So You’ve Found A Reader/ You’ve Agreed to Read

In my opinion, while much of the same etiquette applies to reading and being read for. Some things are different so I will break it down by writer and reader.

Writer & Reader Commonalities First

Agreeing to partner on a book for suggestions and thoughts is a serious thing. Writers are excited to share their labor of love and want honest and constructive feedback (most of the time :-)). Often they are waiting on your feedback for edits to query or publish soon, and feel every passing minute with angst like a race horse in the chute.

Readers want to bond with their community and enjoy new words in a safe space to give their options and learn other voices and styles themselves to better their craft. Reading a whole book can be a daunting task while writing and full-time adulting. If you do not have the time to devote to reading, or are not ready for constructive criticism (everyone isn’t going to like your book), then don’t enter into the partnership.

The beta reading process is a lot like like dating. You’re putting yourself out there on both fronts with no idea who you’re sharing personal thoughts with, and it can go bad quickly if either of you is not in the right place or your styles don’t mesh. Like dating, don’t let one or two bad experiences push you away from the process. Set your boundaries, steel your expectations, nail down your communication and keep going until you find one or more people who get you. The fact is, every reader is not for you, and every writer isn’t going to write the book of your heart. The craft, and the industry, is subjective, and that’s what makes it beautiful. There’s something and someone for everyone.

When you do agree to read, you commit to tactful honesty and support of your fellow writers. There’s no room for thoughts/feelings of superiority by either party in the beta read process. When you ask for a reader for your work, you agree to accept when someone doesn’t like a part or the whole of your book. As a reader you fundamentally understand that all writers are at different stages in their journey. I will detail these characteristics in the parts to follow. Remember:

-Personalities can be strong

-Defenses may be up

-Individual tastes differ

-Writers are still honing their craft

-Readers may not have mastered the fine art of CONSTRUCTIVE criticism

-Everyone has an opinion

My suggestion to combat this is simple, start with 3 chapters.

The 3 chapter method is the speed dating of the critique world. Whenever you start any new beta read, unless you’re sure you’re ready to commit the time, really enjoy the genre/story you’re being entrusted with, or really know the person you’re reading for, begin any new reading relationship with the first 3 chapters. This gives the reader a manageable chunk of writing to get through quickly and gives the writer a chance to see how their new reader critiques and if their “style” of critiquing matches what you’re looking for. Any mismatches can be handled at this stage without too much pain or committment. If time and personalities do match, you can ask for more if your schedule permit. Both parties should know up front a full manuscript from the get-go is not the expectation and adjust accordingly.

Yes, we all want our FULL book read and critiqued, but if your styles or personalities aren’t matching, the end result will be sheer agony. That can only fuel a writer’s usual level of self-doubt or feel, for the reader, like you’re back in school having to write a book report in English class on an outdated “classic” you have no interest in reading.

*The goal of any good beta read for both parties is to gain insightful, helpful thoughts that will better the story for later success.

Before You Exchange Information and Read, Set The Expectation

WRITERS

Tell the reader up front what you are hoping to gain from their time, and be ready for feedback when it comes. If you only want to hear “it’s amazing and perfect, don’t make any changes just tell me you love it”, you might not be ready for a beta read. If you do choose to give it a whirl, here are a few suggestions:

-Are there any plot holes or things that didn’t make sense?

-Was the voice compelling?

-What characters did you like, which ones did you not care for (and why)?

-Are there any spots where the action lags and/or you started skimming to get to the next part?

-Did the story pull you through?

-Is the world building strong?

-Was there anything you wanted to see happen differently?

-Are there a lot of grammar or spelling issues that may require another line edit pass through?

-Was there anything offensive or that you think might offend others?

-Overall thoughts on the piece.

Readers

You want to ask the following up front:

-What’s the time frame you’re hoping to have me finish?

-How strong of criticism are you looking for on a scale of “gentle suggestions to my skin is thicker than a rhino’s back”.

Some people are ready for the hard truth, some just aren’t, but they still deserve feedback. Some will say they are, but really aren’t which is why I’ll detail later how to give constructive feedback without generally pissing people off. Writers need to be honest about this part. If you’re new to this and only want technical feedback not personal critique, say so. It’s okay, and saves everyone from hurt feelings.

When expectations are set, and you’ve had honest communication about you’re looking for and what you can provide, privately exchange emails and send your work.

UP NEXT: Okay, I’m reading. There’s good and bad. What now?