In a post on Novlr, Pamela Koehne-Drube offers advice for getting the most from your beta readers. “A beta reader is someone who reads your manuscript and gives you feedback,” she says. “They’re just ordinary readers who like books and want to help authors improve theirs.”
Beta readers are like editors – some will give you big picture feedback and some will go deep in the weeds of structure and character. Some will point out weak areas and others will suggest what you can do to strengthen your novel. When you’re looking for a beta reader, you want to find someone who actually enjoys reading, will be honest with their opinions, and capable of telling you when something isn’t working. Good communication skills are a big plus.
So, how can you make the best use of your beta readers’ time?
- Prepare your manuscript. Format your manuscript properly and provide a copy in the format your reader prefers, such as hard or electronic copy. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be readable – no crazy fonts or weird formatting. Also, do correct any spelling or grammar errors or typos before you send it. Too many errors will distract your reader from the story, which is where you want their focus.
- Know what you want to get out of it. Before you ask for readers, consider what feedback you want and any questions you have about your story. Communicate what you expect, as well. If you’re curious about the plot, character development, or the overall feel of the story, say so. Also, expect that some readers will not like your story or will give you critical feedback.
- Always ask for clarification. Expect negative feedback and accept it gracefully. Criticism is how we learn to do better. However, if you don’t agree with a particular criticism, it’s ok to ask your reader for more information so that you understand their feedback. Sometimes negative feedback is a matter of taste, not objective observation.
- Try to be collaborative. Beta readers might not have time for a post-read discussion, but if they do, take advantage of it. Reply to their comments or ask for clarification. Again, don’t argue about their feedback, even if it’s negative. Pick their brains but don’t try to change their minds.
- Don’t use the same beta readers for multiple drafts. When you find good beta readers, it will be tempting to ask them to read everything, including multiple revisions of the same manuscript. Some might agree, but it’s also important to have multiple perspectives. It might be helpful for a reader to give you an opinion of your revisions, but they might also find it boring to read the same book twice.
- Say thanks. Do something nice for your beta readers, especially if they slogged through a whole novel. If you publish your novel, send them a copy and consider thanking them in the acknowledgements.
