Dear Book Friend,
To improve your craft and become a better writer, you need reader feedback on your story - both what you’re doing well and where there’s room for improvement. And because appreciation of story and art is subjective, you need to get a variety of perspectives and impressions. I suggest a minimum of 3. But realistically, to guarantee adequate responses, consider 6-10.
Ideally, betas should be readers rather than writers. Many writers exchange work with other writers, which can be extremely helpful too. But this should be done in the context and expectation of writing critique, not beta feedback.
Solicit trustworthy, reliable readers to be your Betas, and give them a framework for their feedback that would be helpful, including a deadline.
Are you trying something new? Do you have growth edges (love that phrase!) you’d like to work on? Alert your beta readers to those issues or areas for specific attention. Even if you just want general feedback, but especially if dealing with new or inexperienced beta readers, providing guidance will likely be appreciated. Otherwise you may get generic, unhelpful responses - positive or negative - which are equally unhelpful.
To improve your craft and become a better writer, you need reader feedback on your story - both what you’re doing well and where there’s room for improvement. And because appreciation of story and art is subjective, you need to get a variety of perspectives and impressions. I suggest a minimum of 3. But realistically, to guarantee adequate responses, consider 6-10.
Ideally, betas should be readers rather than writers. Many writers exchange work with other writers, which can be extremely helpful too. But this should be done in the context and expectation of writing critique, not beta feedback.
Solicit trustworthy, reliable readers to be your Betas, and give them a framework for their feedback that would be helpful, including a deadline.
Are you trying something new? Do you have growth edges (love that phrase!) you’d like to work on? Alert your beta readers to those issues or areas for specific attention. Even if you just want general feedback, but especially if dealing with new or inexperienced beta readers, providing guidance will likely be appreciated. Otherwise you may get generic, unhelpful responses - positive or negative - which are equally unhelpful.
Giving specific parameters and guidance will, hopefully, make the feedback more pertinent. Limiting the number of issues you’d like them to watch for will make them less likely to get overwhelmed and run for the hills!
And asking them to fill out a questionnaire afterward will lessen your influence on their reading.
Copyright your material, and send it out in an encrypted pdf or a view-only Google doc. (Rooted in Writing has an amazingly comprehensive collection of beta reader resources for authors that I feel no need to try to improve upon or reproduce. Thanks Amber!)
Have you written outside your personal experience? Consider hiring a Sensitivity Reader. As author Anna Hecker describes in Writer’s Digest, these knowledgeable editor/readers can help authors identify and correct wording or descriptions that could trigger, or details that are incorrect, off base, stereotypical, offensive, or antiquated. Check out the detailed explanation and data base in Write in the Margins. You’ll find more about this in my Topical Resources page.
Trying to juggle all the comment-laden documents from your trusted beta readers can feel overwhelming. Some authors like to share the manuscript via Google docs where they can be combined into a Shared document. Readers can even interact with one another that way. This method obviously has pros and cons.
If you prefer to use MS Word, Jami Gold has a wonderful step-by-step tutorial for combining Comments into one document for easier consumption. This compilation can illuminate patterns and highlight issues of particular concern.
And asking them to fill out a questionnaire afterward will lessen your influence on their reading.
Copyright your material, and send it out in an encrypted pdf or a view-only Google doc. (Rooted in Writing has an amazingly comprehensive collection of beta reader resources for authors that I feel no need to try to improve upon or reproduce. Thanks Amber!)
Have you written outside your personal experience? Consider hiring a Sensitivity Reader. As author Anna Hecker describes in Writer’s Digest, these knowledgeable editor/readers can help authors identify and correct wording or descriptions that could trigger, or details that are incorrect, off base, stereotypical, offensive, or antiquated. Check out the detailed explanation and data base in Write in the Margins. You’ll find more about this in my Topical Resources page.
Trying to juggle all the comment-laden documents from your trusted beta readers can feel overwhelming. Some authors like to share the manuscript via Google docs where they can be combined into a Shared document. Readers can even interact with one another that way. This method obviously has pros and cons.
If you prefer to use MS Word, Jami Gold has a wonderful step-by-step tutorial for combining Comments into one document for easier consumption. This compilation can illuminate patterns and highlight issues of particular concern.
BFF Editing has curated a list of questions and prompts for beta readers to help them order their thoughts and direct their comments.
Request this resource plus a sample letter of instruction for your beta readers which can be adapted to suit your needs in the Contact form. For professional beta reading feedback, consider hiring me for an Alpha Assessment, Basic Beta Read, or Beta Plus service.
And with certain BFF Editing services, you can access the help of some kind, generous, and dedicated readers with my Beta Brigade. Contact me if this would be a helpful option for you.
Request this resource plus a sample letter of instruction for your beta readers which can be adapted to suit your needs in the Contact form. For professional beta reading feedback, consider hiring me for an Alpha Assessment, Basic Beta Read, or Beta Plus service.
And with certain BFF Editing services, you can access the help of some kind, generous, and dedicated readers with my Beta Brigade. Contact me if this would be a helpful option for you.
Special thanks to author/editor/blogger Jami Gold, to author/editor Laurel Garver, to author Anna Hecker, and to editor/coach Amber Helt for their insights and suggestions.
Need fresh eyes to give valuable feedback on a story or message you are WAY TOO familiar with to see clearly?
Contact BFF Editing today to see if my Beta Brigade can help!
Contact BFF Editing today to see if my Beta Brigade can help!
