Beta Reader Fiction Questionnaire:
What to Ask
Hiring a beta reader to evaluate your stories comes with a dilemma. You want to get useful feedback, especially when you are paying for the service. But, at the same time, you know that reading is a subjective experience in many ways.
But there is a way around it.
You can ensure you will receive a useful report by giving a questionnaire to your beta reader. This way, they will have a clear idea of what is expected of them.
Here is the questionnaire I answer when authors hire me to read their fiction books or short stories. It was created based on many resources found online or in creative writing courses I’ve attended over the years.
Title & Blurb
If you already have a title and blurb for your book, it’s a good idea to tell them to your beta reader. They are the first things your audience will see when your book is up for sale.
– Do you like the title? Would it encourage you to buy the book?
– Do you think the title is consistent with the story and genre?
– Does the title match the expectations created by the blurb?
Prologue + First Chapter
The first thing you want to hear about is the prologue (if there is one) and the first chapter of your story. Both are crucial when trying to get an agent or grab your readers’ attention in a brick-and-mortar or online bookshop.
– Did you feel compelled to continue reading after the prologue/first chapter? If yes, what gripped you? If not, what put you off?
– Do you think the story begins in the right place?
– Was there any information (plot or character) you wished were revealed in the first chapter, but you only found out later in the story?
– Or, on the contrary, did you feel like the first pages were stuffed with too much information? If yes, what information you didn’t see was necessary to be revealed sooner?
– Was it easy to understand what the story is about from the beginning?
(POV) Structure
The structure of your story can make all the difference. If chapters are poorly organised, or if you choose the wrong narrator, your readers might get confused and stop reading.
– How did you feel about the number and order of the chapters?
– Did you like having a Prologue? Or do you think a Prologue should have been added? Why?
– Is the passage of time clearly marked?
– Did you notice the changes of POV? Was it clear to you who the narrator was in each chapter?
– Did the use of first/third person POV caused any issues?
– Would you have preferred a different POV?
Genre & Target Audience
Each genre and target audience have expectations you need to meet. A good idea is to choose beta readers that usually read in your genre. But only readers that are also writers can properly answer the following questions:
– Do you think the book suits the intendent age group?
– Does the storyline suit its genre?
– Are the elements typically found in this genre present in the story? If not, what is missing?
– Can you identify a subgenre? If yes, what is it?
– Does this book remind you of another book or film? If yes, which one?
Characters
Characters are the soul of any story, even those that are plot-driven. Your readers should be able to root for them or, at least, be interested in their destiny.
– What did you think of the main characters? Did you find them compelling and believable?
– What do you think is their motivation?
– What did you think of the relationship between the main characters?
– Are the main characters’ voices distinct from one another?
– Did you find any character irrelevant to the story?
– Were there too many or too few characters?
– Did you find the behaviour of any character inconsistent in any part of the story?
Plot & Conflict
You plot must be interesting enough to keep people reading. And stories without conflict aren’t stories. Stories are about change, and change usually is a result of conflict. Something must happen in each chapter/scene to keep your readers motived to read.
– Is there enough tension? Are the stakes high enough?
– Did you find the conflict believable/plausible and intriguing?
– Did you notice any cliché in the story?
– What did you think of the plot twist?
– Did you notice any plot holes?
– Were there any predictable parts?
– Are there any scenes/chapters you would rather see taken out?
– Is there anything missing from the story?
– Did you find any scenes confusing or frustrating?
– Did you find any scenes or parts of dialogue ethically concerning?
– Did anything surprise you?
Pacing
Pacing is everything. It keeps your reader engaged when done right. It makes them regret getting the reading started if done wrong.
– Does the pacing match the genre?
– Does the book feel too slow or too fast-paced?
– Is there the right amount of dialogue?
– Is there the right amount of flashbacks/backstories? Did they slow the pacing?
Setting
One of the reasons why people read books is to be transported to another time or place. Or both. To achieve this, your setting must be inviting and easy to follow.
– Did the descriptions give you a clear and vivid understanding of time and place?
– Were there too much or too little descriptions?
– Does the setting affect the characters and plot in some way?
– Are there any memorable bits about the way the setting affected any of your five senses? For instance, do you remember how a setting smells or any sounds?
Ending
Many accomplished authors are guilt of writing poor endings. This seems to be one of the trickiest parts of storytelling. It needs to be consistent, satysfying, and demonstrate the main character’s growth.
– Did you find the ending consistent with the storyline?
– Was the ending satisfying?
– Was the plot resolved?
– Was the ending predictable?
– Was the ending vague?
Use of language
Finally, add some questions about the writing itself. You could ask, for instance:
– What do you think of the writing style?
– Was the writing easy to read and understand?
– Are the sentences too long or too short?
– Does the book need more editing or proofreading?
Any other questions?
The list above should cover the main concerns authors have about their manuscript. Still, feel free to include other questions relevant to your novel or short story.
For instance, if you have specific concerns about a character, chapter, or scene, add questions addressing them. You can even suggest a particular page or paragraph you need your beta readers to check closely.
Just be careful not to overdo it. You want your beta reader to experience your story as any other reader would. Beta readers aren’t developmental editors. Too much guidance might make them overthink and overanalyse your storyline.
You should also consider changing the wording of some questions if your beta readers isn’t an author. Remove the technical terms. You should also consider picking around10 questions overall if you aren’t paying for a complete reader report.
Also, some questions in the questionnaire might not apply to your story. Or maybe you don’t need to see them all answered. Select those that make sense to you.