Beta reader?—Huh? What’s that?

The quick-and-easy basics about beta reading—a great first step in getting your manuscript ready to publish

What’s a beta reader?

The term beta reader comes from software development, when a ‘beta user’ was used to check software from a user perspective before it is rolled out.

‘Beta readers’ do a similar task for books; a beta reader ‘tests’ a publication from the reader’s perspective.

Beta readers are generally unbiased readers who are in a position to give the author an honest opinion of their manuscript, and a first glance at how the book may be received by the reading public.

Such as?

Beta readers highlight problems with a manuscript that could distract, short-change, alienate or reduce the enjoyment of the reader. These can include:-

• Does the story hold together? Is there a beginning, middle and end?
• Does the story start in the right place, or is the beginning of the story bogged down with excessive backstory or narrative description?
• Does the pacing hold the reader’s attention?
• Does the dialogue sound realistic?
• Are the characters well rounded, and distinct from one another?
• Does the reader relate to the protagonist? Does the protagonist have a clear goal? Do important scenes occur in dramatic real time?
• Is there too much backstory? Does the story start in the right place?
• Are there point of view issues? (e.g. head-hopping or insufficient proximity to the inner reality of the point of view character)
• Is there telling rather than showing? Is the prose vivid or dull?
• Did the reader’s attention get pulled at the wrong moment?
• Are there issues around sensitivity, diversity, discriminatory language or descriptions that might hurt members of marginalised groups in the community?
• And many, many more!

 

Should you require beta reading services…

I made a list! Check out the Senior Beta Reader referral list over at AJ Collins Accredited Editor’s website.