Or: What to Pack Before You Send Your Story into the Wild
You’ve chosen your beta readers—whether they’re fellow writers, genre fans, or professional feedback specialists. Now it’s time to prepare your manuscript and your expectations. Beta reading works best when you give readers the right tools to navigate your world. Think of it like sending adventurers into your story realm: they need a map, a mission, and maybe a few magical artifacts (like a genre label and a deadline).
📄 What to Send
The Manuscript
- Format: Word/Google doc or PDF per beta reader’s preference, clean and readable. No track changes, no margin comments.
- Version: A revised draft—not your first, not your final. You want feedback on story execution, not grammar or polish.
- Length: Full manuscript is ideal, but partial reads (first 3 chapters, first act) can work if scoped intentionally.
🧭 The Context
- Genre label: Tell them what kind of story they’re entering. “Fantasy romance with necromantic undertones” is more helpful than “It’s kind of like Twilight meets Dune.”
- Target audience: Age range, tone, heat level, emotional intensity.
- Author goals: Are you testing pacing? Emotional impact? Genre fit? Let them know what kind of feedback you need.
📝 What to Ask
Custom Questionnaire
Traditional beta readers are not mind readers. Give them prompts that guide their feedback. You can include:
- What confused you?
- Where did your attention wander?
- Which character did you connect with most (or least)?
- Did the pacing feel too fast, too slow, or just right?
- Did the genre expectations feel met, subverted, or unclear?
🧠 Professional beta readers will know what basic questions to answer, but if you have specific concerns—about character arcs, emotional tone, or genre execution—tell them upfront. The more context you provide, the more targeted their feedback will be.
Genre-Specific Questions
- Fantasy: Did the worldbuilding feel immersive or overwhelming?
- Romance: Did the emotional arc feel satisfying?
- Paranormal: Did the supernatural elements feel integrated or distracting?
- Science Fiction: Did the speculative elements feel plausible within the story’s internal logic?
🧙♀️ Tone Matters
Ask for honesty, but frame it constructively.
“I’m looking for what’s working and what’s not—don’t hold back, but don’t stab me with a cursed dagger either.”
🧑🤝🧑 How to Use Both Traditional and 🧑💼 Professional Beta Readers
Traditional Readers
- Give them a simplified questionnaire.
- Expect emotional impressions, not editorial precision.
- Follow up with clarifying questions if needed.
Professional Readers
- Provide detailed context and goals.
- Expect structured reports, genre-aware insights, and actionable feedback.
- Use their feedback to triangulate with traditional impressions.
⏳ Timing and Logistics
- Staggered vs. simultaneous reads: You can send your manuscript to all readers at once or stagger them to avoid feedback overload.
- Deadlines: Be clear. “Please return feedback by the 15th” works better than “Whenever you get to it.”
- Follow-up: Thank your readers. Ask clarifying questions. Offer reciprocity if appropriate (especially in writing groups).
🧾 Final Thoughts
Preparing for a beta read isn’t just about sending a file—it’s about setting the stage for meaningful feedback. The more context you give, the more useful the responses will be.
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