What is a Beta Reader Agreement and Why do Authors Want Them?

Early readers who read your manuscript and give feedback to improve it are called beta readers. They’re a huge help for authors who want to write the best version of their book, but it can be scary to risk sending an in-progress book out into the world. Whether you’re leaning on friends, enlisting members of a writing community, or engaging professional beta readers, you’ll want a beta reader agreement in place before you share anything. 

Why would I want a beta reader agreement? 

Beta reader agreements set the expectations for a beta reader and give an author peace of mind about sharing unpublished work. While your work has copyright protection the second you write it down, giving a beta reader specific parameters about what they can and cannot do with the book makes any sort of harm or mishap less likely. Also, since beta readers are rarely compensated professionals, they often appreciate knowing exactly what they’re safe doing. 

What goes into a beta reader agreement? 

A good beta reader agreement does three things: 

• Sets expectations for what you’re hoping to get from your beta readers and how they can share their feedback

• Gives clear guidelines for what is not okay regarding sharing the book and its contents

• Explains reasoning behind the guidelines and restrictions

What if beta readers won’t sign an agreement? 

Beta reading is typically a favor, which means maintaining good relationships with your beta readers is vitally important. To me, setting clear boundaries from the beginning is essential to maintaining strong professional relationships. My beta reader agreement is non-threatening and highly explanatory, so if someone isn’t willing to agree, I find it’s best not to share. 

Where can I find a pre-made beta reader agreement? 

Right here! Please note: I am not a lawyer. While there are a lot of NDAs and legalese-heavy agreements available online, this is what I use to keep it short and friendly while setting expectations: 

Thank you so much for offering to be a beta reader for [BOOK TITLE]! As you might expect, it's a little nerve-wracking to release a pre-published copy of a book into the wild, so I have a few ground rules for beta readers. As soon as you agree, you can have the book (digitally) in your hands and ready to read!

1. This is confidential. Please do not share this manuscript with anyone else. This is for two reasons: first, it protects my story from bad actors who might try to pass it off as their own. Second, I'm expecting to edit and refine the book before it hits shelves, so I don't want an old version floating around that isn't up to that published quality standard. 

2. Please be honest. I want your honest feedback about what you enjoy and don't. You can provide that feedback to me however you like: in comments on the document, by email, or in a voice chat. You're also welcome (and encouraged!) to leave an honest review of the book once it's published. I will ask that you don't talk to other people about the book until it's published.

3. All the legal stuff. I'm sharing a copy of the manuscript with you for beta reading, but I'm not transferring any rights or property. You're agreeing not to copy it, redistribute it, sell it, or make it public to any third party outside this agreement. This agreement is about beta reading the unfinished, unpublished manuscript of [BOOK TITLE], and it's valid indefinitely unless we both sign a new agreement in writing that says otherwise. 

That's it! Thank you so much again. I can't express enough how valuable outside feedback is in this process. I hope you enjoy [BOOK TITLE]. 

When you’re ready to start sharing a book with beta readers, check out these tips on how to find the right beta reader to fit your book and what questions to ask to get the best beta reader feedback.