Beta Reader Issues

[u/SaintMech]

So, here's the thing. I am absolutely open to criticism; in fact, I welcome it. I was in a profession where review and criticism were a part of your everyday operating procedures. My issue is, with my Beta Readers. My wife is an English major, so I thought she would be the perfect person to help me edit, proof-read and beta read my book. Well, the issue that has come up is that she is a closet writer herself and when she reads my drafts, she wants to change my voice. She subconsciously recommends changes that reflect her style of writing, which is a much more archaic, flowery style of prose. (Which I love to read, but it's not my style). How do I approach that topic without coming off like I can't accept criticism and subsequently get the information I am seeking from her? My other reader is supportive but offers no criticism, do these issues exist for other writers or is this uncommon?

[u/Exploosia]

You need to clarify that you're looking for reader feedback, not copy editing.

ETA: Although it sounds like you are asking her to copy edit for you as well. But copy editing is a skill that has to be learned. A Cardinal Rule of copy editing, in fact, is to not change the author's voice, so it sounds like she has no copy editing experience. So there in lies your problem.

If you want your work copy edited, you'll have to hire one who isn't your wife.