Have you ever been a Beta Reader?

Initially, the excitement of being one of the first people to read a new novel is an euphoric feeling. Shortly after the excitement dies down and the requests come in, you may feel an overwhelming sense of imposter syndrome.

Do you have the qualifications to help a writer in need? Do you feel comfortable offering feedback to someone looking for it? Say you do have the ability to help, but you aren’t sure where to start. Good news for you, I have done the research from hundreds of beta reading guides and articles, taking bits and pieces of the very best questions to follow as you read.

My general advice as you begin reading:

1. WRITE DOWN NOTES. You may think, “Oh. Wow, that was really bad writing in chapter two and I was lost the whole time. The main character had nothing to offer but whining and crying.” In the moment, you say to yourself that you will remember to tell the author how you felt. After a few more chapters and added confusing plot points, you forgot all about chapter two and the horrors that it entailed.
2. MANAGE YOUR TIME. Do you often read a book a week, a couple of days, or even in a night? Well, get rid of that notion ASAP. Beta reading requires you to commit to not only reading the book for personal enjoyment but to provide feedback that is extensive and helpful. It is what you make of it, of course.
3. MAKE CHARACTER GUIDES. What kind of person is the character based on what you read? Have you noticed any inconsistencies in a character and find that those problems pull you from the story? When you look back on a good book you remember two main things; the character’s personality and the feelings you had for them. Whether it be hatred, annoyance, love, or indifference, people always remember how they felt about a character. For instance, I still harbor angst towards Tom in the Girl on the Train.
4. BE HONEST. No one thrives on untold truths.

Beta Reading Guide Example

Advanced Reader: Beta Reading

BOOK TITLE HERE: Beta Reading Guide

START HERE

Download the PDF to your kindle with the steps below. Once done, it will take 20 minutes before the file shows up on your kindle.

1. Find your Kindle email address. Sign in to your Amazon account, and click Account and Lists on the top toolbar, Your Devices and Content, and Manage Devices. Then follow Devices > Preferences > Privacy and Settings > Devices. Choose the Kindle you want to send the PDF to, and the device summary should tell you your Kindle’s email address. (EXAMPLE: 16025005000_Rh8***@kindle.com)
2. Approve your personal email address. Find the Personal Document Settings tab in the Preferences window. Scroll down until you see the Approved Personal Document Email list and add your personal email address. 
3. Email the PDF to your Kindle. Once your email is approved, you can email any PDF directly to your Kindle.
4. Sync your Kindle. After you send an email, re-sync your Kindle to update it with the new PDF. You should now be able to read the PDF file.

Website to guide you: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/how-to/send-a-pdf-to-a-kindle-device.html 

Other options:

1. If you need a bigger font then what is offered after downloading, send the PDF straight to kindle from my email. This will allow you to change fonts on the kindle device ONLY. Do not do this if you plan to read from your iPhone or laptop.
2. Read PDF by saving to personal OneDrive files. Please, do not share my manuscript.

ANSWERS

There is no timeline or rush. If you signed up for a certain month please stick to it, however, I will not chase you down for your answers. (Maybe)

Yes or No answers are acceptable.

Highlight your answers in a different color.

Please email the google doc back to: YOUR EMAIL HERE

Copy and paste this into the subject line: BETA READER FEEDBACK (date)

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Typed or Printed Name: 

Email: 

1. Are you in the target audience age group? (18-29) YES or NO
2. What date are you starting the book? 
3. What date did you finish the book? 

QUESTIONS WHILE READING

1. Is the first chapter compelling enough to keep reading? Why?
2. Do you find yourself skimming pages before page 50?
3. Do you get a sense of where and when the story takes place?
4. Have you noticed any inconsistencies in the sequence of events, characters, locations, or other elements?
5. How do you feel about the descriptions?
6. Can you visualize the setting?
7. Does the plot make sense to you?
8. How do you relate to the main characters?
9. Do you know the main characters motivations?
10. Do any chapters stand out as rushed or out of place?
11. Any notable grammar/plot problems pulling you out of the story?
12. Did the book seem too long or short?
13. Did you get bored after half-way through? Where?
14. What character was least developed?
15. Was there anything that surprised you?
16. How do you feel about PROTAGONIST? 
17. How do you feel about PROTAGONIST TWO?
18. How do you feel about ANTAGONIST?
19. Does the point of view stay consistent throughout the whole book?
20. Do you relate to the main characters?
21. What did you think of the ending? Was it satisfying?
22. What parts did you like best? (chapters/pages/quotes are BEST)
23. What parts did you like least? (chapters/pages/quotes are BEST)
24. Did anything seem implausible to you?
25. Are there any questions you still have about the story?

GENERAL FEEDBACK

1. Did the beginning AND ending catch your attention?

2. Did the dialogue sound like it came from real people?

3. Was there a place where the narrative told the reader information rather than showed it?

4. What is your feedback on the overall flow of the story?

5. Does the point of view stay consistent throughout the whole book?

6. Do any chapters lack conflict? Is there a good mix of inner conflict and conflict with others?

7. Was there anything inappropriate or excessive that made you cringe?

8.  What do you imagine will happen in the next book?

Fill in personal comments and/or notes below. If there was anything you didn’t get to address above, this is the space. Thank you!

NEED A BETA READER? CONTACT ME.