Writers need Beta Readers - they need that fresh set of eyes to help improve and possibly shape the manuscript into something even more polished and likable.
But how can writers go about finding such a valuable creature?
K.M. Weiland at http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com has some good advice on how to find and keep beta readers. For more information, check out the following articles of hers:
Beta Reader Etiquette
15 Places to Find Your Next Beta Reader
The problem I'm running into is how to find a trustworthy Beta Reader (aside from using friends). I've had two writer friends recently run into people stealing their ideas - one had trouble with beta readers in a local writers group and the other had trouble with beta readers from an online fan fiction site.
My internet search on the issue came up with very little other than the suggestion of having Beta Readers sign contracts. Thus, I turn this question over to you dear readers. I know this problem is rare, but it still happens. So, what suggestions and advice might you offer? I personally like using friends because not only do I trust them, but I can also get together and discuss the ms with them in person, but not everyone does and friends might not be experts in your genre.
I'm a huge advocate of the AgentQuery Connect community. The entire site is filled with great content and ways to connect with writers and/or find answers to questions. They also have a "help wanted" section where you can look for beta readers. I've used ~10 different readers I found from the site, and everyone was trust worthy. The thing I like about it is that it's a mutual swap - you read their MS in exchange for them reading yours. So you're both putting your heart on the line so to speak. And you usually swap queries before to make sure word count is similar, it's a genre you enjoy and the premise is one you can engage with. I'd highly recommend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Stacy.
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