Where Do We Find Beta Readers?

We wrap up this series of posts about beta readers by answering the essential question of where to find a beta reader.

• Relatives: Our family is often a great place to start. While not every family member would make a great beta reader, there are likely some relatives who would enjoy it and provide helpful feedback. Family members, however, may not be as critical as needed, since they want to encourage us and don’t want to hurt our feelings. Even so, relatives are a great source to give our work its first read.
• Friends: Next in line are friends. Just as with family, friends may also not be as critical as needed, but they can provide an array of feedback from different perspectives.
• Writers: Other writers and authors may be open to be a beta reader, especially if they are closely connected with us or if they want to swap beta reading work.
• Readers: Some of our most engaged followers, such as blog readers or mail list subscribers, may jump at the chance to be a beta reader for us.
• Online: A Google search for “finding beta readers” gives five million results. The first match is a beta reader group on Goodreads, which has 3,600 members and will surely provide some good beta readers if we’re willing to invest the time to find them.

I’ve used the first three items and am open to the fourth while finding a beta reader on Goodreads is the most intriguing idea.

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Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.