Hi SEers! Denise here to talk about using beta readers once the story is written and given a polish.

I wrote my first couple of books with no feedback other than editing. That left a lot of work for the editor and me when I had to go back and fix things readers noticed.

You can lose readers when they are the ones who find a plot hole or blue eyes in one chapter and brown in another. Yes, an excellent editor might find the eye discrepancy, but what about the plot hole? Those little things can get passed over easily.

Beta readers differ from critique readers, who read your story in small chunks and offer suggestions, while beta readers get the complete story and can see the entire picture. I recently sent my story collection to beta readers. I have the same nervous feeling as I do when waiting…