The Benefits of Beta Readers
What is a beta reader? How can they help your writing? How do beta readers differ from professional editors?
Finishing the first draft of your novel is a time for celebration; however, before self-publishing or submitting your work to agents and publishers, there is a long editing process. You will need to go through multiple self-edits, and perhaps hire a professional editor along the way. In my previous blog, I discussed the different ways professional editors can help make your manuscript the best it can be. But, what about beta readers?
What is a beta reader?
A beta reader is a person who reads your work or manuscript and provides general feedback (often verbally, in a beta reader report, or with comments on the manuscript). Beta readers are the ‘test subjects’ for your work and should represent your general audience (they should be well-read in your genre). They will tell you what they like about your manuscript and what could be improved. Beta readers will often bring up ‘big picture’ issues such as plot holes, or issues with pacing, setting, or characterisation.
Beta readers can be employed at any stage of the writing and editing process but are often used once a full first draft is completed. You will often revise and rewrite sections of your work in response to their feedback, so beta reading should be completed before any professional copyediting or proofreading.
The benefits of beta readers
Feedback – Beta readers read the entire manuscript from start to finish. They will let you know what is working well and what might need revising.
Encouragement – Beta readers provide encouragement by letting you know that your story (or at least parts of it) comes across well. Beta readers will be the first people to read your work. It can be nerve-racking but is an exciting step towards publication and getting your novel seen by a large audience.
Confidence – Positive feedback from beta readers gives you the confidence to move on to the next step in the editing process (e.g. copyediting).
Accurate Representation – Beta readers can also include sensitivity readers. These are people hired to read the manuscript looking specifically for authentic and accurate representation. Sensitivity readers look for biases, stereotypes, cultural inaccuracies, inaccurate representations, and outdated or problematic language and advise you if your manuscript needs revising. It is particularly beneficial to hire a sensitivity reader if you are writing from the perspective of or depicting a culture/group that is not your own.
Price – Beta readers often provide their services for a small fee. You may also be lucky enough to have well-read friends, family, or members of writers’ groups willing to read for free. This is a very cost-effective option to get feedback on your work.
How does a beta reader differ from a professional editor and why should I hire both?
Beta readers do not provide the same level of detailed analysis and actionable advice as professional editors. While the services of a beta reader might seem similar to a manuscript assessment or structural report, they differ in the level of detail and expertise. Beta readers do not have the same expertise and understanding of the publishing industry as professional editors do. Beta readers will often give feedback in relation to their personal preferences, whereas editors will be more objective. A beta reader may highlight an issue in the book, but an editor will also provide clear, actionable advice on how to tackle that issue in your rewrite. Nonetheless, beta reading is fantastic to see how your manuscript comes across to your target audience and can help you pinpoint areas for revision.
Beta reading and professional editing go hand-in-hand and I often recommend my clients test their work on beta readers prior to self-publishing or submitting to agents and publishers.
If you would like to know more about the editing process please contact me or read the following blogs:
