What do you do when a beta reader vanishes?

[Clive]

I made contact with a beta reader (no names) and they read my first chapter and gave really good feedback, then at the agreed time I sent chapter two. But I have heard nothing since in spite of attempting to make contact by email. So three weeks have gone by and I am no further forward. Very frustrating. My only thought is that my beta reader must have had some drama in their lives, I hope that is not the case.

[Barbara]

I tend to just forget about that person and look for somebody else... yep, had betas vanishing on me before! ;)

[Robin]

It happens. Sometimes life gets in the way; sometimes they just can't get into your book and don't know how to tell you. As nice is it would be to hear, so you can use it as constructive criticism, the truth is, telling someone you don't like their work is really hard to do. I have beta's and I beta for other people. I understand it on both sides. When it happens to me, I'm just grateful for the free help I got from them, email them to thank them, and move on.

[T.R.]

Had one email me to say life was in the way. So I just thanked them for the time and kept moving. Found REALLY good one right after. I usually try to contact 5 beta readers with the hopes of getting 1-2 good ones.

[[deleted user]]

You get what you pay for.

[Sheri]

What do you do when a beta reader vanishes? You find another one. Varied perspectives are always good. If you want more of a commitment, considering hiring someone. People tend to follow through more when they're getting paid for their work. Apparently, there are quite a few BRs on this site who give it away for free and follow through. Don't give up. Just move on.

[Barbara]

13rett wrote: "You get what you pay for."

I disagree. What authors get from me isn't nothing.
I know I'm not the only beta-reader who always gives at least some form of feedback or a warning when life gets in the way and the feedback will be delated.
And I'm convinced that the quality of beta-reading has nothing to do with the amount of money you pay for it.
The only difference: if you pay you get a contract both sides have to fulfil.

[Sheri]

Okay---first. No one is saying that all beta readers who give it away for free suck. No one. But I'm sure there are some who do.

The reality is some beta readers disappear and don't do what they agreed to do, and I submit to you that if payment were involved, they'd stick around and the work would be done. That's a fact. Even your final statement suggests this is true.

"If you pay, you get a contract both sides have to fulfill."

"Both sides have to fulfill" suggests there is no option to run away.

[Martin]

Babara's free feedback was excellent! Not to disagree with you, Sheri. (But you're not arguing that all paid feedback is helpful, are you?)

[Barbara]

Martin wrote: "Babara's free feedback was excellent! Not to disagree with you, Sheri. (But you're not arguing that all paid feedback is helpful, are you?)"
Thanks, Martin!

Sheri, I know that with a contract there's no option to run away, I just wanted to make clear that not all who read for free are runaways.

[Sheri]

Okay---again. To the both of you. I said nothing of any kind as you relate it here.

There's nothing to disagree with. I'm not arguing one way or another about anything you seem to think I am arguing about. I'm pointing out truths.

Barbara - read the last sentence in you post I responded to. Think about it.

[Alex]

"When a Beta Reader Vanishes," sounds like a great title and concept for a mystery novel. Things have been going along fine with the writer and the Beta Reader and then the correspondence stops. The writer is upset and confused and tries to track down the BR, only to find they have really vanished. As the writer investigates further, she uncover clues that the book being read by the BR led to her disappearance. The writer pursues the mystery.

[Rebecca]

Alex wrote: ""When a Beta Reader Vanishes," sounds like a great title and concept for a mystery novel. Things have been going along fine with the writer and the Beta Reader and then the correspondence stops. Th..."

I'd read that Alex. Sounds like it would be interesting.

[Nik]

Would waiting with a baseball bat near Beta's home be a mildly reasonable approach? -:)

[Alex]

Rebecca wrote: "Alex wrote: ""When a Beta Reader Vanishes," sounds like a great title and concept for a mystery novel. Things have been going along fine with the writer and the Beta Reader and then the corresponde..."

If I wasn't so mired in my current novel-in-progress, I might give it a shot, but the idea is there for the taking.

[Alex]

Nik wrote: "Would waiting with a baseball bat near Beta's home be a mildly reasonable approach? -:)"

Betas wear hard hats.

[Dave]

I think you have to take betas with a grain of salt. I once I had a beta tell me he couldn't finish reading my book because I had a character named Hanoi Jane and he was an ex-marine. I had a beta reader tell me she didn't know how long a 140,000 word manuscript would be. I've had them bug out, break their swap deals, try and hook the editing job . . . for cash of course.

And I've had really good ones too.
As authors we need to treasure beta readers, but also remember that writing, like any other art, is a numbers game. We have to introduce our work to as many people as we can, accept what they say, and move on.