Beta Reader: readers who read your manuscript for fun (not
profit) and give you a summary critique of your novel before it is published. What
that summary is composed of completely depends on the relationship you set up
with your beta reader.
This summary could be anywhere between one paragraph and
five pages but does not generally include line editing. Beta readers can be
friends or strangers. Just google beta readers and you’ll come up with a dozen
different ways to connect with beta readers online.
What is their motivation?
Who wouldn’t want to read a novel for free?
You can have as many beta readers as you have time for, but
make sure you have at least 3-5 of them so you can get varied opinions (and if
you like the opinions of one of them make sure to keep in touch for your next
book). If possible, at least one reader should already be very familiar with
the genre you are writing in and pick one reader who has studied the writing
craft.
Beta readers are just one side to the editorial triangle
(along with editors and critique partners). In the normal flow of events your
critique partners will work with you as you write, a content and story editor
will help you shape your narrative, then beta readers allow you to get a
glimpse at how your audience will react.
After that you’ll need a line editor,
an agent, and a publisher, but try to focus on the important part first: write
your novel.
No comments:
Post a Comment