My Expectations of a Beta-Reader
When someone commits to beta-read for an author, there are certain expectations of that commitment involved. Mine are fairly simple.
I expect thoughtful feedback from the beta-reader. I hope for more than ‘I liked it’ or ‘I hated it’. I hope for actual reasons and reasoning. That is what I provide in my critiques when I beta-read for others, so this is what I expect in return.
If the reader wishes to do a line by line edit, I am fine with that but do not expect it.
If the reader wishes to make suggestions about moving sections, or deleting sections, or changing a character, or any of a hundred other suggestions or notations, I am fine with that.
I have pretty thick skin, and am grateful for any feedback. Just don’t make it snarky for the simple joy of a snarkfest. If it is bad, tell me so. I can take it. But don’t call me names unnecessarily, please. A little sugar never hurts.
Here is a list of things which concern me:
- Pacing and timing
- Character development
- Dialog
- Sentence structure and punctuation
- Plot holes
- World building
- Too many passive sentences
- Keeping conflict alive
- Chapter breaks in the right places
- Humor, not enough or too much?
- Whatever else “strikes” you, or leaves an impression
The novels are provided in MS Word, Times New Roman size 12 font, double-spaced. I can also provide them in RTF or PDF formats, depending on the agreements with the beta-reader.
Beta-readers are welcome to either leave commentary within the provided text or on a separate sheet with references to chapters or pages.
Thank you, for being a Beta-Reader! This is a critical function needed by every author of any novel, whether newbie or published numerous times. A good beta-reader is of incalculable value to any author, and the more directed the feedback, the better.