Beta Readers: Your First Audience Before You Publish

Last week, in my blog, I mentioned a beta reader, but what exactly does that mean, and what is their job when it comes to the editing process? A beta reader is someone who reads your manuscript before it’s published and provides feedback from a reader’s perspective. Unlike an editor, who focuses on grammar, spelling, pacing, and professional standards, a beta reader focuses on three things: how the story feels, flows, and connects with its audience.

There are different ways to utilize beta readers. The first way is to read your manuscript to one or more children and see how they react. Did they laugh at the parts you thought were funny? Did they react to something in the story that was meant to be funny or sad? And, did they understand the message? These are all important questions we need to know. The second way is to read it to a couple of your friends, a teacher, or a librarian, and see how they react or respond to the story. However, I do need to caution you (in a good way)! If you choose to read it to a couple of your friends, make sure they are friends who will tell you the truth. I say this because some friends are afraid they will hurt your feelings if they do not like something. When it comes to your manuscript, you do not want to read it to friends like this. You need friends who will tell you what they liked and didn’t like in your story, if they found parts of the story funny that you thought were funny, and if they understood your message clearly. You need constructive criticism.

Criticism can be one of the hardest parts of being an author; constructive or not. But, it is an essential part of the process. When reading to a beta reader, we can get a lot of feedback that we wouldn’t get otherwise. And then, you have to be open to change. You don’t want to put out a book that was meant to have an important message if no one understood what that message was, for example. If this were the case, you would need to go back and reevaluate how to make that message clearer so it would be understood. Do not look at any criticism as failure. We all miss things, and sometimes when we are writing, we know in our heads what we want to convey, but because we are so close to the story, sometimes we miss the mark. This is why the editing process takes so long, and why beta readers are so important. I want you to say to yourself: This is just part of the process! And, believe it!

For children’s books, beta readers can include the following, and each can be utilized differently:

• Parents or caregivers – they can tell you if the story will hold a child’s attention.
  
• Teachers or librarians – they can assess age-appropriateness and educational value.
  
• Children in your target age group – the most direct test of whether your story engages, excites, or makes sense to readers.

Before I published my first book, my mentor gave me this advice and told me to make sure I read my manuscript in front of several “beta readers” because it would give me a good idea of how the story is perceived. I know I am repeating myself, but the reason why is to emphasize the importance of using beta readers. She went on to tell me that what you (as an author) might think is funny may not be funny to others, particularly the children. While you might think that some children may not “get it” (which may or may not be true), this should be considered. If your funny parts of the story fall flat, you need to consider changing them, no matter how you feel or what you think is funny. This is the whole point of getting perspectives from beta readers! 

My mentor, who has published many children’s books, gave me an example of something that happened to her. She had written one of her books, and just thought this one part was so funny. It was actually her favorite part. However, when she read it to beta readers – especially children, they weren’t laughing. This caught her off guard. She said she thought to herself, “Really? You’re not laughing at this part?” She said she couldn’t understand why. However, she knew that even though she thought it was funny and it was her favorite, she needed to change it. She said that was one of the best decisions she had made. So, I remembered this when I was ready to use beta readers in my process of editing. The first beta readers I used were several of my grandchildren. I did not read the story to them when they were all together, because I wanted to get their own opinions and not feed off of each other. Their ages ranged from four years old to first grade (at the time). I knew that they would be comfortable and very honest in what they thought. I had about five or six questions written down in a notebook ahead of time. After reading the story to them, I asked each child the same questions, wrote down how each child answered the questions, and also their other opinions! This helped me to know what they were getting out of the story, how long their attention span was, and if the story was easily understood. Most children will love to give you their opinions! I approached it as needing their help, and that made them feel important and part of the process. 

  Just remember not to take opinions personally (even though you are attached to your story). It’s part of doing your job as an author to take into consideration what others think. That is not to say that everyone who reads or hears your book will like it, but the point is to consider opinions before your book is published. 

So what exactly does a Beta Reader do? They

• Give honest feedback about story clarity.
  
• Identify parts that are confusing, boring, or too long.
  
• Highlight moments that are fun, engaging, or memorable.
  
• Suggest ideas for improving pacing, character connection, or readability.

There are things that Beta Readers do not do. These are:

• They usually don’t fix grammar or spelling (that’s the editor’s job).
  
• They don’t make professional formatting decisions.
  

Beta readers are your first “real audience.” Their insights help you see your book through the eyes of those who will actually read it, giving you the chance to improve it before publishing.

Editing a picture book can feel like a long, sometimes daunting journey—but every step you take brings your story closer to the readers who read it. From self-editing and checking rhythm, pacing, and age-appropriate language, to collaborating with editors, illustrators, and beta readers, each stage is an opportunity to make your book the best it can be. Mistakes, revisions, and challenges are part of the process—they are not signs that your story isn’t good enough. On the contrary, they are proof that you care enough to craft a story worth sharing.

Remember, first-time authors are not expected to get everything perfect. What matters is intention, patience, and consistent effort. Use your worksheets, timelines, and checklists as tools to guide you, not as rules that limit your creativity. Celebrate small wins, like refining a page-turn moment or finding the perfect rhythm for a read-aloud line—they add up to a book that is polished, engaging, and full of heart.

Above all, trust your story. Every word you’ve written, every revision you make, and every collaboration you embrace bring your story closer to the hands and hearts of children. Your effort, persistence, and love for your story are what will make it shine. Keep going, keep refining, and know that your story—your voice—matters.