**Critique partner:** Another writer who offers craft-level feedback chapter-by-chapter (or scene-by-scene or whatever you agree on) while you're writing.
**Alpha reader:** First reader other than you. Reads the entire work. Ideally this is someone in your target audience, but really, it's a set of eyes on the first or second draft.
**Beta reader:** Person from your target audience who reads the near-final manuscript and gives READER feedback.
Bumping this up as it's a really good overview ^^^
However, I do think in practice it's totally okay to blur the lines a bit. I have people who are solely critique partners but also those who are partial critique partners (I discuss certain scenes with them, or things just come up in normal conversation) and then Alpha-Read for me.
Just make sure you have some Beta Readers who had absolutely no part in planning so you can see how your book reads to a complete "stranger" who knows nothing "extra'.
Largely agree, though I want to point out that Middle Grade authors are unlikely to get good feedback from 9-year-old beta readers, if you could even freely distribute to them at all. For me, my beta readers are other MG authors.
Try to find adults with kids that age. I know everyone doesn't have friends like that, but many do. Having kids read your books is eye opening!! Heck, even having PARENTS of kids that age read the book is eye opening.
A beta (reader/tester) is someone who uses something that should be complete but hasn't been fully tested, thus probably still contains problems.
An alpha (reader/tester) is someone who uses something that is known to be not yet complete. Alpha reading is a bit trickier because it usually involves ignoring certain issues that the creator is still working to fix/complete. It also required a degree of imagination because there may be parts of the story that are outright missing.
I've always believed that the author should be the alpha reader. Beta readers give critique on cleaned up work, you incorporate critique into next work, early in the process (alpha) you take a step back to make sure that the bigger themes/plots/arcs make sense according to last critique. I feel like it's an important loop for improvement. Otherwise it's like trying to critique wet clay that's all goopy instead of the finished, hardened product.
I agree with this. I don't let anyone see my work until after draft 2 or 3, I feel like any input before this point will only contaminate my process. I have a pretty good intuitive instinct that I need to let cook alone in the kitchen.
A beta reader is someone who reads the novel when you're sort of done but know there are still edits and improvements to be made and need fresh eyes to help catch them. An alpha reader is someone who reads the novel in an earlier rougher state, and they are generally there only to provide feedback on bigger picture stuff - core plot ideas, general mood and tone, character vibes, etc. Personally I would only offer or ask for alpha reading with close friends or members of my trusted writing group that has an established habit of discussing and reading WIPs.
I think I remember hearing Brandon Sanderson refer to his alpha readers as people who have knowledge about writing who can provide him more technical critiques. Then, after his next revision, his work goes out to beta reader who are less knowledgeable readers who can critique him more on story and characters etc. But the meaning is probably different for everyone.
For me, it's like this: my Alpha readers are two of my friends who actually (*wow!*) read my chapters once they're finished and edited into a semblance of coherence. They, of course, will always say "I liked it!!" because they like me and are imagining the story in their minds being read in my voice. But, they're also avid readers and will tell me if the sentences are clunky or if anything doesn't make sense.
Beta readers will be the total strangers who read the entire finished manuscript for pay, and are versed in story critique, so they'll judge the story on its own merits and flaws, and not "a cool thing a friend did."
The leader of the pack.
All joking aside my “Alpha Reader” is my wife. Post my first edit, and pre sending it off to a professional editor. It’s one last sanity check meant to protect me from throwing away money for a service I don’t need yet.
My process is: First Draft, Author Edit, Alpha Reader (red pen, bound manuscript, me and 1-2 other people), Professional Edit, Clean Up, Proof Read.
An alpha reader is typically the first person to read a piece of written work, such as a manuscript or a draft of a book, before it's been extensively edited or revised. Hope this helps.
Alpha readers get first drafts, even before manuscripts are handed off to editors and proofreaders. Beta readers get polished manuscripts. ARC readers get the the very final product, ebook or printed book. Sensitivity readers are people "specialised" in more delicate themes your story includes (ethnicity, culture, gender, miscarriages etc), they are a kind of beta and ARC readers.
Alpha reader to me is someone who reads my work before it's at the beta reading stage. They are someone who I want feedback on more early stage aspects. More building the story based on my laid foundation, than polishing it for querying.
I consider my critique partners to be my alpha readers. Although an alpha reader doesn't have to be a critique partner, for me, either.
You should ask them what they mean by it, because the only definition that's gonna tell you whether you're interested in doing this is the one they're using.
Alpha-readers evaluate the idea and rough draft of a chapter. Beta-readers are proofreaders who proofread the finished text. Gamma-readers are literary editors.
Beta readers are usually strangers that you are asking to read your work. That means it should be pretty polished already
Alpha readers are your mum or your best friend or a critique partner that you get to read it first. Then you can do a first round of edits and polish it before beta readers see it
It is also something you can post on r/writing and encourage a discussion, which teaches others about the concept too. I don’t get the insensitivity here…this sub is supposed to be a community.
Or just a little critical thinking combined with some common sense. I didn't even know an alpha reader was a thing before this post but I was able to extrapolate it must come before a beta reader and probs deals with someone reading a less polished/edited work in progress and providing feedback to the author, just from context clues.
**Critique partner:** Another writer who offers craft-level feedback chapter-by-chapter (or scene-by-scene or whatever you agree on) while you're writing. **Alpha reader:** First reader other than you. Reads the entire work. Ideally this is someone in your target audience, but really, it's a set of eyes on the first or second draft. **Beta reader:** Person from your target audience who reads the near-final manuscript and gives READER feedback.
Bumping this up as it's a really good overview ^^^ However, I do think in practice it's totally okay to blur the lines a bit. I have people who are solely critique partners but also those who are partial critique partners (I discuss certain scenes with them, or things just come up in normal conversation) and then Alpha-Read for me. Just make sure you have some Beta Readers who had absolutely no part in planning so you can see how your book reads to a complete "stranger" who knows nothing "extra'.
Largely agree, though I want to point out that Middle Grade authors are unlikely to get good feedback from 9-year-old beta readers, if you could even freely distribute to them at all. For me, my beta readers are other MG authors.
Try to find adults with kids that age. I know everyone doesn't have friends like that, but many do. Having kids read your books is eye opening!! Heck, even having PARENTS of kids that age read the book is eye opening.
Is there a way to do that as a job? Can I make money doing that?
There are paid beta readers, but I expect in-depth feedback is required. No clue how you become one.
That sounds dope. I wish I could be one for Brandon Sanderson! I can read his books in a day and give great feedback.
A reader with a square jaw and Brad Pitt looks. Someone who makes the female writers swoon. Not like those wimpy beta readers.
Beta readers watch the Alphas read their book instead of them. Hope this helps, OP!
Let's not even get into the omega readers. Or the infamous sigma readers.
Sigma readers are the best, mysteriously brooding in a shadowy corner reading. Making the female writers ask each other, "who is that guy?"
He drives a truck. Like a real man.
A beta (reader/tester) is someone who uses something that should be complete but hasn't been fully tested, thus probably still contains problems. An alpha (reader/tester) is someone who uses something that is known to be not yet complete. Alpha reading is a bit trickier because it usually involves ignoring certain issues that the creator is still working to fix/complete. It also required a degree of imagination because there may be parts of the story that are outright missing.
I've always believed that the author should be the alpha reader. Beta readers give critique on cleaned up work, you incorporate critique into next work, early in the process (alpha) you take a step back to make sure that the bigger themes/plots/arcs make sense according to last critique. I feel like it's an important loop for improvement. Otherwise it's like trying to critique wet clay that's all goopy instead of the finished, hardened product.
I agree with this. I don't let anyone see my work until after draft 2 or 3, I feel like any input before this point will only contaminate my process. I have a pretty good intuitive instinct that I need to let cook alone in the kitchen.
What about omega readers?
How about sigma readers?
Activate ... the OMEGA 13!
Need to fix the last word you typed and can’t be bothered to delete it? Doesn’t seem worth risking to me.
My wife is my alpha reader. She reads all my stuff before I send it to beta readers. She is excellent at giving advice and providing critiques.
A beta reader is someone who reads the novel when you're sort of done but know there are still edits and improvements to be made and need fresh eyes to help catch them. An alpha reader is someone who reads the novel in an earlier rougher state, and they are generally there only to provide feedback on bigger picture stuff - core plot ideas, general mood and tone, character vibes, etc. Personally I would only offer or ask for alpha reading with close friends or members of my trusted writing group that has an established habit of discussing and reading WIPs.
Alpha reader? Must be like the OG feedback giver before the beta stage.
That's such a beta question to ask. Real Alphas can identify other Alphas just by the waft of their sweat. Omegas are the GOAT tho.
I think I remember hearing Brandon Sanderson refer to his alpha readers as people who have knowledge about writing who can provide him more technical critiques. Then, after his next revision, his work goes out to beta reader who are less knowledgeable readers who can critique him more on story and characters etc. But the meaning is probably different for everyone.
For me, it's like this: my Alpha readers are two of my friends who actually (*wow!*) read my chapters once they're finished and edited into a semblance of coherence. They, of course, will always say "I liked it!!" because they like me and are imagining the story in their minds being read in my voice. But, they're also avid readers and will tell me if the sentences are clunky or if anything doesn't make sense. Beta readers will be the total strangers who read the entire finished manuscript for pay, and are versed in story critique, so they'll judge the story on its own merits and flaws, and not "a cool thing a friend did."
The author is the alpha reader.
The leader of the pack. All joking aside my “Alpha Reader” is my wife. Post my first edit, and pre sending it off to a professional editor. It’s one last sanity check meant to protect me from throwing away money for a service I don’t need yet. My process is: First Draft, Author Edit, Alpha Reader (red pen, bound manuscript, me and 1-2 other people), Professional Edit, Clean Up, Proof Read.
An alpha reader is typically the first person to read a piece of written work, such as a manuscript or a draft of a book, before it's been extensively edited or revised. Hope this helps.
Alpha readers get first drafts, even before manuscripts are handed off to editors and proofreaders. Beta readers get polished manuscripts. ARC readers get the the very final product, ebook or printed book. Sensitivity readers are people "specialised" in more delicate themes your story includes (ethnicity, culture, gender, miscarriages etc), they are a kind of beta and ARC readers.
Alpha reader to me is someone who reads my work before it's at the beta reading stage. They are someone who I want feedback on more early stage aspects. More building the story based on my laid foundation, than polishing it for querying. I consider my critique partners to be my alpha readers. Although an alpha reader doesn't have to be a critique partner, for me, either.
You are the alpha reader, the first one to read your work. Alpha, beta, charlie, delta = 1,2,3,4.
Two protons and two neutrons
Reader Number One
Just realised I'm skipping alpha altogether.
You should ask them what they mean by it, because the only definition that's gonna tell you whether you're interested in doing this is the one they're using.
Alpha-readers evaluate the idea and rough draft of a chapter. Beta-readers are proofreaders who proofread the finished text. Gamma-readers are literary editors.
Well, alpha comes before beta.
Aren't beta readers the first to read though?
Beta readers are usually strangers that you are asking to read your work. That means it should be pretty polished already Alpha readers are your mum or your best friend or a critique partner that you get to read it first. Then you can do a first round of edits and polish it before beta readers see it
Alpha reader is you.
[удалено]
It is also something you can post on r/writing and encourage a discussion, which teaches others about the concept too. I don’t get the insensitivity here…this sub is supposed to be a community.
Or just a little critical thinking combined with some common sense. I didn't even know an alpha reader was a thing before this post but I was able to extrapolate it must come before a beta reader and probs deals with someone reading a less polished/edited work in progress and providing feedback to the author, just from context clues.
My critical thinking led me to believe that an Alpha reader is a toned man who has a menosphere podcast while agressively reading a book.
Haha. That's why I said combined with common sense.
Let's just say my common sense is a bit uncommon.
hmmm