Tuesday Discussion

https://bodyandsoulnourishmentblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/9d9315cdcbed31082efcd0b66ad312dd.jpg?w=842&h=594

To roll-on from the last few weeks: reading and chapter length. 

This weekly discussion is based around: beta-readers.

For authors: is it worth getting beta readers? and if so, how did you source your beta-readers?

For aspiring authors: Will you get beta-readers to look over your manuscript? and how will you source them?

As an aspiring author, I will get beta-readers to read over my manuscript. I was looking into the option of having a paid mentor to solicit it but I am still unsure.

There are a pros and cons of beta-readers:

Pros – Having a fresh set of eyes ready over to pin point grammar, plot holes and characters.

Cons – sourcing the right reader for your genre – you don’t want a literary beta-reader reading over your high-fantasy manuscript. Time and trust are cons for me. Once you have contacted the beta-reader do you know if you can trust them? and how long will it take for them to return an edited form.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?

Post your comments and answers below. If you think someone has an interesting point of view and answer, please invite them or share this post to them.

#DWTSmith #betareaders

21 thoughts on “Tuesday Discussion”

  1. As far as I’m concerned, beta readers are a MUST! My beta readers are life-savers. They take an okay manuscript and point out all the crud I either don’t need or forgot to add, and by the time I’m done working on their suggestions, I feel like I’ve achieved something major.

    You raise some really good points, though. It’s important to trust your beta readers, and the sad truth is that there will be a percentage of beta readers that simply don’t come through for you. For whatever reason, they don’t read it, you don’t hear back from them, etc.

    I can’t imagine sending anything out into the world in any semi-professional fashion without first having let a herd of wild beta readers tear it apart, but I suppose that’s just my personal belief on the matter. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I’m glad to hear your personal belief on the matter and I agree.
      To have a different perspective critique your manuscript is a major component of moving up in the publishing pile. I am scared to find a trustworthy beta-reader but I’m sure they will present themselves when the time comes.
      Thank you again for contributing 😄 👌

      Like

      Reply

  2. While it would be best to have someone familiar with your genre read the work, a general reader is still helpful. Readers will always be able to catch typos, confusing sentences, and unbelievable aspects of the story such as character choices, regardless of their preferred genre. Draft readers are a must for anything being submitted professionally, I think.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. when i was beta hunting, i posted that i wanted beta readers for the urban fantasy genre, ya/na, and i posted the blurb or my book. those interested got bak to me. I had four, and if there was something i didn’t agree with a beta reader – and no one else pointed that same issue out – i’d ask the other three.
    it was a fun expirience and my book is much better because of them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. I think beta readers are mega important but I haven’t gotten to that stage yet. I will be in a couple of months and is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. I’m not certain where to find them and who to trust.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I haven’t got to that stage either. It is a huge part of moving your book up the pile of manuscripts/ or self-published titles.
      By the sounds of it, we are in the same stage of finishing our novel; I can feel your juxtaposing emotions.
      If I find a place for them – I’ll let you know 😃

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Thanks. I do enjoy discussing a story of mine with invested folks, but I do worry about things. Like, are people gonna get hung up on things and be mad if I reject a piece of their feedback? That’s the anxiety in me.

        I don’t have plans to put out the Bat Signal for beta readers, so that should help with that. I’m aiming at offering it to certain people I already know anf trust. If I decide to be brave enough at the last minute, I might do a signal to the cosmos.

        But it’s something I think could be useful and especially because this is the first in a long series.

        Liked by 1 person

      • I would love to invest my time discussing my works but the people I do invest, hopefully, wouldn’t get upset with their rejection.

        I will take that approach as well. I think my close friends and family should build my confidence with swapping feedback and finding plot holes and character flaws.

        From what I have read, beta-readers are crucial to making your manuscript shine but if you don’t noone is forcing you.

        Goodluck with the first in a long series 😃

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment