Alpha Reading
If you have a completed first draft, congratulations! You are ready for an alpha read. Also referred to as “first readers,” alpha readers provide an initial edit that can be done once you complete your manuscript, regardless of whether or not it has been critiqued by others. Alpha readers will typically provide general feedback and notes on any significant changes that need to be made. This includes pointing out obvious plot holes, character inconsistences, and impressions of the overall style. Having your book alpha read in its earlier stages is helpful, as it helps you weed out anything that doesn’t work, saving you time in the long run.
Beta Reading
Once you’ve had your manuscript edited through at least 1-2 drafts, you might consider beta reading. Ideally, you will have edited your manuscript by a professional editor or alpha reader at this point. Don’t worry—thorough self-editing counts as well! If you’ve gone through your manuscript with a fine-toothed comb, including story development, proofreading, copyediting, etc., and you are ready for another set of eyes, beta reading will help you get that one step closer to publishing. Beta readers provide specialized feedback on different aspects of your story, like those in the alpha reading phase, but with greater detail. In addition, beta readers can provide you with notes for specific areas of the text that you would like feedback on.
