It’s all Greek to me

Today I want to discuss alpha and beta readers. Being new to the writer scene, these two terms confused and intimidated me. During one of my early interactions with established writers, one of them asked me if I had any beta readers, my response was “Um, like I couldn’t even get a date with one in college, so no.” Their confusion, followed by laughter told me I was off-base in thinking they were talking about a frat boy. So, being the insecure newbie that I am, I laughed heartily then diverted their attention. “Isn’t that David Baldacci?” I asked then slipped away to google beta readers.

From my search I found that I wasn’t the only one confused. Turns out writers refer to their alpha and beta readers often, and somewhat indiscriminately.  Was there a difference? Or was it a regional thing, like soda or pop? I understood that alpha and beta were the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, my knowledge of campus Greek life wasn’t wasted, but I wasn’t clear how this related to readers of my manuscript. I’d had several friends read it so were they considered alpha or beta readers or neither since they weren’t writers or editors?

After much research and misdirection (Did you know beta blockers can be used off label to treat anxiety?), I came to several conclusions.  Many people use the two terms interchangeably, for anyone who had read your full manuscript before submission.  However, the standard is that the alpha reader is someone who reads it when you have first finished your manuscript and the beta reader is someone who reads it after you have done all the drastic editing and think you have it ready for submission. And, the best news is that these readers are usually amateurs, in the sense that they do it for free! In other words, my friends are my alpha and beta readers and I don’t have to go out and hire a beta reader to now answer, “Why yes, and she found my book to be a thrilling page turner along the lines of Janet Evanovich.” Fortunately, I’ve learned enough to not quote my actual beta reader, “Wow, this is really good, I’d totally buy it. It reminds me of a mystery from that California author, I think it was Janet something.”

Now you know how to navigate one more foreign situation in this GOB, go forward with confidence! Want to learn more about alpha, beta, and ARC (Advanced Review Copy – which I’m only in the dreaming of stage) readers? Check out this article –  https://www.indiesunlimited.com/2016/12/06/the-difference-between-alpha-beta-and-arc-readers/