diff --git a/.github/workflows/NUGET_RELEASE.md b/.github/workflows/NUGET_RELEASE.md
index bff4c37f..56cd874e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/NUGET_RELEASE.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/NUGET_RELEASE.md
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ The workflow automatically determines the version based on whether the commit is
 
 2. **Untagged Release (Prerelease)**:
    - If the current commit is NOT tagged
-   - Creates a prerelease version based on the last tag
-   - Format: `{LAST_TAG}-preview.{COMMIT_COUNT}`
-   - Example: `0.42.1-preview.123`
+   - Creates a prerelease version based on the next minor version
+   - Format: `{NEXT_MINOR_VERSION}-beta.{COMMIT_COUNT}`
+   - Example: `0.43.0-beta.123` (if last tag is 0.42.x)
    - Published as a prerelease to NuGet.org
 
 ### Workflow Steps
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ Consider enabling branch protection rules for the `release` branch to ensure:
    ```
 2. The workflow will automatically:
    - Build and test the project
-   - Publish a prerelease version like `0.42.1-preview.456` to NuGet.org
+   - Publish a prerelease version like `0.43.0-beta.456` to NuGet.org
 
 ## Troubleshooting
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/TESTING.md b/.github/workflows/TESTING.md
index 89d0d1e3..af9044d5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/TESTING.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/TESTING.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ This tests the workflow on untagged commits to the release branch.
 4. Monitor the GitHub Actions workflow at: https://github.com/adamhathcock/sharpcompress/actions
 5. Verify:
    - Workflow triggers and runs successfully
-   - Version is determined correctly (e.g., `0.42.1-preview.XXX`)
+   - Version is determined correctly (e.g., `0.43.0-beta.XXX` if last tag is 0.42.x)
    - Build and tests pass
    - Package is uploaded as artifact
    - Package is pushed to NuGet.org as prerelease
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ This tests the workflow on untagged commits to the release branch.
 
 **Expected Outcome:**
 - A new prerelease package appears on NuGet.org: https://www.nuget.org/packages/SharpCompress/
-- Package version follows pattern: `{LAST_TAG}-preview.{COMMIT_COUNT}`
+- Package version follows pattern: `{NEXT_MINOR_VERSION}-beta.{COMMIT_COUNT}`
 
 ### 2. Test Tagged Release Publishing
 
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ If testing produces unwanted packages:
 
 The workflow is considered successful if:
 
-- ✅ Prerelease versions are published correctly with preview suffix
+- ✅ Prerelease versions are published correctly with beta suffix
 - ✅ Tagged versions are published as stable releases
 - ✅ GitHub releases are created for tagged versions
 - ✅ Build and test failures prevent publishing
diff --git a/build/Program.cs b/build/Program.cs
index dc8c11f3..40c19b4a 100644
--- a/build/Program.cs
+++ b/build/Program.cs
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ static (string version, bool isPrerelease) GetVersion()
     }
     else
     {
-        // Not tagged - create prerelease version based on last tag
+        // Not tagged - create prerelease version based on next minor version
         var allTags = GetGitOutput("tag", "--list")
             .Split('\n', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries)
             .Where(tag => Regex.IsMatch(tag.Trim(), @"^\d+\.\d+\.\d+$"))
@@ -288,10 +288,14 @@ static (string version, bool isPrerelease) GetVersion()
             .ToList();
 
         var lastTag = allTags.OrderBy(tag => Version.Parse(tag)).LastOrDefault() ?? "0.0.0";
+        var lastVersion = Version.Parse(lastTag);
+
+        // Increment minor version for next release
+        var nextVersion = new Version(lastVersion.Major, lastVersion.Minor + 1, 0);
 
         var commitCount = GetGitOutput("rev-list", "--count HEAD").Trim();
 
-        var version = $"{lastTag}-preview.{commitCount}";
+        var version = $"{nextVersion}-beta.{commitCount}";
         Console.WriteLine($"Building prerelease version: {version}");
         return (version, true);
     }