Marquise > Status Update

#126: Have you ever beta-read for a book or would you like to if you haven't yet?

I don't entirely understand the "great-manytimesgreat-something of the character in the novel" part of it, but if I and the author had developed a close relationship, whether parasocial or irl, sure, I'd love to do a beta reading someday. Without that connection, I wouldn't feel qualified, like I was missing something important.

Beth wrote: "I don't entirely understand the "great-manytimesgreat-something of the character in the novel" part of it.."


Hehehe, it means that the beta-reader the author found to replace me in the role descends from the real-life person that is the character in the book. 😆

Like if you were replaced by Jane Austen's great-great-great-great-etc.-niece as a beta reader for a novel about Austen.

I've read drafts of PhD dissertations and books by friends. Beta reading is a new term on me.

I have never beta read for anyone and would be nervous about doing so. I'd want to be honest without offending anyone. I do think it would be fun in a way, though.

Fred wrote: "I've read drafts of PhD dissertations and books by friends. Beta reading is a new term on me."

That's basically it, like being a critic before the book is out so the author can make changes and improvements on it.

I bet this is as old as writing books itself, but the term 'beta-reader' is modern indeed.

Meredith wrote: "I have never beta read for anyone and would be nervous about doing so. I'd want to be honest without offending anyone. I do think it would be fun in a way, though."

Beta-reading is vastly different to reviewing, Merry. Being fearful about saying what's not good about a book because it could offend is a sign you're probably not where you belong. It isn't about diplomacy, it's about doing your job, and authors EXPECT you to tell them what isn't good. That's the whole point of being a beta.

Does fanfiction count? If so, plenty. Everyone's better than they think they are. I've beta read/played editor for book drafts too, but only for friends/friendly strangers/people I vaguely know. Sometimes I don't have a heart to tell them their writing is incomprehensible so I just shut up. Either way, never been paid for it. It's just a hobby.

I have beta read a little bit. Especially when I just started writing, it helped me understand better what works and what doesn't. And it really is satisfying to be able to help people and help take a work of fiction to a higher level.

Thibault wrote: "I have beta read a little bit. Especially when I just started writing, it helped me understand better what works and what doesn't."

What works and what doesn't with what or in what? In writing or in giving feedback to writers?

Dreamcatcher (HIATUS) wrote: "Does fanfiction count? If so, plenty. Everyone's better than they think they are."

It totally does! That's where I learnt the concept of beta-reading back when I was a wee padawan just dipping my toes into the fandom lake. 😆

I agree, some fanfictioneers are truly talented writers, I'd even say better than many professional authors. Perhaps it's the fact that they write for love and don't expect gain? I don't know, but I do remember at least 3 fanfiction writers I met that I'd have gladly published if I were in charge of a publishing house. I think at least two of them did want to publish down the road, not their fanfic but original work.

But why the Hell is it the shite ones that get repackaged for trad publishing?!

I knew it (Beta Reading) was your passion.. You read way too many different books/authors for it not to be (giggles)

~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ wrote: "I knew it (Beta Reading) was your passion.. You read way too many different books/authors for it not to be (giggles)"

Hahaha, you caught me quickly. 😅


It's the plotting I like! A teacher once told me that I had a Cardinal Richelieu personality, always the éminence grise scheming behind the scenes to land me and my mates in better group assignments and grades. 🤣

Marquise wrote: "What works and what doesn't with what or in what? In writing or in giving feedback to writers?"

To better understand what works and what I like in storytelling basically. But also to train my critical eye, if that makes any sense. What was your first experience as a beta reader like, if you don’t mind me asking.

I have on a couple projects and now I’m just a critique partner for someone, which is pretty much the same thing, haha. We just trade stories over one person just reading the other person’s book without trading off, if that makes any sense.

Thibault wrote: "What was your first experience as a beta reader like, if you don’t mind me asking."

It was in fanfiction almost two decades ago, and was very educational and productive to both of us as we honed each other's respective skills: now I'm a pro-level ogre of a beta, and she's become a journalist. 😅

Sarah wrote: "I have on a couple projects and now I’m just a critique partner for someone, which is pretty much the same thing, haha."

Yeah! Critique partner is like the informal version and works exactly the same way. After all, before this was called 'beta-reading', authors were out there having their pals or colleagues or family read their drafts to get feedback. It has always existed.

And I like it. I believe that just like there's talented editors (you would know as an author), there are also talented betas. Anyone can be a beta, of course, but not anyone can do it as intended.