Can I skip beta readers?

[J.D.]

This may be a strange place to ask such a question, but I’m looking for opinions about the asocial writer who prefers the idea of hiring a professional editor (content, structural, etc.) rather than enduring the process of soliciting beta readers.

Quick context: meeting people in writing groups isn't an option for someone like me, which leaves me with online forums. But I’m not willing to take the risk (or endure the anguish) of soliciting strangers, though I’m sure most readers are honest and experienced. So why not skip the social horrors entirely? A financial interaction is far more appealing to me than a social one, and I’d still be getting the feedback I need to fix my novel.

Possible, or crazy talk? Genuinely curious.

[Craig]

Personally I think as long as you are getting someone subjective to review your work that's a huge step in the right direction, whether that is an editor, beta reader or anything in between.

I will stress though that you should get a recommendation for an editor from someone within your genre that has worked with them. Beta readers are less likely to accept a book in a genre they are unfamiliar with, but if you're paying someone then there's a strong incentive for them to accept any and all work. Tropes and expectations can be wildly different across genres, so having an editor that is already familiar will save you a lot of time and expense down the road.

[J.D.]

That would definitely be part of my vetting process. Can't skimp on the editor, and the selection is a big part of that. :)

[Keith]

What Craig said, except you want _objective_ readers. You can pay beta readers, you know, though you'll find discussion threads here on the pros and cons of doing so.

The benefit to free beta readers is the 'free-ness,' so important to those of us on a tight budget. Also, for me, there is a benefit of trying out your blurb. If your blurb isn't drawing any beta reader interest, it probably needs some rework.

Not meaning to be rude, but if you don't think you can handle beta readers, what makes you think you can handle agents or publishers? Self publishing means you get to do _all_ the advertising and marketing, unless you just want something on Amazon that no one reads.

[J.D.]

I get your question. Don’t misunderstand: I can take criticism. I'm counting on it. But criticism from a single paid editor is easier than interacting with strangers. It's the social bit I can't stomach, not the critique itself. I'm an introvert to the Nth degree, so even typing this is difficult. But it's sounding like going the editor route straightaway may be a viable option after all, so maybe I'm over-thinking this. :)

[Craig]

A couple of things to take into consideration.

First of all, if you're self publishing, there is pretty much nothing that can't be fixed later. If your blurb isn't converting in the wild then no problem, tweak it, leave it a week and see if it's improved. If not, tweak again. Same goes for covers, even content (I'm thinking fixing typos, not a total rewrite). It doesn't need to be perfect.

I published my first book without another soul seeing it. Was it a bad idea? Absolutely! Did I fix it later? You bet!

However, understand that you will have criticisms from strangers in the form of reviews. You need to be prepared for that. I know you get that reviews are a thing (you're on Goodreads after all!) but I just want to warn you that if you're not careful it is v easy to take them personally. Don't. It is one person's opinion of your work. If half a dozen reviewers all mention the same thing, then maybe look at it.

Keith is absolutely right that if you're self publishing then the marketing is a big part of it. You can get away with running ads and making a website without any direct interaction, but lots of other components will require direct communication, whether it's responding to fan emails, dealing with a cover designer, self promotion etc. If you're just writing for fun it's not such a big deal, but if you want to make a living from it or even decent side hustle money then there will definitely be a fair bit of interaction. I don't want to scare you off - just want to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into!

[J.D.]

I appreciate all the insights and the time it took to articulate it. Thank you. As you did, I plopped my first work on Amazon several years ago after four thorough self-edits, then hiring an editor. I'm glad I had that experience, even though I had much to learn about the craft. Now it's time to fix that work, and seek an agent for the second, and that's what brought me here. The, "do I *really* have to find beta readers?" question. And I'm thinking a good editor may be able to provide the thrashing rather than a group of scary strangers.

Everything else you mention I believe I am prepared for, and most I'll welcome. But if I were ever to "make it," I'd never attend a signing. That's just me—some lines will never be crossed. (I can dream of the day that ever becomes an issue. ;) )