There is much debate among writer communities about whether beta readers should charge for their services. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a beta reader is someone who reads an author’s manuscript, typically before it has been published but sometimes afterward, and provides feedback and suggestions for improvement. The use of beta readers was made common by online fan-fiction communities such as FanFiction.net. The type of feedback offered by a beta reader may range from general commentary (what the reader "liked” or “didn’t like") to specific recommendations for strengthening the author’s work. Most authors hire beta readers for an idea of the sort of feedback they might receive from paying readers once their book is released. Others want a more comprehensive breakdown of the manuscript -- what worked, what didn't, and how to make it better. This sometimes involves the distribution of a beta reading worksheet, to make things easier and more organized for both the beta reader and the author.
Most beta readers don’t charge for their services. They work because they enjoy helping rising or established authors, or they do it simply for the love of reading. There are many others, however, who ask for compensation—usually a nominal fee—for their time and the quality of the service provided. As a member of several writer and editor communities on GoodReads, I've witnessed a steady rise in this trend over the past year. With that rise, I've also noticed an increase in backlash against beta readers who charge. For the most part, this backlash seems unfair to me—for reasons I'll delve into next. Why should I pay for a beta reading service? As a freelance editor who provides beta reading services, I have been asked a number of times why I charge for a beta-read (and have been told, sometimes not so nicely, that I shouldn’t). My general response is that I offer more than just a reader's opinion. My beta reading reports provide a thorough analysis of story elements, such as character and plot development and consistency, accessibility and flow of prose language, and level of engagement—something more akin to a manuscript critique. I've found that the authors I've worked with benefited more from this "deep-tissue" analysis than they might have had I just told them what I "liked" or "didn't like" about their books. I also don't know how effective the "liked/didn't like" approach might be, considering that readers' opinions may vary widely. Now, you might say that if a book is truly great or even just good, there won't be too many outliers among its readers. However, the differing opinions about bestsellers like The Lord of the Rings, the Millennium series, the Fifty Shades trilogy, and even the Harry Potter series (though, as someone who grew up with the Harry Potter books, I still struggle to wrap my head around that) prove that this isn't always true. I'm also of the opinion that expecting someone to spend hours of their time and energy providing feedback, at no cost to you, on a book from which you will profit financially, is as fair as charging exorbitant rates for a service that may not be of the highest quality ... which is often the concern of writers seeking beta readers. Of course, not all beta readers (or authors, for that matter) may agree with me—which leads me to my next point. More importantly, not all beta readers are also editors or have the experience or credentials to critique your novel. However, if you find a beta reader--with the proven ability to understand, critique, and provide suggestions for improving your novel--who requires payment for their services, don't automatically reject the idea of paying. You may miss out on an excellent opportunity to make your novel better. But ... do I have to pay for a beta reader? When should I pay for one? The short answer to the first question is no. If you're an aspiring author who has never worked with a beta reader before, don't feel pressured to pay for one just yet. Consider the unique needs of your novel or short story, as well as your general needs as a writer. Are you working on your first draft or your fifth? Do you struggle with undeveloped secondary characters, or are you worried that you haven't done justice to your PoC MC? Do you want to know whether the ending of your horror story is scary enough to satisfy readers, or are you still trying to gain a firm grasp on the genre as a whole? Until you gain a better sense of your novel's strengths and weaknesses, starting off with a handful of free readers might be your best bet. Afterward, you may either decide to stick with free readers or branch out to readers who charge for detailed services. Free readers can prove to be as valuable, or more, to your novel as paid readers. And sometimes you'll find that just because you paid for a service doesn't mean it will be high-quality. If really don't want to pay for a beta reader, or it isn't in the budget at the moment, consider other ways to thank your readers for their time. Many beta readers accept smaller forms of compensation like Amazon gift cards. Others might receive thanks for their hard work through a credit in the acknowledgements page of your published novel. As an author, you aren't obligated to provide any of these things, but they are an awfully kind way to thank your readers. All in all, finding a beta reader who will provide the sort of feedback you need for your book—and do a careful, considerate job of it—is hard work and may take some time, whether you plan to pay $0 or $100. Where can I find a beta reader who is worth the investment? I use the term "investment" here lightly. You shouldn't be paying upward of a hundred dollars for someone who is just going to give you a few opinions or general commentary. However, should you decide that you're open to paying someone for solid feedback, look to book and writer communities such as GoodReads, Absolute Write, World Lit Cafe, or even freelancing websites like Elance. BetaFinder is a great resource for authors who would rather not, or aren't yet ready to, pay for a beta reader. In this day and age, you could probably also find beta readers on Facebook, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. Communities that are specifically designated for writers and editors are more likely to feature serious readers (and writers) and less of a risk of plagiarism. You can also research freelance editors who offer beta reading services. Such editors can be found through a simple google search (e.g. "freelance editor beta reading") or a perusal through the directory of the Editorial Freelancers Association. If you want to learn more about beta readers, such as how they can be of use to you as a writer or how to become a better beta reader for authors, you can leave your questions below. I'd be happy to answer them. I also encourage you to check out this incredibly thorough guest blog post by Jami Gold for Anne R. Allen's Blog. You may also be interested in K.M. Weiland's "Quick Guide to Beta Reader Etiquette." Thanks for reading, and happy writing! —Eve Marie
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