The Importance of Beta & Sensitivity Readers

Both within the Writing Community and out in real life, the most common phrase you’ll find with any sort of dispute is “But I didn’t mean it like that.”

It’s a phrase used to defer responsibility onto the party who was wronged and it’s a way to avoiding holding oneself accountable. Suffice it to say, it’s an excuse that comes from a place of privilege.

Now, I’m not here to talk morals or to tell you how to be a decent human (I really hope I don’t have to tell you that), but I am here to talk about the social responsibility that comes with being an author.

When we, as writers, create and share stories with the world there is always a chance that someone will misinterpret the intentions behind our words. However, when that happens, it’s our responsibility as writers to consider their perspective and improve. It is not that person’s responsibility to “get over” it.

The stories that we create are, in my opinion, also created by our viewers and readers. Their input and their interpretations are even more important than the vision we had when we set out with pen and paper. As such, if you dismiss the interpretation a reader has of your work then you are devaluing their perspective and are rejecting one of the infinite lives your story may have taken on. Why deprive your story like that?

However, opening up your story to those infinite possibilities means that things may be taken in a negative light. To be completely honest, you will never write a book that does not have a possible negative interpretation. The best we can do is to try and avoid as many of these receptions as possible.

That’s where beta readers come in.

Now, I admit that I’ve never formally sought out a beta reader. I have a few friends that I run all of my pieces by and an even broader group who I talk through sensitive topics with should I choose to include them in my work.

That being said, I think that beta readers (and sensitivity readers if you’re dealing with a specific topic) are absolutely essential. Having a diverse group of beta readers will help your writing receive the best reception.

Very quickly, I just want to assure you that I’m not saying you should write your book so that everyone likes it. I’m not even suggesting that your book should make people happy. Having a specific audience and specific goals is an important part of what will make your work stand strong. But I am saying that it’s important to avoid writing in a way that is harmful to others.

By asking people from diverse backgrounds to read your work, you’ll have the best opportunity to catch any problematic areas/phrases/elements/etc. that you may not be aware of or that may carry a different connotation than you intended. Your beta readers should be people you trust to be honest with you and who trust you to not have malicious intent.

Having beta readers point out problematic areas in your work might lead to difficult conversations and probably will lead you to reflect inward on your own biases and privilege in life. It will be uncomfortable. It should be. But it’s our job as writers to understand the perspectives of our readers and to take responsibility for our words and for the good or damage they may do regardless of the intentions they were written with.