What Beta Reader Questions Should Authors Ask?

It’s common for authors to send a list of questions to their beta and alpha readers. But like beta readers, not all questions are are created equally. So, take a little time and think about which beta reader questions matter most before sending your list. Here are some common questions beta readers typically address—and some not-so-common questions you should think about including.

Beta reader questions

Beta readers typically address their overall thoughts on several aspects of your story. Even when authors don’t send a questionnaire, a professional beta reader will likely touch on the most commonly asked beta reader questions. However, it’s still a good idea to include them. After all, some readers won’t point out areas they didn’t find problematic, and others might note only a few. For the best results, ask your betas to review your list of questions before reading the book.

Did you find any plot holes?

This is a big one. Your plot can make or break your story, so this is probably the most important question you can ask. By including this question, your reader might find plot holes they wouldn’t have otherwise. That’s because they’ll be looking for them.

Are there any areas that don’t make sense?

You don’t want readers to wonder what’s happening. If there are any unclear passages or scenes that just don’t make sense, it’s better to know about them now rather than later. Sometimes, beta readers will point out areas they don’t think belong. This could be anything from an entire chapter that doesn’t advance the story to a single event that leads nowhere.

Is the backstory clear?

Readers might need to know your characters’ backstories, but it’s pointless to include them if they aren’t clear. Additionally, it’s possible to include so much backstory that the reader gets bored. That goes for character and setting descriptions, too!

Was the story enaging?

Did the story keep their interest? Did the beta reader feel engaged at all times? The last thing you want is for someone to purchase your book and feel bored. They might DNF (did not finish) it, leave a bad review, or return it for a refund. Some beta readers will point out specific areas that aren’t engaging. This allows the author an opportunity to make changes before their book hits the shelves.

Were you satisfied with the book’s ending?

Readers spend hours of their lives reading a single book. So, a poorly executed ending can be . . . disappointing, to say the least. You might want to ask specific questions about your ending. Here are a few examples:

• Did the novel feel finished?
• Did you feel that the ending left loose ends? If so, what were they?
• Did the cliffhanger (if there was one) make you want to read the next book, or were you disappointed?

What are your overall thoughts on the characters?

Are the characters likeable? Are there too few of them? Are there too many characters? Were the characters developed enough? These are only a few of the several possible questions you should consider asking your beta reader.

Does the story flow well?

There are numerous things that can disrupt the flow of a story.

• Awkwardly phrased sentences can make passages feel clunky.
• Run-on sentences can disrupt flow, reduce clarity, and force the reader to backtrack.
• The flow is disrupted when story pacing isn’t executed well.
• Repetitive information can disrupt flow.
• Overly-lengthy dialogue can decrease flow and engagement.
• Telling more than showing can also hurt flow and can cause the reader to become bored.
• Even glaring grammatical errors can disrupt flow, especially when the mistakes change the sentence’s meaning.

What are your overall thoughts on the story?

Even though this question is broad, it’s a good one to ask. Once your book is published, this is likely the question readers will answer when they review your book. Of course, not everyone will enjoy your book; even bestselling authors receive one-star reviews. However, hearing your beta readers’ overall thoughts should provide some much-needed insight. The more reliable beta readers you have, the better. (Just remember that quality matters more than quantity.)

Specific questions to ask beta readers

While the questions above work well for most books, don’t forget to ask beta readers questions that are specific to your story. For example, are you worried you’ve given away a plot twist too early? Are you wondering if a specific aspect of your worldbuilding isn’t clear? Have you wondered whether a certain trait makes your main character unlikeable?

Ask a beta reader

Beta Reader Bookings LLC allows authors to ask up to five free questions at no additional charge. If you’re thinking five isn’t nearly enough, don’t worry; we also include a feedback letter that should address most of the common questions listed in this post. Remember that beta readers might not address questions that don’t apply (for example, your reader might not address plot holes if they don’t notice any). If authors want to ask more than five questions, they can contact us, and we’ll provide a list of options.