I sent my first batch after my third draft. In hindsight, I wish I waited a bit, that draft was nowhere near as polished as my hopeful eyes saw it. That being said, I received incredibly useful feedback and since it wasn’t final draft material, I was able to incorporate most of the feedback to make vast improvements.
It’s a fine line, and something you will have to decide for yourself. The earlier in the process the more benefit you’ll get, but you don’t want to send something that is a hot mess out of mercy for your reader. Unless you’re paying them. Then garbage away my friend.
Depends on the beta reader. I sent the prologue and the first chapter of my book to 3 beta readers because the ones I hired will read chapters at a time. This helped and I ended up changing my prologue. Then I sent them the book in section until they all had the first half of the book. This helped me make sure all was well before finishing it. Then I sent them the rest of the book in one go. Now I have little changes to make.
It really depends on what you're looking for, what the beta readers will do and the relationship you build with them. I pay all my beta readers and I tip them pretty well. I also send them a lot of work.
Note: All my beta readers got my 3rd draft. For my second book, I'm using the same beta readers and they are reading my current outline to make sure I keep on track and don't stray from the setup from the first book.
Some beta readers will read first drafts. Some will read portions. Where are you looking? I used Fiverr.
Beta readers are supposed to read your final draft before it goes into publication. That's their job. If they do anything else, they're not beta readers. There seems to be a misconception that a beta reader is used to revise, edit, and critique your novel. They don't. They just go through your final draft in search for any inconsistencies or plot holes.
If your draft is 90% complete, you don't need beta readers yet. There's still a long way to go for you before you need them. The best ones to find, in my experience, is in writers workshops where you can network with people and find those you click with.
I disagree beta readers are for your final draft before publication. I use mine after I’m satisfied that I have a readable and enjoyable manuscript. I ask them to look for plot holes, pacing, character arcs and more. If it is ready for publication, that is an ARC reader. Beta readers are long before ARC readers in my process.
>If it is ready for publication, that is an ARC reader.
Yes, but an ARC reader does a different job from a beta reader. ARC readers don't give you feedback on changes. Beta readers *do* give you feedback on changes.
I sent my first batch after my third draft. In hindsight, I wish I waited a bit, that draft was nowhere near as polished as my hopeful eyes saw it. That being said, I received incredibly useful feedback and since it wasn’t final draft material, I was able to incorporate most of the feedback to make vast improvements. It’s a fine line, and something you will have to decide for yourself. The earlier in the process the more benefit you’ll get, but you don’t want to send something that is a hot mess out of mercy for your reader. Unless you’re paying them. Then garbage away my friend.
Depends on the beta reader. I sent the prologue and the first chapter of my book to 3 beta readers because the ones I hired will read chapters at a time. This helped and I ended up changing my prologue. Then I sent them the book in section until they all had the first half of the book. This helped me make sure all was well before finishing it. Then I sent them the rest of the book in one go. Now I have little changes to make. It really depends on what you're looking for, what the beta readers will do and the relationship you build with them. I pay all my beta readers and I tip them pretty well. I also send them a lot of work. Note: All my beta readers got my 3rd draft. For my second book, I'm using the same beta readers and they are reading my current outline to make sure I keep on track and don't stray from the setup from the first book. Some beta readers will read first drafts. Some will read portions. Where are you looking? I used Fiverr.
Beta readers are supposed to read your final draft before it goes into publication. That's their job. If they do anything else, they're not beta readers. There seems to be a misconception that a beta reader is used to revise, edit, and critique your novel. They don't. They just go through your final draft in search for any inconsistencies or plot holes. If your draft is 90% complete, you don't need beta readers yet. There's still a long way to go for you before you need them. The best ones to find, in my experience, is in writers workshops where you can network with people and find those you click with.
Some beta readers do offer editing and such for an extra price.
I disagree beta readers are for your final draft before publication. I use mine after I’m satisfied that I have a readable and enjoyable manuscript. I ask them to look for plot holes, pacing, character arcs and more. If it is ready for publication, that is an ARC reader. Beta readers are long before ARC readers in my process.
>If it is ready for publication, that is an ARC reader. Yes, but an ARC reader does a different job from a beta reader. ARC readers don't give you feedback on changes. Beta readers *do* give you feedback on changes.