# Get useful feedback from beta readers on my manuscript

A plan for picking beta readers, a request message, focused questions per section, and a way to sort the feedback you get back.

- Topic: Creative Writing
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Write, Plan, Fill-in Template, Step-by-step
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/get-useful-feedback-from-beta-readers-on-my-manuscript

## Prompt

```text
Help me get useful feedback from beta readers. This is step 5 of writing my novel.

**Where my manuscript is (from step 4, if I have it):** [e.g. "second draft done, structure fixed"]
**Genre and target reader:** [DETAILS]
**What I most want to learn:** [e.g. "is the middle slow?", "do readers guess the twist?", "is the main character likable enough?"]
**Who I could ask:** [friends, writing group, online communities, genre readers I don't know]
**Format and timeline:** [e.g. "PDF, want feedback within 4 weeks"]

Give me:
1. How to choose 4-8 beta readers: a mix of readers who love the genre and at least one careful critical reader. Explain why close family alone usually isn't enough.
2. A short request message: what the book is, what I'm asking for, the deadline, and that they can say no.
3. A reader guide: questions to answer after every few chapters (Where did you lose interest? What confused you? What do you think will happen next?) and big-picture questions at the end. Ask about reactions, not fixes.
4. A feedback sorting table: Issue | Readers who mentioned it | Chapters | My verdict (fix / consider / ignore) | Planned change. Explain why one person's comment may be taste, while the same comment from three readers is a pattern.
5. A thank-you message and how to credit or thank readers.

Next step: decide how to publish.
```

## What to fill in

- e.g. "second draft done, structure fixed"
- DETAILS
- e.g. "PDF, want feedback within 4 weeks"

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.