Beta Reader Group discussion
Writing Advice & Discussion
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What do you prefer as beta reader for sequels
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You could provide a detailed synopsis of the first (e.g., your cliff notes), but also provide the reader with the option to read the whole thing. I intended the series I wrote to be readable stand-alone, so had some people read them sequentially and others read them independently, to get feedback both ways. Since your's isn't intended to be that way, I think offering the synopsis or earlier read is the way to go.
I prefer cliff notes on previous books in a series when I beta read. Reading two books just to give feedback on one of them takes a great deal of time that, sadly, I don't have to spare (not in a timely manner anyway). I don't charge for my beta reading because I do it for fun and to help folks out. I wish I could devote all of my time to reading, but bills and family take priority. ;)
Agreed. Some synopsis for previous books is necessary (if they need it), even if they might have read it, it would have been months or years earlier and they won't remember all the details.
I'm trying to find beta readers for this book and I"m doing my release totally different. Thing is, it's a sequel to a book you almost need to read the first book for. I put a lot of background to the first book as sort of an info dump at the beginning.
I'm not even sure how I would begin to ask people to beta read this if I sort of personally think the first book needs to be read first. I'd sort of either be asking them to read a book without all the info from the first book, asking to read two books just to give feedback on 1, or maybe I could type up cliff notes on the first one and send it with the sequel?
If you beta read, what do you prefer for series? This is not an ongoing series, I just decided there was more to the story than how I left it and wrote a second book.