Can beta readers steal your work?
First-time authors may not have the luxury of enthusiastic fans who are prepared to beta read their manuscripts for free. So invariably they fall back on family and friends to read their work. A beta reader cannot legally steal your words once they are set down.
Do you really need beta readers?
Beta readers help you see your story from another set of eyeballs. Let’s face it: You don’t have the necessary emotional distance to read your own work objectively. For the same reason that you need an editor, you also need a beta reader to give you unbiased feedback on your manuscript.
What is an alpha reader?
Your alpha reader is someone you trust, someone close to you who won’t mind reading your not-fully-polished draft and telling you what parts they loved and what parts they didn’t quite understand, what characters they adored and what characters felt underdeveloped.
How do I find a good beta reader?
To find potential beta readers, follow popular writing tags like #amwriting and #writercommunity. Make sure to use these tags when you publish your own posts. You can also find prospective betas in online writing groups, such as Writers Helping Writers or Fiction Writers.
How much do sensitivity readers cost?
Readers’ rates are similar to fact-checkers; typically, writers can expect to pay $30 to $60 per hour, though some sensitivity readers may charge more.
What should I ask a beta reader?
Questions to Ask Your Beta ReadersQUESTION #1: WERE THERE PLACES YOU WERE BORED AND/OR CONFUSED BY THE STORY? QUESTION #2: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CHARACTERS? QUESTION #3: WERE THERE PLACES WHERE YOU FELT PARTICULARLY GROUNDED IN THE WORLD—OR NOT? QUESTION #4: IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE THE “TONE” OF THIS STORY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?