The greatest readers of all

Why Alpha & Beta readers matter

This week, I want to pay homage to a very special group of readers, possibly the most vital people in any writer’s arsenal: Alpha & Beta readers. The best of these can have as much influence on a new story as a professional manuscript appraiser or editor.

So, who are these people? Why do they matter? And why might you want to become one?

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

Let’s start by clarifying the difference between Alphas and Betas.

Alpha readers help storytellers in the early stages by providing feedback on the initial draft as it is written.

Beta readers provide feedback on a completed draft.

In the old days (pre-computers with spelling & grammar checkers), first drafts were often filled with typos and difficult to read, especially if the author was only doing it because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Alpha readers in particular often needed boundless patience & commitment to both the storyteller & their project.

Thankfully, modern version 1.0 manuscripts should never be like that, making an Alpha’s job a more enjoyable experience.

For me, Alphas provide basic feedback on the story as it progresses. Their job is much greater than merely highlighting spelling & grammatical errors. Their role is to provide the storyteller with valuable insights into how to make a chapter or series of chapters flow better. They point out elements that need to be cut back or dialled up. They provide key ideas that will add depth and clarity to characters and settings. They inspire the storyteller to add colour, tones and aromas. An Alpha who provides well-detailed feedback will usually have a significant effect on the first edit once the story has been completed.

As I wrote the four thrillers I’ve completed so far, various Alphas provided invaluable feedback that improved my stories significantly. For each of them and their practical ideas, I am eternally grateful.

Prospective Alpha readers should always keep this important truth in mind. 
Just as a writer must not take criticism personally, so Alphas must not take it to heart if a storyteller does not apply their feedback. At the end of the day, reading & writing is subjective. Three people reading the same story should see three different versions in their mind’s eye. Each one “sees” the same story through a different filter. And that is the magic of reading a great story.
For more on this, see my article on The Magic of Reading.

Key things I look for in prospective Alphas are:

• You love reading so much, you don’t just talk about it - you make the time to do it;

• You “see” the stories you read in your mind’s eye. That way, you can provide specific feedback on what you see that I may have missed or overdone;

• You are different to me i.e. not a white Aussie Gen-X heterosexual male who believes that each person has been born into this age for a unique purpose.

I am currently looking for new Alpha readers for my current project, ‘The Psychiatrist’ and its sequel, ‘The Critters.’ You can see these two story outlines on my website.

If you are keen to become an Alpha for my stories, you will find my expectations & rewards for active Alphas at The Pipeline.

Photo by Vardan Papikyan on Unsplash

Beta readers step into the picture once the Alphas have done their job and the story has been improved accordingly.

Alpha readers help me find any missing pieces from my story’s puzzle.

Beta readers help me put the pieces together.

Betas generally receive a complete manuscript to review.

Their primary role is to provide an overall assessment of the story. They provide a big-picture perspective, evaluating how well a story flows, especially the storyline for each key character (usually a protagonist & an antagonist, though the fourth thriller I’ve written - not described on my website yet - has four central characters).

Beta reading is where professionals, such as manuscript appraisers & editors, enter the scene. Because they read innumerable manuscripts every week of their lives, they can take in a convoluted story in the first pass, something many everyday readers may struggle to do.

In my experience, everyday (i.e. untrained) readers provide the best Alpha feedback. The Beta phase is generally best left to trained professionals.

Imho, a great appraiser is worth their weight in gold and then some.
If you ever write a novel, please get it professionaly appraised. 
I paid for my first 2 stories to be appraised and it was the best money I've spent as a storyteller. Interestingly, the appraisal I received for my first draft of 'The Phisherman' (my second appraisal) made me wonder if I should keep writing stories. It took a couple of days to get over what I initially perceived to be a brutal assessment. Once I got over myself, it inspired me and reshaped the story into what you can read on Substack @ The Phisherman. My Phisherman Alphas would not recognise the re-telling. It is the same story, just told so much better.

Those supporting a storyteller in these roles in a meaningful way generally receive official recognition in the book’s ‘Thanks.’

Most will also receive an ARC - an Advanced Reader Copy. ARCs are generally sent out to garner reviews before a book’s official launch. ARCs sent to Alphas & Betas are often personally scribed to that particular reader in recognition of their valuable contribution to the final story.

So, there you have it: a basic description of Alpha and Beta readers. If you have any thoughts or questions, please post a comment.

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