I recently completed a novel that has been workshopped, revised repeatedly, and polished. Before I begin the query process or move to self-publish, I’d like some “consumer” feedback. I want to know how my story will be received by its intended audience. For me, that means it’s time to bring on the beta readers.
Having used beta readers only once before, following my own intuitive, spontaneous process, I decided this time to try a more formal approach. I invested some time in research and uncovered practical advice that I’m happy to share in this article with embedded links that will lead you to more detail.
What is a beta reader?
For those unfamiliar with beta readers and their purpose, a beta reader is a person who reads your completed manuscript, provides a reader’s perspective on your story, and identifies potential flaws so that you can address them before seeking a literary agent or publication. They also provide feedback on what is working—and receiving that information can feel like a huge, reassuring hug.
I’ve heard of alpha readers. How do they differ from beta readers?
An alpha reader is an early reader, most likely a writing colleague, writing friend, or writing group member. Alpha readers are important as you draft and shape your story. Hopefully, they are practiced at feedback and offer constructive criticism that will inform and inspire you. Some call them early beta readers and others refer to all readers, early or late, as beta readers.
When interviewed for this article, Elisabeth Sharp McKetta, author of a variety of wonderful books including most recently Ark and Edit Your Life, cited uses for both alpha and beta readers:
“I think we all need them. I don’t know a single writer who doesn’t. But sometimes we need different types for different drafts—gentle, encouraging readers early on, when we must coax the book to life, and critical, hawk-eyed ones for the very end, when it must be perfect.”
I’ve got a completed draft. Am I ready for beta readers? When do I actually use them?
There are multiple takes on this. Here are two schools of thought: 1) After you have a completed draft that you are comfortable sharing. (There can be multiple rounds of this.) 2) After the manuscript is completed, revised, polished, and you think it is ready to go public.
I use my writing group as early/alpha readers through early drafts, revision, and some of the polishing. The group comments on what they like and what needs work. They tend to cover pace, dialogue, character development, plot, setting, what moves them, and what makes them laugh. The betas are for a different perspective. I want to know about their reading experience.
While my writing group writes in different genres, I want my betas to not only love reading, but to specifically enjoy the genre or type of story I am telling, so they can offer meaningful critique. In her podcast, Writer Unleashed, “Episode 196,” Nanci Panuccio, writer, editor, and story coach, recommends using readers not writers as your betas. She also suggests providing potential betas with the first chapter of your manuscript so they will know if they want to read more of it. Episode 196 is full of helpful information about the beta reader process including creating reader profiles and finding your beta readers online. It is twenty minutes and well worth your time.
Who do I ask and how many do I want?
When recruiting my beta readers, I emailed a group of fourteen frequent-reader acquaintances who enjoy character-driven, book-club fiction. I selected individuals who I felt could be objective and would take the time to help me fine-tune my manuscript. I attached the first two chapters of my novel for their perusal. I emphasized my understanding of everyone’s busy schedules, and that they should only sign on if they could provide feedback within a four-week timeframe. I ended up with eight volunteers, more than the five I had hoped for, and am happy to have them all. You never know when one of your volunteers is going to have to bow out during the feedback process.
If you cannot or don’t want to enlist people you know, you can find beta readers online. See the above link to Panuccio’s Episode 196 for detailed advice on that.
In “The New Writer’s Guide to Working with Beta Readers,” creative coach and fantasy author Kristen Kieffer recommends using anywhere from three to twelve beta readers because a larger number of readers allows you to see patterns in the feedback that can guide your revision decisions. (For example, if more than one of your readers is confused in a scene or by dialogue, etc., clarification is probably required.) Kieffer prefers more betas rather than fewer, explaining that not all readers may provide the type of feedback you’re hoping for. According to Kieffer,
“Having a few extra beta readers creates a buffer against the possibility of ending up with too little feedback to glean any meaningful direction.”
How do I instruct the beta readers I have recruited?
It is best to provide written instructions to your beta readers that include a clear deadline and guiding questions.
In her book Intuitive Editing, A Creative & Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing, author, developmental editor, and founder of Fox Print Editorial, Tiffany Yates Martin advises tailoring a questionnaire to areas in your story you suspect need more development, like character arcs or sustaining tension or certain parts of the plot.
Martin’s website, FoxPrint Editorial, offers a mini guide to beta readers including sample beta reader questions as well as a sample cover letter that you can access here.
Both Panuccio on Writer Unleashed, “Episode 196” and Kieffer in a second article on beta readers, “How Writers Can Prepare for a Fantastic Beta Reader Experience,” share lists of specific questions to direct feedback. I used a combination from the two in a response form that I created and sent with the novel manuscript to my readers. I asked them to please review the questions before they started and to keep them in mind as they read the story. Here are some examples from their list:
- Did you feel grounded in where and when this story was taking place? Were there any scenes where you weren’t sure where the characters were? (Panuccio)
- Did you find the main character compelling? Did you relate to him or her? Did you care about this character? Were you ever unsure of his or her motives? (Panuccio)
- Did you get bored (or even frustrated) at any point while reading? If so, where? (Kieffer – Fiction list)
- Did the dialogue seem real and true to the characters? (Kieffer – Fiction list)
- Did the book leave you feeling inspired and empowered? Did you find the content actionable? (Kieffer – Nonfiction list)
You also may want to gently inform your readers that you are not looking for edits or how they would write the story. Generally allow four to six weeks depending upon the length of your manuscript and any deadlines you are facing. Use an easy to read font such as Times New Roman, 12 pt.
One last thing on beta reader instructions, I asked my betas to save the document with their first or last name added to the front of the document name/title so I will be able to distinguish between the different senders when they return their documents. If they forget, I can add their names myself.
After the feedback, what if I don’t agree?
In her podcast, Panuccio recommends,
Don’t try to incorporate every piece of feedback. Not all of it is going to be relevant or valuable to you. Consider what your readers are saying, but tune into your own instincts and look for patterns.
Let’s be clear: 1) Feedback doesn’t always feel good. Sometimes it makes us feel lousy. Sometimes it crushes us. And sometimes it inspires us to take our writing to a higher level by improving a scene or a chapter or reworking our ending. As writers, we must be open-minded and resilient. 2) Do not follow suggestions you don’t agree with. Remember that writing is subjective, and it’s your story. However, you should read each suggestion or comment and seriously consider its merit. You should definitely pay attention to patterns or multiple comments about the same scene or character or dialogue. 3) Follow up with questions if you need a better understanding or want to further explore a reader’s thought or concern.
Am I supposed to pay my beta readers?
Beta readers are typically volunteers. I don’t know any writers who have paid their betas. Kieffer recommends showing gratitude by emailing your sincere appreciation, and that you consider naming your beta readers in your book’s acknowledgments—with their prior permission. Kieffer also suggests that a signed copy of your published book would make a wonderful gift, and I totally agree.
Good luck!
P.S. Thank you to Elisabeth Sharp McKetta, Nancy Panuccio, Kristen Kieffer, and Tiffany Yates Martin for their words of wisdom.
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