I Tested Out Paid Beta Readers So You Don’t Have To
To beta read, or not to beta read, that is the question
Oh, beta readers. If you’re a writer in the midst of writing and editing a novel, you’re probably quite familiar with the term. It’s the idea that you need a second group of people to read through your book — your beta readers — after you’ve finished writing said book. Ideally, beta readers are the type of readers who would actually read your book, not just any run-of-the-mill reader you can pick up off the street. This means that if you write fantasy and your mom reads romance, she might not be the best beta reader for the job. Similarly, if you’re having to bribe friends or family to read your book, they might not be the best beta readers, either.
Finding beta readers can be hard — especially for those writers who are not involved in large writing groups and who may not have a plethora of friends who actually enjoy reading willing to lend a hand. I know finding beta readers was one of my biggest concerns when writing my romance novel, and I also know that I’m not alone. I’ve talked to several of my writing friends who are in the same boat — writing a book without a viable beta reader in sight.
What, then, is a writer to do once they’ve finished, revised, and edited their first draft?
