A beta reader is someone who reads an unpublished work specifically to give feedback to the author. They are expected to comment on any plot issues, pacing, continuity, and other storytelling matters.
Along the way, they might catch a few errors and typos. The work probably has not been gone over by a professional editor yet. (A beta reader might uncover enough issues that a professional edit before they read it could be a potential waste of money.)
A beta reader is expected to read like any reader. But the idea is that, ahead of the work being out in public, they help you hone your voice, clear plot holes and glaring issues, and generally help make your story better.
I’ve not used beta readers much for my past works. The only book I previously made use of beta readers for was my standalone fantasy Infamy Ascending. This was because as a male writing a female lead character, I wanted to make sure that she was believable. I wanted to make sure her motivations made sense to a woman. (Let’s be blunt – as a cis-gender male, I haven’t got a genuine, female mindset).
Having completed my first round of edits on the first novel of my new Savagespace series – I’ve sought, found, and engaged multiple beta readers.
Why is this time different?
There are several reasons I’ve decided to make use of beta readers this time.
I took a somewhat different approach to this series. I put a lot more effort into showing, rather than telling where I could. My goal was to make the story flow better and not have too much info-dump exposition.
While I plotted this to be 6 books – and am writing them as 6 books – I think it’s more likely that this series will be 3 books.
Each book was coming in around 50,000 words, give or take. But in more than one instance, it was closer to 45,000-50,000 words. That’s not quite a novel – more of a novella.
Thus, I’ve combined the books, creating a 100,000+ word novel (less than 400 pages). That’s right along the lines of the average, as my research suggests.
But one thing a beta reader might see is any glaring issues in combining the books. They might also feel that 2 books rather than 1 makes more sense.
The other major difference between Savagespace and any previous books I’ve written is how I intend to approach publishing.
I plan to get art generated for this series, as well as a cover for the first book, as teasers. I want to hype it and promote it, work on generating some buzz for it.
This is a more serious approach towards a broader marketing scheme and finding/creating an audience.
I made a couple of requests for my beta readers for this book:
If you think the combined books should be separate, please let me know,
I’d like critiquing, commentary on good and bad bits, suggested corrections for continuity and other major errors, and what you like/dislike, please. AND – if you want to read the next book(s).
I let everyone who volunteered know that they had a month to read the book, that I wanted honesty in their opinions, and that I thoroughly appreciated that they volunteered to be my beta readers.
The goal of this is to create an enjoyable story with interesting characters, a fun and unique plot, and cool sci-fi technology in a far-distant future.
That’s the goal of all the sci-fi I write. (If you want to get really technical, that’s the goal of everything I write. Make it interesting, fun, and engaging.) I strive to write stories I want to read. Or see it in film or streaming.
The goal is to produce the best work that I can. This time I have sought a little more help to that end.
What does the beta reader get for their work?
I know that you can hire beta readers. Maybe there’s some value in that. But I decided instead to reach out to friends to see who was into helping me.
What do they get? Hopefully, they enjoy the story and get interested in sharing it with others when it’s published. I might offer them a free copy of the eBook or a signed paperback when it’s published as a thank you.
But they will be named in the acknowledgments and thanked for their help. I hope that my appreciation – publicly stated for all buyers of the book – means to them what their work means to me.
Because I truly appreciate their willingness to read my unedited (professionally) work for critiquing. It means a lot to me that they’re willing to put in the time and energy to do this.
Hopefully, they also get to enjoy a story they like reading as much as I’ve liked writing.
Depending on the outcome, this might start a new approach that I take overall towards my writing process. Let’s see what a beta reader finds and learns – that I’m missing – to make this story the best that it can be.
Thank you to my beta readers for Savagespace Book 1.
As I share my creative journey with you, I conclude with this – how are you inspired to be your own creator – whatever form that takes?
Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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