Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing

Marianne De Pierres has kindly agreed to be interviewed about her experience with beta readers. Marianne is also part of Writers on the Rise group ( a number of them have participated in this series of blog interviews). I’m a bit of a Marianne De Pierres fan, having known her now for over ten years. I loved her kick ass  Parrish Plessis series and also her space opera Sentients of Orion series. She is now also publishing a young adult series under the name of Marianne Delacort. The Tara Sharp series is a crime series. You can find more about Marianne here

1. How many beta readers do you have and how long have you used beta readers in your writing process?

For a long time my beta readers have been my personal writing group – six other people. I also have a two other readers who beta-read my teen novels because they are more the target audience. Of recent years I haven’t had a chance to use my beta readers as much with my novels going directly to the editor when they’re finished.

2. In what ways do beta readers assist you in developing your novel for publication?

 I doubt very much I would ever have been published without their critical feedback. In fact I’m sure I wouldn’t! They have been absolutely invaluable and I cherish them.

 3.    Do all your beta readers pick up the same points?

No, not at all. They read differently, some focussing on the world building, others on the plot or character or the tone or the style. I find this very useful.

4. Do you sometimes target your beta readers to particular areas based on the experience you had with them in the past? For example, one reader is good at plot holes, another reader is good at grammatical issues and another might be good at style. Or do you take what comes?

 Sometimes. Or I send it to all of them and say “please just focus” on this aspect. It can be interesting to say that to six different people. If five of them give the same response, you know they’re absolutely right.

 6.    How hard is it to find a good beta reader?

It can take a while. I think you need to suss out their ability to give critical feedback that you can assimilate. Listen to how they talk about the books they read and avoid people who have too much emotional investment in you. It can’t help but cloud their thought processes, no matter how hard they try to be objective. You’ll find that you and your readers grow together like any good partnership.

7.    Do you have any advice for readers who want to be beta readers or even editors in the long run? For example, what type of commentary to you prefer?

I’ve always found that if my editor and beta readers ask me questions, that works much better than any prescriptive kind of editing. I love an editorial report full of what does that mean? What happened here? Etc. I know immediately that I’m letting my reader down, and am inspired to “fix it”!

Thank you Marianne for taking time out of your busy writing and promotion schedule. It is very much appreciated.

Donna