How to Handle Beta Readers Who Suspiciously Ghost You: A Writer’s Tip

“Awkward turtle,” as my kids would say.

Photo by Tanguy Sauvin on Unsplash

My debut novel releases later this year. After years of writing, editing, revising, querying, and pitching, I’ve finally achieved my longstanding goal of becoming a published author. (Hooray! Woot! Woot!)

Throughout my journey, I have gradually learned how to manage self-doubt and become more and more confident in my abilities.

However…

I still experience the occasional bout of Imposter Syndrome, especially when I reflect on the beta readers who suspiciously went radio silent after agreeing to read my manuscript.

Do I really mean “readers” plural? Yes. But who’s counting? Oh, I am.

Specifically, I’ve had two different beta readers (aka friends or trusted confidantes) offer to review a version of my work and provide feedback, only to disappear without a trace after receiving a spiral-bound copy. (Okay, no one actually vanished, but they might as well have).

Here’s how it went down.

I thought long and hard about who to ask for help, knowing I could never spot all the areas in my work-in-progress that needed improvement. I downloaded a 300+ page PDF and sent it to Office Max, then ordered…