In between watching the Tour de France, I’ve been plowing through rewriting Chapter 27 of my novel. The good news is that I’m close to finishing another draft of the novel. The bad news I’m too close to the work to evaluate it anymore.
Enter the need for beta readers. Since I’m not currently in a writing group (enjoyed being in one for years), I’m looking to venture online to find beta readers. So my post today is to ask you, my writing buddies, what’s your experience with finding beta readers? What’s the best way to go about it? Which forums/blogs/websites do you recommend? Do you suggest exchanging chapter 1, a partial or a whole novel at a time?
All advice is appreciated.
13 comments:
Find anyone but a fellow writer!
;)
Dumb readers who've never edited are the best.
- Eric
I have an awesome group of Beta readers - a mix of writers and strictly readers. I also have a GREAT crit partner for the nitty gritty stuff. I would break down what you NEED, outline some questions you want answers, and put out a general call. I've beta read for several people with blogs...and I'd be happy to beta for you. I prefer the whole MS because if I get caught up in the reading at 2 am, I can keep going.
My email is dawnmius@gmail.com if you think I can help.
It depends on what you're looking for. I have a crit group that exchanges about 6-8k words at a time. We assist each with line editing, thematic feedback and letting each other if we are struggling connecting to certain characters or believing particular plot points.
I found them by paying attention to all the blogs I read and then guessing about who would be in a position of similar needs as me.
I've found that fellow fiction writers can point out plot and pacing issues and inconsistencies with characters.
Personally, I have to take on the whole piece at once because it drives me crazy to read a snippet at a time. :-)
I have a mix of both - just readers who don't write, and also fellow writers. I get different feedback from each of them, and it's all valuable.
That said, I've kind of been through hell figuring out my beta readers. With Monarch, I had 30 people read it. It was awful to get that much feedback. Really. Way too much. BUT I did end up finding people who work really with me and give me the feedback I need. A good mix of positive and negative that gets my work it needs to be.
I would suggest not getting too many betas. I always have at least one cheerleader who only gives me positive feedback while I'm writing the book, then it's on to the betas after that initial draft - but not too many! 3 - 4 good ones is usually all you need, at least that's how it has been for me. :)
I suggest just asking here who might be willing to beta for you. I'll warn you that it can take some time to figure out who will work for you. Maybe you'll be lucky though.
I'd post an invitation for beta readers on your blog. Someone did that once (I can't remember who), but by the time I responded she'd already had so many offers she couldn't take on anymore. I've since found some beta readers through other blogging contacts, but if you're interested, we could definitely exchange manuscripts. I read your blurb and it sounds like something I would love! My book is actually very similar, with a virus killing off 99% of Earth's population.
Oh, and I recommend exchanging full manuscripts.
Eric, give your fellows writers a break :) dumb readers too.
Dawn,
Great advice, thanks. I've sent an e-mail your way.
Matt,
I like the idea of sending 6-8k at a time, cool.
Kat,
Those are great areas to ask a beta reader to focus on. Thanks!
Michelle,
Thanks for the insight. I don't think I could handle more than 3 or 4 beta reads at a time. How in the heck did you manage to juggle 30?
Susan,
Your book sounds good. I love dystopians! Look out for my e-mail.
I usually go for writerly friends I know who write in the genre I write in. And I send them the whole novel in one go so they can tell me about character arc, etc.
I found my beta readers locally (friends who write) and online. I originally found a group of women at QT and a few of them became my betas. There's a new place you can post to look for betas, too, which I know many people have used to find readers.
Good luck!
I can't even help you BUT I do know that others have had success asking for help on their blogs. I hope this post garners you a Beta!!!
...Eric's comment is funny, but carries with it some logic.
"Readers" can sometimes offer advice from a perspective that fellow writers tend to overlook at times.
I try to find people I'm not familiar with, caring little of their "literary I.Q." Sometimes hearing advice from the common-folk...what they like to read, and what makes them put a book down, can be invaluable.
I don't have a beta reader but my critique group provides some great advice! I met them through other bloggers.
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