Beta readers for a sequel?

[Katy]

Hi, there! Hope I'm putting this in the right place....

I'm fast approaching beta reader time for my second novel, which is also the second in a series. I'm interested in expanding my beta reader pool, but I'm wondering what best practices might be for asking beta readers to read the second book in a series.

Do you only approach people who have already read book 1? (What do you do if someone wants to beta book 2 but hasn't read book 1?)

Do you purposefully try to find folks who haven't read book 1 so you can see if book 2 stands on its own?

Some of both? Something else?

If you've recruited new beta readers for book 2+ in a series, I'd love to know how you did it!

[Keith]

I wrote my series intending that each could be read stand-alone, which may be a critical difference. If your series isn't that way, then you may want to offer at least a synopsis of the earlier books, so readers can get a sense of who's who (and, maybe, a brief biography of the main characters).

I deliberately sought out readers for independent review as well as asked a number to read them in sequence. I will note, from my personal experience as a reader, that if the books are not intended to be stand-alone, I've become reluctant to take on unfinished series. At least in my case, many of the series never seem to get finished.

[Khalima]

Whenever I’ve beta’d a book in the series I usually ask to read the preceding books (if that’s reasonable or feasible). I think most betas would prefer to read preceding books.

[Lela]

I have a series that is sequential too. I've had beta readers who have read all the books and I've had beta readers who are coming into the series midway. They both have their value. The folks who have been in it with me from the beginning catch my characters acting "out of character" or sometimes they'll note "he's grown!" My dive-in-the middle folks are better at catching things where it might get confusing if someone hadn't read the previous book immediately. I have a pretty extensive synopsis of the "series so far" (think how Supernatural starts their seasons sometimes) and my last round of dive-in-the-middle betas praised it. I've also offered to give free e-copies of the preceding books if folks really are interested.

That said, I am generally open to reading other people's books, even if they are in a series. Depends on the genre, of course -- I'm not a huge fan of horror or romance and I don't do BDSM or erotica, but I don't mind if there's a little sex. And I'm more willing to stick it out to the end if you're willing to do a beta swap. It'll be at least until after the first of the year before my next manuscript will be ready -- and it's actually the first in a new series, a YA/NA. My other books are day-after-tomorrow apocalyptic. I am willing to do yours now so long as you are willing to agree to do one of mine later. lelamarkham@gmail.com

[Katy]

Keith wrote: "I wrote my series intending that each could be read stand-alone, which may be a critical difference. If your series isn't that way, then you may want to offer at least a synopsis of the earlier boo..."

Keith wrote: "I wrote my series intending that each could be read stand-alone, which may be a critical difference. If your series isn't that way, then you may want to offer at least a synopsis of the earlier boo..."

I'm hoping readers will be able to enter the series at any point, but they'll definitely have a richer experience if they've read book 1. I'm thinking of doing something along the lines of offering a synopsis and/or first few chapters for folks who haven't read book 1.

That's an excellent point about unfinished series! I'm always bummed when I start reading something only to find it's been abandoned.

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[Katy]

Khalima wrote: "Whenever I’ve beta’d a book in the series I usually ask to read the preceding books (if that’s reasonable or feasible). I think most betas would prefer to read preceding books."

Yes, I think this is what I would prefer as a reader (& as a writer, too!). I'm not sure how I feel about giving away the first book for free, but I would definitely want to give people the option of a synopsis or some other easy way to get up to speed if they'd like.

I also think it might be useful to have folks who HAVEN'T read book 1 try book 2 to see if it stands on its own, but I'm not sure potential betas would go for that. Can you think of a situation where you'd beta the second book in a series without having read the first? Or do you definitely feel like you need to get the whole series?

[Katy]

Lela wrote: "I have a series that is sequential too. I've had beta readers who have read all the books and I've had beta readers who are coming into the series midway. They both have their value. The folks who ..."

I think you're right about the value of both kinds of betas. It's good to know you've had success getting both, too!

I'm not quite at beta stage yet, but I'll definitely keep you in mind when I get there. And thank you so much for sharing your experience!

[Khalima]

Katy wrote: "Khalima wrote: "Whenever I’ve beta’d a book in the series I usually ask to read the preceding books (if that’s reasonable or feasible). I think most betas would prefer to read preceding books."

Ye..."

Yes I would beta read a series book without reading the preceding books if the author tells me they can be read as a stand-alone. I agree with Lela that you can get good feedback about whether the reader feels lost at points in the story without reading the previous books. Some authors will either provide the previous books for free or some have asked me to deduct the book price from my charge for beta reading. Just depends. As a reader, I obviously prefer it being provided for free mainly because I incorporate my impressions from previous books in my critique of the newest book and the series as a whole. Hope this helps!