Beta reading before submitting
Filed under Writing Journal on May 12, 2009
Tagged: beta readers, critique groups, Janner Kohl, Relvan's Rescue
I finished the rewrite of “Relvan’s Rescue” on Friday. The manuscript sits just shy of 11,400 words. That’s almost 4,000 words more than the original version I submitted to several markets a year ago. The story is in the hands of some beta readers, one of whom has been tasked with trying to find ways to cull 1,400 words. I’d really like to keep the word count to 10,000 or just under, as that opens more markets.
The first market I plan to submit to is Black Gate, which recently opened to submissions again. They were closed during my last round of submitting. I think the quarterly publication would be an excellent home for Janner Kohl, as “plot-driven epic fantasy with colorful settings and interesting characters” is a good description of the mercenary captain and his adventures.
I have mixed feelings about beta reading and critique groups. My wife reads everything I write before it gets submitted, of course. And I usually ask my mom, an English professor, to look over my manuscripts, too. I don’t often solicit the input of others beyond that, for two reasons.
The first reason, and perhaps the most important, is because the only real opinion that matters is the editors’ you’re submitting to. That isn’t to say there isn’t anything of value that beta readers or a critique group can add. Other writers can provide insight into craft, and beta readers can give you a sense of how well the story flows. But that still doesn’t guarantee it will meet the standards or tastes of the editor.
The second reason is more applicable to novels than short stories. When working on Maiden of Pain, my publisher expressly told me not to share the manuscript with a critique group. My editor was to be my sounding board. This is totally understandable from a business perspective, as it puts their investment at risk.
If I’m totally being honest, my reticence is also due in part to a lack of desire to critique the work of others. I shouldn’t expect what I don’t want to readily give. It takes a lot of time and effort to participate in a critique circle, time and effort that could be spent on my own writing. And there’s also the risk of “creative contamination,” the coincidental or unintentional cross-pollination of ideas that can lead to messy outcomes.
How useful are beta readers or critique groups to your work? What do you look for in the way of feedback?
May 13th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I’ve found (good) crit groups to be invaluable (and bad ones can be poisonous). My current one I’ve been with for nearly four years. They’ve helped me realize any personal writing ticks I have, confirmed where the story flows as intended (and where not), and how well my hints/clues/misdirections around the mystery work.
Also, you learn as much by critting other’s work as you learn from having your work reviewed.
For your first point, I think that applies if an editor has already bought it. Otherwise, tailoring it for one person limits your audience. It makes more sense to be true to the story and then find the editor that it is the best fit.
For the second, I think that applies more for work for hire projects, though I guess every editor is different. Also if you have an agent, that person will be another beta reader/editor.
If you change your mind about beta reading, drop me an email. Echoes will be ready for fresh eyes this summer before sending it out to agents in the fall.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I certainly don’t disagree with your first point. I found my college critique group invaluable. I’m not really that anti-beta reader/critique group, I’m just much more selective about it than I was before Maiden.
May 14th, 2009 at 5:44 am
I think Stuart’s point is spot on: good critique groups are invaluable. hand-holding or catty ones are poison. I’m private by nature — and guard my time jealously — so I have never searched out a critique group, though I do have a couple trusted blogging buddies with whom I exchange writing. Mostly, however, I rely on my hubby.
Alex Moore´s last blog post was USPS Adventure: Must Read Books Arrive
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
I’ve had a beta reader for a few years and she’s been great. I also recently joined a local writer’s group here in Seattle and they are great. (Big Plus: They’re all better than me.) What they do is find the stuff I can’t seem to ferret out myself. They see where I drift and stop following the rules that I could likely recite off the top of my head. The help and guidance they give are well worth the time and effort.
Jeff Draper´s last blog post was Physician, Heal Thyself