Author K.A. Wilde on Finding and Working With Beta Readers

You’ve revised your novel to the best of your ability. Now what? 

Now you need outside eyes. 

But when is your manuscript ready for beta readers, where do you find the right ones, and what the heck do you do with all that feedback?

In this episode, mystery/thriller author and professional beta reader K.A. Wilde and I break down what beta readers do (and don’t do), how to find good ones, what questions to ask, and how to sort through their feedback without feeling like you need to change your entire book. 

We also talk about the vulnerability of handing your story over to someone else and why learning to receive feedback is part of growing as a writer.

Plus, this week’s Courage File celebrates a writer who returned to the page after nearly ten years and has now crossed 75,000 words!

Timestamps:

00:00 When to Use Beta Readers
02:00 This Week’s Courage File
04:40 Meet K.A. Wilde
06:33 Defining Reader Roles
09:55 Beta Myths & Manuscript Prep
11:26 Finding Beta Readers
19:33 How Many Betas Do You Need?
22:21 Questions to Ask
27:15 Handling Feedback
30:12 Mystery & Thriller Beta Tips
31:27 Vulnerability & Mindset

Links Mentioned: 

BetaFide

Spun Yarn

Bianca Marais’s (From The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast) Beta reader match-up service. 

KA Wilde Website: 

kawildeauthor.com

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