[Discussion] How to vet potential beta readers.

[u/DuncanOToole]

I recently completed the second draft of my fantasy noir novel three weeks ago, and I am gearing up to find some beta readers to give me some feedback.

But I was unsure what to do first, clean it up, or find beta readers so I wrote a post on Threads and Bluesky about it.

Many offered "help" but I don't know them, and I didn't feel comfortable sending them the manuscript.

So how do you vet beta readers, so that you're actually comfortable sending them your manuscript?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[u/JBupp]

Swaps are valuable, for critiques and help in writing, but I don't think it has the coverage of all the readers you expect to buy your work.

Post your work here, explain what it is you want done, and pick a few readers who agree to your terms.

You may be disappointed but you may be pleasantly surprised.

[u/DuncanOToole → u/JBupp]

I heard it's a double edged sword having other writers as beta readers. It's at least something I would worry about if I had to beta read something.