Formatting for Beta reads

[Lisa]

Is there a preferred format for beta reads? Do I need to get my word doc. formatted to epub to submit to beta readers? What do you all do?

[Aaron]

Ask their preference. I've done word and google docs before.

[Manasa]

It depends on the readers. Every reader reads in a different format. Being a reader, I would request you to keep word doc ready so that you can change to other formats, if requested by the beta reader.

[Keith]

For me, when doing beta-ing, I prefer Word, though I read using LibreOffice mostly (occasionally I upload to Google Docs as well). I have, on occasion, made my comments directly in the writer's Google doc, though I've not been a fan because it allows them to 'cheat' and read my comments before I'm done reading.

Some writers only want high-level input, though, and if you're one of them then a PDF, mobi or epub might be the reader's preference. I used some software (that I can't remember the name of, but will find out if you like) that could trivially (well, for the effort I needed to put into it) convert to/from dozens of formats.

The bottom line, though, is beta readers are doing us a favor (even if paid; estimate the hourly rate if you don't believe me) so we need to be as accommodating as possible.

[Roughseasinthemed]

I prefer word or pages so I can annotate as I go along. Just not pdf.

[Lisa]

Thanks everyone!