What are Beta Readers?
When I first set out to write my book, I thought of it as a solo process. I expected I would write it, edit it, hire someone to create basic illustrations, and that would be that. But in reality, the process is far more complex—especially if you want to write a book that truly matters and is well done.
It turns out that writing a book isn’t a solo process—not really. Many individuals support you and are instrumental to your success. The obvious ones are editors, illustrators, and book designers. But for this post, I want to focus on an incredibly valuable group: beta readers.
Somewhere between the early drafts and the finished version, there are many points where an author needs another set of eyes to evaluate their work. That’s where beta readers come in.
What are Beta Readers?
Beta readers are people who read your book before it’s published. Their role is to offer all kinds of feedback. Each person critiques your work from their own perspective and provides insight and commentary on different elements. In the early drafts, that feedback might focus on the overall feel of the story or whether the pieces come together in a way that makes sense. They may highlight themes that resonated with them—or point out areas where the message felt unclear or missed entirely. They may love it. Or they may only like it (or—gasp—not like it at all). Whatever the feedback, it’s invaluable. And while it can be hard to see your manuscript receive mixed reactions, it’s crucial to take each comment seriously and make decisions accordingly.
What To Do with Feedback
Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to change the book to try to please everyone (something we all know is impossible). But it’s important to consider where the reader is coming from and decide whether their input adds value to your story.
Beta readers can be anyone—they don’t need any special training. However, the most useful beta readers usually fall into one of two categories: they’re either part of your target audience or they bring relevant expertise to the table. They might be close friends or family, or they might be people you don’t know very well. In my case, as a veterinarian and homeschool mom, many of my friends fit well into the beta reader group—as homeschool teachers, parents, and professionals in my field.
Why Different Readers Matter
Each group offers something different. A parent or teacher might let me know where a story doesn’t land quite right for young readers. A veterinarian or someone in the animal care field might catch a medical detail that needs fine-tuning. A non-medical reader may stumble over a technical term and ask for clarification. Some beta readers respond emotionally, others focus on structure or pacing, and some point out where I’ve over-explained or under-delivered. It all matters!
Special Note about Rhyming Books
This process becomes especially important when writing in rhyme. Rhyme involves meter, and meter affects how the text is read and how it sounds. That’s why it’s so important to hear the story from someone who doesn’t already know how it’s supposed to sound. The author and editor are often too close to the rhythm and intention to catch every hiccup.
After the book was revised (and revised, and revised again), I had another group of beta readers read through the book—this time out loud. I asked them to read the manuscript back to me while I sat with a notepad and listened for the natural rhythm of their voice. If they stumbled, paused, or re-read a line, I took notes. Sometimes the meter was off. Sometimes a word choice didn’t land quite right. These are easy things to miss when you’ve been staring at the same words for months. And yes—further revisions were made.
Beta Readers are Not Substitution for a Professional Editor
Even with great beta readers, I still rely on a professional editor (two actually). Editors bring a level of detail and consistency that beta readers aren’t meant to provide. But beta feedback helps shape the story before it ever reaches that stage—and again at the final stages, to make sure everything still feels right.
Final Thought:
I’ve come to see beta readers as an essential part of the creative process. They help me step back, see the work more clearly, and make sure I’m telling the story I set out to tell in the best way I can reasonably hope to achieve. Which, by the way, is never going to be perfect—but that’s OK.
