Many of you would read that headline and roll your eyes. Others, however, would be eager to hear the difference because they are relatively knew at this business. After all, they just want someone who reviews their work before it is published. What does it matter what you call them.

A Beta Reader

1) Is not paid.
2) Is familiar with you.
3) Is familiar with what you write (and generally likes the work).
4) Is familiar with your genre.
5) Is an experienced reader (and maybe a writer, too).
6) Is willing to tell it like it is.
7) Sometimes asks you to trade in beta reading each other.
8) Critiques in an assortment of styles, often informal.
9) Feedback is an impression, not educational or solution-oriented.

If you are looking for beta readers, consider any of these groups listed at https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/find-a-beta-reader-updated/. These have been compiled by writing instructor K.M. Weiland whom I greatly admire.

An Editor

1) Is paid.
2) May not know you or your writing at all.
3) Is familiar with your genre.
4) Is a professional and willing to show credentials/testimonials of other editing projects.
5) Will negotiate a contract with you, defining the documents to be read and the feedback format, as well as the type of editing (i.e., developmental, copyedit).
6) Feedback is solution driven.

If you are looking for an editor, start looking at any of the names listed at https://www.editorworld.com/article/top-book-editing-and-proofreading-services.

There you go. What you don’t want to do, however, is think that a beta reader is a good substitute for an editor. While both are helpful, the editorial critique is going to endow you with tools. Apples and oranges, my friends.