Working with Early Readers (Alpha, Beta & ARC): A Blog Series for Indie Authors

Hi, fellow indie authors!

I still have a whole lot to learn as an indie, but I know one thing I’m good at. Well, three things, actually: my systems for working with alpha readers, beta readers, and ARC reviewers.

Using these systems, I end up with a quality finished product that has already incorporated a lot of reader feedback, and I get a good number of early reviews, giving me “social proof” on Amazon and Goodreads.

I’ll share these systems with you in this blog series.

Photo by Perfecto Capucine from Pexels

First, some definitions:

Different people use the terms alpha readers and beta readers in different ways. Here’s how I use those terms:Alpha readers read my manuscript as I’m writing it, and then they give me feedback on chunks of it. Essentially they’re reading the first draft (though I do read through chapters once before moving on, so it’s more like a second draft.) Beta readers read my manuscript after I’ve already done extensive revisions and polishing, and then they give me feedback.ARC readers are given ARCs (Advance Review Copies) to read and review. An ARC is a completed novel, as error-free as possible, just distributed before the book is published.

Click here to go to Part 1 of this series: ALPHA READERS.

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