For writers and authors
Find out which cover readers would pick up.
Show verified people in the UK your cover, title, blurb or opening lines and hear what they'd choose, and why. Fresh eyes from readers who have never heard of you, usually within minutes.
Later from 30p an answer, plus 50p a question (launch example).
Why writers ask strangers
Friends and beta readers are kind, and they already know the book. A reader browsing a shelf or a thumbnail gives a cover about a second.
Asking 20 people who have never heard of you tells you whether the cover says the right genre, whether the title sticks and whether the opening makes them want the next page.
Questions writers ask
Questions where people's own reactions beat a guess. Anything marked Later is not available yet.
“Which cover fits a cosy crime novel better?”Put both covers side by side in one image.
from 30p an answer
“Read this opening paragraph. How much do you want to keep reading, 1 to 5?”Upload the paragraph as an image of the page.
from 30p an answer
“Is this dialogue believable for two teenagers in Manchester, 1 to 5? What rings false?”
from 30p an answer
“Which newsletter subject line would you open?”
from 30p an answer
“Would you pick this book up from a charity-shop shelf? Why, or why not?”
from 30p an answer
“Rank these five titles, the one you'd pick up first at the top.”
from 30p an answerLater
“Read chapter one. Mark where you lost interest and tell us why.”
from £3.83 an answerLater
Launch example Launch examples, per answer, plus 50p a question. Early access is free.
What you get back
A made-up example at launch prices, to show the shape of an answer: the split, the reasons behind it and a short summary.
Which cover fits a cosy crime novel better?
- “Warm colours and a village. That's cosy crime to me.”
- “Small Steps looks like a thriller.”
- “I'd pick up the first one in a shop.”
Your manuscript stays yours
- Questions are shown only to the people answering, without your name, and never in a public feed.
- Members see your text or image on their own screen. Copy-resistant display and a per-member watermark are planned, not live.
- You keep all rights in what you upload. Answers are opinions for your own decisions; don't publish them as reviews.
- A determined person could still photograph a screen. Don't upload anything you couldn't show to a stranger yet.
What it costs
Launch exampleA quick take is from 30p an answer, plus 50p a question for screening and the summary.
- 20 quick takes ≈ £6.50
Free during early access, with no card needed. You see the total before you ask. Every answer type and its price
Good to know before you ask
Honest limits
- Questions are up to 280 characters. Longer passages work as an image of the page for now; multi-page reading is planned.
- You can't yet choose readers of a particular genre. Each question goes to a mix of verified UK adults.
- Sensitivity reads that depend on someone's health, ethnicity, religion or disability aren't offered: that would mean collecting sensitive personal data we don't hold.
How it works
Ask
Write your question, add an image if you need one, and choose how many people answer, from 5 to 50.
Verified people answer blind
They see your question without your name, and nobody sees anyone else’s answer first.
Get a summary and the reasons
See the split, a line of why from each person and a short summary.
Use cases for writers and authors
Each page shows the questions writers and authors ask, what you get back and the honest limits.
Questions from writers and authors
Can I test a whole chapter?
Not yet. Today you can show an opening paragraph or a page as an image. Longer reads with per-reader feedback are planned as an in-depth answer type.
Can I test covers before they're finished?
Yes. Rough comps work well for genre and mood. Tell people it's a draft if the finish might distract them.
Will anyone steal my title or idea?
Questions go only to the verified members answering, without your name, and never to a public feed. Nothing can stop someone remembering a title or taking a screenshot, so test a title when you're close to using it.
Can I choose readers of my genre?
Not yet. Each question goes to a mix of verified UK adults, which is close to how a stranger meets your book in a shop. Targeting is planned.
Can I use the answers on my book page?
You can use what you learned. Don't present answers as reviews or testimonials.
How many readers should I ask?
Twenty is a good default for a cover or title choice. Use 50 if the result is close.
What if I'm writing for children?
You can test covers and titles aimed at children, but only adults answer. Everyone on PennyForYours is 18 or over.
What does it cost?
Free during early access. Later, a quick take is from 30p an answer, plus 50p a question. 20 quick takes come to about £6.50. These are launch examples.
Ask us before you ask them
Not sure whether a blurb or chapter test would work? Ask us first through the help and support form. A real person replies, usually within 2 working days.
Find out which cover readers pick.
Free during early access. No card needed.
Free during early access. We review requests by hand. Have an invite code? Join