Seeking Beta Readers for a Middle Grade Graphic Novel

I am working on publishing a graphic novel with my friend-client-crazy collaborator Misako Rocks! (Just so you know, I didn't put an exclamation mark at the end of that sentence -- it's part of Misako's name.)

The process of publishing a graphic novel is loooooooong. First you come up with the idea, then you outline it, then you write the first draft, then you edit the first draft, then you revise and edit many more times, then you draw it (and maybe edit and revise the drawings a few more times), then you ink it, then you color it, then you design it, then you print it, ship it from printer to warehouse and from warehouse to retail -- and all along the way, you've got to be figuring out how to market and sell it and executing said marketing and sales plans.

Right now, we are at the beginning of that loooooong process.

But not the very beginning -- we have an edited first draft! Hip, hip, hooray!

So that means, we're ready to find BETA READERS.

You might be nodding and saying, "Way to go, Misako and Janna! You're on the cutting edge of 21st century publishing best practices!"

Or you might be scratching your head and wondering, "Huh? Beta readers? What's she talking about?"

The Hoopla About Beta Readers

This whole hoopla about beta readers comes from the world of software development. All forward-thinking progress comes from Silicon Valley, right?

Right?

OK, never mind. But a few forward-thinking good ideas do come from Silicon Valley.

This concept of beta readers is one of them.

Basically, a beta reader is someone you ask to read an early version of your book and give you honest feedback on what's working and what isn't, and what they like and don't like about it.

It's the same idea in the software industry. You give a "beta user" an early version of your software and instruct them to go to town with it. You ask them to tell you what they like and don't like, and where they found the "bugs."

Obviously, the benefit of having a group of people "test-drive" your writing early in the process is that you'll find out what you need to fix/refine/improve -- and you'll also find out exactly what's resonating with people.

But there's another benefit, as well. The type of people who volunteer as beta users in the software world tend to be the more engaged, passionate, and knowledgeable software users. They are the early adopters who latch onto cool new things and start spreading the word about just how awesome they are.

This is true with beta readers too. There's a whole "beta reader community" out there in all the different literary genres -- romance, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, etc. -- and you can bet those people are the people who like to talk about books.

When you reach out to find beta readers and a group of people raises their hands and says, "I would love to read your 200 page manuscript for free and tell you everything I think about it!" -- congratulations! You have started to build your tribe. Those same people who give you useful early feedback will also, more than likely, cheer you on when you're further down the road and have a publication date and a book cover and a marketing plan.

Those people are your advance guard. You keep them apprised of how the book is going, and they'll help spread the word.

So remember, your beta readers are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PEOPLE. Treat them with care. Invite them into your inner circle and give them lots of love. (Never forget to say thank you!!)

How do you find beta readers?

The first and most crucial step to finding beta readers is to identify your target audience.

Your target audience is the type of people who would really enjoy your book. They are the book's ideal readers.

In the world of children's books, it's important to note that you're almost always going to have two target audiences: 1) the type of kids who'd love your book; and 2) the "gatekeepers" who would give your book to those children. The gatekeeper could be a parent, librarian, teacher, or some other grown-up with a close relationship to the child.

So when you're looking for beta readers for a children's book, it's a good idea to get feedback from:

1. actual kids with your ideal reader profile
2. parents, librarians, teachers, and other people connected to those kids

Back to where I started!

Misako and I are on the hunt for beta readers for BOUNCE BACK.

Bounce Back is a middle grade graphic novel about a Japanese girl who unexpectedly moves to the U.S. with her family and finds herself torn between two very different groups of friends at her new middle school in Brooklyn.

The target audience for Bounce Back is 5th through 8th grade girls who like reading graphic novels with tons of "middle school drama."

Are YOU interested in being a beta reader?

We're interested in anybody who is:

1. a 5th through 8th grade girl who likes reading graphic novels with tons of "middle school drama" (DUH!)
2. a grown up who likes kids graphic novels
3. a teen who likes graphic novels and remembers being in 5th through 8th grade and what if felt like
4. a grown up who has ever interacted with 5th through 8th grade girls and has a good sense of what they like

Basically, if you volunteer, we're going to assume you have some affinity for this project. It doesn't matter to us what it is... if you want to join our team, we're thrilled to have you!

Click here to fill out our beta reader application.

We are accepting applications until May 23, 2019.

And if you become one of our beta readers, you get many wonderful perks!! You will receive:

1. our undying gratitude!
2. your name listed in the Acknowledgements of the book!
3. the inside scoop on our publishing journey!
4. special Q&As with us as we continue on this adventure!
5. an invitation to the book launch (aka rockin' party!)!

By the way...

If YOU are an author, comics creator, or publisher and you'd like to use our beta reader application as a template for your own venture, you are in luck! I created a beta reader application template in Google Forms which is FREE FOR ALL.

Onward and upward, people! Let's go publish awesome books!

by Janna Morishima