Who is a beta-reader?
Beta-reading for new books is similar to beta-testing for new product launches. Ideally, beta-readers represent the target audience for your book. They can provide valuable feedback for your book before it goes to the editor.
Picture This
Your manuscript is ready. With or without multiple rounds of self-editing, you’re happy with the plot, story structure and other elements.
But you would love some honest feedback at this point without breaking the bank.
Yes to Beta-reading!
So, you send your manuscript to a chosen set of beta-readers and await their feedback.
Technically, beta-readers can –
- point out simple plot holes,
- highlight dull opening lines,
- catch typos, missing words/sentences,
- pick up dialogue glitches,
- or strike out characters that make no sense to the plot.
Ideally, they should provide the reader’s perspective to your story. If your beta-readers love your story, then there’s a high possibility that your target audience will definitely love it, too.
How many beta-readers should you work with?
The more, the better. It’s important to get multiple eyes on your work.
Your target audience will have various demographics like age range, lifestyle, reading habits, occupation, location, etc. So, it could be useful to have beta-readers representing each demographic.
Plus, many times beta-readers may drop out during the scheduled timeline due to various personal or professional reasons. Having a large pool of beta-readers is always a good idea.
But it also depends on your time constraints. Personally, I work with maximum five beta-readers at a time. I’m not confident that I can effectively use feedback from everyone if I take on more than five.
However, many authors prefer to have between 12 to 30 beta-readers on each manuscript.
Beta-readers are different from alpha-readers or critique partners or proofreaders.
Alpha-readers usually offer feedback on the first draft.
Let’s face it. First drafts are messy and unreadable. So, it might not be a good idea to share it with readers.
That said, having an alpha-reader skim through your first draft could also be helpful. Usually, a close friend or family member would be a great choice as alpha reader.
Alpha-readers can provide an overall feedback on the story arc. Is it viable? Does the whole story make sense on a broad scale? Or does it fall flat and needs major rewriting?
On the contrary, beta-readers will not be reading your first draft. Often, they will answer a set questionnaire that makes it easier for you to incorporate their feedback into your story.
Critique Partners and proofreaders are more skilled than beta-readers and their feedback is on the process of your story rather than the content. They will bring a writer’s perspective to your story.
The All Call Indie database lists such freelancers who can offer you the professional beta-reading for a fee.
But, do all authors need beta-readers? Technically, yes! Sometimes, no!
No to Beta-reading!
You DO NOT need beta-readers if –
- you’re writing your debut novel and have no idea where to find the right kind of beta-readers.
- you’re working on a tight deadline and can’t read through all the feedback.
- you find constructive feedback overwhelming. (always keep your mental health top priority)
- your target audience is not part of the normal demographic.
- you’re unable to differentiate between feedback that can help your story and feedback that must be discarded completely.
Not all feedback will be useful for your story, even if it’s constructive and positive. You need to figure what to keep and what to ignore.
Not all feedback will be consistent. In fact, my beta-readers usually have contradictory views on my story. Some comments will overlap, but most will be on different tangents. So, it’s important to keep sight of what you’re looking for in the feedback and filter out the rest.
I strongly discourage first time authors from using beta-readers. The process can be demotivating, especially when you have no idea what to expect. It’s more rewarding to work with a critique partner and an editor who can guide you properly every step of the way.
And if you’re on a deadline, then please skip the beta-reading. It’s unfair to the beta-readers, who’ve put in all that time and effort to read your story, if you’re unable to even read through their feedback.
Where to find beta-readers?
If you know any close friends or family who can represent your target audience, that would be a good place to start. Bear in mind their feedback could be biased because they love your work anyway.
Other than that, a lot of writers send out flyers on social media or forums like discord seeking beta-readers randomly. While this is an effective and free method, it can also be time consuming and emotionally draining.
Facebook and Goodreads also have various beta-reading communities where you can upload requests.
Professional beta-readers are also available in online marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork.
All Call Indie has collected a reliable list of professional beta-readers who can give you the right feedback within a set time for a reasonable fee.
What does a beta-reader not do?
A beta-reader will NOT –
- professionally edit your manuscript
- proofread your manuscript
- offer manuscript critique
- offer constructive feedback on your story (that’s what critique partners and editors are for)
Professional editors, proofreaders and beta-readers make up separate parts of your editing process.
To learn more
Check out for the following blog posts on All Call Indie.
Coming soon.
- Proofreading: A Beginner’s Guide
- Do’s & Don’ts of Finding an Editor
Disclaimer: All Call Indie does not charge any kind of fees for connecting authors to freelancers or any commission from freelancers for their services. It is only a database for authors to refer. All discussion related to services should be kept confidential between the author and the freelancer.
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