Using AI as a Beta Reader & Feedback Tool (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #4)
Getting feedback on your writing is tough. For a debut writer, it can feel almost impossible. You pour your heart into a story, and then… what? Finding beta readers willing to give thoughtful, constructive critique takes effort. Sites like Scribophile are great, but they require time—days, sometimes weeks—to get responses, and you have to critique others’ work first to earn the right to post your own. It’s a process, and not always a fast or easy one.
Plus, I recently came across some people offering beta-reading services, and their rates were around $0.01 per word. That doesn’t sound like much—until you do the math. A 78,000-word novel would cost $780 just for basic feedback. And if you’re a struggling first-time author, that’s money you probably don’t have.
That’s where AI has been a game-changer for me.
It’s not a replacement for real beta readers or editors, but it is an instant, flexible feedback tool that lets me refine my work before putting it in front of human eyes. And the best part? I can tell it exactly what kind of feedback I want.
Why Use AI for Feedback?
🔥 No Waiting – I don’t have to sit around for weeks hoping someone gets back to me. AI gives instant feedback.
🔥 Customizable Responses – I can ask for critique from different perspectives, tweaking it to suit my needs.
🔥No Sugarcoating – AI isn’t worried about hurting my feelings, so it points out flaws without hesitation.
How I Use It Simulating Different Readers
One of my favorite tricks is asking AI to pretend to be different kinds of readers. This helps me catch issues with clarity, pacing, and engagement before an actual person reads my work.
“Act like an eighth-grade English reader. Is this easy to follow?”
“Act like a sci-fi fan. Does this world feel immersive?”
“Act like someone who hates reading. Where would you get bored?”
=> Seeing how AI responds in each role helps me adjust my writing for different audiences.
“Pretend you’re a literary agent. Would you request more pages?”
“You’re a publisher looking for the next bestseller. What would make you reject this?”
=> The responses aren’t perfect, but they often highlight the kind of red flags agents might spot—things I wouldn’t notice on my own.
AI can also act as a rough developmental editor, helping me strengthen my story’s foundation before deeper revisions.
“Analyze this like a developmental editor. Is the character arc strong?”
“Point out where the tension drops in this chapter.”
It’s like having a second set of eyes on demand, helping me tighten the structure before I spend weeks revising blindly.
What I’ve Learned
AI isn’t a magic solution, but it’s a powerful tool. Here’s what I’ve taken away from using it:
- It won’t replace human beta readers, but it can be a first line of critique.
- Different “roles” reveal different weaknesses in my writing.
- I can test changes instantly instead of waiting weeks for feedback.
Try It Yourself!
If you’re a writer, experiment with AI by giving it different roles:
- “Read this like an agent looking for a bestseller.”
- “Be a strict high school English teacher and grade this.”
- “Act like a casual reader skimming a book in a store—would you keep reading?”
🚀 Next up: AI as a Grammar Checker, Logic Checker & POV Watchdog (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #5)
🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!
Next episode coming on Sunday!
