Most writers know the term “beta”. They are cherished, sought-after, and really, really vaguely defined. Even more so if, like myself, you came from a fandom space into original writing space. (Or have one foot in each pond. Also like myself.)
I’ve gotten my manuscript back from my first wave of beta readers. Or were they alpha readers? They were the first people to look at my entire manuscript, after all. And, in researching definitions for this post, I’ve found that there are more conflicting definitions than I’d even suspected.
One thing we can all agree on: alpha readers come before beta readers. It’s in the name.
And past that… There are a lot of grey areas.
However—anyone who came from any fandom space already likely knows the term beta reader. What they do, in the broadest sense possible, is take a completed (shorter) story or chapter and look it over for mistakes, typos, inconsistencies, characterization, etc.
Or, wait, no, that’s not right. Sometimes they work with the author before the chapter or story is completed. Sometimes they help with brainstorming, chapter titles, scene fixes, writer’s block, and more. Sometimes they come onto a project at its start. Sometimes they’re twenty chapters in.
In fanfiction, beta readers are catch-all editors, regardless of where they come in. Every working relationship between betas and authors are unique, and usually unique to the project, too, even if they work together over several.
In professional, original fiction spheres, beta readers are definitely not meant for that much heavy-lifting. They are utilized a lot more post-draft, to catch mistakes and the like again, but are usually handed something more polished. (I am not saying fanfiction isn’t as polished as original fiction. We all know that’s not true.)
But even then, things can vary. Some can look more toward characterization and plot coherency. Some are strictly typos-and-grammar police. If you are looking for something specific, you need to tell the person you’re asking to beta—a huge favor to ask—because there is no set definition on what they may do for you, if turned loose on your manuscript.
I still don’t completely understand the differences between alpha readers and beta readers. But I’ve used numerous betas throughout my writing career, and they’ve all brought value to the table, no matter how they did it. Use them! Cherish them! But communicate with them, of course, because they are helping you with a project that’s near and dear to you, and they want to help you make it better. In various ways.
