Dear Book Friend,
To improve your craft, to become a better writer, you need to feedback on your story - 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, these betas should be readers rather than writers. Many writers exchange work with other writers, 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.
Trying something new or 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 generically negative, unhelpful responses or even generically positive responses, which are equally unhelpful.
To improve your craft, to become a better writer, you need to feedback on your story - 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, these betas should be readers rather than writers. Many writers exchange work with other writers, 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.
Trying something new or 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 generically negative, unhelpful responses or even generically positive responses, which are equally unhelpful.
Giving specific parameters and guidance as to what you’re looking for will, hopefully, make the feedback less painful and more pertinent. Limit the number of issues you’d like them watch for as they read so they don't get overwhelmed and run for the hills! You also might ask them to fill out a questionnaire afterwards (so as not to direct their reading too much).
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 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.
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 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 a curated list of questions and prompts for beta readers to help them order their thoughts and direct their comments.
For this resource plus a sample letter of instruction for your beta readers which can be adapted to suit your needs, fill out 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 services of some kind, generous, and dedicated readers with my Beta Brigade. Contact me if this would be a helpful option for you.
For this resource plus a sample letter of instruction for your beta readers which can be adapted to suit your needs, fill out 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 services 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.)
