Hi all,
So, I'm getting pretty close to the end of my edits now, and am thinking through how I want to handle the beta reading. I have a few grown-ups lined up (speak up if you'd be willing to read, as well - I'd love more input). My target audience is 8-10YO girls, and I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood with a group of girls who have been in a book club for the past few years, and so they have experience reading critically and discussing their thoughts on what they've read.
I'm trying to decide how to do this. Should I have the adults read first, figuring they're more likely to spot and be able to articulate the bigger issues, and then have the girls read once I feel confident it's pretty well there? Have everyone read at the same time, figuring it's useful information if all the adults have a problem with something, but none of the kids do? If it matters, I've had a critique group throughout the drafting process, so I don't think there are humongous holes (though who knows??).
Also, any ideas on getting good feedback from kids? I've heard the idea to ask kids to go through the ms marking A, B or C in the text for Awesome, Boring or Confusing. Any other tips?
Finally, for those who have used kids as beta readers, I'd love to hear anything about how the experience went for you and any advice you have.
Thanks in advance!
So, I'm getting pretty close to the end of my edits now, and am thinking through how I want to handle the beta reading. I have a few grown-ups lined up (speak up if you'd be willing to read, as well - I'd love more input). My target audience is 8-10YO girls, and I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood with a group of girls who have been in a book club for the past few years, and so they have experience reading critically and discussing their thoughts on what they've read.
I'm trying to decide how to do this. Should I have the adults read first, figuring they're more likely to spot and be able to articulate the bigger issues, and then have the girls read once I feel confident it's pretty well there? Have everyone read at the same time, figuring it's useful information if all the adults have a problem with something, but none of the kids do? If it matters, I've had a critique group throughout the drafting process, so I don't think there are humongous holes (though who knows??).
Also, any ideas on getting good feedback from kids? I've heard the idea to ask kids to go through the ms marking A, B or C in the text for Awesome, Boring or Confusing. Any other tips?
Finally, for those who have used kids as beta readers, I'd love to hear anything about how the experience went for you and any advice you have.
Thanks in advance!