Before you hire an editor, find beta readers
I was shocked when I first learned that 59% of self-published authors hire a professional editor to edit their manuscripts. To be quite honest, I expected that number to be far lower, especially considering the sheer number of self-published books that launch each year. In 2024 alone, approximately 500,000 books were self-published in the United States. This means, if the statistics are correct, that approximately 295,000 self-published books were professionally edited in some capacity. There’s no data to suggest how many of these were full-scale developmental edits vs manuscript evaluations or proofreading. Nonetheless, that’s a staggering number of books produced by authors who at least recognize the importance of refining their manuscripts before sending them to print.
The self-publishing industry is a wild and wonderful world of competition, love of writing, and plenty of anticipation. Unfortunately, most self-published books don’t sell very many copies, and many authors are disappointed when they finally realize their books don’t adequately grab the attention of potential readers. With so many self-publishing authors opting to have their books professionally edited, you need to do more if you want your book to succeed.
Testing your manuscript is essential for evaluating your book’s strengths and weaknesses, and to figure out if it actually conveys your thesis or your story correctly. But how do we do this? Beta readers!
Beta readers are an integral part of practically every successful self-publishing project. But what is a beta reader?
What is a Beta Reader?
A beta reader is someone who reads your manuscript before it's professionally edited, offering feedback from a reader's perspective. Unlike a proofreader who checks for grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors, a beta reader provides insights into the narrative, character development, pacing, and overall reader experience. Essentially, beta readers represent your future audience, offering crucial early insights into how your story resonates.
The Difference Between a Proofreader and a Beta Reader
Understanding the difference between these roles is essential. A proofreader is the final gatekeeper in the publishing process, tasked with catching surface-level issues such as typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies. Proofreading is technical and detail-oriented, ensuring your manuscript is error-free and polished for publication.
Beta readers, on the other hand, evaluate your manuscript from a broader perspective. They focus on reader engagement, emotional resonance, and clarity of ideas. While a proofreader refines the mechanics of your text, beta readers help ensure your story connects deeply and effectively with its audience.
Why Beta Readers are Essential
One of the most significant advantages of beta readers is their diversity. It’s beneficial to get feedback from people who don’t typically read in your genre—or even people who seldom read at all. Why? Because ultimately, your goal is to reach the broadest possible audience. Varied perspectives can highlight unexpected strengths and weaknesses, ensuring your manuscript appeals beyond your typical demographic.
Beta reading is not about reshaping your work to satisfy every reader’s whim. Instead, it’s about taking inventory of genuine reactions and impressions to determine if your writing achieves its intended purpose. Beta readers can answer crucial questions:
Does the story engage readers from the start?
Are characters relatable and developed?
Does the plot maintain interest throughout?
Is the book’s theme communicated effectively?
Tailored Beta Reader Questionnaires
To streamline this feedback process, at Foglio, we've developed a series of Beta Reader Questionnaires specifically tailored to different genres. Whether your manuscript is fiction, poetry, memoir, short stories, or essay collections, these questionnaires guide readers through meaningful and specific reflections.
For example, our Fiction Questionnaire includes prompts like:
What was your initial reaction after finishing the book?
Did any part confuse or pull you out of the story?
Would you recommend this book? Why or why not?
For Poetry Collections, we ask questions such as:
Were there lines or images that stayed with you after reading?
Was anything confusing or unclear?
Would you recommend this collection?
By adapting these questionnaires to genre-specific elements, we help authors gather detailed and actionable feedback rather than generic value judgments.
Using Beta Reader Feedback Effectively
Collecting feedback is only half the battle. The real value comes from thoughtfully analyzing and implementing this input. Compile your beta readers’ responses, looking for common threads or recurring issues. If multiple readers express confusion about a specific scene or character, it’s worth considering adjustments.
Yet remember, you don’t need to change your manuscript to satisfy every beta reader. Instead, use this feedback to determine if your intended point or thesis is actually getting through to your readers. Beta readers are not meant to impede on your creative vision, but rather to help you figure out if you’re adequately expressing your vision for your book.
Ready to Harness the Power of Beta Readers?
Understanding the role of beta readers can transform your manuscript into a polished, reader-ready book. Whether you're writing fiction, essays, poetry, or memoirs, Foglio's Beta Reader Questionnaires are the first step in ensuring you receive focused, valuable feedback.
Join our upcoming masterclass to learn more about effective publishing strategies and how Foglio can support your self-publishing goals. Let’s make your manuscript the best it can be.
