You’ve finally written “The End,” and it’s now time for the next stage in prepping your manuscript for publication: Find some beta readers who will take your story and help you make it better.
But what’s a beta reader, where do you find these mythical beings, and how can you make the most of them?
What is a beta reader?
Beta readers will read your book and give you helpful feedback on it. But you want more than just “I liked it” or “Yes, it was good.” That’s great for the ego, but it doesn’t tell you anything about how to improve your book.
You want people who will take the time to carefully read your story and make notes on what did and didn’t work for them. Beta readers look at your story with fresh eyes, and they will pick up on issues you missed simply because you’re too close to the story.
1. Find your beta readers
You can easily search Facebook and Goodreads for groups where you can ask for beta readers. You can also ask your writer friends where they’ve found theirs, post in genre-specific groups if allowed, and ask in your own reader group.
Should you pay for beta readers? Well, like much in the indie author world, it depends. Most of the time, you won’t pay for beta readers, but you may need to if you need a specialist, such as if you’re writing a police procedural and need an expert who can make sure your writing is correct. You might also con...