5 qualities to look for in a good
beta reader
1.
Trustworthy
This is definitely something you want to look at. Can you trust this person to read and
critique your work without sharing it and putting it out on social media
without your consent. (This has happened
to well known authors. Just look up
midnight sun by Stephenie Meyers)
Some writers even go so far as to have their beta readers
sign a confidentiality agreement. I have
chosen not to go this route, but I am very particular about who I let see my
work pre publication.
2.
Detailed
Finding readers who delve deep into the material is a
must. You want a reader who pays
attention to detail. I want beta readers
who notice pick up on the little things.
(Like in pretty woman where Julia Roberts is eating a pancake and it
turns into a croissant.) I personally do
not want those errors in my books, whether the majority of readers would notice
them or not. Strive for perfection in
your novel. The better quality of
product you have to offer, the more people will desire to read it.
3.
Mean
I personally want a beta reader that's not afraid to be
mean. Before I give someone a manuscript
I ask them if they are ready to mark it up. I tell them I want them to be
mean. I want them to pick it apart. I don't want readers that are afraid to
offer me critiques. A lot of people may
just tell you it's great to avoid hurting your feelings.
I actually prefer the negative feedback to positive when I
give someone a draft. Because that's
what it is, whether it's a first or second or third draft, I want all the
quirks worked out before I go to print.
I have gotten back some feedback
that has stung a little. It's hard to
get back less than positive feedback on something you have spent countless
hours on. However, most the feedback I
have gotten back has been invaluable to me, and helped me to provide a more
polished novel.
4.
Quick
How fast do you want your beta readers to finish going
through your manuscript. Maybe you have
all the time in the world, and six months to a year is okay with you. I have learned that setting a time table when
asking someone to read a manuscript is extremely helpful. I normally ask for mine to be read in two to
three weeks. If a reader can't finish it
in that time, then they are not interested in your topic. If you give a reader too long, it may get
pushed to a corner in their bedroom and forgotten about.
I also have multiple readers. I have never received the same feedback
twice. Maybe this will change someday. Have more than one set of eyes read over a
manuscript . Every person is
different. You'll be surprised at what
one person will notice that another reader did not.
5.
Genre
Do your readers even like your genre? Are your beta readers just reading the novel
as a favor to you. If someone is bored
or not into a story their mind may wander.
Or their feedback may be way off track.
I don't want someone who only reads nonfiction to be read my fiction
novel. Nor do I want a reader who
despises fantasy to read my new vampire novel.
Finding people who read the genre you are writing is a key
element to selecting beta readers. They
will know things readers of other genres won't know. Is there anything new or fresh about your
idea? Or is it the same basic story they
have read a hundred times.
Looking for these five qualities will help you select a
fantastic beta reader.
Wishing you the best in all your writing endeavors!
