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What's the ideal Number of Beta Readers?
- Thread starter Procrastinista
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I have two I depend on, but I've also been involved in critique groups which have been beneficial. I don't think the number matters as much as their commitment to your story.
More than one, I think. I'm in a critique group of four and that's perfect for me. When I ask for an opinion, three independent answers will usually be helpful. One might be a fluke; two can cancel each other out; three will show a trend.
Thanks for your responses. To clarify, I meant for my question to pertain to full manuscript reads.
I don't think that changes the response. You should have more than one; that's about the only quantifier I would say is mandatory.
I like almost as many as I can get. But in large part that's because I like 1-2 for the first revision. Then it's nice to have a fresh pair of eyes for the second. And the third. (Which works out to around 6 kindly volunteers.)
But one good beta is easily worth a thousand bad ones.
But one good beta is easily worth a thousand bad ones.
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