First off, what is beta reading? Not everybody thinks of this service the same way. For me, beta reading means outlining my impression of a story in a 3-4 page report. Characters (development and arcs), pacing, and the “big picture” are usually my three areas of focus. Sometimes called a “reader’s report” or “manuscript review,” a beta read is far less involved than what’s typically referred to as a “manuscript critique” or “manuscript evaluation.”
Lots of services and private editors offer paid beta reading: The Spun Yarn, Book a Beta Reader, The Wishing Shelf, and The Inkwell Group, to name a few. You can also find beta readers via the Editorial Freelancers Association or Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading. Even Fiverr and Upwork offer options.
I’ve wrestled with the question of paid beta reading from the writing and editing side.
As an author, I want at least two or three people to read my full manuscript. I also want a lot from those people. I want them to be familiar with my genre. I want them to be attentive and precise. I want them to give feedback that’s big picture—addressing pacing and structure and character arcs. I want them to note positives too, because good constructive criticism tells you what is working, not just what’s not working.
As an editor, I love beta reading. But it’s a chunky time investment. When you’re a freelancer, “time is money” is painfully true, and a solid beta read takes me ~12 to 17 hours. Getting good at beta reading wasn’t easy either. It took a decade of reading craft books, reading contemporary books in my genres, writing my own books, watching hundreds of webinars, and practicing on friends’ manuscripts.
Nonetheless, whenever an editor puts a price tag on their beta reading, a few abrasive comments pop up again and again:
“I have great beta readers who read for FREE.”
Stellar! You’ve got your arms full of apples, buddy. An abundance. I’m therefore mystified as to why you’re standing in front of my apple cart hollering about . . . not needing apples? Please go enjoy your abundance elsewhere. Lots of people still need apples.
“You should never pay for beta reading.”
In other words, “people should only beta read for FREE.”
*deep, calming breath . . . Don’t expect labor for free. In my case, beta reading an 80,000-word manuscript takes ~15 hours. And I’m only counting the hours I’m parked in front of my laptop either reading or organizing notes. For the week or two I have your book, it’s top of mind on my dog walks, at the gym, while I’m doing laundry and dishes . . . I love beta reading, but I can’t be doing it just “for the exposure.”
And note that a labor-for-labor trade doesn’t count as “free.” Many beta readers will accept compensation in the form of a swap—that is, you’ll be offering feedback on their manuscript too. True, there’s no money exchanged, but you’re still “paying” for their service.
Why would I pay if there are free beta readers out there?
Not all beta readers are equal. Your loving 72-year-old grandma might be happy to read your first sci-fi horror novel. But if all Nana has read to date are saucy cowboy romances, even her most well-intentioned feedback could steer you wrong (pun intended).
In contrast, if you’re considering paying, any good beta reading service will match you with readers in your genre at the very least. Beyond that, you could even look at actual editors as options. An editor working in your genre may well bring more to the table than a typical avid reader. Editors give precise, actionable feedback for a living. Even their beta reading feedback is likely to reflect that expertise.
Tied up in all this, there’s also the issue of reliability. Free beta readers are very much doing you a favor. You have no right to hold them to a deadline. Heck, it’s not uncommon to get ghosted entirely. Putting cash down, though, gives you more power in solidifying expectations.
“But I can’t afford to pay for beta reading.”
Uf, I hear that. I totally understand. You can still find what you need.
Check out my website’s Resources page: lots of those creators and websites, which are totally free to follow and check out, suggest places to connect with potential (free) beta readers. There are also beta reader groups on GoodReads and Facebook (e.g., “Sub It Club”).
Notably, Bianca Marais often runs The Great Beta Reader Match-Up. If that window isn’t open, check out The Shit No One Tells You About Writing. Lauren Kay’s Critique Partner Connection also seems promising.
“Sold. Will YOU beta read for me?”
Maybe! I’d love to hear about your story. Reach out via my contact page or social media. But do your homework: Am I truly in your target audience?
You can see my technical editing experience at my EFA page. Writing-wise, I’m agented (represented by Ginger Clark), and I’ve got a handful of publications in places you might recognize. Reading-wise, I clear around 80 books a year minimum, heavily in horror, science fiction, and romance.
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A good editor (and even, I think, beta readers) will want to see you succeed. Part of that is definitely not taking your money (or time) if we feel that we’re not a good fit.
