![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
alpha vs beta reader
May. 3rd, 2013 10:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vanOne of my fave podcasts, Writing Excuses, recently discussed how they use alpha and beta readers. The specific podcast is here, and part of the transcript ( is here: )
I make the distinction the way Dan does, that an alpha reader is someone who is reading the story as I'm writing it, someone I trust to be brutally honest with me about what works, what doesn't, and can offer an opinion about how to get things on track. A beta reader is someone who will read the story cold upon first draft completion, and lmk if it makes sense. The cold read is really important to me, because if I need to explain myself to a reader or they're confused, then I probably need a rewrite.
How do you guys use your beta readers, and do you make the distinction between an alpha and beta reader? What expectations do you have of your alpha/beta readers?
I make the distinction the way Dan does, that an alpha reader is someone who is reading the story as I'm writing it, someone I trust to be brutally honest with me about what works, what doesn't, and can offer an opinion about how to get things on track. A beta reader is someone who will read the story cold upon first draft completion, and lmk if it makes sense. The cold read is really important to me, because if I need to explain myself to a reader or they're confused, then I probably need a rewrite.
How do you guys use your beta readers, and do you make the distinction between an alpha and beta reader? What expectations do you have of your alpha/beta readers?