by Priscilla Bettis https://x.com/PriscillaBettis
Rendezvous With Writing
If you’re a writer, you know about accepting criticism on your first draft. Beta readers (not to be confused with betta fish, but wouldn’t betta readers be a fun moniker?) are helpful readers who critique your first draft so you can polish it up before you send your manuscript to an agent or publishing house. It’s customary to thank the person who did the work of reading your manuscript, and then decide if that reader’s suggestions are right for your story (essay, poem, etc.). After all, it’s your manuscript, and not every suggestion will fit the vision you have for your story. (Hint: usually, the person who did the critique is right. He or she doesn’t know what you meant to write, only what you actually typed.)
