Beta Readers – what are they and do we need them?
Beta Readers.
These are people who read a completed piece of your work and give critical feedback.
Beta readers can be
- family or friends,
- writing colleagues,
- people on the Internet,
- or paid professionals.
I would recommend only using family or friends if you think they can be completely honest about your work and not just give praise. I’m sure we all like someone to say “Oh, I loved it. You’ll easily get it published!”
That’ll certainly give you a boost, which is always a good thing. But what you really need to know is what works and what doesn’t and, most importantly, WHY.
The term Beta Readers comes from the computer industry. Before a new computer programme is sold to the public, it has to be tested to make sure there are no bugs, viruses, mistakes or problems. So, the programme is given to a number of experienced programmers to use the programme like real customers – these are the Beta Testers.
What do Beta Readers do?
Their job is to give constructive feedback to the writer. They will look at your story’s plot, characters, conflict, pace, flow and the big picture.
They are NOT editors or proof readers so do not expect them to pick up grammar, spelling or punctuation points. Before sending your story to an agent or publisher, or self-publishing, you will need an editor and a proof reader as well, if you want to send out a professional product.
It is important to negotiate with your Beta Readers as to what, exactly, you want them to look at. You may be worried about the arc of your story; or you may want to know what they think of the main characters. The more specific you can be, the better for the Reader and you. Click here to see a suggested list of questions for Beta Readers.
How many Beta Readers?
Not too few and not too many! If you’re writing a genre novel, I would suggest one or two readers who read that genre, plus one or two more who are general readers. It’s interesting what each type will pick up! Any more than 4 or 5 and you will start getting too many differing opinions – you can’t please all your readers all the time!
Where to find Beta Readers?
Writing friends, writers’ groups, writing conferences, college, university and you’ll even find readers on the Internet who may not charge. If you feel you want professional, paid Beta Readers, look on the Internet: prices vary.
When to use Beta Readers?
Only when you have finished your final draft and you think it’s ready for publication or sending out to agents, editors, competitions etc.
You can certainly get opinions at any stage of your writing, from first ideas to second or more drafts. But only when YOU have done all the work you can (including grammar, spelling and punctuation checks), should you think about Beta Readers.
There’s little point is asking a Beta Reader to invest a lot of time and effort in reading your novel, if you’ve since made alterations which they don’t see.
What to do with the feedback?
- Rule number 1: Do NOT take any criticism as personal. They are critiquing your writing, not you as a person.
- Don’t argue with your Beta Reader. If you feel you have to explain something to them, then it’s not in the writing.
- Read through the feedback reports from all your Beta Readers, particularly noting if the same feedback occurs in more than one report.
- Go through your manuscript, looking at each individual point made. If you agree with the Reader, then change it. If you don’t, leave it.
- You can go back to your Beta Readers to ask for clarification if you are not sure of the point they are making.
- Thank your Beta Readers (or pay them if they are professionals!)
What next?
If a number of your Readers have come up with the same, major criticisms, you may feel you have to rewrite certain sections. And then you may need another set of Beta Readers to see if you have addressed the first Readers’ concerns.
But if you have made minor alterations and are happy with your novel, then that’s the time to find out what the world thinks of your writing – agent, publisher, competition or self-publishing.
Good luck and Happy Writing!
Linda
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