Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Beta Readers
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
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I’m answering all your questions about beta readers! How? By giving you my step by step list for how to handle the beta reader process from the moment your book is ready to the moment the reviews are done. For those who aren’t aware, a beta reader is someone who reads your book well before it's published with the intention of giving you constructive feedback. In today’s video, I’m talking about when to recruit beta readers, how to find beta readers, how to share your book with beta readers, and more! Since you’re here, I’m guessing you’ve been all over Google trying to find the answer to, “How does the beta reader process work?" If so, make sure you stay 'til the end of this video, ‘cause I’m sharing exactly how to analyze beta reader feedback. Trust me, this can make all the difference. 📈
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Your Cyborg Queen
#JennaMoreci #CyborgQueen #CyborgArmy
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I don't think I would be able to find 20 trustworthy people to read my novel, and plagiarism scares the shit out of me.
+PabloTheOffender Tell me about it. I wanted to upload my book to Wattpad, but I was terrified someone would copy it from me, lol.
+PabloTheOffender You could have your beta-readers sign a non-disclosure agreement tailored to your situation.
Here in the UK at least, as your book is your intellectual property, you don't need to actively go to court to secure a copyright on it. If a piece of shit does end up plagiarising, just hit them up with the date you published your version.
@@ORCANORCA881 I've published my book on Wattpad and I'm kind of scared but also not because my book is crap and there's no copy and paste allowed. I'm gonna take it off in a few months to edit and possibly publish it though.
Yur buuk sux
Best line was:
"Oh, man. My neighbors must think I' nuts."
Don't worry Jenna. They KNOW you're nuts. As we all do.
She's not nuts, she's a Cyborg
Wait, I have to talk to people? Why do you think I'm writing a book? It's specifically so I can afford to buy food WITHOUT talking to people.
ikr
enginesnblades no. Writing means you have to talk to people more than usual jobs.
Obviouslyajokeisobvious.jpg
Many years ago I became a n engineer because I couldn't spell for, well, I was really bad at it. Then I found that half of what an engineer did was write flicking reports! My son, who has zero stranger anxiety, became a chef where he barely has to talk to anyone.
You can't always get what you want...
Can you make another video about beta readers?
What kind of sandwich should I feed my beta reader?
A vegetarian sandwich. xD
The Order Of The New World the best ones are the ones that wont have poison in them
I'll have to remember that next time.
tuna sandwiches. especially when the tuna is fresh and tasty
The Order Of The New World A well-written one, consisting of paper.
I wish all writers would watch these videos before asking for beta readers. I spent this last weekend beta-reading three people's novels. I'm pretty sure two of them were first drafts but they never said. There were no questions or areas I should focus on beforehand. But I read all three and gave feedback the same days they were sent to me. I've not heard from any of the authors since. No comments, no questions, no thanks or acknowledgement from any of them. My fedback was fairly general, since I hadn't been given direction, and I certainly didn't want to say, "Great first draft" if they turned out to be the 5th revision. It's time I could have spent working on my own writing. Please communicate with your betas, and at the very least, thank them for their time!
I've had this problem too! If I get too busy I always try to tell the author well in advance and apologize for my tardiness. Unfortunately no one seems to return the favor...
at some point a Beta reader social network should exist.....
It does (kinda): there is for example, goodreads... It seems sometimes there are more writers than readers
1. plagiarism is a real risk people. see a lawyer if you're that paranoid about it but otherwise there's not much you can do.
2. don't ask people to beta read here or anywhere else without giving ludicrous DETAILS about the book beforehand, and you've already finished a first draft. no one here can wait around 2 years for you.
That's very true. Some people will plagiarise ideas given to them by others, I don't really think I'm gonna share my book with anyone in the comment section though (not saying their bad people, just I'd prefer share my ideas with people I know and trust). And about your second thing, yeah, I agree. Though, I think when people give their details to the beta reader they shouldn't spoil the whole book, although just give the beta reader the basic plot details.
Pyro of course, seeing if they can predict the ending is a very important part of feedback, but no one should be saying,
"So does anyone here wanna beta read my story so far??"
Instead of,
"Beta readers needed for a 190 page second draft of a mystery, scifi, fiction novel with heavy themes of redemption and some sensual content. The story will be handed on a chapter basis, and conversaional feedback is excepted within 1 week of receival. Any ages wanted. Contact me at this email to volunteer, or find out more information: xXhillarysocoolXx696xX@hotmail.me
jim gordon but what If you give them a PDF or something like that and they spread the book online :l
Luna Bujalesky it's a real risk that every writer deals with... Nobody says I want to be an astronaut but I'm afraid I might die in space. You have to realize it's paranoia, and every astronaut already accepted the 0.2% chance it might happen already by the time their in space.
You can either contact a lawyer if it's that big of a deal, otherwise, just be humble enough to not think that your story is the best thing every written and the next best seller that everyone wants their hands on. Realistically, even if that does happen most likely 20 people will read it, and you can still publish as you see fit.
You can either take the low chance someone might take the whole book, copyright it, publish it, and they get rich off of it because its objectively that good,
Or not show anyone at all out of fear? If you want credit for your book you gain nothing from option 2 anyways...so give the book to them one chapter at a time, and continue with the ones you trust like every other amateur writer who can't afford a lawyer has always done since the dawn of time.
jim gordon its not like that xD I already have published my book :C but without beta readers so, its terrible XD you can search its Crónicas de Hyacintho-Tierra de Estrellas, I have the copyright and everything xd I dont do it for money but have it on paper cost money so.. Im worry that nobody buys it xD (sorry for my english xd)
"Writer folks plus statistics = brain malfunction." So true lol
But...but I like maths...
Haymitch Abernathy Same here! I'm studying theoretical math in college, but I'm a writing junkie too! :D
I'm a computer science major and author, so I can't really agree
".... If your Beta-Reader plagiarizes you, FUCKIN DUMP 'EM!"
.... *ANNNND* *GO AFTER THEM!!!!!!*
[[ LEGALLY, of course ^_~ ]]
BY HIRING HITMEN
The WattPad Reviewer
Yo, mannn ... last time *I* checked, hiring hitmen *doesn't* fall under the category of "legally" ... ^_~
+Brian Coverley What about Agent 47? looool
It is if you go to Somalia.
Am I the only one who freaked out because she said "Trust me, I'm a doctor." Because the doctor said "Trust me, I'm the doctor" to Amy Pond when she was little. Sorry. I'm a bit of a whovian, just a bit...
But really good and helpful video!
I thought I was the only one!
Kawaii Werewolf I GOT THAT TOO
Trust me, it's not just you.
Yes!!
I thought that I was the only writer into Doctor Who. Want to know another whovian writer, look up Shannon Messanger she's great!
Finding people to trust is really really hard. I had A very close friend of mine who said she would read my work, 6 months later she had not read a page and this was from somebody whom I talked to nearly every day. It was a bad experience, I eneded up very disheartened about it and lost motivation and became overly needy to her until she just plain stopped talking to me.
I'd love to have Beta Readers but I just don't have much trust left in people.
+Mick W I know what you mean. If I had a bunch of friends, I would just ask them to do it. Although, knowing that you're supposed to send one chapter at a time is a little better. My bf asked to read what I had so far and he only read up to chapter 2 lol. People can be very unreliable.
Moz'ART Designs
I mean, Jenna says to just post on facebook but, knowing my friends, I don't see myself getting a whole load of volunteers, most are not exactly the reading type (not to bury them, but I'm going to anyway). When I told one of them I was writing a novel the first thing he asked me was if there were 'any boobs and explosions'
lol, I never realised how crappy my friends were until I started thinking about it.
I'm not even going to tell them about it for the same reason. I know if I asked them to be beta readers they wouldn't take it seriously either. Hopefully, I can find reliable strangers lol.
Moz'ART Designs
well I'm happy to volunteer, message me if you like and we'll sort something out
Ok! And same here! When you're finished yours and need a beta reader, hit me up. :)
The whole idea of beta readers is great, but what if someone just takes your entire novel and gets it published? Specially if it's your first book for example - the book hasn't been published or professionally edited, so what the hell can you even do about it? Good luck proving it's your original work... Any tips?
+LunaLoona20 I'd imagine that you can show off the original file as evidence that it's yours. I dunno if all typing programs are the same, but Google Docs has a "revision history" tab so you can go back to previous versions with the dates included. With that in mind, you could go to the publisher and show it to them. The thief would obviously not have this information, only a copy of the file. Copies of files don't have revision history because they are basically copy and pasted onto a new document, meaning older dates and versions can't be looked up on them. Problem solved. lol
+LunaLoona20 Well, if a beta reader steals your idea, at least you know you have something really good.
My mother in law got a copyright filed before she sent hers out for beta reading.
that's very good, thank you!
Westhill Meadow - how do you do that?
Did I ever mention how amazing your hair is? It's so long and flowy~ Makes me regret my decision to cut mine xD
This video, as always, was very very helpful!
Do you beta-read?
+justyoureverydaygirl awww thank you :) I've learned that the longer it is, the less I have to do with it. I just let it do its thang :P
For me it was the oposite. It turned into a birdsnest so I chopped it all of and never have to worry about it.
Haymitch Abernathy same though
I paid for two of my four beta readers. I couldn't find any freebies after joining about 50 groups. But they all wanted romance from what I saw, and I write horror.
Best $50 I ever spent. They gave me this detailed chapter by chapter rundown on thoughts and emotions, then overall feeling and clearly outlined every single detail that I forgot because I already knew the story.
They also really praise you in small ways. "I loved this dynamic" "I forgot to leave comments because I just couldn't stop reading" things like that just make you glow, and makes the negative things less painful.
You're a Boone; a Godsend
[[ or as *I* like to say (now-and-then) these days, a *Goddess-Send* ]]
I'm finding your videos TRULY EYE-OPENING; JAM-PACKED with knowledge and insights I SORELY need...
I feel "Thank You" ... just barely "Cuts It"
Keep 'em [ the videos ] coming!!!
Awwww thank you!! ☺️☺️
these advice videos are like beata reading our novels before we've even written them.
lol thanks. are you working on anything now? if so what is it about? i love to hear about other people's projects.
very creative, i like that. will you express in the novel that its based on the zodiac characters??? what first made you want to write anything seriously?
that would be awesome! how old are you now and do you personally believe in zodiacs?
As a newbie writer, your videos help me put a lot. When I found them, I was the happiest little emotionless cyborg there ever was. Jenna, I can hardly find the words to thank you for your help. Now that the mushy stuff is out of the way, could you make a video on how to channel deep, raw depression and anger through writing?
I'm afraid someone will steal my book or idea. Is that healthy?
Why not register the copyright? It's cheap and easy.
I always choose lazy writers but book lovers or friends
Healthy? Probably not.
Reasonable? Yes, but that's what having loads of documentation on every draft and correspondence, as well as non-disclosure agreements are for (copyright laws can vary, look into those in your area. You may be fine as long as you can prove you wrote it first).
Also look into the techniques for making sure the documentation is proof. Mailing it to yourself (digitally and/or physically) tends to be a good way to put timestamps on things to show it was yours before the other person got their hands on it.
Most writers adore their book. Picture Gollum petting the keyboard muttering "My precious!" But eventually you'll have to kick that book out the door, because you have another precious to pet. (That's a horrible mixed meta pore, deal with it) You'll have backup copies of the process, so no worries if you take it to court. Make friends with an attorney, and mention his patronage (but not his name) to your beta readers.
Hi Jenna :D when you said dump your beta reader if they plagiarize you, I thought about it, then became terrified of using beta readers. How CAN you keep a beta from plagiarizing you?
Thanks, love the video!!
Jonathan Blevins To be frank, you can't really keep anyone from doing anything, right? I mean, you could go all out and have them sign some sort of non-disclosure/do-not-plagiarize-me-or-I-will-find-you agreement. But I just tell my betas from the start, "Please don't plagiarize me. It happened once, so I have to mention this. Plagiarism is not permitted." The fact that it was brought up alone is enough to freak 'em out and deter them (again, this is just from my personal experience).
With that said, the people you should be recruiting are "regular people:" people who like to read, not necessarily people interested in becoming writers, or people with any knowledge of the industry. And most of the time, we tend to hold our writing on a much higher pedestal than it deserves.
In closing, I have been *kind of* plagiarized once: by a student, and on a very, very small scale. She wrote a short story for her English class and sent it to me, stating that she was largely inspired by my book. Needless to say, the short story had my entire concept, just different character names. Not exactly plagiarism, but it was enough to get me to stop sending chapters to her. Other than that, I've had no problems in this area, and this experience was more comical than anything else.
Basically what I'm saying is, while plagiarism is indeed a real thing, the fear of it is usually unwarranted, at least from my experience.
Note to self: don’t trap them in an uncomfortable section of basement.
And a thing for fan-fiction writers, it's best to get people who are in the fandom you're writing for, cause if you ask a Black Butler fan to beta your Metal Gear fanfic, it's not going to go well... But do be sure to get all sorts of fandom peeps! Bring in the shippers, bring in the analysts, bring in that one guy who seems to know everything about the series (but make sure they're not a fake), bring in the villain lovers and the villain haters, bring in the veteran fans and the newcomers! It will really help. And bringing in fellow fans can also help you be sure characters aren't OOC, and some fans can help remind you "Hey! This thing happened and you forgot it!" Like a characters canon arachnophobia, or a point from their past. Fans can also help if you don't know every little detail about a chain of events, and you're having trouble getting detailed information. Like a seasoned fan can point out things that you missed, or things that don't quite fit or add up between canon and your fic. This can even help with AUs.
I somehow never thought about beta readers before I found your channel. I'm actually really looking forward to this step. The only people who have ever read my writing are friends and family. I'm really interested in non-partial opinions. :)
because of you i was inspired to begin writing ( in dutch) and i have written 20.000 words in 1,5 week!
bram paling awesome! congrats :) keep going!
As a psychology major just getting into writing....this talk abt statistics pleases me. I am so excited for this set. (If i ever finish even writing my draft)
Hey, Jenna Moreci can you maybe do videos Mondays too? And also Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays and I guess you can have Sunday off. Really though, I don't write (but I love editing writing) but I still just enjoy the heck outa myself when I watch your videos!
Even though I'm not a writer or a beta-reader, it was still entertaining to watch your video. And interesting, 'cause it's always nice to learn smth new about the process you knew nothing about.
RoseBooks aww thank you! :D
I have been a Beta reader and somehow I was not exactly what they were looking for in a Beta Reader. I would look and listen to their works and really think about aspects that NONE of the others would see or look at. Others in our group would be more about technical I was more about art. How did is visualize the scene, what I expected, and how it impacted me. I am not a strong reader so if I read something It has to be very impactful to me so my look was a bit different. I have always been different when I look at art, watch movies/tv, enjoy a book, listen to music. I would see it and feel it and give my impressions. It can be hard to be a Beta but for me not soo much because I tell it as I see and do not give a flying..... Thank you for a great video on Betas.
Dear Jenna,
I like you very much. Even if I didn't write novels I would watch you videos for fun. Please continue to take over the world.
Best,
Simone
"My neighbo(u)rs must think I'm nuts."
This is me everything when I'm home alone.
I think this is the first time I have signed in to comment on a video. Jenna, your videos have set my mind at ease in so many ways. Hearing about how other writers freak out helps me to not freak out. Also, you are hilarious and really seem to know what you're talking about. Swearing really puts me off, but you probably won't cut back just for lil old me, so I'll power through. I am writing my first book, an action adventure novel that I plan to publish on amazon. I'm at 75,000 words and pretty excited about how it's all coming together. I was planning on only having my brother proof-read it until this video changed my mind. I was wondering how you send chapters to beta readers. Is email safe? Or do you mail flash drives to everyone? That seems excessive. Is email really safe?
+UA-camMeg Really glad you're enjoying the videos :) I'm not sure what you mean by "safe," but I always email my chapter pdfs.
Everyone I asked to read the first chapters said they loved the way I write, but just one finished what I sent (about 35 pages a4) so I'm inclined to not trust then and stop sending material. I think they are trying to be nice, but are making my work harder.
Great video! It's exciting now that I'm getting into writing my book to think about the prospect of having people read it. The questions and writing it down are really good ideas that I will defiantly use. Thanks!
I have a critique partner/beta reader, and I swear she misses sentences sometimes. I don't know how, but she does. I'll email her a bit of my book, and she'll be like "why didn't this happen?" or "how did the character get here?". And it's literally written right there in the story. Once I had to send her the exact same paragraph three times before she finally clued in.
blackmarket lol. haha the hurt is so deep, Love your humour Jenna! This info was GOLD btw, thank you! I heard about you through UA-camr PeeJay who mentioned your book "Eve" on the Keen and Able Channel. i think i'll do a youtube video to ask if any subscribers would be interested in Beta reading, i didn't know about it till today, haha
I've been doing this differently. I converted the book to pdf and just started using the comment function to make notes everywhere. I think it's just because I focus on detail.
Your jump-cut humour is such fun. Best thing about your videos.
Thank you so much!! I was very worried and annoyed to do this process! I thought it was a waste and stupid, lol, that's me. But it sounds really helpful, I think it will help my story be so much better. Not that I'm even close for this stage yet. But it's nice to know what to prepare for it.
I had one beta reader who offered solid comments both good and bad. Glad she did becuase I was able to rewrite sections to make the story better.
I would never have thought that the antagonist would necessarily be one of the least favourite characters. I always want the antagonist to get their comeuppances, but find they are some of the more interesting characters.
Honestly, I've just found your channel today, and I think it's great! Not just because you have AMAZING advice but because you're sooo hilarious! I've been writing a novel for a couple of months now and you've given such great tips and pointers to keep going! I'm glad I've found this channel, keep up the good work
I know its cynical but I'm worried that someone might try to take my work or something similar, so how can I avoid this?
What I'd do, is get maybe your friend or neighbour, basically anyone you can trust really and give them passages of your story.
yh thats a good idea, I just realised how cocky my comment was, I didn't mean that it would be so good someone will take it but that I might be on to something and someone could get there before I do if that makes sense
+GamingNoobs101 you really must expect your concept to be a huge hit world wide huh?
I don't really understand what your comment means? Could you explain please
+GamingNoobs101 Woah, calm down there man...calm down...no one's perfect. I came and replied to you to give you advice. Don't expect your book to be "so good" someone will steal your idea, people steal ideas for different reasons, don't get too cocky with the beta reader process as it's rare that people plagiarise when beta reading in the first place and sometimes you don't always get good" feedback. Still, take my advice, though as there's always the possibility.
Hi Jenna. I must have watched this five times over already. I'm finally moving on to my Beta Reading process and your videos are infinitely helpful in making one and putting a personal spin to it. Thank you a million times over!
Hi Jenna! Thank you for sharing this video. I definitely could have done with more beta-readers before I launched my debut. It went OK but stats for the second book warns something wasn't meshing (a lot of the wrong readers grabbed book one and the ending needed work). I've since started to relaunch the whole series and am recruiting beta-readers this time around (not just because of the above issues - writing style changes caused a lot of the relaunch too).
Thanks again for sharing this video. I especially found it helpful to hear about not only that you suggest giving beta-readers chapters and then getting feedback before sending the next, but that you interviewed them afterwards instead of just sending questions to answer. Very helpful and a lot to think about. Thanks again!
I need to sent my book to beta readers soon and I'm SO nervous! Like, I'm properly scared. Thing is, I know they're looking forward to reading my book and they're only trying to help, but I'm scared to show something so personal and have it judged.
I wanted to share it here, because I think you'd understand even though the people I can talk to at home don't
One of my beta actually said she did hope the love interest died in my series. But that was in the second book, by the fourth book she was rooting for him
I have a character in my first book who, after his children both become zombies, dispatches both of them without a second thought... he does occasionally think about how it's strange that he doesn't have any feelings at all. He is clearly and obviously established as being a sociopath. My first beta reader hated the character and stopped reading it because of him, because he didn't get that this character was the villain. Every other reader got it. It was bizarre and frustrating.
Hi, I'm a new subscriber, and I really enjoy your blunt language and honest opinions. There is one area I have trouble with. Knowing when the story is done. I have a bad habit of continuously adding new material, new problems, or new plots all together. I know this is a good thing because it can keep the story interesting, but I know there needs to be a limit. One novel I'm working on is going to be a series, but I'm not sure when it is a finished product. The longer I ponder an idea the better it gets. This makes it hard to work on because I keep thinking I can make this better in time, but eventually time is going to run out. Please help!
Question: How should my perception of the interview answers change if I'm writing a multi-book series?
For example, asking about plot holes. When I had people beta parts of the first book, they repeatedly mentioned plot holes; those particular plot holes are filled in in the next several books, so I haven't payed much attention to those comments. But then my betas were too confused to continue reading, and therefore never got far enough to get the answers. I'm not sure how to fix that, without tearing my entire plot web apart...
Another example, making the antagonist a least favorite character. The "biggest" antagonist is not revealed until the last book, though she is present in all five; the first four books concentrate on her ignorant pawns. So, to keep the mystery while still pushing towards the big reveal, should I consider it positive or negative feedback that many of the betas I mentioned above consider her a favorite character?
I think that in a defined series (which is planned to a certain number of books) it is harder to work with beta reader criticism on plot holes. It is much easier to write when sequels are not necessary to the first book. However, your sort of series sounds like it could be awesome, so if you already have five planned books, then I have a few suggestions (even though I've never written a series other than with children's books):
1. Try to make the first book secure on its own. I don't mean you have to tie up every loose end or reveal plot twists, but people want to finish a book feeling satisfied and eager for more. There has to be enough intrigue to carry over, but the over-arching plot of the book should be pretty much completed on its own. Perhaps reveal something important? Or get your character to discover a detail which seems significant? You can drop things that are vital later in the series early on, but don't make the first book absolutely dependent on them. It sounds like you have this almost perfect with your different antagonists, but I haven't read the book so obviously don't know the details.
2. Develop your main antagonist. I think it's amazing that your betas like her. That is impressive on your part. Just make certain that when they look back after the big reveal, it makes sense. It can be a shock, but it has to make sense, which I'm sure it does. One of my favourite series does something kind of similar and it's brilliant.
Honestly, your story sounds amazing from the little I know. Carry on and keep writing. I'll look forward to it being published!
Dang, that sounds awesome. What’s the title? As I apparently missed my chance to beta read, I’ll have to buy it I guess.
Okay, one clarifying question: Should I finish the entire first draft of my manuscript before I start the beta reading process, or should I write each chapter after I get feedback from the one before it?
Great video by the way!
I get the distinct feeling we come from pretty opposed ends of the writing spectrum, at least as far as our goals go. Just to be clear: with the beta readers, are you trying to get all the readers to (ideally) agree with one another on what is or isn't likable?
Anyways, a very interesting video nonetheless. Glad to hear the penguin is all right!
Geofrey Crow complete agreement will never happen. the goal is to acquire data. people will have different opinions, but there will inevitably be distinct trends. Pay attention to them.
Your beta-readers will let you know about plot holes you missed, information you presented incorrectly, references you made that are potentially offensive, and themes or concepts that are just not coming across the way you intended.
As far as goals go, mine is to write unique stories I'm passionate about that inspire and entertain my readers :)
Could you talk about writing epilogues in your next video.
I was about to ask how to get beta readers in your last beta video but I figured I should check this one to. Glad I did lol ^.^
Do beta reader interviews have to be in person? Like... if I set up a system where my beta readers log onto my website. The first time they log in, they fill out a demographics survey. As each chapter is ready for beta reading, there are a couple questions at the end of some of the scenes. There would be a couple buttons that act as a like and dislike (Interesting, not Interesting) for what's visible or highlighted, which you can spam press and it counts as data. Maybe mood buttons below those associated with pieces of content in the same manner. Then at the end of the chapter, there's a long long questionnaire. Readers get scored on how much feedback they give (length of answers, how many times they said 'no opinion'), and if some are severely worse than others, they get disinvited from future chapters. And then all the data would be compiled with analytics.
Do you think that automated system like that would be too impersonal to get beta readers and to get good feedback from them?
I definitely wouldn't say the antagonist should be a least favorite character. Disliked as a person, maybe, but having a sucky, cliché, badly written villain is tooooootally different. So being specific is important. If I were beta reading and the author asked me "who is your favorite/least favorite character?" I definitely would think they meant objectively, as in interesting and well written. NOT that you meant, most likeable human being, etc.
Yet another great vlog, thanks Jenna - any advice on motivating your beta's to get done? They are all "I'm really enjoying your writing" & "please keep sending!" (my book is in 3 parts so have sent it out in 3 sections thinking I was doing them a favour, silly me) then they take months to get back to me! Sooooo bloody frustrated with chasing them down while not actually swearing at them. Time to warm up the cattle prod?
divide it in smaller segments and set deadlines for them. 1 week for 2 chapters is perfect.
You posted this video just in time for me. Great video!
Joel Hunter Gun awesome! thank you :D
I shouldn't be watching videos about beta readers, marketing, and publishing when I'm still writing the story. I get super anxious about it and forget that I still have yet to finish the story in the first place.
Hey it's jiffy again just watch this video. I didn't know what I was doing, I didn't know what to call it beta reading I had 10 people to read my manuscript before was completely edited so according to you I did the right thing because the feedback was great even had one lady say my book was a man's book I don't know why because it was some's graphic love scenes of course a man would love that but again your video has been most helpful be in a want to be in on the verge of being one a creative writer that is your unbelievable hope you read this response can remember my name jiffy day I know it was a nickname during high school but that's my writing name also thank you again.
I write and draw comics. I'm racking my brain on how to implement beta readers, maybe show sketched pages?
I would suggest sending them storyboards with notes or actually writing out a page or so describing what is happening either in that page or chapter, that is how a lot of comic book writers work with their artists. I think it would be applicable to beta readers. You would send them what is essentially an outline so they can make sure there are no obvious problems before you draw everything out. Once that is done, move on to the rough sketches or storyboards, so they can help you with perspectives and being able to visually see what needs to be on the page to get the story across. Does that make sense? I hope this helps.
WoW!!, thanks so much for this video. Totally overlooked this process and would hugely benefit from Beta Readers. Looking forward to first completing the story and then getting to this :D Thanks again.
I'm at the beta reader stage in my work and I found your suggestions very helpful, thank you.
This has been one of the best videos Iv seen on beta readers. THANK YOU
So I'm almost done self edititng and combing and I'm curious...how do you know when someone is giving you advice that's solid v.s. an oppinion? How can you tell if someone just likes being a critic because they know you need advice? Go off gut or is their signs? I'm really open to changes even if they hurt but do you need to be careful not to change the heart of the story? By the way your videos just get more awesome. Can't wait to read your book! Already talking to people about it lol
Nikki Strycharz Aw, thanks for the kind words :) So glad you're excited for EVE!
Everything anyone tells you will be an opinion, bottom line. Reading is subjective. Unless you're really good at reading people (which is a skill that takes time to acquire, and a lot of people never master it), it'll be hard to determine if an opinion is valuable. That's why you need to ask as many people as possible for their opinions, and then look for correlations and trends. If 75% of people think your protagonist sucks, then that's something worth noting. If only one douche lord hates the protagonist, then that person is just a douche lord :P
Perfect! You need to be a paid writing teacher lol
hahaha, thanks!
Great advice..I've been using acquaintances for beta readers rather than close friends, that's working about 50% of the time. Great video...by the way....how did you get so smart???
This is such helpful stuff! I definitely plan on using your tips when I finish my book. Love your videos! :)
My mom and I loved your freak out
I'm writing a fan fiction story and want to know, how do you protect yourself from a beta reader or critique partner posting your story as their own?
These videos are so good theyre worth archiving.
"You need a lot of beta readers, 20 minimum."
The beta readers I'm trying to recruit: *3. Take it or leave it.*
I had beta readers read my first two chapters. Everyone's opinion was different. Some great some straight depressing, one thing was consistent; every one liked the story, even the people who had bad things to say
Thank you for posting. I will find a new batch.
Welp, I think I'm doing this all wrong. This is my first time using beta readers, and I only have six, and they are all friends of mine. I'm almost done with the 3rd chapter and I still have betas who haven't read the prologue I sent out weeks ago.
Or the first chapter.
I get that they're busy with school and/or work so I'm being patient, but still.
And after watching this video I realize that I'm skipping the interview process altogether. The betas just send me little things they find wrong, like typos, sentences that don't flow right, confusing bits of scenes...but that's it. I don't ask them anything specific.
I'll have to make sure I'm doing this right next time...
I forewarned my beta reader there might be a few mistakes in my manuscripts. Leon said he expected that to be the case.
But do you have to trust someone with your work before you send them your book to beta it? Should you officially copyright the book first?
Hey Jenna! Great video as always!! I do have a few questions though about Beta readers:
1.) can I have a "worksheet" or contact them through email when it comes to asking them questions on my book?
2.) after I am done with my first set of beta readers should I start a second one?
3.) random question- but have you ever thought of pursuing comedy in writing? I think you would be great at it (:
chunkymonkey9097 And I've got answers!
1) I've done this before, and it sucks. Sometimes people misunderstand questions, or they don't give enough detail in their answers, or you need to ask follow up questions. Sending an email worksheet doesn't allow you to address any of this. Plus, it gives people time to think about their answers, which makes them less apt to be honest--they'll be trying to sound professional instead. When I've done worksheets in the past, I've regretted it, and I was only able to work with about 70% of the answers.
2) Yes. Make changes that definitely need to be made, and then do another cycle. I do my cycles in groups of ten people (hard to manage more than that at once).
3) You're so sweet! I actually include a lot of humor in my writing. That's my favorite part of beta reviews--hearing which parts made readers laughed. It always gets me excited :)
Okay, these tips helped out a lot, thank you!!!! And gahh I know, I need to read more of your work! I graduate high school tomorrow and then I have all summer break to read and write (and read your work!! (: like the first 3 chapters of Eve haha). If it has humor than I can't wait to read it (:
Yay!! :D :D And omg, congrats on your graduation, how exciting :D
Side note: I can always send ya a couple extra chapters, yanno.
Thanks!!!! I'm free this summer, so I have plenty of time to finally sit and take some time to read/write. I would love to get a hold of extra chapters! (: That would be great actually, thanks!
Hit me up on Facebook when you're done with the first 3, and I'll see what I can do ;) facebook.com/authorjennamoreci
wow! this is some good shit!!!!!!!!!! i gotta get my questions together! as well as my sheet to analyze the gathered data... wait... why am i scared now?
GoddessProductions don't be scared! the data analysis is (surprisingly) fun. you'll start to feel like a psychoanalyst.
oooh... two hats! look at me lol! thank you Jenna... you TRULY rock!!!
you're so welcome! :D
I've watched this video a bazillion times. You are awesome.
really useful to hear about your methods!
You make my day. Thanks for the advices. I always listen to you with a smile
Do you pay Beta Readers? It seems like quite the commitment on their part.
Great videos, by the way!
Just got my first butt ripping beta return. What is frustrating is that it seems very thorough but while reading the comments, it becomes obvious there were a lot of subtle points the reader didn't catch. What do you usually do when you get one of these? How do you not let this get you down?
This was very helpful. Thank you.
I love this video! All of my questions were answered
Are the best beta readers master bata-ahs? Good video, thanks, very entertaining and informative.
This was great! Thank you.
Such great trips!!! and entertaining too ;)
"My neighbors must think I'm nuts."
Honestly with me I'm not sure why they haven't called the Insane Asylum yet.😂
I write Adult Fantasy Fiction. Adult being code for graphic sexual content. Finding BETA readers on the internet has been nothing short of a nightmare from the ninth level of hell. In fact out of all the "Yes, I would love to read your novel." One has come through for me. Not that my story isn't worthy of being read, but because most people don't understand the importance of BETA reading. So if you are interested (anyone can do this), or have some advice on finding BETA readers let me know.
hey Jenna love your videos. I'm writing my first book The First Prophecy and so far it's really short. any tips on how to make it longer?
+Jared C Subplots and more showing, less telling :)
Cool video Jenna, really like the presentation, i have the same meltdown every time :)
so funny
DEEPAK MURALEEDHARAN I had that meltdown last night! LOL
I've never had a negative reaction to any of my beta readers. I've never understood the compulsion for people to take stuff so personally. You asked them to do this. Why freak out?
Great video Jenna loving your advice.
Question! I'm working on an all-ages graphic novel and would love to use beta readers for the script stage, however, my main audience would be 9-14-year-olds who I either don't know personal or I fear wouldn't have the patience to read a script and send feedback. Should I just keep to adult or late teen betas?
Definitely tell people of there is adult content in your book. Some of us don't want to read about kanoodleing.
very helpful thanks!
For anyone in need, goodreads groups are actually amazing for finding beta readers.
Love this video, I'm trying to recruit beta readers now and this is a great guide! And you're so funny, love it!
+Crystel Vrana sigh i can be anyones beta reader who wants one sooo yh just msg at ashes10.ab@gmail.com
+Ashley Bourne Do you like fantasy? That's the genre mine falls in along with adventure.
Crystel Vrana yes I love does genres
+Ashley Bourne I'll send you an email, and we can chat a bit see if it will work out.
okay cool
am looking forward to reading it
and I would like u to read mine to
do u like romance?
Thanks for the information.
Random note: My brain kept thinking "betta", as in the fish, or "beta", as opposed to an "alpha (male)".
Hi jenna i was just wondering out of the blue completely randomly if you would be a beta reader for my book in about a week/month when i finish it. It is fantasy and..... you will be getting interviewed seconds after reading each chapter and such or are you too busy writing and vlogging?
Recently i have been watching a lot of how to write videos and you seem to know what you are doing so i was going to ask some of the people who i have been watching a lot :)
Lol, you are like a mind reader or something, when i was re-writing a love scene you made a video about love interests, now that i´m interviewing beta-readers you made a video about beta reading (very useful by the way) talking about that, yesterday i was interviewing to one of my beta readers about a certain chapter, and she was like; "Well, i think that part was too bloody", and i thought, "Well, i can think about someone who would say something like "that scene needs more red splatters... Oh, and more dead people... maybe one or two winged aliens..." Ok, not the last one lol, awesome video as always! How was the wedding? or was it a bachelorette party? Cheers!
Tony Pokker I'M IN YOUR HEAD O_o So glad I'm able to help! It's funny that you mention the bloody thing, because just the other day I was writing a fight scene, and I spent the entire afternoon looking for parts to add more blood to :P
It was a bachelorette party! The wedding is in July. It was fun--we went to Disneyland :) I've got pics on Instagram if you want to check 'em out: instagram.com/jennamoreci
Awesome pics, specially the one on the terror tower lol, the mickey ears reminded me when i went to disney with my family, i was eight, and my dad´s screening for selecting the "cool" rides was; "The longer the line, the better the ride must be", so we got into the longest we could find, several hours later... we were on a small room where you could take a picture with mickey mouse or get his autograph... that was it... worst part... we already had the mickey´s stinky autograph lol... i guess that´s where i satarted to think about blood... die mickey, die!!!! So... you got away with adding blood to the scenes?
LOL! I never wanna wait in line to meet the characters. I mean, seriously, they're just people in costumes.
And of course! You gotta make fight scenes visceral and bloody. That's what makes them exciting :)
Jenna Moreci They´re just pople in costumes???!!!! Naaaahhh... you are kiddin with me... right? right?... You and you silly jokes, what´s next? That santa claus is actually some kind of invention of our parents, LOL, you crack me up Jenna!
All. Fake.
But unicorns are totally real :P
Since you have an outline, do you think it would be a good idea to send out the first chapter to your beta readers during the writing phrase? Like, let's say you're writing chapter five, and you think it's a good idea to bring the first chapter to beta readers, just so you know you're not screwing it up. Is that a good idea? (Also, I'm kinda getting a list of beta readers ahead of time, would you mind? The book I'm writing is fantasy. There will be bloody action, a romantic subplot, magic, & homosexuality. Interested?)
Shannon Niersbach I usually start the beta process while I'm still writing for that reason. I don't want to get too far into the story only to find out I have to rewrite everything (though that's never happened, fortunately). It's not a method I'd recommend to everyone, but it works for me. I started the beta-reading process of my current novel when I was still writing chapter six.
Your book sounds a lot like the one I'm working on right now :P Unfortunately I'm not able to beta-read for anyone at the moment. Too busy!
Jenna Moreci I haven't even started writing yet, but if you could when I actually need the beta readers (in other words, when I reach like chapter 6), that would be awesome.