Alpha and Beta Readers: What are they and how do you Find Them?

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Article by: Lynne Taylor, freelance writer at Globe Soup.

John Donne’s words No man is an island… seem appropriate when I approach the question of alpha and beta readers. Once we create a world and give it form through words, we can get lost in how it looks to us. It can become our perfect palace and we do not consider if anyone else would want to live in it, let alone visit it. We then reach a point where we must accept that our creation might need an alpha and beta reader’s point of view. But who are these alpha and beta readers and what is the difference between them?

Alpha readers and what they do

Alpha readers will read your novel at any stage you feel is required, they are there to bounce ideas off and give you another perspective as you develop your novel. Giving you prompts, pointers and support right through to the end of your first rough draft. 

Consider your story like a car you intend to build from scratch, and your alpha reader is someone helping you assemble the frame of your story. It is how the bits fit together to make a whole an alpha reader will look at. The alpha reader is your assistant giving you a fair criticism chapter by chapter of what they think is working and what is not. They are not there to check if you have crossed every T and used a comma in the right place; your grammar is not the alpha reader’s greatest concern. An alpha reader is an extra pair of eyes pointing out potential issues, such as if the dialogue is stilted or if a character’s backstory needs to be reduced or expanded.  

You should expect your alpha reader to be honest and clear with all their feedback. It will help you both if they have a sound knowledge of your genre, how you handle it and your book’s eventual marketability. 

Questions you could raise for an alpha reader:

1. Is the premise compelling?

2. Does the storyline meander or lose focus?

3. What are the main strengths of your novel?

What makes a good alpha reader?

1. They should always be understanding. This is your first draft, and they will work according to that. 

2. They give a good, balanced critique of the story. They should be encouraging but also be able to highlight any problems, such as the level of research required, convincing dialogue or a character’s motivation.

3. They should be able to determine the marketability of your novel. If it is strong enough to be a series of novels too.

4. They have a good understanding of your genre.

I suggest you make a list of what you want from the alpha reader before you proceed. There are some sites below you might like to check out. You can always ask your alpha reader if they are happy to read a sample of your work first and see how they respond to it. Having a couple of alpha readers might be beneficial - but only if you are comfortable with that.

What makes a poor alpha reader?

1. They are unnecessarily harsh and rude in their criticism of your work. Offer minimal feedback and give little advice.

2. They are not sympathetic to your genre. 

3. They are slow in responding.

As far as deadlines go, letting your alpha reader know if there is a time limit is prudent. Always set this up from the beginning. 

Beta readers and what they do

Unlike the alpha reader, the beta reader is looking at the finished manuscript. They are the ones who act as your potential customers. They will take a peek under the bonnet at the engine of your story. A beta reader will examine your character’s arcs, pacing, plotting, and if the dialogue is believable. They will also consider such factors as accuracy in research and if the story fits comfortably in your chosen genre. 

The beta reader’s job is to enhance your work with their suggestions. A beta reader is not a proofreader or sensitivity reader - these are separate groups. What you should expect from your beta readers is fair and constructive criticism of your work as a whole. If there are specific elements you wish them to pay special attention to, then don’t be afraid to ask. Create a list of questions you would like them to address, however, if they all have issues with the same segments, then take note. Whilst they are invested in your story as a reader, they have a level of distance to it to notice things you may have missed.

Questions you could raise for a beta reader:

1. Does the story grab their attention from the start? This is always worth asking.

2. Should you move any of the chapters around?

3. Are any of your characters not pulling their weight? 

Be aware that beta readers can contradict each other as each reader will bring their subjectivity to your manuscript. They are there to give you pause for thought. To suggest embellishments and help you decide if your novel is on the right track, but remember this is your novel and your voice. It is you who has the final decision on your story’s destination.

I would recommend between three to five beta readers to give balance. They are acting as your potential readers, so the more the better.

What makes a good beta reader?

1. They should be from the intended audience for your book. They should have a passion for your genre and, if needed, be age appropriate. 

2. They should be willing to respond in a sensible timeframe.

3. They are prepared to answer your questions. Give critical, but fair feedback and offer helpful hints.

What makes a poor beta reader?

1. They only give vague, one-paragraph feedback. 

2. They are not a wide reader of books.

3. They are very slow to respond.

Where to find alpha and beta readers

A good place to start finding your alpha and beta readers, if you are not a member of a local writing group, is on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Reddit. All of these sites have online writing groups and communities you can become a member of. Goodreads also has a beta reader site you can join. As these are sites for writers, and they offer to read your book for free, they might expect you to reciprocate by reading their work. 

You can also check out Reedsy, which has information and advice on alpha and beta readers. 

There are also professional sites like Fiverr, Upwork and Linkedin that all offer paid services. Critique Match offer both free and paid services. The costs on the paid sites can differ dramatically, so it is wise to do your homework and decide your budget. That way, you will find your perfect fit and writing buddy.

Lynne Taylor is a member of a writing group in Hull. She has a short story published in Hull Writers@ anthology Red Herrings and Dark Alleys. In 2016 she had a full-length play produced in her home city. Lynne is now actively seeking representation for her thriller. She also enjoys helping fellow writers hone their skills and loves a bit of research Lynne also has a BA hons degree in English.

Follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.