Being A Fantasy Beta Reader
Posted by Meg
With Peat posting about writing and editing The Daylight War, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about beta readers and who gets to be one. Turns out, it’s different for all writers. Fantasy writer Shawn Speakman, author of The Dark Thorn, recently wrote about his experience as a continuity beta reader for bestseller Terry Brooks on Suvudu.
Speakman then asked a whole host of excellent fantasy writers if they used beta readers, where they found them and what the readers look for when reading unpublished works. The answers range from ‘no’ to ‘dozens of them.’ It all depends on the writer and creative process.
Curious about whether your favorite authors use beta readers? Check out the article and read through a list of excellent responses by Pat Rothfuss, Mark Lawrence, Tad Williams, RA Salvatore, Lev Grossman and more.
Here’s Peat’s response. In the article it’s the very last response (save the best for last, right?)
I use beta readers, but at this stage they are only very close personal friends and family (plus my editors and agents, of course). Everyone reads differently, so I don’t usually instruct people on what feedback to give, though the ones who have remained on the list are the ones not afraid to speak their mind, even on things they think I might not want to hear.
Shawn Speakman’s anthology Unfettered will be coming out in early 2013. featuring short stories from some amazing fantasy writers. Peat’s short story Mudboy (set in the world of The Demon Cycle) will be included in Unfettered as well as some top notch stories from well-loved fantasy authors. Check out the official press release to learn more.
I just finished all of the Shannara books, what a massive undertaking. I loved every second of it!
I shed a tear when I finished because I knew the journey had come to an end… I cannot wait for another taste of this amazing series.
Also @ Pete. My friend finished and self published his novel on amazon. If you could re-tweet it I believe I would cry with joy
Here is the link
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=viakov
Please check it out everyone! It is a fantastic fantasy book written by a D&D lover/father/friend.
Please check it out!
Thank you for all of your support Pete, it has helped a lot!