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| Vector by djvstock |
The line between beta reading and advanced copy reading needs to be more refined.
I’ve returned to Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) reading after about a decade. It’s wonderful that the world of indie and self-publishing has flourished. However, process and roles undergo confusion in equal measure.
Generically speaking, the process of professional writing goes as such:
- Author drafts manuscript.
- Alpha team involved from this point.
- Manuscript undergoes editing.
- Edited manuscript goes to beta readers.
- Beta readers comment on what’s working, what’s not.
- Finished novel (usually with book cover) goes to ARC readers, who receive a free copy for an honest review before the publication date. They also have the option of Did Not Finish (DNF).
- Authors may seek reviews post-publication, which are called Review/Promo copy.
Of course, each author’s process can vary. An author may not
have an alpha team but friends and family who help, whereas another builds an
alpha team.
The biggest role mix-up happens between the beta and
advanced copy readers. I’m finding the push from authors for ARC readers to be
beta readers, exhausting. The defensiveness that shows up in role mix-ups
undermines professionalism.
All of us in the industry can do better.
So, let’s break it
all down.
The roles of Beta Readers
Authors provide beta readers either unedited or edited
manuscripts, depending on author and beta reader preferences. They make
comments throughout the manuscript about pacing, characterization, themes, etc.
Essentially, an author seeks what works and what didn’t, then balance that against
what the narrative is trying to achieve.
Sometimes feedback is taken, sometimes it isn’t. When
authors engage with beta readers, they are within the realm of the private,
collaborative process.
Overall, authors need confident, honest and timely beta
readers for a successful project. Facebook is a great place to find beta
readers that do and don’t do the work for compensation.
Because beta readers can amplify or hinder the success of a
novel, it’s always important to match beta readers to the genre they read.
The notion in motion
If I’m beta reading a novel that focuses about the land of
Turtle Island (North America) in some shape or form, such as environmental
concerns, I expect ethical Indigenous representation and/or acknowledgement.
Why?
Because Reconciliation is the reality we live in. Even if a
town is fictional, but takes place on the continent, there needs to be a
connection. Therefore, one of my comments will speak to my value of ethics,
integrity and intersectionality.
Now, should an author take that feedback and embed it into
their manuscript? This is where the process of balancing comes in. If the
manuscript is written from a colonial lens rather than a decolonizing one,
would the feedback make sense?
Nope, because that author has a personal development journey
to go through. There’s likely going to be toxic opinions in this mode of
thinking.
However, should an author want to craft a complex narrative,
then they’d take the feedback and see what it takes to embed it. Does it look
like learning what nuances shouldn’t be written about without lived experience?
Does it look like engaging sensitivity readers?
The balancing for an author could be that they don’t embed
the feedback because they determine it doesn’t work for their story.
The role of Advanced Copy Readers
Once authors have a publication date, they may seek an ARC
reader.
ARC readers are plentiful, with some leaving a review of a
few words or some leaving lengthier ones. Since readers generally aren’t paid, the
only ways to set expectations ethically are:
- Mandatory forms with terms and conditions.
- Third-party sites like BookSirens and NetGalley.
Aside from these ways, authors will need to negotiate expectations
with the reader. Please remember authors, you cannot micromanage readers and
reviews, nor force readers to finish reading a book. The option of “Did Not
Finish (DNF)” is valid.
The key to ARC reviews is to internalize that book reviews
is a space for readers only. There’s nothing wrong with authors reading the
reviews, but ARC reviews aren’t a collaborative space.
If a book has been published, then any reviews that are
posted are considered Review/Promo copies.
ARC and Review copy reading in practice
The process of getting reviews can be rewarding, problematic,
and/or dramatic. I’ll share my reading experience with ARCs and Review copies.
I’m the type who likes centralized data to the best extent
possible. For this reason, the structures I have in place are the following:
- GoodReads (GR) is my primary repository.
- Instragram is the secondary review space which links to GR.
- Blogger is for exceptional reads amid the 5 star rated books.
Authors have reached out to me directly via social media.
When I search for books to ARC though, I prefer third party
sites. I’ve use BookSprout, BookSirens, and NetGalley. I believe in author protection,
and the third-party sites offer the most protection.
After I finish reading a novel, I write reviews that average
400 words because that justifies my rating choices, but will never use snark in
any review.
Here’s where things get interesting: author defensiveness.
At this point, I have 100% rate of author defensiveness when
I critique the diversity and inclusion in a novel. From passive aggressiveness
to aggression disguised as professionalism, any author that responds in this
manner gets onto a Do not read again list for me.
Always remember that even the self-publishing and indie
publishing require professionalism.
In conclusion
Overall, working with authors and writing reviews can be a pleasant experience. Many authors have so much to offer the world through their work. I appreciate the courage of writers who trust the process, and I strive to meet this courage mid-way with my contributions.
I’ve learned a lot about writing styles, various topics, and
international voices. Simultaneously, ego can be the downfall of a successful
writing career. Both authors and readers can mitigate problems when roles are clearly
understood.
I wish you all the best, no matter which side of the process
you end up on.