When Do You Need to Hire a Beta Reader?

Before we answer the question of when you should hire a beta reader, we need to explain what a beta reader does before we get to what stage they are required in the writing process. Firstly, beta readers are trained to identify any potential issues in your manuscript and to highlight any weaknesses in terms of plot holes, characterisation, dialogue, flow, pacing, themes and a number of other key areas.

Further Reading: What Does a Beta Reader Do?

All our beta readers are experienced and will read your manuscript as a normal reader in your particular genre would if they were to pick it up in Amazon or off the shelf in a bookstore. They read the manuscript closely, highlighting any problematic areas and write a detailed report identifying any of the aforementioned issues.

Often an author is so immersed in their work that they miss something obvious in the same way that we miss grammatical mistakes or missing words in our own writing even after numerous reads when a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ can spot an error in the text immediately. It is important to note that beta readers will not make any changes to your manuscript, this is where the services of an editor is required.

Should I Hire a Beta Reader or an Editor?

It is better to engage the services of an editor before hiring a beta reader because the beta reader ideally should be reading the final drafts of a manuscript before it is submitted to a literary agent or commissioning editor at a publishing house. Beta readers are an invaluable form of professional feedback to minimise your chances of rejection or poor reviews if an author decides to self-publish their manuscript.

Pro Tip: Only hire a beta reader when you are ready to self publish or submit your manuscript to a publisher.

Beta Reading Service Fees

Our beta reading fees are excellent value for a comprehensive beta reader report.

AUD $245, CAD $220, GBP £130, EUR €150, USD $165 per reader up to 120,000 words*.

*For manuscripts in excess of 120,000 words please contact us for a quote.

Our beta reading service accepts fiction and non-fiction manuscripts.

** If your manuscript is unedited we recommend you use our Manuscript Assessment Service **

Hire an Editor for a Manuscript Assessment Here

* Acceptance of a manuscript electronically or by post does not automatically imply any contractual obligations. Some beta reading jobs may take longer to complete depending on the workload of individual editors. We accept manuscripts from authors from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States.