So, you’ve finished your novel. And you’ve gone through a few rounds of self-edits. You feel good about where it is. That imposter syndrome voice has receded to the background, and you think you have a decent – nay, great! – manuscript on your hands.

First off, congrats! Celebrate! Enjoy a beverage (or six) of your choice. Revel in the moment and be proud of yourself. Now, its time for the next big step: beta readers. You send out your manuscript (with great questions). You agonize. You pace the room. You wonder if they will hate it. You worry your manuscript is a pile of flaming-hot garbage. The next moment, you hope they realize how lucky your beta readers are to be reading the next New York Times bestseller.

Finally, you get feedback. Now what.

Here’s how to turn their insights into gold:

1. Digest the Feedback
   Beta reader feedback is like a huge meal. We’re talking Hobbit-level, third-breakfasts-level huge. Before you start making changes, take time to read through all the feedback. Don’t react right away. Let the comments sit for a bit. Digest them. Allow yourself to waffle between pride and despair and all the other emotions. Don’t rush to make revisions. Distance helps you view the feedback more objectively, making it easier to see the value in even the toughest critiques.
   
   
2. Stay Open to Criticism
   Hearing that your protagonist is “unlikeable” or that your pacing drags in the middle can sting. Yes, I am speaking from personal experience. Except my protagonist was “whiny.” But it helped me to remember that my beta readers want to help, not make me feel like a failure. Take a step back, consider the feedback objectively, and resist the urge to be defensive. Again, let it digest for a little while.
   
   
3. Look for Patterns
   If one reader mentions that a subplot is confusing, it might just be their personal taste. But if three or four readers point it out, it’s time to dig deeper. For me, there was a section in the middle third of the book where basically everyone complained that it was too slow and nothing happened. After stepping back, I realized they were right. I would condense a few chapters into a few paragraphs. Patterns in feedback are where the real work begins. They highlight the areas that need your attention.
   
   
4. Prioritize Changes
   We don’t have infinite time. And not all feedback is created equal. Prioritize the major issues first. Work on character development, story arcs, and major plotholes. Focus on issues that will have the most significant impact on your story. If the consensus is that your ending lacks punch, focus on that first before diving into minor tweaks like grammar or tweaking dialogue. For me, I got rid of a pretty important secondary character. Poof! Gone. It was necessary, but I needed to focus on revising the story without him before I tweaked dialogue changes, especially since much of his dialogue was also removed!
   
   
5. Keep Your Vision Intact
   While it’s crucial to be open to feedback, don’t lose sight of your original vision. If a suggestion doesn’t resonate with you or alters your story’s essence, it’s okay to set it aside. You’re the author. This is your product. This is your brainchild. The most important audience is you. In the same way you can take a salad bar approach to writing advice, you can also pick and choose what critiques you address and which you leave.
   
   
6. Revise with Purpose
   Once you’ve digested the feedback and prioritized where to focus your energy, it’s time to revise. But don’t just make changes all willy-nilly. Every adjustment should bring you closer to the story you want to tell. Keep your notes handy, but also trust your gut. And through this process, you might find additional issues that no beta reader brought up that makes your story stronger! I mentioned before that I removed a character, based largely on beta reader feedback. But in revising the story, I also added a new plot element that made the story WAY better. Never would have happened without beta readers!
   
   
7. Know When to Stop
   We’re writers. We can ALWAYS find more to tinker with. There is always a way to polish dialogue or add just a bit more detail to a character’s clothing or hairstyle. It’s easy to get stuck in an endless loop of revisions, especially when new feedback keeps rolling in. But at some point, you need to step back and decide that your manuscript is ready. Trust in the work you’ve done, and move forward with confidence. For some, that means diving into the querying trenches — good luck!!
   
   
8. Thank Your Beta Readers
   Your beta readers have taken the time to read your work and offer feedback, often for free. A heartfelt thank you goes a long way, whether through a personal note, an acknowledgment in your book, or a small token of appreciation. As my mother would say, people should know this. But in the rush and excitement of moving the process forward, even the best folks sometimes forget to pause and say thank you. Be intentional about this. It’s probably the most important step.
   
   
9. Pay It Forward
   Being a beta reader for others is a great experience. Not only is it a great way to give back, but it also sharpens your editorial eye and might even inspire new ideas for your own work.
   

Beta readers are an invaluable part of the writing process, especially in the world of fantasy, where complex plots and extensive worldbuilding can easily lead to blind spots. By approaching feedback with an open mind and a clear plan, you can transform good stories into great ones. Happy revising!