Useful Writing Tips

Acknowledgments v

PART 1: The power of feedback in writing and publishing 1

Chapter 1. Why writing feedback matters 2

• The meaning of the term “beta reader.”
• The results of my survey about writing feedback.
• How my experiences shaped my feedback strategy, and how my discoveries might help you.
• Tips for getting what you need from this book, as fast as possible.
• The three pillars of my 3H Feedback strategy: Humility, Honesty and Heart.
• What I think about rules. 

Chapter 2. The basics 12

• Definitions and descriptions—what a beta reader is and is not.
• Types of books beta readers can help with.
• Why beta readers don’t replace professional editors.

Chapter 3. The ideal beta reader 26

• Demographics of the ideal beta reader.
• Personality traits and relevant experience.
• Reading and writing characteristics to look for.
• How much publishing knowledge should a beta reader have?

Chapter 4. Where to find the right beta readers for you 39

• How to network with other writers to find people who are a good match for your writing style and might enjoy helping you.
• How to find specialists in a particular topic.
• Where to look for beta readers who are not writers.
• When to start looking.

PART 2: Managing the feedback process for your book 55

Chapter 5. When to use beta readers 56

• Where beta readers can add value in each phase of creating a book, complementing tasks a professional editor might do.
• When to use or avoid beta readers, depending on your goals and level of experience.
• Whether to engage your beta team all at once, or spread them out over the project timeline.

Chapter 6. Issuing the initial invitation 77

• Attitudes that create an effective beta reading process, and ones that work against us.
• Tips for making the initial request.
• How many to ask.
• Content warnings.

Chapter 7. Building a beta feedback relationship 85

• Setting the tone.
• Fine-tuning the schedule.
• Formats to offer, and formats to ask for.
• Asking for testimonials.

Chapter 8. Creating a productive briefing document 96

• Choosing the discussion issues that will be most valuable for your manuscript—big picture versus fine detail.
• Wording your questions in a way that helps your beta readers.
• Organizing questions to help simplify your later self-editing process.

PART 3: What to do with the feedback you receive 113

Chapter 9. How to apply the feedback you receive 114

• Different instinctive reactions to beta feedback, and attitudes that can help.
• The importance of time and space.
• Several techniques for weighing the results.
• Where to now? 132

Glossary 134

Index 136

About the Author 139

Fun and useful gifts for beta readers and writers 140

Also by Belinda Pollard 141