Everything’s Better with Betas

How using beta readers can make your manuscript even better.

When I first started writing, I didn’t know what a beta reader was. And if you’re wondering what I’m talking about, essentially a beta reader is someone who reads your manuscript before publication and provides feedback from the perspective of an average reader. The goal to help you, as an author, to improve your story.

Now there are a few schools of thought around beta readers. One says you should have an “alpha” reader, who reads your earlier more work-in-progress draft, and then a “beta” reader to review your almost completed draft.

When I started, I only heard about beta readers not alphas. I’m sure they existed; I just didn’t know about them. So, I have always called my reviewers beta readers, and they’ve always looked at my earlier drafts. For the purposes of this blog, I’m going to stick with that.

Where do you find a beta reader?

There are a lot of sites  like Fantasy-Writers.org, Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association, Writing.com, and more. Full transparency: some sites may charge a fee, and not all beta readers do it for free. Just sayin’.

But for me, I stick closer to home. I have a core group of friends who I turn to when I want a reader’s perspective along with a healthy dose of honesty. All of them love to read, and love to read in a variety of genres.

Make sure you look at your own circle of friends; you might have some options there. Or local writers’ groups.

What makes a good beta reader?

There are a lot of qualities that make a good beta reader. For me, these are at the top of the list:

• Trustworthy: They have to be someone you trust with your unpublished intellectual property. And they need to understand (and it is on you as the author to make sure this is beyond crystal clear) that they should not share your manuscript with anyone else. No one. Period. 

• Respectful: They need to be respectful of your work and your vision for the story. Any feedback they have should reflect what you are trying to accomplish. It isn’t about their preferences for how you should write the book. And they need to be respectful of your instructions and your deadlines.

• Effective: Feedback doesn’t do much if it isn’t shared clearly and effectively. Pick someone who has good communication skills.

• Well-read: Being familiar with your genre is a plus, but they should be avid readers who read all different genres. When they see a good book, they’ll know it.

• Enthusiasm and time: They should want to read your book and want to give you feedback. If they’re meh about it, maybe they aren’t the right person. And even if they are excited, if they are super busy and won’t have the time to really read the story, then they might not give you the quality feedback you want (and I get it, life is messy and busy). If you’re concerned about that, have a conversation with them first.

What should you ask a beta reader to focus on?

To get the best feedback you need to provide clear instructions to your beta readers. Something generic like “what did you think?” will give you generic feedback. But specific, targeted questions can help you get information that’s useful when you start revising.

Ask them to focus on key areas like engagement, pacing, clarity, and character development. Here are a few topics and some sample questions you can think about using:

• Engagement: Are they hooked by your story from the get-go? Where do they lose interest—and why? What scenes or chapters kept them riveted? What were their favorite and least favorite moments, and what made those moments stand out?

• Characters: Do the characters grow and change throughout the story? Are they relatable and believable? Are there secondary characters that seem unnecessary? Are they all distinct enough?

• Logic: Are there any inconsistencies, contradictions, or things that feel out of place in the plot. Does the story unfold in a way that makes sense? Are there any places where actions or events feel unrealistic?

• Pacing: Does the story flow smoothly, or are there sections that feel rushed or drag on too long? Are there enough moments of tension, action, or intrigue to keep interest? Do transitional scenes work well, or do they feel abrupt or disjointed?

• Clarity: Are there any passages, descriptions, or scenes that are confusing, overly complex, or unclear? Are there areas where they had to reread to understand what was happening? Do shifts in point of view, time, or location feel natural, or are they disorienting?

• And never forget to ask why: That can lead to other insights. Take any of the questions above, or whatever ones you come up with, and add “and why?” or “Why do you feel that way?” after it. It encourages your beta reader to give you details and reasons.

Okay, you have your beta reader feedback—now what?

First, you need to go through all the feedback. Will there be some you don’t like? Probably. But remember that your beta readers are trying to help you turn a good story into a great one. It all comes down to making your manuscript stronger, while keeping your voice and your vision for the story.

The crucial piece is to separate the meaningful trends from the singular opinions. Look for patterns. If all your beta readers alert you to the same thing—a chapter that drags on, for instance—that’s a part of the book you need to turn a critical eye to.

Consider grouping the feedback by theme: This will help you find common areas and avoid tackling comments on a one-off basis. And don’t ignore the outliers. Think about whether a comment is an isolated opinion—or if it is an interesting alternative perspective on something.

Focus on critical issues, not personal preferences. Resolving point-of-view issues or plot inconsistencies should always be more important than subjective preferences. I once had a beta reader tell me my character—a rough-around-the edges street kid—would be better if she was more ladylike and didn’t use curse words. I declined that particular suggestion.

What it all boils down to

Feedback from beta readers can be super helpful—but the story is still yours to shape. Think of their comments as helpful signposts, not a checklist you have to follow. Use their reactions to see what’s working and what isn’t, then choose the changes that actually move your story in the direction you want.

And don’t feel like you have to act on everything right away. Giving yourself a little time to sit with the feedback helps the knee‑jerk reactions fade so you can come back with a clearer perspective. That pause makes it easier to revise with confidence while holding onto the heart of the story that made you want to write it in the first place.