The Power of Early Readers
Understanding Beta & ARC Readers
If you are anything like me, the first question you might be asking yourself (or even Googling at this very moment) might be: what in the world are Beta and ARC readers?
Admittedly, before I became a writer, I too had no idea what either of these terms meant, nor did I realize the critical role they would play in my writing and book launch journey.
So, What is a Beta Reader?
A beta reader is one of the first people ever to see your manuscript. They are a handful of trusted individuals chosen to read your story, ideally, at first or second draft, before it heads to an editor.
They aren’t experts, nor are they required to be. They are everyday people who are asked to read your story and then provide honest and genuine feedback.
Although there is no resume, of sorts, needed to determine who should be a beta reader, I think it’s safe to assume they should have an interest in reading. Ideally, you would also want to look for someone who is blunt, objective, intuitive, reflective and honest, but also caring and kind with their feedback.
A beta reader should be prepared to answer questions such as:
Did the book move you?
Did you feel connected to the characters?
Does anything feel off or confusing?
Do you think anything is missing, or do you see any plot holes?
If you are lucky enough to have a trusted friend who you can always count on to tell you if you have food in your teeth or have toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe, they might be the ideal beta reader!
ARC Readers
An ARC (advanced reader copy) is a little different, as the reader doesn’t see your manuscript until it’s near completion and you are working on your pre-book launch. If you’re a passionate reader and have ever wanted to support an author in a practical and meaningful way, this might be the perfect opportunity.
ARC readers are equally vital as they play a key role in helping authors create an early buzz about the book. They are given a free, exclusive written or electronic copy, typically one to two months prior to the launch date, and are asked to commit to writing reviews and sharing on social media, ideally on the day your book is launched. This is such an essential piece of the process, especially for indie authors like me, who don’t have big publishing houses behind us.
A review might seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, but it has significantly more power than one might realize. The world is flooded with new content and authors every day, and even a short review substantially increases the chances of an author’s book being found. It also helps with those weird and ever-changing algorithms built into social media platforms.
I think it’s important to mention that, whether a Beta Reader or an ARC reader, I feel the person chosen should be aligned with the author in their subject material and/or genre. For example, if you hate stories about superheroes and villains, it’s probably not a good idea to volunteer to critique or review a manuscript about superheroes and villains. I think you get the picture.
Wayward Daughter(s) isn’t just another book. It’s a piece of me, years in the making. It takes a lot of vulnerability and trust to let someone into that process. But it also becomes a beautiful part of the writing journey, as you are helping make something so personal to me, even better.
I am very thankful for my beta readers and the feedback they provided throughout this process, and I look forward to the team of supporters who join me in this next step.
If you’d like to partner with me and become an ARC reader for Wayward Daughter(s), I’d be honoured. Whether you’re someone I know, someone who loves a good redemption story, or simply someone who wants to help a fellow human, you are welcome here.
