Working with beta readers: how to give and take feedback

Beta readers are people who read your manuscript before it is published and tell you what they think. They are not editors. They are ordinary readers, and that is exactly why they are useful.

Who to ask

Pick people who read the kind of book you wrote. A friend who never reads thrillers is not going to give you a useful opinion on a thriller. Aim for three to six readers, so that you can see patterns without drowning in opinions.

Try to include at least one person who is not your close friend or family. People who love you tend to be kind first and honest second.

What to give them

Send the manuscript in a format that is easy to read, with a short note. Tell them roughly how long it is and when you would like comments. Be realistic: reading a whole book takes a few weeks for most people.

Give them a few questions, not a long form. For example:

• Where did you get bored or want to skim?
• Where were you confused?
• Which character did you like most, and least?
• Was there a moment you stopped believing something?
• Would you keep reading after the first chapter?

Ask them to mark spots as they read, instead of waiting until the end, because memory fades.

Do not argue

When feedback comes, listen. Do not explain what you meant. If a reader misunderstood a scene, the scene needs fixing. The reader will not be sitting next to every buyer to explain.

Say thank you, and ask a clarifying question if needed. Then take time before reacting.

Looking for patterns

One person saying a chapter is slow is an opinion. Three people saying it is a pattern. Make a simple list of the comments and see which ones repeat.

Be careful with suggested solutions. Readers are good at saying where something feels wrong. They are less reliable at saying how to fix it. Take the problem seriously and find your own solution.

Some feedback you can ignore

If one reader wants a different ending because they prefer a happier book, that is a taste. You do not have to follow it. Ask yourself whether the comment helps the book become more itself, or less.

Giving feedback to other writers

If someone asks you to read their work, be kind and specific. Start with what works, then say where you got lost, and why. Avoid "I did not like it" without a reason. And avoid rewriting their sentences. Point at the spot and describe your reaction.

Close the loop

Tell your readers what you changed. It shows that their time mattered, and they will probably help you again.