BETA READING

What is beta reading?

Beta reading is reading an author's manuscript (unpublished novel) for the purpose of providing feedback on the story. Beta readers are regular people who enjoy reading and simulate what the audience for the published book might think. No special expertise is required and beta readers are often told not to provide grammatical feedback. It's an opportunity to get a sneak peek at what the author is working on and participate in the writing process. Beta readers agree to keep the manuscript that they review confidential.

How can I become a beta reader?

Use the form at the top of this page to express interest in becoming a beta reader for future Nick Scrawls books. When an opportunity arises, you’ll receive an email to explore whether you might be a good fit for the project (e.g. confirm you match the target audience, have interest in the story, and have the time to participate).

If I sign up, do I have to beta read when I'm asked?

No. Signing up just expresses interest. There is no commitment to be a beta reader and also no guarantee that you'll be selected. When an opportunity arises that looks like it might be a good fit, you'll be provided with more information about the project and can choose to proceed or decline.

How is beta reading different from ARC reading?

ARC stands for “advanced review copy” or “advanced reader copy” and is the final version of a book. Beta reading involves a manuscript that is in the middle of the book-writing process (meaning less polish and major differences from the final novel). In beta reading, you get to give input that helps the story take shape, whereas the ARC team focuses on helping the final product find success. More information about joining ARC teams for Nick Scrawls books can be found here. 

What type of feedback does a beta reader give?

Beta readers provide feedback on things like: plot holes and inconsistencies, pacing, characters, whether key moments feel satisfying, and anything that doesn’t quite feel right. Beta readers do not focus on grammar or solutions; instead, they share personal impressions and seek to identify potential problem/opportunity areas. To make things easy, you would be given specific questions to answer.

Can I tell other people that I’m a beta reader?

If beta reading for Nick Scrawls, you can tell people. However, you cannot share the book title or any part of the manuscript. Once the book is published, you are free to name the book title, but the manuscript may not be shared at any time.

How different is the beta-read manuscript from the published book?

They can often be quite different. Sometimes whole characters are rewritten/added/deleted and the same goes for chapters and scenes. The story could have a different beginning, middle, or end—and anything else in between. You can think of the beta-read manuscript as an alternate universe version of the published book.

If I did beta reading for a book, can I review the published book?

If you have read the published version of a book (or an ARC for it), any author would greatly appreciate your willingness to leave a review. However, the beta-read manuscript is often significantly different from the published book, such that it would not be an appropriate basis for an honest review.