There are many points in the writing and publishing journey when you will get asked questions about your process, goals, and book. These questions can differ depending on who is asking and his or her motivations. For example, readers want to feel connected to the author and book, interviewers want to get a good story, and editors or agents might want some clarity.
No matter the type of question you are being asked, you want to be prepared ahead of time with some well-thought-out answers. This will help you respond clearly and succinctly, making you look professional, confident, and credible.
Here are some of the most common questions authors get asked:
Readers love meeting and interacting with authors and having the opportunity to ask questions at an in-person event, during an online live Q&A, or even through email. Answering their questions with thoughtful responses can be a great way to turn them into dedicated fans. Here are common questions you might get asked by readers:
General
What is your writing process? How much outlining do you do? (plotter vs pantser) What inspired you to write the book? What research did you do? How long did it take to write the book? What do you hope readers take away from the book? What are you working on next? What are some of your favorite authors/books? Do you do book club appearances? Will you sign my book?
Fiction
Where do you get your story ideas? Are any of the characters inspired by real people? Are any of the plot points inspired by real experiences? Why did you choose this setting? What is your world-building process? How did you choose your characters’ names? Which character do you relate to most? Which actors/actresses do you envision playing the main characters if made into a movie or show? Are there any scenes that didn’t make it to the final draft? Why did you choose to end the story this way? What happens to the characters after the ending? Will there be a sequel?
Nonfiction
What made you want to share your personal story? (memoir) What made you want to help others? (memoir, self-help, how-to) Which scene was hardest to write? (memoir) Which actor/actress do you envision playing you if made into a movie or show? (memoir) Why did you want to write about this topic? How can I expect to benefit from reading your book? How did your expertise or passion inform or influence the book? Do you offer any courses, consulting, or coaching?
Whether you work with a professional editor you’ve hired or an in-house editor through your publisher, you may be asked some up-front questions about your goals, purpose, and target audience before the editing process begins. This is so they can help shape the book into its strongest, clearest, most marketable form. Here are common questions you might get asked by editors:
What type of editing assistance are you looking for—proofreading, copyediting, line editing, or developmental editing? In which genre/subgenres do you see your book fitting? Who are your target readers? What do you want readers to take away from your book? What are the core messages or themes in your book? Are there sensitivity or accuracy concerns? Are you open to structural and content edits? Which parts feel non-negotiable to you? What is your time frame or deadline for having edits completed? What is your editing budget?
Why did you choose to open the story where you did? Is the story told through the best perspective/point of view? What is the main character’s deepest desire or need? What is the main conflict in the story? Are you open to combining characters if there are too many? What is the climax or highest point of tension in the story? How does your main character transform or evolve throughout the story? Does every scene move the story forward? Is the pacing too slow or too fast in any scenes? Were all five senses used to bring the setting and scenes to life? Is the dialogue authentic throughout? Are you open to an alternate ending? Does the story meet genre expectations or follow appropriate tropes? Will there be a sequel?
What is the main transformation for readers? Does the tone match the subject and intended audience? What do you mean by this point? Should this idea be introduced earlier? Can you expand on this idea? Are your facts accurate and supported? Have you included the appropriate citations? Are there permissions needed for any content or imagery? Are there any liability concerns? Is this too formal or informal for your audience?
The larger, traditional publishers rely on literary agents to vet and pitch only the best manuscripts and book proposals so they can be more selective with what they publish. In turn, the goal of literary agents is to represent books they believe will be attractive to publishers and result in a contract, since they are paid only on commission. If a literary agent is interested in learning more about your book based on your pitch, query, or submission, they will likely have some follow-up questions. Here are common questions you might get asked by literary agents:
What other agents are reviewing your query or submission? Is the manuscript complete? Can you provide a synopsis? In one or two sentences, what is your book about? Is the premise sustainable for a full book? Why are you the right person to write this book? Who are your target readers? In which genre/subgenres do you see your book fitting? Where would it sit on a bookshelf in a bookstore or library? What is the word count? What are some comparable authors/titles? What makes your book different from others? How is your voice or perspective unique? Do you have an online presence/platform? How do you plan to reach your target readers? Is this a standalone book or series? Have you won any awards or contests? What are your publishing goals? How much creative control do you want to have? Are you open to revisions? What is your desired time frame for release? What are your other publishing credits? What else are you working on?
Why does the story begin where it does? Does the storyline fit the intended genre/subgenres? Does the tone and writing style fit the intended genre/subgenres? What is the main character’s deepest desire or need? What is the main conflict in the story? Are there questions or themes you were consciously exploring? How does your main character transform or evolve throughout the story? Will the ending satisfy readers? How do you plan to reach readers of the genre/subgenres? Do you envision more books in this world you’ve created?
Are you an authority on the topic? Do you have an existing audience or clientele? How do you plan to reach new audiences? Are you currently speaking on the topic or plan to? Do you offer any courses, consulting, or coaching? What are your long-term goals?
Media interviews are an important component of book publicity. They help create awareness for a book by reaching potential readers and by highlighting the most interesting aspects or points. Interviewers are looking for a story or narrative that is engaging, revealing, and useful for their audience. Here are common questions you might get asked by interviewers, which may be similar to reader questions:
What inspired you to write the book? What research or preparation did you do? What do you hope readers take away from the book? Who is this book intended for? Where can readers find and purchase your book? What are you working on next?
Where do you get your story ideas? Which character was the most fun or difficult to write? How much of the story is based on real life? What themes were you hoping to explore? Why is this story important right now? Why did you choose this setting or time period? Will there be a sequel?
What made you want to share your personal story? (memoir) What made you want to help others? (memoir, self-help, how-to) Why did you want to write about this topic? Why is this book important right now? How did your expertise or passion inform or influence the book? Do you offer any courses, consulting, or coaching?
Booksellers and retailers tend to ask practical, sales-focused questions. They are trying to figure out how well your book will sell, who it’s intended for, and how easy it will be to position it in their store or catalog. Here are common questions you might get asked by booksellers and retailers:
Is your book available through a distributor or wholesaler (Ingram)? What is the wholesale discount? Is your book returnable? How many books have you sold to date? Where else is your book for sale? What is your book about? Who is your intended audience? In which genre/subgenres do you see your book fitting? What are some comparable titles or authors? Is the book set locally or tied to regional interest? Is there potential for seasonal promotions or tie-ins? Do you have any reviews, endorsements, or awards? Is there a specific hook or angle we can use to pitch it to customers? How will you help drive traffic to my store?
Librarians approach books from a different angle than booksellers because sales numbers aren’t as important as long-term value, community alignment, and accessibility. Their questions often center on whether your book will serve their patrons, collection process, and goals. Here are common questions you might get asked by librarians:
Who is your intended audience? What is your book about? What BISAC categories is the book coded under? What are some comparable titles or authors? Does your book appeal to reluctant readers, advanced readers, or specific groups? Does your book support curriculum, learning goals, or literacy development? Are there topics or themes that connect to current issues or community interests? Has your book been reviewed by sources like School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, or Booklist? Is your book available through library wholesalers (Ingram)? What is the discount and returnability? Can we order directly from the publisher? Is your book available through digital library platforms for digital lending (Overdrive, Hoopla)? Does the book have Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP) data? Is there a (Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) assigned? Is your book available in multiple formats (hard cover, eBook, audiobook, large print)? Is the print version available in a library-bound or reinforced edition? Is there an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) assigned to each format? Is there a Machine-Readable Cataloging Record (MARC) available? Are there discussion questions, back matter, or teaching guides? What kind of author events or presentations do you offer? Is this a standalone book or series?
What makes your story unique within its genre? What central question or conflict drives the story? What themes run throughout your book? Does your book explore particular cultural, social, or historical perspectives? Does it offer authentic representation of cultures, identities, or experiences? Are there any sensitive topics or content warnings librarians should know about? How might it contribute to a more inclusive collection? What do you hope readers take away from the story? What questions do readers ask you most often? What conversations do you hope your novel starts? If a book club reads this, what would you want them to discuss first?
What problem does your book help readers solve? Why is this topic important right now? What knowledge or expertise did you bring to the book? Is the information accurate, well researched, and up to date? How did you verify your information? What makes your perspective or approach unique? Is the book introductory, advanced, or somewhere in between? Does the book include practical tools—worksheets, resources, bibliographies? How do you hope your book informs or changes readers? Can this topic translate into workshops or lectures? Do you teach or speak on this subject? What resources can readers use after finishing the book?
Event planners are more focused on audience experience, logistics, and whether you will help draw attendees and make their event engaging. Their questions tend to combine programming value with practical execution. Events can include keynote speaking, book signings, school visits, panelist presentations, workshop presentations, and more. Here are common questions you might get asked by event planners:
What type of events are you best suited for? What kind of speaking or presentation experience do you have? Do you have video clips or recordings of previous events? Can you provide testimonials or references from event organizers? Who is the ideal audience for your talk or appearance? How does your book translate into a compelling live experience? What makes your presentation engaging for attendees? What will attendees gain from your session? Can you tailor your talk to a specific audience or theme? What topics do you speak on, beyond just reading from your book? Do you travel, and if so, what are your requirements? What are your speaking fees or honorarium expectations? Do you offer virtual appearances as well as in-person events? What AV setup do you require (microphone, projector, slides)? How much time do you need for setup and breakdown? Will books be available for purchase at the event? How will you accept payments? Are you open to book signings, and how long should that be scheduled? Do you offer bulk discounts for attendees? How will you help promote the event (newsletter, social media, website)? Are you open to collaborations with other authors/speakers? Do you have a standard agreement or contract? What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
No matter the type of event or interaction, it’s important to review potential questions you might be asked about your writing process, book content, distribution methods, or marketing strategies, and prepare well-thought-out answers. The last thing you want is to be left speechless or stumbling over convoluted answers. By prepping and practicing your answers, you will appear knowledgeable, professional, and credible, all of which will contribute to your long-term success as an author.
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