- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
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I was in another forum (not AW) discussing beta readers. I said that I try to find beta readers who not only like the kinds of novels I write (intrigue) but also those who would be likely to be familiar with the time period and subject matter.
For example if I were writing a novel about the American Southwest and that included Native American customs in the 1800s, I wouldn't seek out beta readers in Scotland or Australia. The chances are that, unless these readers had made a study of mid-century USA and the great Indian wars, they wouldn't be helpful in steering me away from errors in fact.
One of the forum members said something that I hadn't considered before. He said that beta readers should research the subject either before of during their reading.
My question is is, it customary for beta readers to do research for the authors they read for?
Personally, I feel this is the author's job and as I said before I feel the authors should seek out readers who would be likely familiar with the subject.
Any thoughts on this?
C
For example if I were writing a novel about the American Southwest and that included Native American customs in the 1800s, I wouldn't seek out beta readers in Scotland or Australia. The chances are that, unless these readers had made a study of mid-century USA and the great Indian wars, they wouldn't be helpful in steering me away from errors in fact.
One of the forum members said something that I hadn't considered before. He said that beta readers should research the subject either before of during their reading.
My question is is, it customary for beta readers to do research for the authors they read for?
Personally, I feel this is the author's job and as I said before I feel the authors should seek out readers who would be likely familiar with the subject.
Any thoughts on this?
C