Beta Reader Overview

The book has been completed and self-edited. First, authors are often so familiar with the story in their head that they miss what has not been adequately transferred to the page. They are blind to some types of errors. Second, characters are so embedded in the author’s conscious that they cannot take a first-read perspective as the person purchasing the book and having the story come alive will do.

That is the purpose of the Beta Reader. You are reading the novel for the first time. Can the author translate the book in his head to the book on the page? Does the story come alive in your mind?

1. By the end of the first chapter

● What did you feel that I, the author, promised you, the reader, would happen in the story?

2. At the end of each chapter

● What did you like most and hate most?

● Were the characters and their motivations believable?”

● What questions did you have at the end?”

3. At the end of the book

● Did I fulfill the promise(s) I made at the beginning

● Did you feel that the story was faithful to history

● Describe the overall “read” of the book, was/was not it compelling, riveting, interesting … in your words

● Did I end the story so that you had the feeling that you wanted to purchase the next book in the series?

While reading the novel, please add editorial notes into the text whenever the following occurs:

Most Important

● Any place and any time you get confused

● Any time during the book where you felt “dropped out” or “disconnected” to the story

● Are there any parts of the story that drag?

Important

● Comment with your thoughts/feelings as you read, even if it is to say, “Ooh, I did/didn’t like this”.

● When I led you to predictions certain events would happen, did they? (This allows me to gage how people read the book. It also helps pinpoint where changes need to be made and gives me a feel for how you reacted to the story.)

● During the story, point out things you particularly liked or disliked

● Comment only where important about the following

- Pacing

• Does each scene flow naturally into the next?

• Did you feel there were any areas that skipped over information?

• Does the pacing feel balanced — and are there any areas that are too slow or too intense?

• Are there any exposition dumps (places I over-inform the reader) which you struggled to get through?

- World-building

• Can you see the world clearly while reading?

• Can you see the action clearly while reading?

• Can you see the characters clearly while reading?

• Can you describe what the main characters look like?

- Characters

• Was it clear who is talking?

• Does the dialogue sound natural and realistic?

• Does the character development feel natural?

• Are there any out-of-character moments?

• Do any of the characters feel cliché or stereotypical?

- General

• Who is your favorite character and why?

• Who is your least favorite character and why?

• What is your favorite part and why?

• Did you have a least favorite part? What is it and why?