Memoir Authors discussion

Good day everyone.
I'd like to open a discussion regarding beta readers.

For my memoir and first self published book I was encouraged to employ the services of beta readers. Question was - Do I opt for an unknown independant without really knowing who they are? Do I turn to friends and family and if so would they be capable of giving me objective feedback? Maybe mix it up a bit?

In the end I went for the latter (3 old friends) but I'm still not convinced it was the right choice.

My second book is currently out for editing (yet another minefield) and so therefore soon to face the same dilemma again.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, your experiences and so on. Have you had the same dilemma? Am I getting het up about nothing? Do I actually need beta readers?....

Much appreciated
Colin

I may not be the best source for an educated opinion. I have published only one book. I wrote it, edited it, read and reread it, did everything myself and self-published it. I thought I would hire an editor, but truth is I couldn't afford it. I also thought about asking a couple of people to read it before I published. They would have been people I know. In the end I decided not to do that either. I decided that I had done years of work (on and off) on that book. It was mine. And in the end I wasn't really interested in feedback. This was me, heart and soul. I wanted it to remain that way, warts and all. Although sales haven't taken off, I'm hopeful that when people start to know it exists, it will. Because I think it's interesting, witty, humorous, a wee bit sad, and overall a very good book.

Beta readers are helpful after completing a clean draft of the manuscript. Their purpose is not to edit but give honest feedback which helps you to see if the book hits the intended mark. It's hard for family and friends to give negative feedback, but they're most likely the only ones to do it for free. Yes this is a dilemma. But try to find readers from a writers group in exchange for reading and giving feedback on their material. I was discouraged when one of my beta readers (also an author) told me she thought the book was too long and appealed to different audiences; she recommended splitting it into two different books. Initially I resisted because it meant so much more work, but eventually I listened. And voila I produced a trilogy memoir. Angela Muir Van Etten

Dvora wrote: "I may not be the best source for an educated opinion. I have published only one book. I wrote it, edited it, read and reread it, did everything myself and self-published it. I thought I would hire ..."

Hi Dvora, apologies for my tardiness in responding to your comment. I really liked your advice despite you saying that you may not be the best source of an opinion. I agree that sometimes you just have to go with your gut which takes courage. Right now the jury remains out but I'm becoming more inclined to go with my gut. Thank you. Colin

Angela wrote: "Beta readers are helpful after completing a clean draft of the manuscript. Their purpose is not to edit but give honest feedback which helps you to see if the book hits the intended mark. It's hard..."

Hi Angela. Thank you for your wise words. The jury is still out although with editing nearing an end I'm going to have to get off the fence. To be honest I'm still undecided but I do like your approach which clearly worked out for you. Colin