Beta readers are the people who’ll help make an author’s manuscript-in-progress tighter, better and generally more appealing. It’s a GREAT thing for authors to do before they send their work to an editor.
Perhaps you’ve had an enquiry from an author asking you to edit their novel – but it transpires that they haven’t shown their manuscript to anyone yet.
There’s a high chance it isn’t ready for professional editing.
One of the things you can suggest is that the author consider using beta readers as a first step.
The idea of beta reading comes from the engineering concept of beta testing, also known as field testing. Beta testing involves subjecting a product to a trial by real-world users to find out where it can be improved. That’s pretty much how beta reading works for books, too.
What exactly does a beta reader do?
Each writer has their own way of working with beta readers, but the general idea is very straightforward. They send their manuscript out to their readers, and they tell the author what they enjoyed and what they didn’t – and why.
Beta readers are especially good at giving feedback on ‘big picture’ issues (like characterisation) and at spotting inconsistencies in a story world.
If an author is writing about subjects outside their expertise, it’s helpful for them to use beta readers with the knowledge and experience to tell them whether their depiction is good enough. For example, perhaps the main character’s best friend is a tiger, and the author knows someone who works in the big cat section of a zoo … They might be able to help the author tweak the mannerisms of their feline character.
Most beta readers will even point out typos and spelling mistakes, which can help authors spruce up their manuscript before they hire an editor or proofreader later down the line.
What beta readers aren’t
Beta readers aren’t professionals. They have their own place in shaping a manuscript, which is quite distinct from the role played by an editor.
The whole point of beta readers is that they’re a cross-section of the kind of people who’ll eventually buy the finished book. Therefore they can provide authors with an insight into how a larger readership might receive their novel.
Professional editors, on the other hand, have been trained to either pinpoint a multitude of big-picture issues in the novel (development editing/manuscript critiquing) or make sure the prose is correct, consistent, flows well and follows publishing conventions (line editing/copy-editing).
Remember, though, working with beta readers isn’t cheating, nor is it about ‘writing by committee’. Authors don’t even have to act on what their beta readers tell them.
It’s all about field testing, remember?
Who authors SHOULDN’T ask to beta read their novel
Their family, friends or writing buddies. Well, they can ask these people, but even if they fall into the author’s target readership, the opinions of friends and family are bound to be coloured by their feelings for the author.
I know that some authors like to use beta readers who are also writers, but I don’t think that’s such a good idea either. Every writer I’ve ever met has their own idea of what literature should be and do, and very few of these ideas coincide.
A reader who isn’t a writer is less likely to let philosophical or technical issues influence their experience of the work. (Editors, on the other hand, are trained to be more objective – but editorial feedback should come later down the line.)
For me, the ‘unwriterly’ perspective is worth its weight in gold, and is exactly what authors should look for in a beta reader.
Who should use beta readers?
Any writer seriously interested in maximising the quality of their manuscript should at least consider using beta readers.
Some writers are reluctant to do this, and I get it. It’s tough for anyone to open themselves to criticism by a bunch of strangers. And without going through the beta reading process before, it can be hard to see where the true value lies.
But I encourage writers to think of it this way: it’s a really good idea to have any problems pointed out while there’s still plenty of time to put them right.
Authors won’t spot these problems because they’re waaaaay too close to their own work.
When should an author use beta readers?
Beta testing is not something done in the early stages of product development. It’s used to make an already good product as problem-free as possible.
The same principle applies to working with beta readers.
The right time to consult beta readers is after the author has done as much as they can to improve their manuscript, and before they send it to a professional editor.
This way, they can correct any problems noted by the beta readers and they’ll pave the way for their editor to do their very best work (which in turn means the book will also be the best it can be).
Beta reading before professional editing
Hopefully you can now see how beta readers have a lot to offer authors.
The beta reading stage is an important part of preparing a manuscript before it’s sent to a professional editor. It allows authors to iron out some of the biggest issues with their stories so an editor can help them with more technical aspects.
The author gets an all-round better book; the editor is able to provide more effective editing. Win-win!
