The Comfy Hermit

Trust me, they are out there.

First, what are they?

Alpha Reader

An Alpha Reader is someone who can provide feedback on your early drafts. If you’re lucky they may give you feedback on each chapter as you write!

Beta Reader

Think of them as a proof reader. This would be someone who reads your work before it is published, but after it is edited.

• Your editor is a human and won’t catch everything. They are totally worth it though for their professional insight.
  • You can’t blame someone for not knowing moat and mote are two different things.

ARC (Advanced Reader/Reviewer Copy)

Long story short, you give a free copy of your book (typically pre-release, but can be post-release as well) in exchange for a review.

You do not pay someone to do this. They are getting a copy of your book for free, that’s enough.

Also, you have to pay a service, like Bookfunnel or Booksirens, to do this.

You can use Bookbub, but it’s expensive.

I found Bookfunnel to be the best bang for my buck.

How to Find Alpha, Beta, and ARC Readers

I’m sorry, my dear introverts, you have to network.

• Classes
  • Like the free coursera class (write your first novel).
  • Good for Alpha and Beta readers.
• Writing Groups
  • Of course, there is ours.
  • Good for Alpha and Beta readers.
• Social Media
  • Instagram
  • Threads
    • I know you aren’t going to like hearing this, but you have to go through posts, find the ones who are interested in your genre, and directly reach out. I have found this to be the most effective.
      • Good for ARC readers.
• BookSirens
  • Not a huge fan. Not a large network.
    • I also didn’t enjoy their response to the Planet of the Rape fiasco.
  • Really wasn’t worth the money to have access to the network.
    • This could also be a symptom of my genre. Dark romance is the “in” genre right now so that may have a bigger network for you if that’s what you write.
      • ARC only.
• Goodreads
  • Eh, I wasn’t impressed, BUT all pre-release reviews will have to go here.
    • They DO NOT feed over to Amazon, even though its affiliated, or something like that, with Amazon.
      • ARC only, as far as I have found.
• Indie Fantasy Bookwyrm Tracker App

My List of ARCs/Bookstagrammers/Beta/Alpha Readers

This list was curated by The Comfy Hermit. All wonderful people who follow through AND gave permission to be listed below.

Be kind. We are all humans with limitations and they have the right to deny anyone.

• Sefora. Insta: @s.k.darling_author-ARC, Bookstagrammer.
  • Thrillers, Romcoms, Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy.
    • Fun fact, she’s also an editor!
• Pinky. @pinkypromiseonemorechapter-ARC, Bookstagrammer.
• Mel. @mg_desiigns
  • Preferred genres: dark, horror, thriller
    • Also a graphic designer!
• Isabell. @isabellevolutri-ARC.
  • YA-fade to black/closed door. No spice!
• Rebecca. @becks_bookstagram-ARC, Bookstagrammer.
  • Romance, thriller.