Beta reader

A beta reader (also spelled betareader, or shortened to beta) is a person who reads a written work, generally fiction, with what has been described [http://www.fanfiction.net/betareaders/] as "a critical eye, with the aim of improving grammar, spelling, characterization, and general style of a story prior to its release to the general public."

The author or writer, who can be referred to as the "alpha reader", may use several "betas" prior to publication. The term "beta" is an appropriation from the software industry which uses the terms "alpha" and "beta" for software that are internal works in progress, and publicly released tests, respectively (though a "beta" version may still be tested internally). While the usage of both the concept and the term is strongest amongst fan fiction writers, it is growing in popularity with novelists, to the point where some have thanked their beta readers (sometimes even referring to them as such) in their acknowledgments. An example of this practice can be found in the acknowledgments in Naomi Novik's novel "His Majesty's Dragon", (published in 2006 by Del Rey) which reads:

A beta reader, who may or may not be more personally known to the author, can serve as proofreader of spelling and grammar errors, or as a traditional editor, working on the "flow" of prose. In fiction, the beta might highlight plot holes or problems with continuity, characterisation, or believability; in both fiction and non-fiction, the beta might also assist the author with fact-checking.

Other types of writing groups have been known to use the French term, "critiquer" or the abbreviated, informal version, "critter" in the same context as beta reader.

Beta reader Directories

* [http://www.fanfiction.net/betareaders/ FanFiction.Net: Beta Readers] - Particularly notable in that it is part of one of the largest and most active fan fiction archives on the Internet. It was added to the site relatively recently due to popular demand, after a brief period of (fittingly) beta testing.
* [http://www.perfectimagination.co.uk Perfect Imagination] - A UK-hosted website, showing the international scope of the practice.
* [http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums Absolute Write forums]

ee also

* editing
* proofreading
* critique
* literary criticism
* constructive criticism
* beta tester

References

* [http://www.englishchick.com/badfic/whybeta.htm Rationale for Beta Readers]
* [http://www.fanfiction.net/betareaders/ Fanfiction.net's Beta Readers section. The quote in the introductary section comes from this.
* Novik, Naomi. "His Majesty's Dragon". Del Rey Books, 2006.