Why should authors seek Beta readers? Why set additional time aside in your release cycle to consult with a team of folks? Why go through the painstaking work of assessing, adjudicating and incorporating reader inputs? Because it helps. A lot.

I’m sure there are many ways to state how Beta readers positively impact an author’s work. As many as there are authors. In my mind, I lump these benefits into three main categories, with a fourth lesser benefit added in for extra credit.

Encourage Good Storytelling

In those instances where I’ve written a good story, it’s good to have someone else, “Hey, I liked that!” It’s even better to have readers tell me why they enjoyed one of my stories. I often find myself speeding toward a book release, filled with trepidation and self-doubt. Is it ready? Does it need something else?

Having someone else come along and say, “good job,” is not only encouraging, but necessary. I’m always thankful for readers that take the time to do that for me. I don’t see this as merely a confidence boost, though, but rather validation that the story has connected. I need that because though I write the stories I’d like to read, I also want to share them with others.

Lend Fresh Perspective

But stories are seldom perfect right out of the gate. Something can always be better. Often something needs to be better. Having readers highlight where things didn’t make sense–what confused them, what threw them off the story, what character action didn’t strike them as consistent–also proves extremely helpful.

In most instances this feedback tells me I need to clarify and explain better. It points out where I need to provide better foundation for what happens. More often than not, what seemed obvious or straightforward to me was anything but for someone else. A simple reader question or comment lets me know why and guides me to find a fix for the highlighted problem. In short, a fresh set of eyes lends me the invaluable perspective that shows me how to improve the way readers connect with the story and vice versa.

Highlight Needed Changes

Then there are those cases where things need a bigger fix. I recently had (what I see now as) a great experience with a Beta reader that showed me one of my stories needed some major surgery. It happened with Quantum Law. I thought it was just about ready for prime time, as a single novel, and this Beta reader said, “you know, I think your story has a lot more there.” Where I saw one, he detected three stories.

I set his comments aside and took a few weeks to let them sink. I’m really glad I did. As a result, I will be releasing Quantum Law as two separate novels, with a third (set in the future) installment to come out later. This would not have happened without the hard work and insight of this one Beta reader, and my willingness (after heartache and consternation) to accept his insights and act on them.

If that weren’t enough, Beta readers often also point out little to not so little nits, like typos, grammar faux pas, and other offenses. For all those things, great and small, I am deeply thankful to those who dare take on one of my stories before it is ready for prime time. Were it not for them, they never would get there.

Would you like to be considered for future Beta reading opportunities involving books I have in the works? If so, use this form to join up. Note that you will also be added to my Reader’s Club, which entitles you to download the current batch of free eBooks I am offering.