How to Find Beta Readers (+ 9 Questions to Ask Them)

[@BKPrice]

Having a beta reader who knows you and your style well does have a possible drawback: they might be more forgiving of things that someone who doesn't know you would not. I know when I proofread my own writing I can sometimes find confusing passages hard to pinpoint because I'm used to how words come out of my head and it's not always straightforward. Chances are those who read your books will not have intimate knowledge of your personality or previous writing. Thus it is probably a good idea to have someone who doesn't know your quirks or style read it beforehand and make sure your "quirk" isn't something that tends to confuse people who don't know you. Even if you have quirks that may be good for your book, they can catch the stuff that seriously inhibits understanding. To be honest, there has to be a good critical reading of your book followed by a good critical reading of their feedback to really hit that sweet spot.

[@batman5224]

I don’t ask my family to read my work. Although I want constructive feedback, my father can be overwhelmingly harsh at times. My mother, however, can be the exact opposite. Very often, it can be difficult for her to give detailed feedback. My sister also writes fiction, but if I give a manuscript to her, I’ll probably have to wait a year before she gets back to me. Sometimes, I’ll show her snippets of my writing, but it’s very difficult to get her to read a full manuscript. With that being said, I have gotten hundreds of positive comments from writers online, but it can be difficult to maintain the same beta readers for multiple books, making the feedback somewhat inconsistent. After I write one book, it will often take me six months to a year to write the next book, and by the time I reach out to beta readers again, I often won’t be able to contact the same people that I contacted before.

[@taytaythehufflepuff8532]

I feel you. My younger sister doesn’t care to read and when I’ve asked her to read a scene, I have to ask tons of times before she actually does. I haven’t gotten my parents to read what I’ve written yet, but I feel like it’d end up being too much praise and not very constructive unless I specifically asked questions. And I don’t have social media... so I guess I’ll just get my friends to read it and hope for the best.

[@Amy_Mi6]

I live for Mondays 🤙 and Wednesdays🤘!! Let’s do it!! 😃

[@juliaherkel8051]

This is definitely a great episode! 😁 I'm in the revising stages of my book, and I'm starting to kind of keep an eye out for beta readers. I have a couple people in mind for sure, but I also love the questions you provided to ask them; those will be really helpful. 😊

[@strawberri2425]

I just finished 100 Days of Sunlight, and I just have to say it's, really amazing!

[@DesoloSubHumus]

Why I can't use family as my beta reader: The one person to pick from has told me I'm the worst writer ever based on the initial idea, which - I'm certain there was no honesty there. It sounded more like 'Ew, I don't want you trying to do creative stuff unless your marketability is guaranteed, otherwise you'll fail and really don't you dare quit your day job for this. We're figuring out what you can make the most money with first.' or maybe 'Ew, don't write, just support what I do, otherwise you don't love me enough.' Then again, all he reads is pure sci-fi from *established* authors or political analysis and without spellcheck and grammar checking his writing is, well, confusing and sometimes missing words or whole explanations. On the beta side, though, the worst is the writer that's so in love with their own writing, they refuse to make any changes without making a big fight over every bit of feedback. You point out that they are writing purely about something in the past, but they are mixing past perfect and present and future tenses all over the place, and they grill you over the course of weeks in text exchanges asking is that just your opinion or is it a rule? There's only so many ways to explain it's a rule and so many links to writing guides and English grammar for beginners I can use to support my statement. What is the point of having beta readers if that's the reaction to solid feedback?

[@taylorp2347]

Your podcasts are the best for two reasons: 1) Your advice is always spot-on! 2) Listening to you constantly praise each other is one of the most encouraging things ever!

[@Amy_Mi6]

Excellent list, Abbie - thanks for sharing that 💜 Also, it's not a bad idea to have that list by your side as you write... I think it could be a good guide for the author as well.

[@sharoncastle2177]

Thank you so much guys! I'm just now think I'm ready for beta readers, it's kinda werid because no one else has read it before 😬 I was trying to look for a video about beta readers but couldn't find a good one. Thank you guys!

[@georgeandfriendsadventures5073]

I’m currently writing a book about a 17 year old boy named Tameron who is trying to be a hero and prove himself to his father. The antagonist is a tyrant who overthrew his brother to take control of the kingdom because he wants to go back to the old ways of England. The story is an adventure story of Tameron trying to be a hero and finding himself both physically and mentally by defeating the tyrant.

[@keaganfinaughty]

Cool, I'm writing a book about world-wide blackout that brings in a sinister creature (who snatches people one by one when they are alone). The story comes into frutation as the reader follows the life of a boy named James, who has a dream where he sees what the creature really looks like. Basically, when he wakes up he finds that he has drawn the monster to where he lives, and he and his friends must find a way to warn their town. Maybe we can beta-read each others stories! I'd love to see what your story is like :D

[@petrajorova3407]

Sounds Great guys ❤️

[@AmberBlase]

Thank you!!! These nine questions are incredibly helpful. I plan to print them out along with a copy of the beta of my novel so my readers can use the form to jot down thoughts as they go along.

[@dilraising1007]

Yay! I am so happy the topic of beta readers is covered by my two favorite authors! This is so helpful!

[@dawnpoint]

The timing could not be better. I have 2.5 chapters before my first draft is finished!!

[@liveone11]

Why did I here Jesse Lee Peterson’s voice when reading the title of this video

[@kimmiekay456]

What is a difference between the beta reading stage and the arc stage?

[@Ruthie888]

do you have the printed list of beta questions anywhere?

[@rylansato]

I’ve asked family and friends and they say they will but never do. I post stuff online and can’t get feedback at all.

[@Kflem]

Great stuff!

[@Angel_Diyaa]

How do I become a professional beta reader?Pls respond 🥺!

[@dont_get_jealous]

I'm not sure betas are ever paid. You can become a developmental editor? Same thing, just way more analysis (and decent pay).

[@dont_get_jealous]

My cousin is the only hardcore reader I know and I love the guy but he's really dragging his feet reading my first chapter. I feel like I'm gonna be doing all my own beta work.. this can't end well 🙃

[@alexishurtado6183]

I have a question! Should you have at least one beta reader who’s a writer themselves (published or not)?

[@dont_get_jealous]

Hot opinion 🔥 but hell no. Writers may try too hard to say "here's what you should do" or "here's what I would have done". Not helpful since this is YOUR story. A good beta just reads and gives honest feedback like "I was confused here" or "I didn't like this". A reader is your best beta, writers sometimes can get jealous (if your work is better than theirs) and too often try to add in their own ideas instead of helping you hone in on your own intent.

[@thesamuraiman]

💜

[@amandadavalos]

How do you guys feel about having beta readers sign an NDA before reading the book?

[@dont_get_jealous]

I know you didn't ask other commenters but I thought this was an interesting question so wanted to chirp in lol. I always assumed lawyers drafted NDAs, not individuals but I suppose if you had them sign a simple form that just said they can't disclose the plot etc, then maybe? But best case, people are excited and want to tell others your general plot: "hey reddit, I just read this cool chapter from an upcoming indie and it has the coolest premise which is X meets Y". I think that would only help, not hurt. But I'm sure you (like all us writers) really mean how do I best ensure nobody steals my idea... in which case they probably won't. I have the best/coolest concept myself but have to be honest w myself too and know that it's only as cool as my execution of that idea and if anyone takes your execution from you, then you skip the NDA and call a lawyer cos anything you write is yours, period. Give your work in its early stages to non writers, but heavy readers, and you're good to go. Writers are lazy generally, and non writers really couldn't be fussed with starting their own book based on your idea. And always know that legally you're protected.* *Then again... not always. Case in point the young guy who wrote a video game plot and CBS writers stole it wholesale to make Star Trek Discovery. Thry took character descriptions, plot, and mechanics.. That really happened and he did sue, and didn't win, despite the evidence... so your question is valid :/

[@amandadavalos]

@@dont_get_jealous Thank you so much for your reply. The question was really open to anyone so I appreciate the time you took. Honestly the concern is that someone would try and pass my work off as theirs. I would love for people to spread the word about my work but i have heard horror stories about short stories and poems that were published by someone who claimed it was theirs and it was later found out that it was not the case. I'm wondering if there is a way to protect yourself from situations like that. Is there a way to send your work in a manner that can not be copied? Food for thought.

[@dont_get_jealous]

@@amandadavalos you can arrange for each page to be printed out and notarized, similar to legal documents (like a will). But all that does is verify a date and signature (a notary watches you sign and stamps it after, which may be used as proof that you signed this work on this date, but it cannot denote true ownership). Expect to pay $5-20 (says Google). But for real, we all have trust issues. If a simple notary helps ease your fear, and they agree to stamp it, then cool. I'm just saying be aware that once you create something, it's yours. You can always email a copy to yourself or store it on USB in a safe. The metadata in the file proves it was made on your PC at a precise time I believe. You must be sitting on a great story! Nobody asks questions like this if they aren't proud of their work, after all. edit: I realized I didn't answer your question haha. Yes, you can send your work safely by including something Abbie herself said is a good "don't steal this" warning to beta readers etc. It's the same copyright protection label as in most books, where you say "Copyright your name, the year, and that no portion of this text may be used or reproduced without the authors permission". Ppl see that and will think twice cos nobody wants a lawsuit, plus as I was saying, even without a true copyright you are legally protected.

[@amandadavalos]

@@dont_get_jealous I am very proud of my work and what it could become. Thank you for answering my question. I was considering putting a "false copyright" before sending them out but I was wondering if it would hold up. While I trust my betas and I do not believe any of them would take my content, one can never be too sure. I do like the idea of keeping a copy on a USB to have the data showing that the story was created by me. Again, thank you so much for your feedback.

[@dont_get_jealous]

@@amandadavalos no prob, it was a good conversation that others may find useful too! Last thing I will say is that you should def consider traditional publishing if you haven't already. Almost every press out there who'd buy your work is gonna be owned by the big 5 anyway and they have armies of lawyers at your side cos the work technically belongs to them (and believe me they won't put up with any form of plagarism). I have no idea how indies police their work once it's been self published, its something I think about & hope maybe Abbie or someone addresses this in a vid. But yah we just have to have faith. No point stressing about it -- I don't even have a title yet and I'm barely done with Act 1 lol. GL with your novel and thx for the chat 😜

[@Amy_Mi6]

Off topic, but Kate brought it up so I have to point out... Rogue One is literally the one and ONLY good Star Wars movie. Fight me. . . . Lol, just kidding, don’t fight me, I’m incredibly sensitive. But seriously, Rogue One is really good 😄

[@taytaythehufflepuff8532]

*me: has the unpopular opinion that all the movies are great-and liked Rey’s character.*

[@Amy_Mi6]

@@taytaythehufflepuff8532 💜 don't let anyone ever make you feel bad for your opinion. #noshame

[@strawberri2425]

I will agree it's pretty good. Probably at least the best sequel.

[@Tarkarys]

I 100% agree with you! I think all of the "new" Star Wars movies should be like that, cool, unexpected, and with a closed ending!