Tuesday, February 10, 2015

So You Were Asked to be a Beta Reader

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted


The email asked, "Would you be a beta reader?" Before there was ample time to think it through, you shot an email back with an emphatic, "Yes."

A few days later, a pdf or paper book arrive along with Beta Reader Instructions.

Becoming a beta reader comes with it's perks - an early look at a new book, perhaps a signed copy , or even a personal thank you note from the author. All which are fun, but . . . there's a great responsibility that comes with serving in this position.
First, what is a beta reader? Sadly enough, though it sounds like the beautiful fish, it's not. This is not to say, beta readers aren't beautiful in a difference sense of the word. They are valuable partners in helping a manuscript into the best “finished” work it can be.

Betas serve as those additional eyes on a manuscript that catch typos, holes in a plot, or confusing sections that need to be corrected. It is an honor to be asked to serve as a beta reader. The author or publisher values your ability and opinion enough to allow you to have a hands-on opportunity into the editing process.

Serving as a Beta Reader is wonderful practice for a writer.  It sharpens their editing skills, forces them to look closely at the work rather than just skim through. Hands down, serving as a Beta improves writing skills.

The job of Beta readers is to:
  • Look for typos.
  • Catch unclear plot issues.
  • Note odd or incorrect phrasing that makes a paragraph read rough.
  • Read the manuscript promptly and return edits within the designated time frame set by the publisher.

Beta readers do not:
  • Rewrite sentences or paragraphs.
  • Critique the author.
  • Share the manuscripts entrusted to them.
  • Fail to return edits.

Every publisher has a specific format for Beta Readers to follow when making corrections. The usual format will look something like this:

Page 5, Paragraph 4, Line 6
As is: Jon sent daises Mary for her birthday.
Change to: Jon sent daisies to Mary for her birthday.

It's easy to get caught up in the thrill of editing, but it's important to understand as a Beta Reader your job is to catch errors, not critique the author or rewrite their sentences. The manuscript has been contracted and, is either in the editing process between author and editor, or already completed the process. This is not your key to adding your subjective edits. Your job is to make those changes that the editor and author no longer see because they've read the manuscript over and over. Beta eyes, are fresh eyes, unscathed with numerous rewrites. Your job is valuable in making a book, as a finished product, look the best it can be.

For example: Jane's book was a serious non-fiction book. Between edits with her editor, a typo slipped in.

The sentence should have read:  "It's not your decision to make."

The Beta Reader caught this mistake:  "It snot your decision to make."

This may make you snicker, but it's a true edit that saved the author and editor a lot of embarrassment. This is why fresh eyes are so important on a manuscript. If you're asked to be a Beta Reader, take the job seriously and edit as you are instructed. Your work will be greatly appreciated.


No book is perfect. In fact, there is rarely a book we read where we don't find a typo or misspelled word, but in the respected position of Beta Reader, you can help make these little things few and far between.

Have you had experience as or with a beta reader? Please share your insights in the comments section below.

Don't forget to join the conversation!
Cindy

TWEETABLES
Beta Readers are critical components to a book's success - author @CindyDevoted on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Do you know the responsibilities of a a Beta Reader? author @CindyDevoted breaks it down (Click to Tweet)


Cindy Sproles is an author and popular speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions ministries and managing editor of Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Cindy is the executive editor of www.christiandevotions.us and www.inspireafire.com. She teaches at writers conferences nationwide and directs The Asheville Christian Writers Conference - Writers Boot Camp. 


She is the author of two devotionals, He Said, She Said - Learning to Live aLife of Passion and New Sheets - Thirty Days to Refine You into theWoman You Can Be. Cindy's debut fiction novel, Mercy's Rain, is available at major retailers. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com and book her for your next conference or ladies retreat. Also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

23 comments:

  1. I have an amazing beta reader. She reads word for word. She finds any words that were missed in editing, sees if I used a pen on page 224 and a pen on 225. She remembers details from the beginning and sees if I goofed near the end. She's worth her weight in perks! :-)

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    1. That's the kind of reader you want. I don't think they realize the importance of their sharp eyes and willingness to work quickly.

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  2. I've been sent a few books to read. I enjoy it. I just have to watch getting so caught up in the story that I forget to watch for typos. :)

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    1. LOL...that's true. It's easy to get caught up the moment of the story. That's when I read the book and then go back. I'm a relatively slow reader so when I find a story that makes me really want to get involved, it forces me to read fast. Thank you for realizing that and going back for the catches.

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  3. Thanks for the information, Cindy. Have a blessed day.

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  4. Honestly, I expect and encourage my betas to offer much more input than phrasing and typos. Otherwise it's just a waste of their time and mine.

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    1. If your beta readers understand your method, that's great. The problem for most is understanding it's not their job to rewrite your manuscript. As an editor I find this happens a lot. Instead of reading to help us find corrections, they decide to rewrite paragraphs. But if you have your beta readers trained to offer more insight, that's awesome. I'd truly love your insights on how to convey that. It would be something I could pass along.

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  5. I was a beta reader for one book and I am glad for the experience if gave me in watching for those typos while reading. It makes you look word for word and it is hard work, but I am glad I did it and would be willing to do it again. I think it sharpens attention skills.

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    1. Being a beta reader is actually a wonderful teaching tool for the reader as well. You learn new ways of writing, sharpen your own self-editing skills, and learn to look for holes and gaps that need to be filled. It's really a win-win.

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  6. I've been a beta reader and enjoyed the experience. I do think it helps with editing my own writing. Great post, Cindy!

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  7. I like to balance my betas, relying on a few regular readers and a few authors. The adage that "too many cooks spoil the soup" holds true when it comes to the number of betas an author uses. Too much input can wreak havoc on your final draft...not to mention interfere with your vision for the story. Oh the whole, though, beta readers are a godsend.

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    1. Exactly Linda. Hence the article. Being a beta reader does not mean rewriting the content. That's already done. It means asking questions if you see a hole, proofing for typos, mistakes, and spellings.

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  8. I love being a beta reader. I work with several authors, and the process is a lot of fun.

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    1. It can be lots of fun. I like to read as a beta. I'm my own WORST editor. So it helps me open my eyes to things I need to see in my own work.

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  9. Oh! I am so happy I was directed to this blog post. I had one experience with a beta reader when I first stepped into the indie author arena. My ms was returned full of comments such as: "I don't approve of this." ~ "I don't like the character's name." ~ "Why don't you write this in first person?" ~ "There is no hook." And, she rewrote the first paragraph in each chapter. I have not been near a beta reader since. I like the guidelines you outline. They make sense. A Beta Reader would sure take a load of misery off of my editor. I flagged this post.

    Jackie Weger
    No Perfect Secret

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    1. Yeah, there's always that ONE! I always send guidelines for my betas. They need to know their importance but they also need to work within the guidelines that help us.

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  10. As a translator, I've come across this issue and I'm glad Cindy brought it up. Beta readers can be invaluable to the author. I'll give you one example. In one manuscript, I had the following sentence.
    "They wandered side by side down the street." But I had written,
    "They wondered side by side down the street." Wandered and wondered, two similar words, yet completely different meaning. I missed it, my wife missed it, AND my editor had missed it. Thank goodness for my beta reader, a retired nurse. Need I say more?

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    1. Yep. This is what fresh eyes find. I saw a beta reader catch this in book I was editing.
      As is: It's snot your decision to make.
      Change to: It's not your decision to make. (She added this to the side - do you provide tissue with beta books?)

      Made me laugh out loud. They are valuable.

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  11. I have never been a beta reader or had my writings read by a beta reader. However, my works have been critiqued and I find this help to be a monumental gift. I welcome advise. Thank you, Cindy.

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    1. Thanks Margie. Critiques are a different animal. But still help you find mistakes on a different level.

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  12. I've wanted to be a beta reader for years, but never knew it was called that! How can I become a beta reader for someone (I've read a several authors' books over the last few years that drive me crazy because I see the wrong homonym used, or punctuation mistakes...)

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