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.

in 2025 I had to decline beta-reading (bet you didn't know it's another of my passions, eh?) for some books. I later found out 1 of them won an award, & just got told I was replaced as a beta by the great-manytimesgreat-something of the character in the novel.

Wow, I just learned this phrase reading your update, Marquise! I didn't know for certain, but I am not that surprised, given your passion for retellings and what it can entail in the way of ARC readings... So why not beta-reading too! I have no difficulty telling your bow boasts countless strings! :)

Without knowing the phrase, I realize I have been doing some sort of beta-reading for fellow students (mostly memoirs, some fiction, and even a moot court competition plea :D), and am currently doing it for a friend who writes a sort of contemporary bildungsroman! So far, I am puzzled about this one, as the story is well thought-of and the evolution of the main character quite relatable, but some parts of it seem to lack a little tension, or conflict, or drive. It can be hard giving relevant advice before reading the whole novel though, so I will keep it in a corner of my head until I see where this is going! Is it the way you proceed yourself during your beta-reading sessions or do you personally prefer telling the author right away, as you read it?


Aw, no "I beta'd for an award-winning book" bragging rights for me & got replaced by a fictional character's descendant. My s(h)elf-esteem is taking a hit. :D

Wow, that's some huge coincidence, isn't it! :o

P.E. wrote: "Wow, I just learned this phrase reading your update, Marquise!"

The term came from the fanfiction community, where fan writers didn't have the means to access a professional editor and proofreader like traditionally published authors, so their creative alternative was to ask their friends/readers for feedback on their writing to improve. Like beta-testers for products a company wants to release into the market, beta-readers work as quality control/sensitivity group to help fanfictioneers. And from there it jumped to widespread use, even professional authors with contracts with big publishers do have beta-readers nowadays.

Congratulations, PE! It's a labour of love, and quite rewarding in my opinion. <3

P.E. wrote: "Is it the way you proceed yourself during your beta-reading sessions or do you personally prefer telling the author right away, as you read it?"

Depends on the state of the manuscript I'm beta-reading for. If you're betaing for a rough draft in-progress, it's best to tell the author right away so they can make changes while the iron is hot, so to speak.

Worth mentioning that authors have different types of betas with different purposes: some betas read the book as it's being plotted, other betas read it when the draft is finished. All and each type has a specific purpose, so before you decide how to proceed, you must know what type of beta you are and what you're wanted in for. I know a famous author who once said she has six types of betas, each for a different task.

Not everyone knows how to beta, honestly, and not every author knows how to take full advantage of betas either. Shitty betas exist, same as shitty editors/proofreaders. :)