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Earlier in my career, I would have been eager to hire a beta reader, before I could get them for myself. But I have over 35 books published at this point. If I cannot find beta readers to read for free, then this is a book I should bother to invest my time in.

Note that by "beta reader" I mean input into the story and characters, how they're enjoying the read, not line editors, nor even advance reviewers (though I expect my betas to do that too.)

*book I shouldn't bother...

I understand that lots of beta readers are often other authors who aren’t making much money, so I’m not against paying a little. However, I have two books out, plus one on pre order and two in various stages of writing. My books sell ok, on average 200 a month, but I only charge between 99 pence to £2.99 so I don’t make much money and I can’t afford to pay beta readers much.

I don't make a lot of money, so for the most part I prefer to exchange works, but if they're not authors themselves, I could save and pay up to $50.

Beta reading should be free. Lots of people want to read free books and for betas, it’s not required to give lots of feedback. Beta reading is a basic I liked this, I did not like that, and a simple explanation for the why. That much for a free book is a fair trade

If I know that a beta reader is good, I can pay more, but when it's the first time, it's hard to risk it. Many well recommended betas don't do much.

Swapping bookswith another author to beta read is great, but sometimes I find it's a bit transactional or people skip over details that could be improved to say only the nice things (which feels good but ultimately defeats the point of having a beta reader). If, however, someone is a professional editor, they're trained in the field and have experience, then I think $150 for a beta read is very fair.

I've never charged to betaread, but I perhaps would if I were a trained developmental editor. It all depends on who the reader is and what the author's goal is (self publish, release for free, submit to agents, publishers etc.).

Borbala wrote: "Beta reading should be free. Lots of people want to read free books and for betas, it’s not required to give lots of feedback. Beta reading is a basic I liked this, I did not like that, and a simpl..."

Paid beta readers actually usually give you much more than that. However, you often get what you pay for.

In the past, I've paid £74 for a beta read, but I got a PDF report and inline comments within the manuscript. On top of this, I was sure the reader was going to give me feedback to help improve my story, not push their own ideas on how my story should be written. Paying for beta readers can be a bit hit-and-miss, so this is the most I'd pay for an 80,000-word story.

It is a tricky one. Some beta readers are brilliant. I had one who was so good that he stopped doing it, became an editor and now charges 100s. Good for him but too expensive for me 😂 . Others who have been less or worse good! I have done beta reading too and sometimes you just feel- this is a good story, I can’t think of anything to improve it. Other times you think - hey I’m inspired- do this, do that. Beta readers are only human too 😂🤸‍♂️��

Hi All: I have mixed feelings & experiences w beta readers:
1. I was a development (of scripts) intern who read and wrote reports on movie scripts for free while when I was a budding screenwriter w a new degree in film.
2. Later, I got paid $75.00 a script or book by a producer. Books should have been triple bcuz of the time to read and outline a whole book, and I had to write on a much longer story, if it would make a film, therefore a much longer report.
3. When I became a novelist years later after writing many scripts, I searched for beta readers after my book was edited by my retired editor. Never found one.
4. After giving away hundreds of books for 3 books posted, on Kindle promotion giveaways, not one taker EVER returned the implied contract, "if I'm giving this book away, plz be courteous enough to review it, as it represents years of work; writer and editor."
5. And even after advertising, the book(s) still languish unseen, I truly and deeply believe from lack of beta readers who would review and post that review.
6. After listening to successful writers' own podcasts, they attribute scads of loyal and relied upon beta readers who post positive reviews as soon as new book came out and w every new book writers post, for their success.
***SO BETA READERS make or break the success of an author.**
Your thoughts?
Thanks for reading...
P.S. "Development" beta readers as mentioned above, edit line by line (if they want to) and help w all problems, helping to flesh out the story. That invest of their time and talented ability to increase profitability of book, therefore they should be paid.
a. There are development editors too who are professionals.

I read Cara’s comment and I was interested in the premise that beta readers review and so make or break a book. As far as I know none of my beta readers ever posted a review, and I didn’t actually expect them to. I thought they were there to give comments to me, not to the general reading public. I do have reviews on my books but they were put there either by reviewers from Written Word Media, or from readers who picked up the books and decided to give a review. Certainly on the few occasions I have beta read I have not left a review.

I am a professional beta reader, and while I usually review books that I beta read, it is not required of me to do so. Most beta readers will write a public review if they are asked to.

There is a difference between reviewers and beta readers. Mainly, beta readers delve into a book's development and supply the author with useful feedback, as Cara said, whereas a reviewer will simply read the book and post their general opinion of it online.

I think that a main reason why so many people are voting that their books should be beta read for free might be because they have a misconception of what a paid beta reader actually does, and the amount of work involved in the profession.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to pay for a beta reset. It may just depend on the level of work you are expecting from them. I myself have not charged for beta reading but if I was asked for line by line feedback I might.

I still have the scars from a free beta read I did twenty years ago. I detailed the many structural and character mistakes, but the first-time author who had already printed 2000 copies shouted me down. Since then, I've learned that paying for beta readers is the way to go.

For my latest book, I paid three beta readers $200, $100, and $75. Surprisingly, the cheapest gave me the best feedback, while the most expensive was the biggest waste of money. Now, I read the written reviews of beta readers and don't solely select someone based on their Five Star ratings (Fiverr).

Although I appreciate my friends doing beta reads for free, they tend to give me high scores without offering any constructive criticism. On the other hand, some friends criticize but offer no suggestions. That's why I've decided to pay $50-$75 for beta readers going forward.

Gina wrote: "I read Cara’s comment and I was interested in the premise that beta readers review and so make or break a book. As far as I know none of my beta readers ever posted a review, and I didn’t actually ..."

I believe you're mixing up beta readers and arc readers.

Day wrote: "Gina wrote: "I read Cara’s comment and I was interested in the premise that beta readers review and so make or break a book. As far as I know none of my beta readers ever posted a review, and I did..."

Yes! I agree. Betas read and help prior to the book being put out and ready for reviews. ARC reviews book and posts reviews . I’ve done both and I have done both for free. I give as much detailed help/feedback as possible.
That being said�� I have used both paid betas and free betas for my books. The paid beta was very detailed and stuck to her timeline.
Free betas�� it really depends! Some don’t get back to you, some are authors less experienced then yourself (and that’s not helpful unless you want just a reader’s analysis) and then some have been great!
I even made a few connections that now we partner up and give critiques
Just my thoughts and experiences
Dana

The real issue here is not paying a beta reader, it is not correctly understanding what a beta reader is supposed to be.

A beta reader IS supposed to be a reader in the target audience (or an objective reader from outside the target group) who reads the book and offers feedback. Not editing notes. It is supposed to be free BECAUSE it is an opportunity to read an unpublished book, be the first to read it and give feedback to the author of how they liked it (or not). If they are so inclined to offer suggestions for minor corrections and improvements, they can.

No beta reader should cost money.

The problem is that someone at some point used the term to promote their business. By doing so, they opened the barn door.

Now, unfortunately, everyone who wants to read pre-publication books is champing at the bit to get paid for it. Instead of beta reading being a unique opportunity offered by the author (or agent) to only limited numbers, it has become a cottage industry that is a form of developmental editing. So much so that having a book beta read anymore means nothing to an agent.

Additionally, this hurts developmental editors (and other types of editors), all the while not giving authors what they truly need—professional eyes to review their work.

Beta readers are supposed to be free because they are the equivalent of a focus group composed of the target audience. The payment to the reader is being allowed to read a book that no one else (outside the BR group) has read. It's a special opportunity.

We are a poor family who has an exciting upper MG/teen/lower YA novel that I want to have read by the target audience. I cannot afford to pay a 37 y/o to read my YA novel and offer feedback. Especially since what I require are some 12-15 y/o teens to read and tell me if they liked it or not. But I can't exactly put up a post for that, can I?

If you are in this age group and interested... Don't tell me a thing. Simply offer to read it for free and shoot me a reply. I don't need to know your specific age, your geographic location, your pronouns, or anything else. Use a temp email address.

I can post a blurb or sample chapter if you want more information first.

For me and my writing, i realised that a beta reader goes against the point of what i'm trying to make. I write books in a raw, unfiltered, no nonsense style inspired by how people format fanfiction to give people who are neurodiverse and currently experiencing mental brainfog an alternative to traditionally published works.
Without fail, whenever i have been at my worst when it comes to my mental or physical health, the only thing i've been able to read is light and breezy things like synopses or fanfiction.
So trying to polish a gem when what i want is the rough uncut stone was quite literally shooting myself in the foot. Especially as i publish my work in a pay what you wish format so i won't ever be making bank /lh

At most i will ask friends who are currently not in the best of health but not so bad they are unable to help which variation was easiest to read and process for their brain when they don't have much brainpower to spare for reading. That's enough to edit my style so that it achieves my current goal with my writing.

However in general i don't see an issue with paying beta readers as long as there's enough communication from both sides to know what they're getting into and to know if the author and beta reader are a good fit for each other.

I think above 150$ it might be more recommended to save up a bit more and hire a professional editor if that is the vibe you want for your work.

I would adore to do author swaps in the future but currently i sadly don't have enough spoons to give the proper feedback i'd want to give so that's not in the cards at the moment.

I have been considering alpha/sensitivity readers but it is really hard to find people who understand what exactly i'm trying to make. I don't have enough spoons to research that and find the right people at this point in my life. So i've resolved to roll with the punches.

Also to clarify, i am not publishing fanfiction lol Just emulating the style of the community of a fledging writers who are just starting to formulate their ideas and uses their words like a sword that is being molded with every work they make. Aka very bluntly in a homely and everyday-man way.
(How i have written here is not how i write in my books)

Tldr: My books are too niche in style that i don't have the health nor energy to find people who enjoy that style but also have the health and energy to give feedback on whole works

What is a beta reader, and how did the term become part of the writing lexicon?

Alan wrote: "What is a beta reader, and how did the term become part of the writing lexicon?"

Mainly, beta readers delve into a book's development and supply the author with useful feedback, answering questions on plausibility, readability, character development, etc. before the book goes to the editor or gets published. Their goal is to help improve the book and bring it a step closer to completion. It has been defined online as:

"Someone who reads a book checking for more abstract elements such as continuity; plot development; characters rather than spelling or grammar as a proofreader would."

According to Wikipedia, "'Beta reader' is an English term originally borrowed from the information technology/software industry where beta testers try to identify problems in a piece of computer software before its release."

A paid beta reader will usually know their job better, give the author more details and do a thorough job, rather than an average reader, who usually just provides their own opinion.