What is a beta reader, and when should I use one?

A beta reader is someone who reads your book and provides feedback. Typically, beta readers are not paid, but there are people who offer professional beta reading services. 

Think of your beta readers as your test audience. Their job is to look at the big-picture elements of your story and help you identify any issues with plot, characters, pacing, clarity, and areas where the manuscript could be strengthened.

In most cases, beta reading is done after developmental editing but before copy and line editing. It could be done at other stages in the writing process, but if significant changes are made to the manuscript after copy and line editing have been completed, you may want to consider another round of copy and line editing to ensure your manuscript is in the best shape possible.

Many authors find it helpful to provide their beta readers with specific questions to help guide them as they read. These can be areas that you are unsure about or that are not as developed as you would like. We recommend having an odd number of beta readers (three to five is a good number), so if your beta readers are divided on something, there will always be a majority. Your goal is to have a range of feedback so you can make informed decisions.

Ideally, the majority of your beta readers wouldn’t be family members or close friends, as they may be less likely to provide honest and constructive feedback. The best beta readers would be avid readers in your target audience or other authors who write in your genre. Other important qualities to look for are whether they can read the manuscript in a timely manner and whether they can provide clear, articulate feedback. You can find beta readers in Facebook groups, or they could be readers or authors you have connected with on social media. 

Beta readers are a vital part of the writing process and are absolutely worth the time and effort.