Finding beta readers for your first novel does not have to be hard because you can often choose from people right in your own community, but let’s start with some definitions first.
From the blog Self Publishing on a Budget, they give their working definitions of Alpha and Beta readers:
Alpha Readers: Those who read your really, really rough manuscript and give you feedback. They have to be built of sturdy stuff if they are to read something so rough.
Beta Readers: Those who read your touched up manuscript to give you feedback (after you have fixed the mistakes the Alpha Readers pointed out).
https://www.shawnpbrobinson.com/honest-alpha-and-beta-readers/
To be honest, the term “alpha reader” was new to me, but when I read it, I knew that I have at least one alpha reader. So let’s get into it a bit more!
How Do I Find Beta Readers if I’m a New or Not-Published Author?
Finding beta readers for your first, second, third, 50th novel is a personal journey for everyone. There’s the practicality of finding someone who is willing to take the time to read and give you feedback (often for free), and then there’s the emotionality of sharing your creative work with someone who has the power to crush that creativity. Therefore, I believe choosing your beta readers carefully is CRUCIAL.
Practical Points for Choosing a Beta Reader for your Novel
Availability
Someone may be a great reader, but if their life is thrown into upheaval all of a sudden, they’re not going to be able to read, review, and return the novel to you promptly. And that just sucks. My rule of thumb for a short novella is a time span of 2 weeks for the beta reader, and if the work is longer, I’ll ask that feedback is returned in maybe 3 weeks. After all, beta readers have their families, jobs, hobbies, and more as well!
Readers of Your Genre
While it can be great to receive feedback from a reader who does not typically enjoy your book’s genre, it can also be really crippling to your creativity to receive a lot of comments/suggestions that pay no heed to the general genre and only to that reader’s preferences. So choose beta readers who LOVE your genre (they’ll give you suggestions that will strengthen your story towards that genre).
Constructive Criticism
Choose readers who will give you thoughtful and kind criticism that enhances your story without making you feel like a terrible writer. I have definitely worked with editors/readers who have had a terrible bedside manner for reading through my creative works, and by the time I’m done with their suggestions, I wonder if I should even have tried to write a story (obviously that’s super unhelpful).
Now that you know what kind of beta readers you’re looking for it can become much easier to actually find them.
Practical Points for Finding a Beta Reader (or many)
Start with your Friend Groups & Community
Do you attend a workout class with the same people every week? Do you regularly participate in a book club or church small group? Do you have a friend who gushes over the same authors and books as you? What about your family? Coworkers?
Storytime: I’ve always been amazed how people from all aspects of my life are willing to throw some of their time and energy into helping me create a better story. My workout friends have jumped in, and my college friends (who I might not have talked to for years) often are willing to help as well. Nothing is more wonderful than seeing so many people willing to help with a creative endeavor.
Explore your social media connections
Do you have a lot of followers on Instagram (or even just a few)? Are you a part of any Facebook groups of writers or readers? How active are you on Facebook reader groups?
Make the Ask for Beta Reader Interest
It can be as simple as saying, “Hey, I’m working on a new story, and I’m looking for people who are willing to read and give me feedback — would that be something that you’d be interested in?”
Honestly, it’s less scary than you think to ask people. Some will respond with much excitement while others will want to know more details. Either way, it’s a great way to figure out who to ask!
I’ve also had individuals say that they’re interested, but they can’t commit due to other life events. For this person, I tend to ask if I can check back in for future projects (or even for this project but for the next wave of readers). Generally, the answer is yes. It’s great to have a large list of people you can ask so you can continue to improve your story!
Details I Like to Include When Asking
- Expectations for timeline (I want to see it back to me in 2 weeks)
- Edits/Suggestions that I’m hoping for
- Specific problems/questions that I need feedback/perspective on
- Generally, I ask beta readers not for grammar help but for help in determining what’s working or not working in a story
Emotional Tips for Choosing a Beta Reader
Creativity is personal, and sharing your creative work with other people can be very scary. Therefore, I think it’s important to pay attention to the emotional side of creativity.
Save the Tough Critics for Later in the Editing Process
I’ve worked with well-meaning individuals who have read my first or second draft of my writing, and their feedback was like a gut punch (it was GOOD feedback, but it was given to me in a way that hurt my writer ego)…causing me to put my work on pause for years. Yes, years.
While having a writer ego can be problematic when seeking feedback, I think it’s also wise to create a safe boundary for your creative writer ego so that you’re able to continue moving your work forward. KEEP those individuals who hit you with the gut-punching feedback, but please don’t allow them to be the first ones to read your story.
Protect Your Creativity by Choosing Kind Beta Readers
Take your creative work to your gutsy first readers who will point out story problems all the while telling you repeatedly that “this is a good story. you’ve got something here!” For me, this means an extra boost of confidence that gives me the energy to keep working on the story so I can eventually present it to those gut-punching-feedback individuals. And when those tough critics give me feedback that makes me feel like a terrible writer, I’ll be able to remind myself of all the other readers who enjoyed the story already.
Trust Your Gut & Author Instinct
At the end of the day, YOU are the author and writer of this story. While your beta readers and tough critics will offer you a lot of feedback and information on your story, it is yours. There are times to take their feedback and there are times to hold to the story you’re telling.
However, if enough people point out a problem with a character or a plot point, you should definitely eyeball it closely. Then stay true to your story as you write to fix that hole. No one knows your story as you do.
My beta readers have offered me some GREAT feedback over the years, and honestly, I just LOVE receiving their notes/thoughts/suggestions as they read through the thing I’ve spent hours on. It’s fun to see my story through their eyes. And, my beta readers have improved my character dialogue (by suggesting ZINGERS of comebacks) and so much more.
Tell me in the comments below how you’ve found your Beta Readers or what qualities you look for in your readers!
If you’re anything like Jadyn, the main character of Teal Paisley Tights, then you have BIG dreams but you still have bills to pay. Jump into this cute novel and find out how she does it.
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