The term “beta reader” refers to a person that reads your manuscript and gives you effective feedback. We say effective because a beta reader shouldn’t only tell you whether they liked your book or not – they should also give you advise on how to make the story better, point out plot holes and characterization inconsistencies and so forth. The best beta readers will act (but not replace) like an editor, and can be vital to creating a riveting story. They are not easy to find and you should avoid using friends and family members to get constructive critique.

Beta readers are ideally other writers who have experience and know what to look for in a story. Their opinion can be trusted and when they say that your manuscript is near perfect, you have the certainty that the opinion is objective and unbiased. Of course, if you have friends who are writers, they can be your beta readers if they are willing. But if you don’t, below you can discover several ways to find beta readers.

1. Use social media

There are plenty of groups you can join on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Using social media groups to find beta readers is a good strategy. Remember, it is not necessary for your beta readers to even be in the same country as you, and social media gives you the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. Then, you can narrow your search to genres – it is useless to get a beta reader that focuses on romance when your book is high fantasy or science fiction.

2. Know how to evaluate

You can pay for a beta reader– they are also sometimes called manuscript consultants. If they fit your genre, and you can afford it, you can pay for a beta reader. But you need to be careful – you don’t want to pay a beta reader who will not give you any constructive criticism. Take a look at their blog, profile or website before you hire someone. Or go a little further and hire a professional freelance editor. When you are going to spend money, better be sure it is worth it.

3. Offer to be a beta reader

On the other hand, if you don’t want to pay for a beta reader, you will need to give something in return as well. Offering to be a beta reader for your genre will help you create friendships, and in turn, other beta readers will be willing to read your own manuscript. Don’t forget to be honest when you are reading someone else’s manuscript. Also, offer constructive criticism, and be positive – you wouldn’t want your own beta reader to destroy your dreams, would you? In other words, take care to be the beta reader you would like to have.

4. Find local writer groups

Social media is a good way to meet other writers, but you should also put in the effort of finding writers locally. After all, if your beta reader lives nearby, instead of Skype sessions or written reports, you will be able to talk face to face about your manuscript, which is always a better way to discuss problems like plot holes or lack of structure. Additionally, if you have parallel plots in your novel (for example, if you’re writing a romantic thriller), then you can get a beta reader who reviews romance, and another beta who critiques thrillers, and get your manuscript reviewed from different perspectives.

5. Create long-term relationships

The best outcome of getting beta reader is to create long-term relationships with the person, unless you plan to stop writing after book one. If you’re happy with the first beta reader you have, then keep the relationship with them friendly, positive and ongoing, so that when you write another book, you will have someone to turn to, maybe even as you’re writing the story. Of course, you can get more than one beta reader, and look for new beta readers with every book, but having at least one or two beta readers to always turn to is the best thing for every writer.

Image credit: Pixabay

Georgina Roy wants to live in a world filled with magic. As an art student, she’s moonlighting as a writer and is content to fill notebooks and sketchbooks with magical creatures and amazing new worlds. When she is not at school, or scribbling away in a notebook, you can usually find her curled up, reading a good urban fantasy novel, or writing on her laptop, trying to create her own.