“Where can I get feedback on my writing?” A question that plagues many writers.
You’ve finished a draft or two of your book, and now you want to see if this thing that you’ve dedicated so much time and effort to is any good.
Getting feedback is critical for making your book the best that it can be. Maybe you have a writing group, friend, or family member who can read your book. But maybe you don’t. Or maybe you’ve already gotten feedback from those people, and you need some fresh eyes to critique your story.
Here are the different ways to get feedback on your novel (including where to get feedback on a novel for free).
Why Is Feedback Important in Writing
It is important to have someone else critique your novel because it is hard to see your own writing clearly. When you write a book, you’re very close to the project, and that can blind you to some of its problems.
An outside perspective will help you find plot holes, inconsistencies, gaps in logic, and so much more. Feedback will help you look at the book through a new lens and consider things you didn’t even think about.
When to Get Feedback on a Novel
There is no set answer for when to get feedback on your writing. Some people like to send out their book as they write it, while others like to write a couple of drafts before letting anyone else read it.
Me? I’m a pantser, so I usually need at least two drafts before I know what I want with a story. My first drafts are purely for me to figure that out. After the initial draft is done, I usually revise it once or twice before having anyone else read it. As an editor, I can catch a lot of problems as long as I take a step back from the story in between drafts, so I can come back to it with fresh eyes.
But what works for me won’t work for everyone. Experiment with getting feedback at different points in the writing process to find when it is most useful for you.
Where to Get Feedback on a Novel
There are essentially three groups you can get feedback from: readers, writers, and editors. Each of these groups has advantages and drawbacks. Let’s go through them.
Alpha/Beta Readers
If you want to get feedback on your book for free, alpha and beta reading can be a great way to do it.
Alpha and beta readers are people who love to read and are happy to give feedback. They may be writers as well, and if they are, you should be prepared to beta read for them too.
Sometimes friends and family fall into this category. However, I’d caution against relying solely on them to give you feedback. In my experience, friends and family will happily agree to read your book, and they’ll start reading it, but they often don’t finish (especially if they don’t read regularly).
If they do happen to finish, they don’t always give you the feedback you’re looking for. They love you, and that’s great, but it means they may not be comfortable with telling you that there are problems in your book. Or they may not have the expertise to give you constructive feedback.
The point of getting feedback is to find the problems, so you need people who are going to be honest with you about what you’ve written.
(Note: There is a difference between being honest and being rude. If someone just tells you the book is bad, look for someone else to give you feedback. However, that doesn’t mean you should look for someone who sugarcoats everything. Try to find people who will deliver a thoughtful, honest, constructive critique.)
You can find beta readers through writing classes, seminars, workshops, or conferences; social media (there are whole Facebook groups dedicated to beta reading); blogs; online forums (like this subreddit); etc.
Writing Groups/Critique Partners
Similarly to alpha and beta readers, writing groups and critique partners are another free option. These groups are made up of writers who critique each other’s stories.
Writing groups contain 3 or more writers who all exchange manuscripts and critique them. They often go chapter-by-chapter, meeting to discuss each one (though you can adapt yours to meet your particular needs and schedule). They are great for an in-depth look at each chapter, but it can take a long time to get through a manuscript this way.
A critique partner is just one person you agree to swap manuscripts with, but the partnership functions similarly to a writing group. You and your critique partner can discuss your needs to decide what will work best for your partnership.
Writers will often give you detailed feedback because they are just as invested in writing as you are. Giving feedback to other writers is also a great way to improve your own writing because you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t and train yourself to be able to spot more problems in your own story.
Writing groups and critique partners can be found in many of the same places you can find beta readers. You may be able to join local writing groups that are already established in your area.
Developmental Edit/Manuscript Critique
The last category of people are professional editors who offer developmental edits or manuscript critiques. If you haven’t built up a list of beta readers, found a writing group/critique partner, or don’t have time to critique the work of others, this can be a good option.
Hiring a professional editor does cost money, but you may find it is worth it to have someone fully committed and dedicated to helping you improve your work. If you are planning to self-publish, I’d especially recommend this because professional editors will help you get your book to the quality of traditional publishing.
A developmental edit (sometimes called a substantive edit) includes feedback on big-picture elements of the story such as plot, character, structure, worldbuilding, etc. The editor will leave comments on specific scenes and moments, offering advice to improve them. This kind of edit can also include an editorial letter where the editor may discuss things as a whole or offer further feedback beyond what was in their comments.
A manuscript critique doesn’t include comments on the manuscript. It focuses on the editorial letter. Since it is a bit less intensive for the editor, it is often a more budget-friendly option.
Different editors may have different processes for their edits and critiques. If you decide to hire one, make sure you understand what they are offering you.
That’s how to get feedback on your novel. Remember, getting feedback can be scary, but ultimately it will benefit you and your writing. Whether you choose to get feedback from alpha/beta readers, a writing group, a critique partner, or a professional editor, these people will often become some of your greatest supporters.
