Beta Reader Group discussion
Are you ready for a beta reader?
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I want beta readers to see my work, The Invisible Killers, it is literary fiction.
Finding a good dedicated beta who is willing to offer true coments, opinions and provide an insiteful help to improve the story without haing them flake out before even handing them the story is very difficult. I have had plenty of betas in the past, some have been amazing, but a great number of them turn out to be inexperienced, or not formal enough. I an't count on the times i gave my work to a beta to never hear from them again, which is sad. Now I'm actively looking for an honest dedicated beta, or critique partner who can provide the proper feedback for my dark fantasy story, so far everyone i have reached out to, just touching bases, without even giving them a single chapter of the story, they have flaked out on me and i never heard from again, so anyone interested, send me a message on good reads :)
Imani wrote: "This being said, if you are simply looking for someone to tell you that your story is beyond reproach, consider sending your manuscript to friends and family members..."As a rule I've never considered my writing to be perfect, so my need for a beta reader would be to read the work in question.
If I wanted someone to crap on my work, all I'd have to do is mention it to my parents, were they still alive.
As for friends, I've got a few but they tend to be busy.
What people should understand is that a good beta reader does so much more for your story than simply telling you it's good. They help you with giving an actual unbiased opinion on your story and giving you the feedback you need to make your story the best it could be.
The feedback may not always be positive. They may see things about your story that could use a little work or simply tell you that your story doesn't hold their interest as it should. A great beta reader will let you know what works and what doesn't work, with the intentions of helping you polish your story and bring out the best in it.
Keep in mind, your beta readers are members of your target audience. They are there to show you how your audience will react to the content of your manuscript, because they are your audience. If something doesn't seem right, they should let you know so you can continue to develop your story and learn from your mistakes. A story can not grow if you are not open to criticism and change.
Never feel like you have to take all of the suggestions the reader makes for you. While one may love a certain scene, another may find it boring. While a reader may like to see a little more detail, another may think there is too much. Readers are not perfect and are not always right, but they want to help.
This being said, if you are simply looking for someone to tell you that your story is beyond reproach, consider sending your manuscript to friends and family members. But if you are open to working with people who want to help your story be the best it could possibly be, then you are ready for a beta reader. And I must say, there are tons of great beta readers on this forum willing to help you bring your story to life.