Tips for Beta Authors

This is kind of in response to MK's awesome post about how to be a good beta reader. If you haven't read it, by all means, go check it out.

But I found it amusing that she posted that right when I was having my own book out to the betas (and MK was beta reading it for me, haha). And so I got to thinking...what about the author's side of the beta read?

Rule One - Do Not Take ANY Critiques Personally!

Before I did the beta read, I read the book aloud to Evan. For some reason, I found myself defending every comment given. Like...

Evan: "Wait, so why are they leaving the town?"
Me: *annoyed* "Because the guards are chasing them, but don't worry, we'll fix that in the next draft, but just know that the guards are chasing them."

Every time, folks, every time. Kudos to Evan for sticking through with me...

I should have been simply saying "oh, okay, thanks" and then making a note that I needed to clarify that everyone was being chased by the guards.

View each critique, each comment, as a suggestion to make your story better.


I assume you would have screened your beta readers, right? These aren't your worst enemies. They aren't determined to ruin your story. They're just pointing things out -- typos, plot holes -- that catch their attention.

Rule Two - You Make the Final Call

Remember what I said earlier about viewing the comments as suggestions?

Yes, view them as such. Wise suggestions, maybe. Good suggestions. But you do not have to comply.

You make the final call on this draft. However, please stop and consider the comments before disregarding. 

The beta readers may have valid points. Perhaps that scene is boring. Perhaps the plot is too predictable. Perhaps that one character does need to be cut. Maybe that one word should be replaced with a different one.

Perhaps that "boring" scene foreshadows something in a future book. Perhaps you believe your plot will still entertain. That boring character is important later. You really would like to keep that word you used.

Make your call, writer. In the end, this is your story.


Rule Three - Follow Along, or Sit Back

Right now, I have betas going through Ships, Secrets, and Survivors (the book that Sarah Rodecker and I are writing together). I have been reading every single comment that gets posted in the Google draft. I love seeing every "this doesn't make sense" comment, every "do you mean this word" comment, and every "oh, this is cool" comment.

Sarah, however, is not opening the doc. She's going about her normal life, not sweating this beta thing. She's not going to stress about what is going on in the doc. (Granted, I may have passed on a comment or two that I thought she would be interested to know about.) Her plan is to wait until everyone is through, and then join me as we start on the next draft. Then she'll treat every comment as a suggestion -- to be reviewed and responded to accordingly.

But if reading every new comment as soon as it's made will only make you stress over your writing, don't read along! 

Rule Four - Give Clear Instructions

If you don't want to receive a lot of "typo" comments, let your beta readers know before they begin! If you want them to only focus on the plot, or the characters, or the worldbuilding, let them know!

I like to put my instructions at the beginning of the doc, outlining what I want them to be on the lookout for while they are reading.

Rule Five - Thank Your Beta Readers!

They are devoting their spare time to reading your story! And not only are they reading it, but they're taking even more time to leave comments.

They are awesome, and make sure they know it!!

Anything else I should add? Anyone else had their story torn apart and fangirled over by beta readers?