How to be a good beta reader or critique partner
- Rhian MacGillivray
- Nov 28
- 5 min read
My last blog post talked about how important beta readers or critique partners are to writers, and how you can exchange your work with them, so I thought today, I would outline how you can be a good beta reader or critique partner for others.
As mentioned in that blog post, a beta reader provides more high-level feedback typical of a reader’s perspective, whereas a critique partner gives detailed feedback focused on the craft of writing itself. These terms are distinct, but are often confused or used interchangeably, because when writers exchange with other writers for feedback, they often do both.
This post will set out some tips you can bear in mind when beta reading or critiquing, and offering feedback to a writer on their manuscript.
Understand your role
So you’ve found someone who wants to exchange manuscripts with you so you can beta read each other’s work. That’s great!
The first thing you need to do is define what your role will be: beta reader or critique partner? What sort of feedback is the other writer looking for? Big-picture feedback? Or more nitty-gritty line level?
At the outset, you should also be clear on any deadlines agreed between you. Respecting these goes a long way towards building trust in the long term.
Reading as a good beta reader
Now, reading a manuscript or a section of a novel to provide beta reader feedback or a critique isn’t the same as reading for pleasure.
When I’m beta reading or critiquing for people, I like to read through the manuscript and make in-line comments as I go, which gives the author an idea of my natural reactions as I read. These comments can be anything from “I love this phrase” to “I stumbled over the wording here” or “I’d love to see you build on this with more interiority/character reaction”.
When reading, bear in mind the expectations of the genre you’re reading (for example, if it’s romance or romantasy, you’d usually expect the love interest to be introduced within the first three chapters).
You should also consider any specific questions the author has asked you. I like reading their questions first, so I’m subconsciously thinking of them as I read. Then I come back to these questions after I give my feedback.
How to give constructive feedback
Apart from my in-line comments or “reader’s feedback”, I then like to organise my critique like I would an editorial letter. In this feedback, I like to think I’m honest, but tactful.
First, I give an overview of the writer’s strengths and their areas for improvement. I cannot stress how important it is for an author receiving feedback to know what they’re doing RIGHT as well as the parts they need to work on. If you do nothing but give out negative feedback, you’re only going to demoralise the writer, and when it comes to editing and revising, they may end up removing some of the good stuff without realising it!
I then divide my feedback into sections, and within these I’ll also mention strengths and weaknesses in more detail. These sections are usually as follows, with examples of some areas I might address in my feedback:
Setting and World-building
Was I immersed in scenes? Which ones in particular? Were the senses used in describing settings? Was there a unique magic system in place (in fantasy) and did it work or does it raise questions?
Plot and Pacing
Thoughts on the overall storyline. Were there any places where the pacing lagged? Any plot holes identified? Does the book start in the right place?
Characters
Listed by name, with some overall thoughts, and the strengths and weaknesses of each, or what I loved the most about them.
Romance (if we’re talking about a romance)
If there’s romance in the book, although some of this might be covered elsewhere (such as under Characters). Is the romantic arc well-paced? Is the romance believable? Does it feel earned?
Dialogue
Comments on if it feels natural and the use of dialogue tags and action beats to slow down/speed up the dialogue.
Style
A general overview of the author’s writing style, and perhaps any comments regarding areas that could be improved (overuse of crutch words such as “just” or filter words like “saw” or “heard”).
Within these sections, I also give specific examples where I can to illustrate my points. Sometimes I give pointers that may be personal taste, but I’m always clear with these too!
After providing my feedback, I’ll answer any specific questions the author has left for beta readers. I often find I’ll already have answered some of these with my feedback, since I subconsciously think about them as I go.
Ask questions too
It can also be useful for the author if you ask your own questions as well.
These can be in your in-line comments. For example, “I think you need to expand this. What does this character want to achieve in this scene?”
Alternatively, an aspect one writer in my beta reading group introduced is for beta readers to leave questions at the end of their feedback indicating where their train of thought is going. These questions give the author an indication of what it is about the section being critiqued that has the beta reader intrigued, what their questions are at the end of that section, and where they think the novel could be going in terms of plot, character development, romance, or whatever. It can give the author an idea of the reader’s thought process, and insight into what parts are holding interest, or what parts are suffering from a knowledge gap because they haven’t provided enough information about certain aspects.
After handing over your feedback, you should also be open to follow-up questions, as this can help the author brainstorm further based on your suggestions.
But at the end of the day… it’s not your book
Basically, you can offer lots of feedback and suggestions, but that’s exactly what they are. Suggestions. This is the author’s manuscript, their book baby, and they may choose to take your feedback on board or completely ignore it. And they’re completely within their rights to do so.
When providing feedback, try to keep in mind what the author is trying to achieve with their book, even if you would write it differently yourself. No two critique partners will have the same vision for a book, so this is completely normal, and something you need to remember when suggesting changes.
Well, that’s it for today! But the essence of being a good beta reader or critique partner is to be kind, be constructive, and support your writing friends. Your own critiquing skills will improve with practice, and you’ll likely learn lots of new things you can apply in your own writing and editing processes.
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