Having a successful beta readership can catapult your book into success. But being a beta reader is hard–especially if you’ve built a beta reading team that includes first timers. There’s a reason why nuanced literary discourse was taught to us in school. It doesn’t come naturally.

One way to combat the phenomena of vague beta reader responses is by adding a professional beta reader to your team, but another can be by providing discussion questions that guide their reading and responses. Don’t just ask what they like and what they dislike, get into specifics. While tailoring your questions to your own story is a good idea, here are some that can give you direction on edits no matter what your story covers:

Was the Story Interesting from the Very Beginning?

You want a good sense of when your readers were really gripped by your story because there are barriers to entry before a reader will purchase, finish reading, review, and recommend to others. The sooner they’re hooked, the more readers you’ll get. So, knowing can be powerful for your future promotion!

Did You Notice Any Plot Holes?

This is clearly the coup de grâce. It’s probably the question you’re considering most when writing and reaching out to beta readers. This is their primary job. So, you may want to consider asking this question in a few ways. We have a few more nuanced here in this blog to help!

Which Moments Confused or Frustrated You?

This is a great way to understand at what points readers may put your book down if they are too frustrated to continue. You may get answers that they’re really into your story and hated the villain along with your protagonist, which is great, or you might create opportunities to improve reader experience if something doesn’t line up.

Which Moments Surprised or Excited you?

Surprise can give you kudos or things to fix, but excite will almost always give you a sense of which moments may work as material to promote and pitch your book down the line.

Did You Notice Inconsistencies in the Characters?

Some inconsistencies are intentional. We’re all hypocrites, and characters can be too. But some you may not have noticed can undermine your book!

What Did You Hate?

Hate is a strong word. It’s good to give your beta reading team the opportunity to express it if they feel it because hate can lead someone to write a book review negatively and impact future sales if not addressed. That said, not every book is for everyone, and maybe some hate is good! It means you’re doing something interesting.

When Did You Consider Stopping Reading?

Did your book get slow at one point? You’ll only know if you ask!

How Would You Describe This Book to a Friend?

This is an unbelievable marketing tool. You can use it to get great adjectives or summaries for pitches and back cover details.

Do You Have Any Lingering Questions That Weren’t Answered?

Depending on your story, you may want to leave lingering questions behind or not. Use the information accordingly! You may even uncover the opportunity for a sequel you hadn’t planned.

Was the Ending Satisfying?

Writing a satisfying ending is difficult. It’s possibly even more difficult than writing a book in the first place. Make sure your readers are coaching you here!

It takes a lot of time to write a book, but getting useful feedback from your beta readers can be even harder if you don’t give them materials to set them up for success. A questionnaire helps jog their memory and give them a space to give feedback thoughtfully. Once you have your feedback, you’re off and ready to edit your manuscript and publish!