
Beta readers can:
- Tell you if a certain character isn’t likeable or believable.
- Explain that a particular plot line doesn’t make sense.
- Tell you that your world-building isn’t convincing.
- Express disappointment in the writing style.
Beta readers cannot:
- Fix plot holes.
- Improve your writing.
- Suggest changes in dialogue or structure.
- Tell you how to fix your book.
- Review for copyediting consistency.
- Proofread.
How Many Beta Readers Do You Need?
Ideally, you want enough readers to give your book a thorough assessment. The exact number depends on the quality of the readers you select. You can have one highly qualified beta reader who gives you a solid assessment, or 20 poor ones who don’t give you valuable feedback.
Also, just like too much rewriting can ruin your book, too much assessment can get in the way of your progress as a writer. The ideal number of beta responses is probably around three. That’s enough to give you a good blend of reviews to work with, without getting swamped.
How to Find Beta Readers
So, you’ve decided you need some readers to assess your book. How do you find them?
People you know
You can find readers among your colleagues, professional relationships, and acquaintances. Friends and family members may volunteer eagerly for the assignment, but don’t rely on them. They are not likely to give you the honest review of an objective reader. If you happen to have a friend who’s a professional editor or writer, however, they may be able to offer an assessment that’s more realistic.
Writing groups
If you’re in a writing class or writing support group, ask about the possibility of beta reading. In many groups, writers trade beta reading duties with each other, so if you ask someone to do it, be sure you reciprocate when it’s your turn.
Editorial companies
Some companies are staffed by professional editors, proofreaders, and other publishing professionals. If you want to hire one, make sure you specify that you want a beta reading, not developmental editing or copy editing.
Social media
Aside from your online social media networks, you can use social media platforms to find high-quality readers. You may have to pay them a small fee, usually less than $100, or you might have to include them in the book’s acknowledgements. Discuss payment matters upfront with potential readers. You can find readers at these sites.
- Lit Reactor
- KidLit 411
- Christian Writers
- Critique Circle
- Beta Readers and Critique Partners Facebook Group
- Goodreads Beta Reader Group
- 10 Minute Novelists Facebook Group
- Freelancer
- Scribophile
- Writers Helping Writers
- Mythic Scribes
How It Works
Once you’ve chosen a beta reader, you’ll follow a similar process with each.
- Print out your manuscript. Most of these readers don’t want to read your book digitally. They prefer a printed version, and they won’t respond well to a digital format that requires them to print out a copy. Avoid the annoyance—print it out.
- Send a PDF version. As a backup—or for readers who prefer digital reading—send the reader a PDF version of your book. This version will translate easily to many different formats and operating systems.
- Mail the manuscript to your reader. If you wish, include a questionnaire that asks the reader to focus on questions you might have about the manuscript.
- Give the reader a deadline. A month is usually a reasonable amount of time for someone to read the book and write an assessment.
- Be realistic. Some people sign up eagerly to be beta readers, but for assorted reasons, they don’t follow through. If that happens, just move on to the next reader.
- Prepare yourself. You are asking for an honest appraisal, so be prepared to hear it. If it’s constructive, consider making changes to your book that answer the reader’s concerns.
Choose the Right Beta Readers
The best readers are people who genuinely love books and enjoy discovering new authors. They like the idea of getting in on a potentially great new author in their favorite genre.
They also have a keen sense of what readers want. They are reliable and prepared to deliver honest assessments. Finally, they can write an assessment that is thorough, fair, and based on constructive changes the book needs.
It is a good idea to include a questionnaire with your manuscript that addresses concerns you may have about the book, including:
- How does this compare to similar books in the same genre?
- Is the main character likeable and believable?
- Is the dialogue convincing?
- Does the story make sense?
- Does the ending feel right?
- What is your overall assessment?
You may have other concerns. This guide can be helpful for readers who want to know if you want them to focus on certain issues. On the other hand, don’t limit your readers too much. Let them point out any inconsistencies or weak points that they see.
What to Do With Your Responses
We know. It’s not easy to hear from several readers that your dialogue is stilted, or your characters aren’t likeable. If you’re prepared to hear the criticism and act on it, your book will be stronger.
Go back to the editing board with their assessments in mind. Based on their comments, you may need a small touch up. At least, you know what you’re working with and what needs your focused attention.
What if you need a complete overhaul? You may want to hire a professional editor who can help you rework the book’s structure, dialogue, and overall writing.
Early Beta Readers Should Be Part of Your Publishing Team
Every successful writer relies on a team of editors, proofreaders, readers, and supporters. At Dazzle Printing, we are proud to be on the team of many first-time writers. If you need help with any part of the printing process for your book, turn to us.
