Monday, July 9, 2012

Beta Readers: Who, When, Where, and Why?

I notice a trend of writers who don't have beta readers, but plan on getting published someday. Many of them fall into one of two categories: 1.) They don't feel they need a beta, because their writing is strong enough on its own. Or 2.) They have absolutely no idea where to go and how to find a legitimate, helpful, honest reader, or they're too shy to reach out and ask for one.

If you're in the first category, my suggestion to you is to realize everyone needs a good beta. Unless you already have an editor at a publishing house who is willing to look at projects you do right off the bat, you better make sure that story of yours is polished to a shine. To do this, we need help.

If you're in the second category...this blog post is for you.

What Makes a Good Beta
- Above all, honesty. You do not want a beta who has nothing but positive things to say. Find someone who has a nice mix of pointing out what they loved, and what didn't work for them.

- Figure out what kind of beta-work you're wanting. Do you need someone to look for plot holes, spelling, grammar, voice, character development, all of the above? Do you want overall notes? Or do you want someone who will give you line-by-line notes, right in the document itself?

- Keep in mind, many betas might ask you to return the favor.


Where to Go to Find a Beta or Become a Beta
- Keep an eye out on blogs who sometimes feature critique partner match-ups. Bloggers (sometimes agents, even!) will host a small event where they match you up with someone who seems to be about your level, and writes a genre you would enjoy reading.

- Absolute Write, or similar writing forums. AW has a sub-forum specifically geared toward beta readers.

Etiquette on Writing Forums
Unfortunately, it isn't as easy as signing up and posting to the beta reader forum and waiting for magic to happen. Display some courtesy to your fellow writers.

- Watch the share your work forums. Comment. Learn. Put yourself out there and offer advice. This not only lets others see you're serious about the time you're investing, but that you're willing to give back. In fact, AW now requires a x-number of posts on the site before you can post your own work in SYW to avoid new members coming in and asking for help, then taking off.

- Look through the beta forum. If you find someone who fits what you're looking for, email them, ask a bit about what kind of beta reading they want, if they're willing to beta in return, etc. Figure out if you think they'd be a good match. If you give it a go and you aren't compatible, it's not the end of the world. You'll find someone who is.

- Make your own post. In it, include your genre, word count, and your blurb. Gain someone's attention with it. Offer to read in return, if you want.


Having a solid critique partner or two is an invaluable part of being a writer these days. Agents and editors want our work already polished when they get it so they have to do as little work as necessary, and to show we're really serious about our craft.

What are your beta stories? How did you meet your critique partners? Or, if you don't have one, why not? 

21 comments:

  1. Beta readers are amazing and it's so so so important to have an outside opinion on your work. You get so lost in it all you simply can't see the mistakes. If not for my betas, my book would still contain a wide range of issues.

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    1. I agree! My betas/CPs catch things I'd be embarrassed if my editor or an agent saw.

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  2. Not sure if I missed this part, but it's also important to make sure your work is ready to be read when you seek a beta reader. That you've had it critiqued and edited.

    I've met my critique partners on the LadiesWhoCritique website, at writer's meetings and book signings. :) Very rarely do I use a writer to be my beta reader. So, my beta readers, I've met through friends and family. I was on the lookout for a teen to read my YA dark fantasy novel, and ended up meeting a sixteen-year-old young woman who loves to read at a bar-b-que. Score! :)

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    1. Definitely, Rachel. I don't like sending messy, unedited stuff to my CPs if I can help it. They shouldn't have to pick out every little mistake an author themselves can catch.

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  3. Excellent advice. I'm still learning the whos and wheres, and this post is an invaluable resource. When I started writing I was one of those who thought I didn't need a beta - I'm so glad I learned to think differently.

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    1. Many authors start out thinking they don't need a beta. I did, too! Thankfully I learned early on. ;)

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  4. You must be a mind reader. I have been searching for a beta reader (not a crit partner) for a VERY long time!

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    1. Definitely check out AW and maybe post in the beta forum! :)

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  5. I have both beta readers and critique partners and both are an integral part of writing and rewriting my books. My betas I met through blogging, while my crit partners I met on writing.com.

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    1. I only met one of my CPs on Absolute Write. Others I've met through various other means. The internet is a wide, wide world. You never know who you're going to meet!

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  6. Oh, and Kelley, check out my blog :) You might find a surprise :)

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  7. Very good article today! Thanks for the tips!

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    1. You're welcome, Victoria. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. A lot of published authors I notice have anywhere from five to seven or more beta readers. I've had one solid critique partner, a few betas, maybe two or three, and then some writing workshop buddies that have read a few chaps but have really pushed me forward. It's definitely important. I think the greater the number of betas, though, the more confusing it can get, so it's good to find a number you're comfortable with. You've got some great resources there, thanks for the share!

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    1. I have one solid CP, too, who has read every single book I've written. Otherwise, I'll ask friends/other writers who I think might be interested or have the time. I would be overwhelmed with half a dozen of them, though!

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  9. It's funny because even as a freelance editor, and not a publishing house editor, I prefer for clients' work to be as close to polished as possible. Not grammatically, but as far as plot and characters. I want to be handed what the author thinks is their final draft.

    This is really for their benefit too. Editing isn't the cheapest thing ever and more than a few rounds of it for a novel can take a toll on one's wallet.

    For this reason, I always hope and recommend that my clients have beta readers to help them get their story in really good shape. (Every writers needs other eyes on their work.)

    This post helps me too, though, as I'm a writer myself and will be in the market for awesome beta readers eventually. So thank you.

    And finally, I agree with the last commenter (Margaret! hey I know her), too many opinions about one piece of writing can actually cause harm.

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    1. I definitely think writers need to not be lazy. Writers shouldn't assume because an editor or beta will be looking for issues, they don't have to edit themselves. Like you said--that can get costly if a writer is paying for freelance editing.

      Too many opinions can hurt, yes. It's important to know which information to leave, and which to take. When I'm giving notes, I try to differentiate between what *needs* fixing (a plot whole, grammar, continuity issues) and what is simply my opinion (would it be better if...). If I see the same issue brought up by more than one beta, though, I know it's something I need to take a look at.

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  10. I usually have the same amount of beta readers as I do cps. About 3. I find them among my peers, a group of writers I work with and sometimes I throw in someone I know reads a lot in the genre I write in but isn't a pro writer just to get a good idea of how I'm doing.

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    1. Having a lot can be a good thing, so long as the number works for you. And I agree--sometimes having readers as opposed to writes is a good thing! They're focusing in on the emotion, plot, and characters and not as much to the editing, grammar, spelling aspect of it, I think.

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  11. The honesty part is the most important. If your beta reader thinks it, someone else is going to. It's also super important to remember that they are just being honest and trying to make your manuscript the best it can be! It's not personal, (it is), but you have to embrace it. Great article! Tweeting it!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! And I agree. Sometimes I worry I might be hurting someone's feelings with a note, and I do try to word them nicely, but it's helping in the long run.

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